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Skip the Supermarket and Buy Better Coffee Online — Here’s Where

Skip the Supermarket and Buy Better Coffee Online — Here’s Where

This is worth savoring: If you’ve ever wondered why your supermarket coffee tastes flat, you’re not alone. The best online retailers don’t just sell beans—they curate experiences. From single-origin gems to subscription services that deliver global flavors, here’s how to elevate your cup. Intelligentsia, based in Chicago, has been crafting roasted beans from Central and South America for 30 years. Its rotating single-origin selections, like the exclusive “Intelligentsia’s Choice” subscription, pair with year-round blends and seasonal flavors. The brand’s grind options—12 sizes tailored to brewing methods like French press or cold brew—make it a standout for coffee purists. For gifts,…
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Silverbird Roasting Unveils Its First Cafe in Minneapolis: A Blend of Aviation and Coffee Culture

Silverbird Roasting Unveils Its First Cafe in Minneapolis: A Blend of Aviation and Coffee Culture

Here’s what you need to know: Silverbird Roasting, the Minneapolis-based roastery founded by 2016 U.S. Coffee Roasting Champion Tony Querio, has finally landed its first brick-and-mortar cafe in the Kingfield neighborhood. The 1,800-square-foot space, called Silverbird Coffee & More, is a masterclass in design and detail, blending aviation nostalgia with modern coffee culture. From airline galley carts repurposed as condiment stations to a brass draft system churning flash-chilled iced coffee and locally made tonic, every element feels intentional. The space’s industrial charm—exposed beams, preserved 100-year-old wood floors—contrasts with its playful touches: high chairs, coloring pages, and a signature drink called…
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Sur Coffee’s Southern Expansion: A Rebellion Against the Coffee Giants

Sur Coffee’s Southern Expansion: A Rebellion Against the Coffee Giants

This might just change your routine: Sur Coffee is rewriting the rules of coffee in Southern California. While corporate chains churn out identical brews with robotic efficiency, this coastal roaster is building a movement—one cup at a time. With roots in surf culture and a mission to honor the people behind every bean, Sur Coffee isn’t just expanding its footprint. It’s redefining what it means to belong to a community. The brand’s strategy is simple but radical: prioritize connection over convenience. In a market flooded with drive-thru speed and algorithm-driven orders, Sur Coffee is betting on something older and more…
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The Best Coffee in the Bay Area: A Curated Guide to the Region’s Most Dynamic Brews

The Best Coffee in the Bay Area: A Curated Guide to the Region’s Most Dynamic Brews

Here’s what you need to know: The Bay Area’s coffee scene is a kaleidoscope of innovation, from Korean-inspired roasters to Japanese avant-garde cafes. This year’s standout shops are less about trends and more about redefining what coffee can be—think co-fermented brews, experimental roasting, and hyper-local sourcing. Whether you’re chasing the boldness of a matcha-laced latte or the subtlety of a single-origin pour over, the region’s cafes are pushing boundaries with every sip. At Olivia Coffee and Flower in Oakland, the focus is on beans roasted in Korea, with a standout example being a fruit-forward blend that tastes like a pina…
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El Salvador Hosts Global Coffee Awards World Championship in March 2026

El Salvador Hosts Global Coffee Awards World Championship in March 2026

This March, El Salvador will host a landmark event for the coffee world. From 26–27 March 2026, the 11th edition of the Producer & Roaster Forum (PRF) will unfold at the Hilton Hotel in San Salvador, uniting over 4,200 visitors and 350 international buyers. The event, already a cornerstone of the coffee industry, will spotlight the Global Coffee Awards World Championship, where roasters from the US, Europe, and origin countries will vie for the title of the world’s best. PRF has long disrupted the coffee trade show model by anchoring events in coffee-producing nations. This year, El Salvador returns to…
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Mother Tongue Cafe Wins Nosh Award: East Bay’s Coffee Crown Jewel

Mother Tongue Cafe Wins Nosh Award: East Bay’s Coffee Crown Jewel

In the East Bay’s coffee wars, where roasters and cafes vie for supremacy, one name stands out: Mother Tongue Cafe & Bar. Nosh voters crowned it the best coffee shop in the region, a title that feels earned. With Berkeley and its neighbors packed with contenders, this Oakland spot’s victory isn’t just about beans—it’s about vision, execution, and a mission that transcends the cup. Owner Jen Apodaca isn’t just a coffee enthusiast; she’s a force in the industry. A certified Q-Grader and former chair of the Coffee Roasters Guild of America, she’s built her reputation on precision and passion. Her…
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Backup Power for Roasters: The UPS Debate

Backup Power for Roasters: The UPS Debate

Here’s something to stir your curiosity: a single moment of power loss can ruin a roast, turn a batch of coffee into a bitter disaster, and cost you hours of work. For roasters, especially those operating in unpredictable power grids or high-risk zones, the question isn’t whether to invest in a UPS—it’s how to choose the right one. The Reddit thread asking about UPS setups for roasters isn’t just a niche query; it’s a critical conversation about protecting your craft. The reality is, even a brief blackout can derail a roast. An 8 kg electric roaster draws significant power, and…
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The KALDI WIDE 300g Roaster’s Secret Weapon: Blower vs. Extractor Setup

The KALDI WIDE 300g Roaster’s Secret Weapon: Blower vs. Extractor Setup

There’s a quiet battle happening inside every gas roaster: the war between blowing air in and pulling it out. For the KALDI WIDE 300g, this isn’t just about smoke management—it’s a strategic choice that shapes the roast’s outcome. Some setups push air back into the drum, others pull it out. Which one wins? The answer lies in control, consistency, and how well you can tame the chaos of heat and humidity. Blowers, like the DIY builds referenced, force air into the roaster, creating turbulence that can accelerate cooling. This works well for rapid temperature drops, but it risks uneven heat…
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Le Mil’s Coffee: Bringing Bangalore’s Flavor to Your Cup

Le Mil’s Coffee: Bringing Bangalore’s Flavor to Your Cup

Time to spill: For years, I’ve chased the smoky, earthy depth of South Indian filter coffee—only to be met with flat, lifeless cups that felt like a counterfeit version of the real thing. That is, until Le Mil’s Coffee arrived on my radar. This Berkeley-based roaster isn’t just selling beans; they’re resurrecting a forgotten ritual. Their single-origin blend from Chikmagalur, a region known for its volcanic soil and coffee heritage, hits every note I’ve ever craved. The key? They’re roasting locally, not shipping frozen beans across the globe. The magic lies in the details. Le Mil’s filter coffee blend includes…
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Skywalker v2 vs Behmor: Which Roaster Fits Your Espresso Obsession?

Skywalker v2 vs Behmor: Which Roaster Fits Your Espresso Obsession?

When choosing between the Skywalker v2 and Behmor for your first espresso roast, the decision hinges on a few key factors: simplicity, consistency, and the balance between control and complexity. Both machines excel at darker roasts, but their design philosophies diverge sharply. The Behmor is a no-frills workhorse, built for reliability and ease of use, while the Skywalker v2 offers advanced features at the cost of a steeper learning curve. If you’re prioritizing straightforward operation and minimal maintenance, the Behmor’s intuitive interface and robust build make it a safer bet. Its PID control ensures even heat distribution, which is critical…
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