Aglianico

The Co-Fermented Coffee Obsession: Is It a Trend or a Taste Test?

The Co-Fermented Coffee Obsession: Is It a Trend or a Taste Test?

This might just change your routine: Coffee no longer tastes like coffee. The latest obsession—co-fermented brews that mimic the sweetness of a Jolly Rancher—is rewriting the rules of what we expect from a cup. Once, the debate was natural vs. washed; now, the chatter centers on Thermal Shock, Yeast Inoculated Anaerobic, and coffee that’s been co-fermented with peaches, mangoes, or even figs. It’s a world where the aroma of a fruit basket replaces the earthy complexity of a well-aged bean. But here’s the rub: Are we elevating the craft, or simply hiding underwhelming origins behind a sugar-coated gimmick? The shift…
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Coffee Industry Moves: Women Empowerment and Major Mergers

Coffee Industry Moves: Women Empowerment and Major Mergers

Pour yourself a cup for this one: The coffee world is shifting—women are leading the charge, and mergers are shaking up the market. From solidarity campaigns to billion-dollar deals, the specialty coffee scene is redefining itself. March’s headlines reveal a dual focus: uplifting women in the supply chain and rethinking ownership structures. Klatch Coffee is doubling down on gender equity by donating 20% of March sales from its Mujeres de Café line to Grounds For Health, a nonprofit tackling women’s health crises in coffee-growing regions. The initiative, tied to El Salvador’s Lucia Ortiz, isn’t just symbolic—it’s a financial lifeline for…
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Colombia’s Co-Fermented Coffee Revolution: How Innovation is Redefining the Cup

Colombia’s Co-Fermented Coffee Revolution: How Innovation is Redefining the Cup

Colombia’s coffee scene is undergoing a radical transformation. Once synonymous with clean, washed coffees that defined its global reputation, the country is now leading the charge in co-fermented experiments. These coffees, which blend coffee mucilage with external organic substrates like fruit pulp or cacao, are reshaping what Colombian coffee can deliver. The shift isn’t just about flavor—it’s a strategic move to differentiate in a saturated market and prove that innovation can coexist with tradition. For decades, Colombia’s coffee identity was built on precision and consistency. The FNC’s infrastructure investments standardized washed processing, creating a reputation for mild, clean profiles. But…
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Ken Takakura’s Coffee Journey: From Trend to Transformation

Ken Takakura’s Coffee Journey: From Trend to Transformation

Time to spill: Ken Takakura’s coffee journey began not with a love for the brew, but with a fashion statement. What started as a hipster aesthetic—sunglasses, terrace sunrises, and a cup as a prop—evolved into a lifelong obsession. His pivot from viewing coffee as a trend to treating it as a craft was sparked during university in Australia, where specialty coffee’s depth and precision hooked him. The shift was as deliberate as his 16-year tennis career: disciplined, focused, and unyielding. Today, Ken balances roles as founder of Re-Co, freelance barista, and quality controller for a green bean import company, all…
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8 Southern Italy Red Wines That’ll Surprise You

8 Southern Italy Red Wines That’ll Surprise You

Coffee lovers, wine enthusiasts, tea devotees—here’s your secret weapon. Southern Italy’s red wines are rarely spotlighted, yet they’re packed with depth, character, and a wildness that defies expectation. From volcanic soils to ancient vines, this region’s hidden gems offer a thrilling contrast to the usual Tuscan or Barolo crowd. These wines are the underdogs of the Italian wine world, and once you taste them, you’ll wonder why they’re not more celebrated. Aglianico is the king of Southern Italy’s dark horse roster. Found in Campania and Basilicata, it’s a grape that thrives in volcanic earth, delivering earthy, smoky notes with a…
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