Back To Tokyo
Plus a James Beard nomination for coffee?
A coffee guide to Sangenjaya
This week on Sprudge, our globetrotting city guide series takes us to Tokyo, to the Sangenjaya district. A maze of winding alleyways crowded with bars and hidden eateries, the international hub has become a hotspot for coffee shops, driven by the young creatives that are denizens of the area. The shops include a balance of traditional establishments and cutting edge cafes. Contributor Taylor Bond takes us there.
Starbucks is “reinventing coffee culture” in the most frustrating ways
Starbucks is kicking of 2026 by "reinventing coffee culture.” How are they doing this? It is union contracts or transparency reports or simply by not stealing drink names? No no no, don’t be silly. The real way to move coffee culture forward is [checks note] branded skis and dog couture. Oh and the son of the one of the Oasis dudes, because sure why not.
The first World Coffee Champion of 2026 has been crowned
Jane Espante of The United Arab Emirates is the winner of the 2026 World Cezve/Ibrik Championship. It took place over the weekend at World of Coffee Dubai, with Espante taking the top spot and making her the first World Coffee Champion of the 2026 season. She is the third representative of the UAE to win it and the first to do so in front of a home crowd.
What is co-fermentation? An explainer
Co-ferment coffees are so hot right now. Co-ferments. But what are they? Other than big ole coffee flavor bombs, like a natural process on steroids. As part of our explainer series, Sprudge editor Liz Clayton dives into the wild world of the experimental processing method that is sweeping the coffee world right now.
What’s the deal with microplastics?
If you’ve seen any studies about microplastics over the past decade, you’ve probably come to understand that they are everywhere, in our water supplies, even our own bodies. But a cadre of scientists are questioning the veracity of these studies, stating that their findings are overblown if not completely faulty.
Press releases
This week, Klatch is celebrating 100 years of the iconic Route 66 with an all new blend, the Centennial. It is available for purchase via the Klatch Coffee website.
Will coffee win a James Beard Award?
The semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Award were announced this week, and for the first time, a coffee shop has been given the nod. Arkansas’s Onyx Coffee Lab’s Rogers HQ has been nominated for Outstanding Bar. It is a giant step forward for specialty coffee to even be recognized by such a prestigious award. Will they make the finalists cut? We’ll know on March 31st.
One last time for the Sprudgies
On this episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast, hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are looking back at the recently announced Sprudgie Awards. And to complement, they’re noshing on some coffee-flavored BBQ potato chips by Seattle’s Umami Kushi. And would you believe it, they are actually good. Like, really good.
Roaster’s Village
We’re highlighting outstanding coffees from some of our favorite roasting partners each week here in the newsletter. This week’s selection of tasty coffees are…
Klatch Coffee – Aphrodite N°3
Stumptown Coffee Roasters – Kenya Karumandi
Equator Coffees – Ethiopia Suke Quto Organic
Caffe Umbria – Bizzarri Blend
Onyx Coffee Lab – Kenya Elshadai Coffee Estate Natural
Blueprint Coffee – Penrose Espresso Blend
Portland Coffee Roasters – Bridge Blend
Heartwood Coffee – Mexico Carlos Cadena Finca Xilontla Gesha Natural
La Barba Coffee – Colombia Sebastian Ramirez Red Honey Bourbon Aji
Night Swim Coffee – The Holiday Blend
Partners Coffee – Ethiopia Suke Quto Secret Process
Madcap Coffee – Guatemala Finca de Dios
Phil & Sebastian x Onyx Coffee Lab x La Cabra – Project III – Finca La Negrita
Verve Coffee – Holiday Blend
PERC – Holiday Recruitment Lot
Mr. Espresso – Kenya Rung’eto Kii, Washed Process
Presta Coffee Roasters – Colombia Juicy Strawberry Co-ferment
Olympia Coffee – El Salvador Las Tres Estaciones – 1st Place Competition Lot
Coffee Gear!
A bi-weekly selection of coffee gear from some of the best manufacturers in the industry, both big and small. This week’s selection is…
MiiR Camp Cup — Coffee Mug
Flair Espresso Flair Wizard — Stovetop Milk Steamer
Comandante C40 Lab Series Tigershark — Hand Grinder
Acaia Pearl Model S — Digital Scale
DiFluid CoffMeter W1 — Water Activity Meter
Slow Pour Supply Kimera — Milk Pitcher
Dwell Dripper by Verve Coffee — Coffee Brewer
La Marzocco Home Linea Micra — Home Espresso Machine
Ceado Hoop — Coffee Brewer
New job listings from Sprudge Jobs
Verve Coffee Roasters - Production Roaster - Santa Cruz, CA
Caravela Coffee LLC - Coffee Product Developer - Spring, TX
Counter Culture Coffee - Regional Team, Technical Services, Technician - Los Angeles, CA
Proud Mary Coffee Roasters - Product Assistant Manager - Portland, OR
Noissue - Sales Project Coordinator - Williamsburg, NY
Do you have a news tip? Feedback? A funny joke? Send us an e-mail, use the contact form on Sprudge, leave a message at 1-888-55-SPRUDGE, or send us a letter at P.O. Box 3943 Portland, OR 97218.