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Image courtesy of Mill City Roasters.
Mill City Roasters Offering Roasting 201 in Minneapolis
Commercial roasting machine company Mill City Roasters is adding a two-day professional coffee roasting class to its education program, called Roasting 201. The course is designed for experienced production roasters who have already completed Mill City’s Roasting 101 course. The first few dates are scheduled for April and August inside Mill City’s new headquarters in Minneapolis, which features a wide range of production and sample roasting machines. Registration is available here.
Coffee Science & Education Summit Coming this February
The Specialty Coffee Association, in collaboration with ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, is bringing the first ever Coffee Science & Education Summit to Wädenswil, Switzerland, on Feb. 6-7. Learn more about upcoming lectures and workshops and find registration information here.
Costa Rica Harvest Struggles due to Labor Shortage and Harsh Climates
Unseasonable rains last month, plus Nicaragua’s new strict immigration laws, contributed to Costa Rica’s current labor shortages, leaving approximately a sixth of the ripe coffee unharvested, according to a recent report from Tico Times. In response, the Costa Rican coffee institute ICAFE has implemented a campaign to stir Costa Ricans, particularly younger ones, to join the coffee industry in the countryside.
Atomo Raises $7.8 Million for Expansion Efforts
Coffee-like beverage company Atomo has raised an additional $7.8 million in funding, according to a recent Geekwire report. The company, which counts Japan beverage giant Suntory as an investor, previously raised at least $58.8 million through numerous rounds.
Report: USDA Worker Program Fails to Help Puerto Rican Coffee Sector
The US Department of Agriculture’s initiative to address Puerto Rico’s labor shortage by allowing easier entry for foreign agricultural workers has failed in large part due to the bureaucratic U.S. visa process, lack of housing and high costs to bring in people to help, according to a recent article in Periodismo Investigativo.
Traditional Parisian Cafes Versus Specialty Coffee
A recent article from the New York Times delves into the emergence of specialty coffee shops within Paris over the last 15 years, with new quality-focused coffee shops and roasters challenging the traditional cafes and bistros — and the very street culture — of the French capital.
JDE Peet’s Announces Executive Committee Changes
In a recent press release, JDE Peet’s announced a new external CFO to commence in Q2 of 2025, as its current CFO, Scott Gray, is returning to the U.S. JDE Peet’s has also appointed Ricard Barri Valentines as CMO and member of the Executive Committee.
Study: Science of a Coffee Cup
A fun study from researchers at the Swiss Science Center Technorama covers a brief pedagogical review of the acoustics, optics and fluid mechanics visible in a standard cup. Requiring no laboratory equipment, the whimsical experiments are designed to be replicable at home and are accompanied with videos and related discussions.
Starbucks Lead Director Mellody Hobson Steps Down
After nearly two decades in the Starbucks board room, Mellody Hobson announced her resignation from re-election as lead independent board director, according to a recent Reuters report. She was the only African American woman to chair a Fortune 500 company during her tenure.
Purse-Maker Coach Opening Austin Coffee Shop
Following an opening late last year in a New Jersey mall complex, luxury apparel brand Coach is opening its second coffee shop, in a mall in Austin, Texas, according to a My San Antonio report.
ICYMI
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
Coffee Price Volatility Harms the Mental Health of Farmers
Coffee is a drink that punctuates many of our lives. Millions of us depend on this dark liquid to start the morning, or to break up the day… read more
Study: Coffee Extends Its Lead as Top US Caffeine Source
People in the United States are consuming more caffeine than they were a decade ago, with coffee extending its grasp as the dominant dietary source of stimulant, according to a comprehensive new survey… read more
Indiana’s Copper Moon Coffee Sues Cleveland Coffee Shop Following TikTok Moment
Lafayette, Indiana-based coffee roasting company Copper Moon Coffee is suing a Cleveland cafe by the name of The Copper Moon, saying a viral TikTok video caused confusion between the two businesses… read more
Matthew Algie and Solidaridad Launch Two-Year Decarbonization Pilot in Honduras
Through a partnership with the farmer-focused civil society organization Solidaridad Network, Scottish coffee roasting company Matthew Algie is launching a decarbonization pilot project focused on Honduras… read more
With Green Climate Fund Backing, Conservation International Launching AROMA Coffee Project
The Green Climate Fund recently signed off on an approximately $2 million grant to support the design of an ambitious multi-year coffee sustainability program led by the nonprofit Conservation International (CI)… read more
National Coffee Association Talks Directly to Consumers through aboutcoffee.org
After 113 years operating largely under the public radar, the United States National Coffee Association just launched its first consumer-focused website, aboutcoffee.org… read more
From Taiwan, the Latest Syncfo Pro Analyzes Coffee in Many Forms
Taiwanese brand Syncfo recently unveiled a new Pro model of its green and roasted coffee analyzer, adding dry coffee cherry and parchment coffee to the analysis mix… read more
