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Beyond the Roaster: How Tech is Reshaping Every Step of the Coffee Journey

Beyond the Roaster: How Tech is Reshaping Every Step of the Coffee Journey

Get ready to sip on this: The coffee industry’s tech revolution is expanding far beyond the roaster. While automation in roasting has long been celebrated for its precision and efficiency, the real transformation is happening across the entire supply chain—from farms to cafés. Data analytics, AI-driven tools, and integrated platforms are now redefining how coffee is grown, processed, brewed, and sold. This shift isn’t just about speed or consistency—it’s about unlocking deeper insights into quality, cost, and customer preferences. For years, roasting dominated the conversation around coffee technology. But as Branson Sondrol of Buddy Brew Coffee explains, the industry is…
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When Accidental Roasting Hits the Right Notes

When Accidental Roasting Hits the Right Notes

Here’s something to stir your curiosity: A first-time roaster’s accidental batch just outperformed years of curated craft coffee. The setup? A popcorn popper that runs way too hot, a roast time that’s too short, and a darkness level that’s way beyond typical preferences. Yet, the result still landed in the same ballpark as the specialty beans from Trade and Mistobox subscriptions—small-batch, artisanal coffees that’ve been a staple for two years. How? Because sometimes, the flaws in the process become the catalyst for something unexpectedly good. The key here isn’t perfection—it’s the alchemy of imperfection. Roasting is a dance between heat,…
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The Secret Sauce Behind Every Coffee Shop’s House Blend

The Secret Sauce Behind Every Coffee Shop’s House Blend

Coffee shops often pride themselves on single-origin beans, but the real magic lies in the house blend. For years, we clung to purity—single-origin, no decaf, no compromises. But reality hit hard: customers needed options, and our rigid stance alienated people who couldn’t handle caffeine. By week two, we’d pivoted, adding decaf and embracing blends. It wasn’t just about inclusivity; it was about survival. Our house blend became an emergency product, born from a need to simplify coffee-making for homebrewers. Today, it’s our most popular offering, outperforming even our finest single origins. Why? Because blends demand constant attention. They’re roasted more,…
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Why Big Beans Are Breaking Your Roast

Why Big Beans Are Breaking Your Roast

If your Tanzanian beans are losing flavor faster than you can say “roast,” you’re not alone. Roasters often grapple with the tricky balance between bean size and roast potential, and when beans exceed 7mm in diameter, the consequences can be subtle but devastating. Larger beans have less surface area relative to their volume, which means they retain moisture longer—and that’s a problem. The result? A fruity start that fades quickly, leaving behind an ashy note that feels like a betrayal of the bean’s promise. The key lies in understanding how size impacts moisture retention. Beans over 7mm struggle to dry…
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Mastering Roast Color: The Science Behind Coffee’s Perfect Hue

Mastering Roast Color: The Science Behind Coffee’s Perfect Hue

Listen up: The color of your coffee isn’t just an aesthetic—it’s a data point. For roasters, roast color analysis is a critical tool for precision, yet it’s often overlooked in favor of temperature curves. While temperature guides the roast, color provides an objective measure of development, revealing nuances that define flavor. The Specialty Coffee Association’s recent white paper highlights this shift, proposing a standardized scale for roast color to bridge inconsistencies across the industry. But how do roasters harness this science without breaking the bank? Color analysis tools like spectrophotometers and Agtron meters offer numerical readings that translate to roast…
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2025 Commercial Coffee Tech Revolution: How Integration is Reshaping Cafés

2025 Commercial Coffee Tech Revolution: How Integration is Reshaping Cafés

Here’s something to stir your curiosity: the coffee industry isn’t just upgrading its tools—it’s redefining how they work together. In 2025, commercial espresso machines and brewing equipment aren’t just standalone gadgets anymore. They’re part of a seamless, data-driven ecosystem designed to optimize speed, consistency, and sustainability. From smart grinders that sync with boilers to brewers that adjust based on real-time pressure, the shift is less about flashy tech and more about precision. The year’s biggest breakthrough? Integration. Major brands like La Marzocco and Slayer unveiled machines that communicate directly with grinders, ensuring optimal extraction without manual guesswork. Imagine a setup…
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Beaujolais Isn’t Just a Wine—It’s a Mood

Beaujolais Isn’t Just a Wine—It’s a Mood

This week’s challenge is a revelation: a Beaujolais that defies expectations. You’ll taste a wine that balances earthy depth with playful fruit, proving that even the most approachable wine can hide layers of complexity. The star? A Cru from Chiroubles, a village where Beaujolais reaches its peak. This isn’t your average bottle—it’s a conversation starter, a sip of Burgundy’s neighbor, and a reminder that great wine doesn’t always need to be intimidating. The wine’s deep garnet hue feels out of place, like a red flag in a sea of ruby-purple. But don’t let that fool you. Its aromas are a…
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The Grape That Made Germany’s Wine Scene Legendary

The Grape That Made Germany’s Wine Scene Legendary

Time to spill: The grape that made Germany’s wine scene legendary is here to redefine your taste buds. Riesling isn’t just a wine—it’s a masterclass in balance, where sweetness and acidity duel like two sides of the same coin. This week’s tasting challenge dives into the heart of why Riesling dominates German vineyards, turning the country into a global wine power. Riesling’s magic lies in its relentless acidity, so sharp it could cut through a penny’s worth of sugar. Yet it’s this very trait that pairs with its honeyed sweetness to create wines that feel both thrilling and refined. While…
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The 6 Best Wines to Pair with Spaghetti—And Why You’ll Want to Try Them All

The 6 Best Wines to Pair with Spaghetti—And Why You’ll Want to Try Them All

This might just change your routine: Pairing wine with spaghetti isn’t just about flavor—it’s about unlocking layers of taste you never knew existed. From smoky reds to zesty whites, the right wine can elevate a humble plate of pasta into a sensory experience. Here’s how to match them perfectly. Start with Bolognese, the king of meaty sauces. A bold Barolo or Brunello di Montalcino cuts through the richness of beef and tomato, its tannins cleansing your palate between bites. These wines are built for depth, their dark fruit and spice harmonizing with the dish’s umami. Skip the light stuff here—this…
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Pinot Noir Rosé: The Pink Wine That Defies Its Reputation

Pinot Noir Rosé: The Pink Wine That Defies Its Reputation

If you’ve ever dismissed rosé as a summer fling, think again. American Pinot Noir rosé is rewriting the script. This isn’t just a blush-colored sip—it’s a wine that bridges the gap between red and white, offering complexity, acidity, and a flavor profile that’s anything but basic. The question isn’t whether Pinot Noir rosé can hold its own against its French counterparts; it’s why it’s quietly becoming the go-to choice for those who crave more from their pink wine. Pinot Noir’s versatility is its secret weapon. While most red grapes struggle to make rosé, Pinot Noir thrives in this role. The…
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