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Unlock the Rich Flavors of Dark Roast Coffee: A Buying Guide and Top Picks

Unlock the Rich Flavors of Dark Roast Coffee: A Buying Guide and Top Picks

Dark roast coffee is more than just a strong, bitter drink. It offers a bold, balanced flavor with notes of dark chocolate, spices, and toasted nuts that can satisfy your cravings for a classic cup of joe. But, finding the perfect dark roast requires knowing what to look for and avoiding the burnt flavors of super dark roasts. Dark roast coffee beans are roasted longer than lighter ones, but that doesn't mean they lack flavor. The beans range from deliciously dark to super dark (or burnt!). A good cup of dark roast has a rich, balanced taste with a mild…
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The Hario Mizudashi Cold Brewer: A Simple and Affordable Cold Brew Solution for Beginners

The Hario Mizudashi Cold Brewer: A Simple and Affordable Cold Brew Solution for Beginners

If you're new to cold brew or looking for an easy-to-use, affordable option, look no further than the Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Bottle. This pitcher-style brewer is a game-changer in the world of cold brew coffee, offering a simple, straightforward design that requires minimal effort and delivers great results. The Hario Mizudashi Cold Brewer's design is its strongest asset. It's a minimalist pitcher with three main components—a glass carafe, a plastic lid, and a reusable mesh filter basket—making it incredibly easy to set up and use right out of the box. The glass carafe, while fragile, adds an elegant touch…
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The Ultimate Guide to Coffee Mugs for Every Coffee Lover

The Ultimate Guide to Coffee Mugs for Every Coffee Lover

You deserve a coffee mug that elevates your coffee experience. Whether you're savoring pour-overs, enjoying lattes on the go, or expressing your style with unique designs, the right mug can make all the difference. In this guide, we bring you our top picks for seven exceptional coffee mugs, each tailored to suit various preferences and needs. 1. KeepCup - The Eco-friendly Travel Mug The KeepCup is more than just a travel mug; it's a testament to a greener lifestyle. This single-walled tempered glass mug is designed to replace disposable paper and styrofoam cups, helping reduce waste in landfills (1). With…
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Breaking Barriers: Affordable Espresso at Home with Portable Machines

Breaking Barriers: Affordable Espresso at Home with Portable Machines

The world of espresso has traditionally been dominated by bulky, expensive equipment, making it a pursuit reserved for dedicated enthusiasts and coffee professionals. But as consumer needs shift and technology advances, manufacturers are challenging this assumption. New portable espresso machines are redefining home brewing. These sophisticated devices offer consistency and precision, delivering an authentic espresso experience without the high cost or bulk of traditional machines. Cédric Gobber at Wacaco and Brodie Vissers at Journee Studios are leading this revolution. The Covid-19 pandemic reshaped consumer coffee habits. With cafés closed and working from home becoming the norm, many turned to creating…
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Acaia’s Revolutionary Pyxis Black Scale: The Future of Brewing Precision

Acaia’s Revolutionary Pyxis Black Scale: The Future of Brewing Precision

Acaia, the renowned coffee scale maker, has just launched a game-changer—the Pyxis Black. This compact scale promises unparalleled precision, claiming to read accurately up to the thousandth of a gram. Weighing in at 2.55 by 2.55 inches and 0.5 inches thick, it's as sleek as it is powerful. The Pyxis Black boasts an OLED display and a body made of aluminum and acrylic with a water-resistant coating. Debuted at the SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference and Exhibition in September, it was showcased by the legendary barista Yasuo Ishii during his Japanese Brewers Cup routine. "Acaia's origins stem from both professional…
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Brazil’s Expocacer Hosts First Blockchain-Powered Coffee Auction, Boosting Transparency and Specialty Offerings

Brazil’s Expocacer Hosts First Blockchain-Powered Coffee Auction, Boosting Transparency and Specialty Offerings

Brazil's largest coffee cooperative, Expocacer, is set to make waves in the global coffee industry with its first online auction on Coffee Chain, a blockchain-based trading platform. This groundbreaking event takes place Dec. 11-12 and promises to offer traceable specialty lots to roasters and importers worldwide. Expocacer's Essências program supports small- and medium-sized members in producing high-value specialty coffees, with the upcoming auction focusing on top-scoring microlots from Cerrado Mineiro, a renowned coffee-growing region in Minas Gerais. The online-only auction will provide farm-level traceability and documentation, enhancing transparency and trust within the supply chain. Coffee Chain, developed by Expocacer and…
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Blue Bottle Baristas Strike Over Thanksgiving Weekend: A Year-Long Battle for Fair Wages and Working Conditions

Blue Bottle Baristas Strike Over Thanksgiving Weekend: A Year-Long Battle for Fair Wages and Working Conditions

Unionized baristas at Blue Bottle Coffee, a popular coffee chain owned by Nestle, staged a multi-day strike over the Thanksgiving shopping weekend. The walkout, organized by the Blue Bottle Independent Union (BBIU), affected nine cafes in Boston and California's East Bay, with workers demanding a living wage, predictable scheduling, and stronger protections against harassment and arbitrary discipline. The strike intensified a year-long contract fight between the baristas and Blue Bottle Coffee. According to a Harvard Crimson report, the BBIU is seeking a starting wage of $30 an hour in Boston based on the MIT Living Wage Calculator. This demand comes…
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Nestlé Ponders Over Potential Sale of Blue Bottle Coffee: A Shift in the Specialty Coffee Landscape?

Nestlé Ponders Over Potential Sale of Blue Bottle Coffee: A Shift in the Specialty Coffee Landscape?

Swiss giant Nestlé, known for its vast coffee portfolio, is reportedly considering offloading Blue Bottle Coffee. According to Reuters, three anonymous sources confirm that Nestlé is working with an investment bank to assess various options, including a potential sale of Blue Bottle. This move comes as no surprise given the trend towards consolidation in the specialty coffee sector. Established in Oakland, California, Blue Bottle Coffee was acquired by Nestlé in 2017 for around $700 million, causing a stir in the world of specialty coffee. The deal marked another step in the big-money consolidation trend that has been sweeping through craft-focused…
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Pinewood Coffee Co. Expands its Roots Beyond Nashville’s Pinewood Social

Pinewood Coffee Co. Expands its Roots Beyond Nashville’s Pinewood Social

Pinewood Coffee Co., the coffee roasting arm of the multi-faceted hospitality group behind Nashville's iconic Pinewood Social, is branching out with a dedicated space within the Monarch Showroom for luxury vehicles. The new venture promises wholesale and direct-to-consumer sales, led by industry veteran Robbie Meton, who brings years of experience from Barista Parlor, Good Citizen Coffee Company, and Steadfast Coffee. The Pinewood Coffee Co. roastery is launching with four blends, five single-origins, and one decaf, all meticulously crafted on a Roest S100 before larger batches are produced using a Loring S15 Falcon roaster. Green coffees hail from reputable importers such…
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The Real Deal on DeLonghi Stilosa: A Budget Espresso Machine That Delivers

The Real Deal on DeLonghi Stilosa: A Budget Espresso Machine That Delivers

You don't need to break the bank to enjoy a quality espresso at home. Meet the De'Longhi Stilosa, an entry-level brewer that punches above its weight. At first glance, it may seem like any other budget machine, but after spending some quality time with it, we can confirm that it offers more than meets the eye. Let's dive in to find out why it's a great choice for espresso beginners looking to save a few bucks without compromising on flavor. The Stilosa (also known as De'Longhi EC260BK) is the most basic of De'Longhi's espresso machines, but it's the long-awaited successor…
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