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A Global Resource for Shade-Grown Coffee Research

A Global Resource for Shade-Grown Coffee Research

Listen up: Coffee Watch and CATIE just dropped a game-changer for the industry. On January 19, 2026, the Coffee Agroforestry E-Library launched as the first open-access database compiling decades of scientific research on shade-grown coffee—a practice that’s not just sustainable, but essential for the future of coffee farming. This platform unites studies from across the globe, spanning multiple languages and disciplines, into a single, searchable hub. It’s a seismic shift for a sector grappling with climate threats, biodiversity loss, and economic instability. Agroforestry isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a lifeline. Shade-grown coffee systems integrate trees with crops, creating ecosystems that…
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A Community Brewed in Minneapolis: The Heart of Raise the Bar’s Level Up Event

A Community Brewed in Minneapolis: The Heart of Raise the Bar’s Level Up Event

In the heart of Minneapolis, a coffee event did more than brew beans—it wove a tapestry of connection, skill, and purpose. Raise the Bar’s Level Up event, held over three days at Mill City Roasters’ headquarters, became a microcosm of what coffee communities can achieve when they prioritize people over profit. More than 80 baristas, educators, and volunteers gathered to learn, collaborate, and celebrate the craft, proving that the specialty coffee world thrives on shared ambition and mutual respect. The event’s magic lay in its balance of rigor and warmth. Workshops on sensory calibration, like the Cupping 101 class led…
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The Creative Engine Behind Coffee Competitions

The Creative Engine Behind Coffee Competitions

Competitions are the proving grounds where coffee’s future is brewed. As these events have evolved from niche gatherings to global showcases, they’ve become laboratories for innovation, where baristas test ideas that eventually shape the industry. Yet, the balance between structure and creativity remains a delicate act—how do we preserve the spirit of experimentation while maintaining the rigor that elevates these competitions? At the heart of this tension is the role of standardized rules. As competitions grow in prestige, they’ve adopted stricter guidelines, from uniform equipment to precise time limits. This structure ensures fairness but risks stifling the spontaneity that fuels…
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Naughty Coffee’s Miami Flagship Reimagines Coffee Culture

Naughty Coffee’s Miami Flagship Reimagines Coffee Culture

Here’s what you need to know: Naughty Coffee, the brand that made vintage VW vans iconic for street-side espresso, has traded wheels for walls. Its first permanent flagship in Miami’s Downtown is less about nostalgia and more about reinvention. The 101 NE 2nd Ave. space isn’t just a coffee shop—it’s a statement. The shop’s minimalist design, with its glass roaster and steel islands, feels like a Brutalist dream, echoing the co-founders’ roots in Serbia and Ukraine. Milan Blagojevic, co-founder and roaster, calls it a “collision of cultures.” The space is a hub for hand-brewed single-origin coffees, with a Slayer Steam…
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Your Morning Brew Could Be Leaking Microplastics

Your Morning Brew Could Be Leaking Microplastics

Imagine sipping your coffee while the world wakes up. That cup in your hand, warm and familiar, might be doing more than delivering caffeine—it could be silently releasing plastic particles into your drink. A new study reveals that takeaway coffee cups, especially those made of plastic or with thin plastic linings, shed thousands of microplastics when heated. These tiny fragments, invisible to the naked eye, are already infiltrating our food, water, and even our bodies. The science is clear: heat is the silent culprit behind this crisis. When we pour hot liquids into plastic cups, the material warms up, softens,…
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The Binocular Dripper Redefines Coffee Blending in Real Time

The Binocular Dripper Redefines Coffee Blending in Real Time

Get ready to sip on this: A new brewing method is shaking up the coffee world. The Binocular Dripper, a dual-cone pourover designed by UAE barista Mariam Erin, isn’t just another tool—it’s a revolution in how we think about blending. Launched at the World of Coffee Dubai, this device lets you brew two coffees simultaneously, then merge them mid-process. The result? A cup that’s more than the sum of its parts, with aromatics, acids, and sugars captured at their peak. At its core, the Binocular Dripper is about timing. Each cone, angled at 30 degrees, holds 6–12 grams of coffee…
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Peet’s Coffee Faces U.S. Store Closures Amid Parent Company Takeover

Peet’s Coffee Faces U.S. Store Closures Amid Parent Company Takeover

Consider this your morning briefing: Peet’s Coffee is shuttering dozens of U.S. locations, including key Bay Area spots, as its parent company prepares for a $18 billion takeover. The closures, announced in late January, signal a seismic shift in the brand’s strategy as Keurig Dr Pepper moves to acquire JDE Peet’s, the parent company behind the iconic roast. This isn’t just about consolidating real estate—it’s about redefining the brand’s future in a market where convenience and scale are king. The move comes as Peet’s navigates a delicate balance between preserving its legacy and adapting to modern demands. Store managers in…
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Elemental Coffee’s New OKC Cafe Elevates Quality, Community

Elemental Coffee’s New OKC Cafe Elevates Quality, Community

This is worth savoring: In the heart of Oklahoma City’s Innovation District, Elemental Coffee has opened a new chapter in its mission to redefine quality. The second company-owned location inside Innovation Hall’s community center isn’t just a café—it’s a statement. With a La Marzocco Linea PB espresso machine and menus crafted around locally sourced ingredients, Elemental is proving that exceptional coffee and community-centric design can coexist. The space, spanning 600 square feet, balances casual shared seating with intimate corners, inviting both quick bites and lingering conversations. At its core, Elemental’s approach is deliberate. Co-owner Al Shinn insists that “intentionally sourced,…
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Stingless Bees Could Revolutionize Coffee Farming in Brazil

Stingless Bees Could Revolutionize Coffee Farming in Brazil

There’s something brewing in Brazil’s coffee fields—and it’s not just the beans. A new study reveals that native stingless bees might be the key to boosting yields without sacrificing pest control. Researchers found that coffee branches near colonies of Scaptotrigona depilis produced 67% more fruit than those farther away, hinting at a symbiotic relationship between bees and arabica plants. This isn’t just a lab experiment—it’s a real-world test on full-sun farms, where bees coexist with pesticides and conventional farming practices. The study, published in Frontiers in Bee Science, tracked six conventional farms in Minas Gerais and São Paulo, placing 10…
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2024 Côtes du Rhône: The Best Wines to Savor Now

2024 Côtes du Rhône: The Best Wines to Savor Now

This might just change your routine: 2024 Côtes du Rhône wines are delivering a rare blend of freshness and depth. While the appellation is often dismissed as a “starter” for wine drinkers, the 2024 vintage proves otherwise. This year’s conditions—warmer than average but with timely rain—created wines that balance ripe fruit with vibrant acidity. Unlike higher-tier crus, where terroir dominates, the 2024 vintage’s impact is magnified here, making it a masterclass in how climate shapes character. The 2024 vintage’s warmth and rain delivered a paradox: wines that feel both lush and lifted. In the northern Rhône, growers like Domaine Xavier…
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