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Discovering Hidden Gems in Osaka’s Coffee Scene

Discovering Hidden Gems in Osaka’s Coffee Scene

Osaka, the vibrant heart of Japan, is a city known for its playful spirit and distinctive charm. And as coffee enthusiasts know, it's not just about staying awake; it's also an exciting journey into unique cultures and traditions. This time, we're back in Osaka with our updated guide to must-visit cafés that will leave you craving more of this bustling city. Mill Pour Coffee Just a stone's throw away from Shinsaibashi, Mill Pour Coffee offers an exquisite collection of espresso drinks and non-coffee options, along with a delectable food menu featuring French toast and hot dogs. The daily espresso blend…
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Differentiate Your Specialty Coffee Brand with Purpose and Impact

Differentiate Your Specialty Coffee Brand with Purpose and Impact

In a fiercely competitive specialty coffee market, it's no longer enough to offer top-notch quality. To stand out, you need a unique brand identity that resonates with consumers on an emotional level. We spoke with Danu Pedreschi from Making Bulla and Ratibor Hartman, a Panamanian producer at Mi Finquita project, to learn the secrets of building a coffee brand that leaves a lasting impression. The market for specialty coffee is growing rapidly, both in established and emerging markets. According to the National Coffee Association's latest NCDT report, 59% of cups consumed are now specialty coffee, up by 18% over five…
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Navigating Direct Trade’s Commercial Sense in the Coffee Industry

Navigating Direct Trade’s Commercial Sense in the Coffee Industry

In the rapidly evolving coffee industry, direct trade has become a vital strategy for businesses seeking to maintain ethical practices while ensuring profitability. As global coffee prices reached an all-time high in February 2025, this once niche approach transformed into a necessity for survival. Direct trade's emphasis on quality, transparency, and equitable partnerships has proven to be not just a moral imperative but a strategic advantage in the unpredictable market. These values are no longer obstacles to profitability; they form the foundation upon which successful businesses are built. Kevin O’Connor, Head Beverage Manager for The Tryst Trading Company, explains that…
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Europe’s Best Roasters Revealed at the Global Coffee Awards

Europe’s Best Roasters Revealed at the Global Coffee Awards

The Global Coffee Awards (GCA) celebrated European roasting excellence in Bordeaux, France on October 29-30, 2025. The competition honored companies that produce exceptional coffee, bridging a gap in the industry by acknowledging both the roasters and the producers who grow the beans. The GCA invites European roasters of all sizes to submit their best coffees across various categories, with an emphasis on recognizing overall company success rather than individual roaster achievements. The goal is to strengthen brand identity and promote a global approach to quality across the supply chain. Roasters from 25 countries submitted entries for filter, espresso, and milk-based…
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Revolutionizing Coffee: The Evolution of Grinder Burr Design

Revolutionizing Coffee: The Evolution of Grinder Burr Design

Grinders are the unsung heroes in coffee preparation, transforming whole beans into the perfect brew. Yet, their burrs – the heart of the grinder – often remain unnoticed. However, as specialty coffee continues to evolve, so does the design and technology behind these crucial components. In the world of coffee equipment, the grinder holds a coveted position atop the hierarchy. It plays a pivotal role in the brewing process, shaping ground coffee particles before extraction. Marco Tesconi, Cimbali Group's Grinder Category Manager and Global Business Development at Keber Burrs, explains it best: "Burrs are where the transformation begins, from whole…
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Savor the Season with Our Curated List of 2025 Holiday Coffee Gifts for Enthusiasts

Savor the Season with Our Curated List of 2025 Holiday Coffee Gifts for Enthusiasts

The holiday season is here, and it's time to spread joy to your coffee-loving friends and family. From new roasters to innovative brewing equipment, we have curated a collection of gifts that are perfect for every budget. Here's our guide to the best coffee gifts of 2025. Stocking Fillers: Start small with thoughtful stocking stuffers. Explore new flavors and origins by introducing someone to a new roaster, such as Spojka Roastery in Slovakia or Shavi Coffee Roasters in Georgia. For UK coffee drinkers, Pact Coffee offers advent calendars, while Fresh Roasted Coffee caters to North American consumers with a wide…
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AeroPress Introduces Compact Manual Grinder for Optimal Portability

AeroPress Introduces Compact Manual Grinder for Optimal Portability

AeroPress, a renowned name in manual coffee equipment, has made its first move into grinding with the launch of an innovative metal manual grinder. Designed entirely in-house, this compact grinder is engineered to nest inside the hollow plunger of the AeroPress brewer for optimal portability when not in use. The grinder, available globally for $199.95, boasts a sleek design that sets it apart. Weighing 20.5 ounces, it features 38-millimeter titanium-coated conical burrs turned by the Easy-Grind Magnetic Handle. The patent-pending design uses magnets inside a fitted groove along the grinder’s exterior to stow the handle compactly when not in use.…
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Fixing Mapping Errors in Smallholder Coffee Farms: A New Dataset for Transparency and Compliance

Fixing Mapping Errors in Smallholder Coffee Farms: A New Dataset for Transparency and Compliance

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is about to kick into high gear, but a critical flaw threatens to cut hundreds of thousands of smallholder coffee farmers out of the European market. A new open-access dataset called Sample Earth aims to rectify this issue by helping mapmakers accurately classify smallholder farms instead of mislabeling them as forests. Launched last week by the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Sample Earth is a reference dataset designed to improve map accuracy in deforestation due diligence. The groups behind this initiative say that inaccurate mapping could lead to…
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Rocket Espresso Unveils Stelvio, Spluga, and Gravo Commercial and Home Grinders at HostMilano

Rocket Espresso Unveils Stelvio, Spluga, and Gravo Commercial and Home Grinders at HostMilano

Italian espresso equipment powerhouse Rocket Espresso has recently unveiled its latest offerings at the HostMilano event in Italy - two commercial grinders, Rocket Stelvio and Rocket Stelvio Élite, and a home grinder, Rocket Gravo. Let's dive into the details of these new machines. The Rocket Stelvio and Rocket Stelvio Élite are tall, robust commercial grinders standing at 638 millimeters (25.1 inches). They feature 68-millimeter flat burrs spun by a 550-watt motor in the Stelvio and 83-millimeter flat burrs powered by a 750-watt motor in the Élite, making it Rocket's fastest grinder at 6 grams per second. Both models boast 1.5-kilogram-capacity…
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Master Home Brewing: James Hoffmann’s Guide to Perfect Coffee

Master Home Brewing: James Hoffmann’s Guide to Perfect Coffee

The escalating cost of coffee outings has led many to consider brewing at home. But, with the right knowledge, you can create a delicious cup without breaking the bank. We spoke with James Hoffmann, author of "How to Make the Best Coffee at Home" and founder of the YouTube channel Flat White, to learn his secrets for perfecting your home brew. The key to an exceptional coffee experience lies in investing in a good grinder and choosing quality beans. "If you can invest just a little bit one time in a grinder that’s going to unlock coffee brewing for you,"…
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