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The Atlantic Explores Existential Crises Facing Coffee
In a piece for The Atlantic, staff writer Ellen Cushing explores the political and environmental challenges to coffee production and examines the beverage’s paradox: it’s essential to most people’s daily routines yet offers virtually no nutritional value. Cushing describes coffee as a “fascinating symbol of the interdependence, and the limitations, of an internationalized food system and the free-trading global order.”
Filipino Coffee Shops Lean Into Fun Flavored Drinks Trend
Filipino coffee shops across the U.S. are helping to lead the way on nationally trendy flavored drinks like ube and cassava cake lattes to meet consumer expectations and appeal to Gen Z’s growing interest in Filipino cuisine, according to an Eater report.
Brazilian Sugar Exporter Timbro Expands Into Coffee Trade
Brazilian trading company Timbro is leveraging record coffee prices and trade volatility from U.S. tariffs to enter the coffee export market, aiming to trade approximately 80,000 60-kilogram bags in its first year, according to a Reuters report.
Merit Coffee to Open First Houston Locations in 2026
Texas-based specialty roaster Merit Coffee said it is expanding to Houston with two shops in 2026: one on Buffalo Speedway by late March and another in Houston Heights by early summer. Merit currently operates 13 locations across Austin, San Antonio and Dallas.
Austin City Council Aims to Ease Barriers for Neighborhood Coffee Shops
The Austin City Council is working to reduce obstacles for opening walkable coffee shops in residential neighborhoods through its Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, which addresses costly zoning issues and aims to better connect communities, according to CBS Austin. The plan also covers taco shops.
World Espresso Championship Returns to Milan on Oct. 22
The fourth World Espresso Championship comes to Bobino Milano on Oct. 22 to crown “the ultimate espresso genius” in a multi-round elimination tournament. All contestants will use identical coffee, water filtration and espresso equipment. Registration closes Oct. 19, with competitors announced Oct. 20.
Minor Figures Launches Regenerative Oat Milk With Wildfarmed
Plant-based milk maker Minor Figures has released Barista Oat (Regenerative), its first barista-grade oat milk made from regeneratively grown oats sourced through Wildfarmed. “Oats are a regenerative powerhouse,” said Wildfarmed co-founder Edd Lees. “Barista Oat (Regenerative) gives people the option to support farmers and bring back nature-rich landscapes with every sip.”
Let’s Talk Coffee Concludes 20th Edition in Lima
Seattle-based green coffee importer Sustainable Harvest concluded the 20th edition of Let’s Talk Coffee in Lima, Peru, last month, featuring cupping sessions, workshops, panels and intimate discussions under the theme “The Climate of Business & the Business of Climate.”
Coffee Enterprises Introduces CVA Testing Packages
Independent testing laboratory Coffee Enterprises has launched Coffee Value Assessment testing packages to evaluate coffee’s physical, descriptive and affective attributes following Specialty Coffee Association protocols. The SCA formally adopted the CVA in 2024.
The Conversation: Starbucks Pivots From Grab-and-Go to Stay-and-Savor
In a piece for The Conversation, McGill University associate professor Vivek Astvansh analyzes Starbucks’ plan to convert or close 80% to 90% of its mobile order-only stores, suggesting the company is returning to “third place” environments over transactional spaces despite the costs of such a dramatic shift.
ICYMI
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
Finding Coffee in Chaos: Strategies for Roasters as US Tariffs Sink In
In a room full of coffee roasters last week, longtime green coffee trader Mark Inman asked for a show of hands… read more
Presenting the 2026 Roaster of the Year Finalists
Roast magazine is thrilled to announce the six finalists for the 22nd Annual Roaster of the Year awards!… read more
Blue Bottle Coffee Claims Carbon Neutrality, Plans Regenerative Agriculture
California-based roaster-retailer Blue Bottle Coffee said it has achieved carbon neutrality for the calendar year 2024 while promising future investments in regenerative agriculture and climate resilience in its supply chain… read more
Hawaii Woman Accused of Selling Millions of Dollars of Fake Kona
A federal grand jury indicted a 66-year-old Hawaii woman after prosecutors accused her of fraudulently making millions of dollars by selling foreign-grown coffee that was labeled and sold as “100% Kona.”… read more
Longboard Specialty Coffee Sets Auction Records a Month After Founder Dies
Justin Boudeman, the U.S.-born founder of high-end Panamanian Gesha coffee production company Longboard Specialty Coffee, died Aug. 30 at the age of 52 following cancer… read more
JDE Peet’s Opens Revamped Innovation Lab at Utrecht Factory
JDE Peet’s this week unveiled its revamped innovational laboratory in Utrecht, the Netherlands, designed to accelerate development and global scale-up of new coffee products, manufacturing processes and packaging… read more
Death Wish Coffee Alleges Trademark Infringement Against Liquid Death
New York-based Death Wish Coffee filed a lawsuit this week against the beverage company Liquid Death, alleging trademark infringement related to yet-to-be-released coffee products… read more
