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Batch Size and Roasting Phase Timing: Why There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Blueprint

Batch Size and Roasting Phase Timing: Why There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Blueprint

Here’s something to stir your curiosity: The way you roast coffee isn’t just about time—it’s about understanding how batch size shapes your roast’s journey. For specialty coffee, the relationship between batch volume and development phase duration is both intuitive and elusive. More coffee in the roaster means more heat to apply, slower heat transfer, and longer cooking times. Yet here’s the kicker: there’s no universal blueprint for development time. Two minutes post-first crack? Five seconds? Ten? The numbers mean nothing without context. This isn’t just about machines or profiles—it’s about the chaos of individual roasting realities. Rob Hoos and Scott…
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Two-Month-Old Coffee Beans Are “At Peak”? Here’s Why That Doesn’t Add Up

Two-Month-Old Coffee Beans Are “At Peak”? Here’s Why That Doesn’t Add Up

Here's something to stir your curiosity: A coffee shop just defended selling beans that are two months old, claiming they’re at their "peak." But the customer’s experience suggests otherwise. The beans arrived post-roast, and while the shop insists degassing and aroma development make them optimal, the customer’s second batch tasted flatter than the first. This isn’t just a debate about timing—it’s a clash between science, perception, and the unspoken truth that coffee lovers crave immediacy. The shop’s explanation hinges on two technical points: degassing and aroma maturation. Freshly roasted beans release CO2, which can create a metallic or sour note…
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The Hidden Melody Behind Ethiopian Coffee: How Laughter and Rhythm Shape Flavor

The Hidden Melody Behind Ethiopian Coffee: How Laughter and Rhythm Shape Flavor

In the misty highlands of Ethiopia, coffee isn’t just brewed—it’s sung. At Adola Washing Station, where the Guji region’s most celebrated coffees are born, the air hums with a different kind of holiday soundtrack. Instead of carols or Christmas cheer, workers sing as they sort beans, their voices weaving through the morning fog like a living rhythm. This isn’t performance art; it’s the heartbeat of a process that turns raw beans into something far more than a commodity. It’s a testament to how Ethiopia’s coffee culture has always thrived on more than just technique—it’s built on sound, laughter, and the…
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Sanremo’s IoT Revolution: Coffee Tech That Smarts Up Your Brew

Sanremo’s IoT Revolution: Coffee Tech That Smarts Up Your Brew

This might just change your routine: Sanremo’s new IoT platform isn’t just a tech gimmick—it’s a game-changer for coffee pros. The Italian brand’s Sanremo IoT system lets baristas, managers, and technicians control espresso machines remotely, from phones or web browsers. Imagine tweaking grind settings or checking maintenance alerts without lifting a finger. The platform, launched at HostMilano 2025, pairs with Sanremo’s D8 machines and expands to future models, offering cloud-based access to performance data, recipes, and service tools. The real kicker? Sanremo’s Machine-to-Grinder Link ecosystem now syncs with select Mahlkönig grinders, turning extraction data into actionable adjustments. Depending on the…
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Global Coffee Awards Crown Origin Roasters as Global Champions

Global Coffee Awards Crown Origin Roasters as Global Champions

The Global Coffee Awards just crowned the top roasters from coffee-producing countries, proving that excellence isn’t confined to major markets. Held in Houston, Texas, the Origin edition of the GCA blind-tasted hundreds of roasts across filter, espresso, and milk-based categories, offering actionable feedback to all participants. This isn’t just about bragging rights—it’s about reshaping how coffee is valued, from farm to cup. The GCA’s regional format is a game-changer. By spotlighting roasters in producing countries, it challenges the industry’s traditional focus on consuming nations. “We’re not just judging coffee—we’re validating the expertise of roasters who’ve long been overlooked,” says Henry…
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Coffee Prices Set to Climb as 2025/26 Deficit Looms

Coffee Prices Set to Climb as 2025/26 Deficit Looms

Time to spill: Coffee prices are about to hit a new high. The USDA just warned of a global deficit in 2025/26, and Brazil’s coffee exports are already tanking. With tariffs chewing 50% off US shipments and port delays costing R$8.7m in October alone, the writing’s on the wall. This isn’t just another market hiccup—it’s a full-blown crisis for growers and roasters alike. The numbers don’t lie. Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer, saw exports drop 21% in the first half of 2025. That’s not a typo—it’s a 21% plunge. Cecafé’s data shows the pain is real, and it’s not…
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Europe’s Best Roasters Crowned at Global Coffee Awards

Europe’s Best Roasters Crowned at Global Coffee Awards

Time to spill: Europe’s top roasters just got a global spotlight—and the results are as bold as the brews they serve. The Global Coffee Awards (GCA) European edition, held in Bordeaux in October 2025, crowned winners across 25 countries, from Belgium to the UK, in a blind-tasting showdown that blends precision and passion. This isn’t just about trophies—it’s about redefining how coffee is judged, sold, and celebrated. The competition’s genius lies in its balance of rigor and inclusivity. Judges, including Q graders and SCA coordinators, evaluated roasters on everything from aroma to acidity, using a scoring system that mirrors real-world…
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Light Roast Mastery: Can the Skywalker V1 Unlock Fruity Magic in Costa Rican Solis?

Light Roast Mastery: Can the Skywalker V1 Unlock Fruity Magic in Costa Rican Solis?

The verdict is in: Light roasts are the ultimate fruit-forward battleground, and the Skywalker V1 is your secret weapon. This Costa Rican Solis honey-processed green coffee isn’t just another bean—it’s a rare opportunity to amplify its natural sweetness and acidity, but only if you nail the timing. Your plan hinges on precision, and the question isn’t whether it’ll work—it’s how well you execute the dance between heat and control. Start with the preheat: 190C is aggressive, but it’s necessary to stabilize the roast. The drying phase at 140-150C with 70% power and 50% fan is spot-on. This range locks in…
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Mastering the Green: How Small-Scale Roasters Navigate Coffee Sourcing Challenges

Mastering the Green: How Small-Scale Roasters Navigate Coffee Sourcing Challenges

The verdict is in: quality green coffee isn’t just a luxury—it’s the backbone of every great roast. For home roasters like you, the hunt for consistent, flavorful beans is a balancing act between cost, availability, and taste. When you’re roasting small batches for friends and family, the margin for error is slim, yet the stakes are high. Enter the paradox of sourcing: you want to lock in beans that deliver, but the reality is most green coffee is a gamble. The challenge isn’t just about finding beans you love—it’s about doing so without breaking the bank or waiting for stock…
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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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