The Sprudge Report - 15 Years Of Sprudge!
That's like a million years in coffee years
The Big One-Five
When I first starting writing for Sprudge 11 years ago, it had already established itself as an institution and a must-read for anyone remotely connected to the burgeoning world that was specialty coffee. No one had their finger on the pulse like they did, and no one was willing (or able) to write about it in the same funny and smart and weird way. It wasn’t a trade mag, it was coffee journalism. That remains as true here in year 15 as it did in year 1.
Coffee has changed since 2009 and we’ve changed along with it. But the core of what made Sprudge great still drives our reporting today. It’s prescient and of the moment, it’s daring and it’s challenging, both global and small town, and still weird as hell. So as a sort of victory lap, on this monumental day we are looking back at 15 of our favorite stories we’ve published on Sprudge over the last 15 years.
Tokyo Coffee: Grinding in the Pandemic
The pandemic was a difficult time for everyone, and its impact was felt extra hard in the coffee world. Cafes are a place of connection, and during COVID-19 they were all shut down, leaving many feeling rudderless, ultimately sprouting narrative games set inside cafes like Coffee Talk. The latest of this ilk, Tokyo Coffee: Grinding in the Pandemic, decides to return players back to that very time. The concept is strange but oddly compelling. Read our review here.
More pressure to delay the EU’s deforestation law
The International Coffee Organization has joined the growing chorus of folks within the coffee industry requesting the European Union to delay the implementation of their new law aimed to curb deforestation. Under the law, imports of commodities unable to show they aren’t linked to deforestation would be banned. The ICO states that many smaller farmers don’t have the infrastructure to meet the new rules and have requested more time to bring everyone up to speed.
The Rise of Espresso
If you are reading this right now, it is because you enjoy coffee media, which means you are the target audience for an all-new feature-length documentary. Titled The Rise of Espresso, the near-hour-long film was created in-house by the Accademia del Caffè Espresso, La Marzocco’s cultural hub, and tracks the migration of Italians around the world who brought with them their beloved espresso tradition.
So long and thanks for all the Builds
And thus concludes the 2024 Build-Outs of Coffee. This year was one of the biggest ever, so why not go out with a bang with our biggest week of Builds all year! It was a transatlantic affair this week, with features on Ezerby’s in Foynes, Ireland and the new Origin Coffee in Edinburgh, Scotland. And there were some truly stunning cafes Stateside, including Daylily in Sioux Falls, ND, Sightsee in Charleston, SC, and Belux Coffee Roasters in Roswell, GA. Thanks for tuning in with us this year for the Build-Outs of Coffee. It’s been one for the ages.
Un poco loco Colococo Float
For our latest On The Menu feature, we are checking out the new Colococo Float at The Caffé in Oakland. Created in collaboration with Colombian chef Juan Hormiga, the drink combines coffee soda using Mr. Espresso’s Colombia Dark Roast with a dollop of coconut whip on top. Get it for a limited time at The Caffé in Oakland.
The whole bean is the thing
Folks’ love affair with coffee shows no sign of slowing down. And in a recent study, whole bean is in high demand. Analyzing consumer shopping data for Amazon, the study finds a significant increase in whole bean demand from the same time last year, an astounding 46% increase.
More Kona in your Kona, but is it good for farmers?
A new law has been passed in Hawaii that requires coffee to be at least 51% Hawaiian in order to be labeled as such, up from the 10% it previously was. While many are extolling the law, some are worried about how consumers will react to the increased price tag that will inevitably result. Will folks who paid $20 for a bag of “Kona” coffee now pay double or triple that, even if what they are getting is actually more Kona?
It came from the press release
National Coffee Day is coming up, and Terracycle wants to celebrate sustainably. They have rolled out a host of eco-friendly packaging solutions for coffee brands looking to have a positive impact on the planet.
Coffee robot gets horny on main
It feels fitting that here on the 15th anniversary we run a deeply weird story that you would only find reported right here on Sprudge. As part of their latest ad campaign titled “Pleasure Makes Us Human,” Lavazza rolled out a video featuring Luigi, a coffee delivery bot that seeks pleasure via coffee. Whereas most places would focus on the cameos by The Office alum Steve Carrell and John Krasinski, we here at Sprudge thought that to be burying the lede a bit, which is of course a robot’s attempt to be human by getting off on espresso. Which it does. Get off I mean.
