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The Return to Comfort: Why Familiar Wines Are Resurging

The Return to Comfort: Why Familiar Wines Are Resurging

The wine world has been in a frenzy of exploration for a decade—experimenting with obscure grapes, far-flung regions, and avant-garde styles. But now, the pendulum is swinging back. As Amber Gardner observes, consumers are craving the familiar, the comforting, and the recognizable. This shift isn’t just a trend; it’s a cultural realignment. After years of chasing novelty, people are rediscovering the solace of classic varieties like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The reason? A growing disillusionment with the chaos of the “wine revolution.” For years, the industry trumpeted the virtues of terroir, esoteric appellations, and artisanal minimal intervention. Yet,…
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The Chefs Who Brew the Best Coffee: A List of Their Trusted Roasters

The Chefs Who Brew the Best Coffee: A List of Their Trusted Roasters

Consider this your morning briefing: The world’s top chefs are treating coffee like a fine wine, curating roasters that match their culinary vision. From Copenhagen to Los Angeles, chefs are ditching generic brews to partner with specialty roasters, ensuring every cup aligns with their philosophy. At Noma, chef René Redzepi and Tim Wendelboe crafted a “nomacano”—a hybrid of Americano and pour-over—to complement their tasting menus. This isn’t just coffee; it’s a deliberate act of storytelling, where the bean’s origin and roast profile mirror the dish’s intention. In Los Angeles, Be Bright has become a staple for chefs like David Chang…
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Why That Roast Flattened in the Cup

Why That Roast Flattened in the Cup

The verdict is in: a roast that shone in cupping can vanish in the cup. This week, a Guji Ethiopian roast—roasted to 20% with a drop temp of 212°C—delivered bold blueberry and milk chocolate notes in the cupping, only to fade into blandness when brewed as a French press. The mystery? A perfect storm of timing, technique, and chemistry. Roasting is just the first act. Post-roast, beans need time to degas, releasing CO2 trapped during the process. If you brew too soon, the gas escapes during extraction, leaving a flat, underdeveloped cup. This roast was cupped Tuesday, brewed Wednesday—just a…
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Sourdough Fermentation Elevates Coffee’s Flavor Profile

Sourdough Fermentation Elevates Coffee’s Flavor Profile

This experiment redefined coffee tasting notes. By roasting a Nicaraguan washed coffee alongside its sourdough-fermented counterpart, the results were striking. The sourdough version dominated with bold, unexpected flavors—fig newton sweetness, Concord grape jelly brightness, and a tea-like body that lingered. Its finish carried smooth red wine tannins, a direct nod to the yeast-driven fermentation process. The washed coffee, while clean and chocolatey, felt flat in comparison. Fermentation transforms coffee’s chemistry. Sourdough’s wild yeast and lactic acid create compounds that amplify fruitiness and reduce acidity. In this case, the process softened the coffee’s structure, making it feel almost effervescent. The sourdough…
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The Velvet Ember: A Savory Coffee That Defies Tradition

The Velvet Ember: A Savory Coffee That Defies Tradition

There’s something brewing in the world of coffee—something that refuses to play nice with the sweet-syrupy status quo. Enter The Velvet Ember, a savory, smoked espresso emulsion that marries fat, heat, and smoke in a way that feels both audacious and inevitable. It’s not about masking bitterness or adding sugar—it’s about creating a tension between richness and acidity that lingers long after the last sip. The foundation is Davidoff Espresso 57, a dark roast that commands respect with its boldness. You won’t find this in a latte; it’s the backbone of a recipe that dares to challenge the norms of…
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Coffee Agroforestry and a Bold Merger Shake Up the Specialty Scene

Coffee Agroforestry and a Bold Merger Shake Up the Specialty Scene

The coffee world is shifting faster than ever. From groundbreaking sustainability projects to mergers redefining community values, the industry is rewriting its playbook. This week’s headlines reveal a mix of innovation, cultural transformation, and bold bets on the future of coffee. Coffee Watch’s new agroforestry database is a game-changer. By pooling decades of research from across the globe, the nonprofit has created a one-stop resource for growers, scientists, and policymakers. This isn’t just about trees and beans—it’s about rebuilding ecosystems while preserving livelihoods. The collaboration with CATIE highlights a growing consensus: sustainable farming isn’t optional, it’s foundational. Meanwhile, Thump Coffee’s…
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The Middle East’s Coffee Culture is Reshaping Global Trends

The Middle East’s Coffee Culture is Reshaping Global Trends

This might just change your routine: The Middle East’s coffee culture isn’t just a regional tradition—it’s a global force. For centuries, the region has shaped how we sip, share, and savor coffee, blending ancient rituals with modern innovation. From the Bedouin majlis to Dubai’s 24-hour cafés, Middle Eastern coffee is rewriting the rules of hospitality, flavor, and social connection. At its core, Middle Eastern coffee is a cultural cornerstone. Historical records trace its roots to Yemeni Sufis in the Middle Ages, who drank it in spiritual ceremonies. UNESCO recognizes both Arabic and Turkish coffee traditions as Intangible Cultural Heritage, preserving…
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Matcha’s Rise and the Future of Custom Coffee

Matcha’s Rise and the Future of Custom Coffee

Get ready to sip on this: Matcha is no longer a niche curiosity—it’s becoming the star of café menus worldwide. In 2026, its green hue and health halo have propelled it from a quirky alternative to a core offering, outpacing even coffee in some chains. This shift isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a reflection of Gen Z’s hunger for experimentation and personalization. Cafés are now crafting menus that feel like curated experiences, blending global flavors with local twists. From ube lattes to yuzu-infused cold brews, the goal isn’t just to trend—it’s to tell a story. The real magic lies in…
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Naysayer Coffee Expands to North Napa with a Bold New Approach

Naysayer Coffee Expands to North Napa with a Bold New Approach

Real talk: Naysayer Coffee isn’t just expanding—it’s redefining what a neighborhood café can be. The brand’s second location in north Napa, California, opened in January, proving that the region’s coffee culture is thriving beyond its usual haunts. This isn’t just another espresso bar; it’s a deliberate move to anchor itself in the rhythms of daily life, not just the glitz of tourist traps. The shop’s design, with its sunlit geometric murals and sage-green tile, feels like a quiet rebellion against the expected. It’s a space that whispers, “This is where people live,” not where they come to ogle over wine.…
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The Good Food Awards Coffee Finalists: A Spotlight on U.S. Roasters

The Good Food Awards Coffee Finalists: A Spotlight on U.S. Roasters

Real talk: The 2026 Good Food Awards have just unveiled a list of U.S. roasters pushing coffee boundaries. From California’s coastal hills to Oregon’s misty valleys, 20 roasters made the cut, showcasing single-origin beans and experimental processing techniques that redefine what coffee can be. This isn’t just about flavor—it’s about transparency, sustainability, and the art of storytelling through each sip. The finalists lean heavily into Ethiopia and Colombia, with entries like Gesha, Pink Bourbon, and SL-28 dominating the roster. These beans aren’t just celebrated for their complexity—they’re gateways to terroir, with roasters emphasizing methods like thermal shock, carbonic maceration, and…
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