benefits of coffee

Nordic Coffee Fest 2026: A Global Brew of Innovation and Culture

Nordic Coffee Fest 2026: A Global Brew of Innovation and Culture

The coffee world is about to get a shot of Scandinavian precision. From February 28 to March 1, 2026, Gothenburg’s waterfront Bananpiren will host the Nordic Coffee Fest, a celebration where global roasters, baristas, and enthusiasts collide. With 60+ exhibitors from 16 countries, this year’s edition isn’t just about beans—it’s a crossroads for ideas, traditions, and the future of specialty coffee. At the heart of the fest is the Global Roasters Showcase, a rare gathering of powerhouses like Differente (Colombia), Onyx Coffee Lab (North America), FRITZ (South Korea), and Blue Tokai (India). These brands, rarely seen together, offer a sensory…
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Holiday Brews That Brewed Joy: Barista Magazine Readers’ Best of Season

Holiday Brews That Brewed Joy: Barista Magazine Readers’ Best of Season

The verdict is in: holiday coffee isn’t just about warmth—it’s about reinvention. Barista Magazine readers turned their seasonal cravings into bold, inventive drinks that blend tradition with unexpected twists. From smoky spices to sweet, creamy indulgences, these creations redefine what a “classic” holiday beverage can be. Olympia Coffee’s Mulled Coffee and Ginger Spice Latte are proof that nostalgia and innovation can coexist. The former marries filter coffee with cranberry juice, mulling spices, and a citrus garnish, while the latter layers ginger, baking spices, and orange bitters into espresso. Both drinks capture the essence of winter without leaning on clichés. The…
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Umami: The Secret Ingredient Elevating Specialty Coffee

Umami: The Secret Ingredient Elevating Specialty Coffee

This is worth savoring: The fifth taste, once dismissed as a culinary oddity, is now a cornerstone of innovation in specialty coffee. Umami’s journey from a misunderstood descriptor to a celebrated flavor profile reveals how cultural shifts and scientific curiosity are reshaping what we consider “good” coffee. Japanese scientist Dr. Kikunae Ikeda first coined umami in 1908, describing it as a “satisfying flavor” that lingers on the tongue. His discovery—rooted in the umami-rich dashi broth—challenged Western notions of taste, which historically grouped umami as “savoury” or “meaty,” often pejorative terms. But as global palates evolved, so did appreciation for umami’s…
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Decoding Coffee Grades: Why ‘Specialty’ Matters More Than You Think

Decoding Coffee Grades: Why ‘Specialty’ Matters More Than You Think

Real talk: The coffee aisle is a minefield of jargon. Terms like "gourmet," "premium," and "specialty" feel like they’re meant to confuse, not inform. But here’s the thing—these labels aren’t just marketing fluff. They’re gateways to understanding what you’re actually buying. Let’s cut through the noise. Coffee quality isn’t a guess—it’s a science. The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) sets the gold standard, grading green beans on a 1-10 scale. Grade 1 is the pinnacle, with zero primary defects (like mold or fermentation issues) and only 0-3 secondary flaws. This isn’t just about taste; it’s about consistency. A Grade 1 bean…
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Gluten-Free Coffee: The Real Story Behind the Label

Gluten-Free Coffee: The Real Story Behind the Label

This might just change your routine: Coffee isn’t the enemy of gluten-free diets, but the label often is. The market is flooded with “gluten-free” coffee brands, each vying for your attention with promises that feel more like marketing fluff than facts. Let’s cut through the noise: Gluten-free coffee isn’t a scam, but its marketing is. For those with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, the stakes are high. Yet, the confusion around what truly qualifies as gluten-free has turned coffee into a battleground of misinformation. Here’s what you need to know to navigate it with clarity. Coffee beans themselves are naturally…
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Washington’s Cafés Are Leading the BYOC Movement—Here’s How You Can Join

Washington’s Cafés Are Leading the BYOC Movement—Here’s How You Can Join

Coffee lovers, wine enthusiasts, tea devotees—here’s a movement reshaping your morning ritual. Across Washington state, independent cafés are uniting under the Bring Your Own Cup (BYOC) Campaign, a grassroots initiative turning reusable cups into a catalyst for environmental change. Six coffee shops—Amazonia Café, Dubsea Coffee, FIT BAR Superfood Cafe, Farmer’s Union Coffee Roasters, Cafe Dulzura, and Mighty Mugs Coffee—have abandoned competition to embrace collaboration, using their platforms to spotlight the hidden cost of disposable cups. The campaign isn’t just about reducing waste; it’s about redefining how communities engage with sustainability. At its core, the BYOC Campaign thrives on shared purpose.…
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Compact Coffee Unveils Its First Brick-and-Mortar Cafe in Salida, Colorado

Compact Coffee Unveils Its First Brick-and-Mortar Cafe in Salida, Colorado

In the heart of Salida, Colorado, a quiet revolution is brewing. Compact Coffee, the mobile service company known for its wrenches and portafilters, has opened its first brick-and-mortar cafe, redefining what a coffee shop can be. Tucked into an alley between a ceramics workshop and a vintage clothing store, this space isn’t about speed—it’s about slowing down. The result? A Slow Bar where pour-over rituals and espresso artistry take center stage, far from the frantic pace of traditional cafes. The menu is a masterclass in intention. Decent Espresso machines hum alongside Filter 3.0 drip baskets and Solo Brewers, the latter…
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The Coffee Gift That Matters: Avoid These Mistakes

The Coffee Gift That Matters: Avoid These Mistakes

Time to spill: The best coffee gifts are rarely what they seem. Coffee isn’t just beans—it’s a story, a craft, a conversation between grower and drinker. But most people don’t realize how easy it is to ruin a gift with a few missteps. Whether you’re buying for a barista who lives for their morning brew or a friend who’s never touched a single cup, the right approach turns a bag of beans into a meaningful gesture. Here’s how to do it right—and how to avoid the traps that turn thoughtful gifts into wasted opportunities. Freshness is everything. Coffee starts to…
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Defne Ceyda Okay: Coffee’s Quiet Revolution in Istanbul

Defne Ceyda Okay: Coffee’s Quiet Revolution in Istanbul

Time to spill: Defne Ceyda Okay isn’t just shaping Türkiye’s coffee scene—she’s rewriting its rules. As Oatly’s Barista Market Developer, World Coffee Championships judge, and soon-to-be SCA Trainer, she’s a force of curiosity, precision, and relentless connection. Her story isn’t about shortcuts or hype—it’s about turning coffee into a language of discovery, one cup at a time. Defne’s journey began in 2015, when an AeroPress order at her local café sparked a decade-long obsession. What started as a curious sip evolved into a career that spans barista work, roasting, training, and event curation. She’s rebuilt Türkiye’s specialty coffee culture from…
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How to Craft a Coffee Advent Calendar That Delivers Freshness and Flavor

How to Craft a Coffee Advent Calendar That Delivers Freshness and Flavor

As holiday traditions evolve, coffee roasters are reimagining the Advent calendar as a canvas for creativity and connection. Once a niche novelty, these calendars now blend luxury with curiosity, offering consumers a daily ritual of discovery. With 25 coffees packed into a single box, roasters face a balancing act between curation and logistics. The result? A product that’s as much about storytelling as it is about beans. The appeal lies in the thrill of the unknown. Each day unveils a new origin, processing method, or flavor profile—think chocolate praline, candied plums, or even rare experimental brews. For roasters like Pact…
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