The 15th Anniversary Coffee Sprudgecast Spectacular!
15 years is a lot of time to cover in just one podcast episode, but our intrepid hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are going to give it their best. The Sprudge co-founders are drinking Touchy Coffee and talking about some of their favorite stories over the past 15 years of publishing.
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…
Madcap Coffee—Harvest Moon
Finca de Dios from Fraijanes, Guatemala forms the base of this fall blend. Grown on the innovative farm of Ellen and Stuart Prentice with the help of their daughter Ashley, Finca de Dios is a consistent Madcap staple. Another familiar component to the blend is Reko, out of Kochere, Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia, named after Reko mountain and the washing station the coffee is processed at. Reko is well known by its fans for its tea-like qualities and electric acidity. Once combined, the final blend is well rounded with notes of caramelized sugar sweetness and crisp, floral apple. Warm your hands with Harvest Moon in your favorite mug, or as espresso in a milk beverage of your choice.
PERC—Ethiopia Benti Nenka Anaerobic Natural
When we first found this coffee, it blew us away. Its aroma reminds us of tropical fruit—think passion fruit and mango. When we took our first sip, Benti Nenka took our tongues on a trip to a fantastic land where red grapes, strawberries, and blueberry jam danced with honey bears and chocolate bars. They laughed and sang sweet songs as they high-fived our taste buds. It’s safe to say that we love this coffee as much as our tongues did. We bought as much of it as possible, and you should, too.
The Barn—INSPIRATION ADVENT CALENDAR 2024
EARLY BIRD ACCESS: Pre-order before September 30th and get a 15% discount!
Drawn by hand and designed with love by our artist Alesia Majytava. Our Inspiration Calendar includes: 24 boxes with 50g of Single Origin Coffees, individual cards about each coffee, tasting diary to record your favorite brews, variety of handpicked coffee gifts, and limited edition artwork to hang on your wall
Equator Coffees—Sense of Urgency Blend
We are honored to share this limited-time blend crafted in partnership with Chef Thomas Keller to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of The French Laundry. $1 from each bag of Sense of Urgency Blend sold goes to OLE Health Foundation, which has been providing high-quality health care in and around Napa since 1972, focusing on serving the most vulnerable communities in Napa and Solano Counties. Reviewed by Coffee Review in August 2024, this coffee scored an incredible 92 point review!
Night Swim Coffee—Karagoto AA
The Karagoto Factory is made up of smallholders with an average farm size of half a hectare. It has over 1,700 members supplying cherry. Karagoto is located in the Karatina region in Nyeri County, between the elegant Mount Kenya and the Aberdare range. Tasting Notes: Grapefruit, Mandarin, Raw Sugar, Green Tea
Greater Goods Coffee Co.—Vietnam Lâm Dông
At Greater Goods, we’re excited to introduce you to our latest find: the Robusta Black Honey from Vietnam. This coffee comes from a region with a rich history and a deep connection to its land. Vietnam’s coffee journey began with Arabica but truly found its footing with Robusta, which now dominates the country’s coffee production. We’re thrilled to offer this exceptional coffee and let you experience its vibrant and distinctive flavors: White Grape, Baker’s chocolate, Vanilla Ice Cream
Pachamama Coffee Farmers—Ethiopia Sidama Natural
A fruity, natural processed coffee from the Sidama region. Natural Sun Dried, Always Shade Grown + Certified Organic. Blackberry, Honey, Cacao
Portland Coffee Roasters—Endless Summer
This summer, let your cup transport you to a place of endless sunshine and good vibes. Portland Coffee Roasters is proud to introduce Endless Summer, our brand new medium roast that captures the carefree spirit of the season in every delicious sip.
Sightglass Coffee—Autumnal Equinox
Named for the celestial shift from summer to autumn, marked by nearly equal amounts of daylight and darkness across all latitudes, our Autumnal Equinox blend is crafted from a 50/50 composition of washed and natural processed coffees from famed Mexican coffee farmer Jose Argüello. Persimmon, Cardamom, Toffee.
Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters: ETHIOPIA ADDISU KIDANE LOT #2
Phil’s favourite washed Ethiopian coffee of the season! Addisu Kidane is back with some of the finest coffee you can find in Gedeb – a region already known for some of the best coffee in all of Ethiopia. Roasted for filter/drip brewing methods – expect flavours of peach, vanilla wafer, and black tea.
Onyx Coffee Lab—Tropical Weather
Tropical Weather is a seasonal blend that celebrates coffees from our favorite coffee producing country: Ethiopia. We take a fresh washed offering that provides delicate florals and juicy texture, and incorporate a natural processed coffee that promotes pungent fruits and natural sugars. The result is indeed better than the sum of its parts.
Joe Coffee—Colombia La Familia Guarnizo
This coffee comes to us through a strong relationship between Joe Coffee and the El Paraiso growers’ association in Huila, Colombia. From the beginning of our roasting adventure, El Paraiso, in association with importer/exporter Caravela, has connected us with a number of excellent, high quality Colombian coffees. This bright and light-bodied selection was grown by a special group of El Paraiso’s member farmers: the Guarnizo family. Featuring notes of stone fruit and almonds with a medium acidity, this coffee is a customer favorite.
Partners Coffee—Mexico – Hermanos Luna
The García Luna brothers belong to a producer group of mostly younger farmers in the community of San Vicente Yogondoy, Oaxaca. Most of the coffee planted here is a variety called pluma hidalgo (or simply pluma), a local mutation of typica. This lot is comforting and approachable with notes of milk chocolate, orange zest, caramel, baking spice, cashew butter, and dark honey elevated by red apple and white grape.
Olympia Coffee—Kamwangi AA Micro Lot 18
Out of hundreds of lots tasted at origin in Kenya, this was our top pick of the harvest. Produced at Kamwangi washing station as their 18th lot of the season, this coffee features plump AA beans packed with warm flavors of orange, brown sugar, and waffle cone.
DUNE Coffee—Chito Ecuador
We are excited to share this coffee and be a part of this project for these coffees and producers. In the cup, we find many of the characteristics that coffees from Ecuador have captivated us with: from soft melon and sweet orange, with a milk chocolate character throughout.
CXFFEE BLACK—GUJI LO-FI
Decaf Ethiopian Coffee, Mountain Water Process. Candy Corn, Semi-Sweet Chocolate, Molasses. Guji Mane, Diaspora Collection
Verve Coffee Roasters—Vancouver Swiss Water Decaf
Our Vancouver Swiss Water Decaf blend highlights candied almonds in a chocolaty background. The 100% chemical-free process results in 99.99% caffeine-free coffee. Anyone who enjoys a dessert-tasting coffee will love this.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters—Ecuador Rancho Carmen
This coffee is a combination of small lots from a group of 35 producers in Ecuador’s southernmost province. Rancho Carmen has a lush ganache body elevating notes of raspberry jam and brown sugar in a vibrant cup.
Mr. Espresso—Mexico Mayan Village — Women’s Lot
Rosalba Cifuentes Tovía came to the San Francisco Bay Area from Chiapas, Mexico, with two small children and without knowing any English. What she did know was coffee. Incredibly, she built a network within Bay Area coffee circles. It has been her passion to use her coffee expertise to uplift the people from her native community of Chiapas. Rosalba has grown Mayan Harvest into a source that represents some of the best in the region. Combined with direct traceability and an exquisite taste that brings to mind notes of cherry, cream, and panela, this is a coffee you’ll feel good about buying and better about drinking.
New job listings from Sprudge Jobs
Central Coast Coffee Tech, Inc - Experienced Coffee Technician - Santa Cruz, CA
Sweet Maria’s Coffee Inc - Merchandise Coordinator - Oakland, CA
Coffee By Design - Director of Coffee - Portland, ME
Corvus Coffee Roasters - Production Roaster - Denver, CO
Bellwether Coffee - Roasting & Production Associate - Berkeley, CA
New cafes on Sprudge Maps
Here are new cafes discoverable on our global cafe portal Sprudge Maps. Register your cafe for free—thanks to the support of La Marzocco and Pacific Barista Series.
Bun and Coffee - Malaga, Spain
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.