Build Roll On
Plus, a Barista Champion on Top Chef?
Submissions still open for the 2026 Build-Outs of Coffee
Submissions are now open for the 2026 season of Build-Outs of Coffee. This feature series is a beloved annual tradition here at Sprudge, featuring new cafes recently opened or under construction all around the world. Thousands of cafes have been featured in this series of the last 17 years, and inclusion has become a kind of rite of passage for coffee entrepreneurs around the world.
Entries are now open, and the series will kick-off the final week of May, following Memorial Day Weekend. We’ll run fresh Builds from all around the world through September, featuring new cafes each week on Sprudge.
Coffee in Taipei
Taipei is a city that punches well above its weight class when it comes to coffee. It is home four World Coffee Champions, and that level of dedication is reflective in the scene itself. It’s been over eight years since our last check in, so we’re long overdue for another visit. And this week, we return to check out but a sampling of the exciting coffee shops around Taipei.
Understanding bitterness
Bitterness is a component of coffee, not quite the main one that has been traditionally associated with the beverage, but a component nonetheless. But how bitterness is perceived has never been fully understood. Now, a new study has 3D imaged one of the primary bitterness receptors involved in coffee, giving researchers a clearer picture of how bitterness affects the receptor.
A stunning new espresso machine from Officine Fratelli Bambi
La Marzocco’s in-house bespoke espresso machine atelier Officine Fratelli Bambi is back with another absolute stunner. Teaming up with ultra-distance runner Nicki Lange, OFB created a one-of-a-kind Linea Mini and Pico combination that draws inspiration from Lange’s 1979 Porsche 911 and his racing career.
A promising new hybrid
The future of coffee growing may exist outside of Arabica. And the researchers at London’s Kew Gardens have discovered a new hybrid for a post-Arabica world. Libex is a combination of Excelsa and Liberica and has the potential to grow outside of traditional coffee producing regions, with better disease resistance, and a flavor profile more amenable to coffee drinkers.
A roastery case study
One of the more enthralling booths at World of Coffee San Diego came from Mill City Roasters. They allowed visitors to actually picture how their roastery would be laid out. It’s like a blueprint you can step into and try on for size. To learn more, Sprudge co-founder Jordan Michelman sat down with VP Director of Operations & Design Angie Davis to learn how it all came together.
Ducati makes a pod espresso machine
Ducati makes motorcycles. It’s what they are known for. They also, apparently, make pod machines that look fancy—and admittedly pretty sleek—espresso machines. It costs $3,000 and has more bells and whistles than a speed- and convenience-focussed machine needs.
Press releases
From press releases this week, we learned about the triumphant return of Klatch Coffee’s Aged Whiskey Reserve, a single origin Brazil stored in whiskey-soaked oak barrels, and it’s available for a limited time.
A barista champion on Top Chef?
If you’ve been keeping up with this season of Top Chef, you no doubt remember Chef Duyen Ha stating she was a barista champion. It felt like a big moment for specialty coffee. Only thing was: we couldn’t really find anything about what event it was she was referring to. Through many emails, internet searches, and a fortuitous podcast, we ultimately uncovered the truth. Which led to the creation of the Barista Championship Database. Learn more about new initiative and the digital rabbit trail that led to it.
It’s strawberry season on the Coffee Sprudgecast
It’s Hood strawberry season here in Portland, Oregon and we have strawberry fever here at the Coffee Sprudgecast. Which means we’re making a delicious Strawberry White Chocolate Mocha. Hood season also means it’s Build-Outs of Coffee season and hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are champing at the bit to kick things off next week. Will this be the biggest build-outs season ever?
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…
Equator Coffees – Thailand Mae Chedi Anaerobic Natural
8th & Roast – Brazil Mara Madeira
Night Swim Coffee – Colombia Yessica and Diego Parra
Klatch Coffee – Aged Whiskey Reserve
La Barba Coffee – Colombia Los Patios Solsticio
Joe Coffee Company – Cafè Feminista
Blueprint Coffee – Kenya Gichathaini
Stumptown Coffee Roasters — Wild Flower
Partners Coffee — Honduras Edin Lopez
Phil & Sebastian – Sure Thing
Onyx Coffee Lab – Geometry
Madcap Coffee – Eureka
Olympia Coffee – Big Truck
Portland Coffee Roasters – Anniversary Roast
Mr. Espresso – Java Garut
Presta Coffee Roasters – 120 PSI Blend
PERC – Super Power Plum
Verve Coffee Roasters – Wilder Blend
Caffe Umbria – Bizzarri Blend
New job listings from Sprudge Jobs
Corvus Coffee Roasters - Cafe Manager - Arvada, CO
La Marzocco - Sales Support Assistant - Seattle, WA
8th & Roast - Director of Sales - Nashville, TN
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 PO Box 86342 Portland, OR 97286.