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Inaugural Southwest Roaster Showdown Coming This Spring
The Southwest Chocolate and Coffee Fest is launching a roasting competition supported by importer Cafe Imports called the Southwest Roaster Showdown. Roasters will receive the competition coffee in March, while the winners will be awarded at the festival, taking place in April in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Cafe Imports’ Dylan Siemens is leading the judging. Find all the info here.
BBC News: Kenyan Coffee Especially Vulnerable to Climate Change
A new BBC News article explores the impacts of climate change on the livelihoods of Kenyan coffee farmers, especially considering the regional sensitivity of arabica.
The Conversation: How Does Franchising Work?
Andrew Terry, professor of business regulation at the University of Sydney, recently wrote an article for The Conversation on the subject of franchising, including its history, its opportunities and its limitations.
Bloomberg Columnist: Expect a Bumpy Year in Coffee Prices
Javier Blas, a Bloomberg opinion columnist covering energy and commodities, recently wrote an article (paywall) bracing readers to expect a bumpy year in coffee prices, primarily due to political and market volatility.
With Sabrina Carpenter, Dunkin’ Encourages Consumers to “Shake That Ess’”
With a new year comes a new iced beverage from Dunkin’, promoted in partnership with pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter called Sabrina’s Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso. Dunkin’s ad campaign encourages consumers to “Shake That Ess’.”
Aluminum Association Reports Flat Can Recycling Rate in US
According to a recent report from the Aluminum Association, the consumer recycling rate for aluminum cans has increased only slightly since 2020, to 43%, while remaining well below the 20-year average of about 50%. The group said the lagging rate is “unfortunate” since aluminum packaging constitutes just 3% of the weight yet about 30% of the economic value of recyclable material produced in homes.
Euro News: Fairtrade Aids Smallholder Coffee Farmers in Response to Climate Change
A recent feature from Euro News highlights Fairtrade’s efforts to support smallholder coffee farmers to become more adaptable and resilient to climate change while maintaining quality. Fairtrade Foundation’s Max Milward is quoted saying, “Despite it being a lucrative industry, coffee farmers still don’t enjoy the standard of living that their hard work deserves.”
New Western-themed Cowboy Coffee Shop Comes to California North Bay
Cowboy Coffee recently set up shop across the street from Santa Rosa Junior College in California, with a country theme inspired by owner Antonia Wise’s Petaluma roots, according to a Press Democrat piece.
IYKYK! Coffee Lab Launches with Disco Balls and AI
Human and AI-powered assistant baristas are allegedly working together at IYKYK! (If You Know You Know) Coffee Lab, a new coffee shop concept in California with openings at the Huntington Beach Pier and at Orange Coast College. A press release from the company announces plans for future U.S. expansion.
Aviation Operator Paragon Enlists Royal Cup Coffee
Business-to-business coffee suplier Royal Cup Coffee recently joined the Paragon Network, a supplier of fixed-based operations (FBO) services for the aviation industry.
ICYMI
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
25 New Coffee Roasters to Support in 2025
This year, dozens of new facilities dedicated to roasting specialty coffee opened across the United States… read more
Prices, EUDR and Value Inequity Defined the Year in Green Coffee
Sustained relatively high prices and the looming enforcement of the European deforestation-free law known as EUDR captured headlines throughout the green coffee world this year… read more
Electric Roasting Equipment Surged in 2024
Last year’s trend towards electric roasting equipment for commercial coffee operations picked up even more steam this year… read more
Home Drip And Espresso Brewing Got Simpler, Smarter and More Stylish in 2024
Continuing our 2024 Year in Review, here are some of DCN’s top stories covering home drip, pourover and espresso brewing equipment… read more
Home Coffee Grinders Broke New Ground in 2024
Coffee grinders for home use advanced from all angles in 2024, from the purely manual Ousia grinder to the technologically complex Geimori grinder… read more
Coffee Research in 2024 Focused on Climate Change, Quality and Human Health
The vast multidisciplinary world of coffee-related research expanded on all fronts in 2024, yet much of it can be reasonably assigned to one of three categories: green coffee sustainability in the face of climate change; understanding coffee quality; and human health… read more
Study Shows Links Between Coffee Drinking and Gut Health
New research suggests that drinking coffee may have outsized effects on the composition and health of human guts… read more
