The Sprudge Report - 2024 Is A Wrap!
Thanks for tuning in with Sprudge all year long
Buzzy & Spesh: a 2024 retrospective
Buzzy The Bean and Spesh L. Tee, Sprudge’s happy-go-lucky anthropomorphized coffee seeds, had quite the year. These beloved spokesbeans travelled the world with us this year, popping up at premier coffee events, in Asia and Europe and even back home here in America. And as we close the books on 2024, we’re taking a look at all the Sprudge adventures this year, as seen by Buzzy and Spesh.
Some good news about coffee and brain function
Research into the effects of coffee on stroke incidence is a mixed bag, to say the least. Much of it is bad, to be frank. But a new study adds a tick to the positive side of the ledger, finding that coffee consumption is associated with better cognitive performance among individuals with high incidence of stroke.
A new look for Sisters
Sisters Coffee in Sisters, Oregon has just launched a high desert-inspired redesign of their coffee bags. Created in-house, when the bags are aligned in the right order, they create a view of the mountain landscape as seen from Sisters. We speak with co-owner Jesse Durham to learn more.
To the victor goes the cold brew bath
There are many great celebrations in sports, but perhaps none greater than pouring gallons upon gallons of cold brew on someone after winning a bowl game. And that’s exactly what happens to the head coach of the winning football team at the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl, which took place earlier this week. We weigh in on who is the favorite to the full immersion.
Finally! A good use for AI
I don’t trust artificial intelligence. Or rather, I don’t trust people to use AI responsibly, for the betterment of all people not just the executive board. But new research has found a potentially beneficial use in the coffee world: identifying defects in green coffee. Using various YOLO (You Only Look Once) models, researchers were successfully able to train computers to not only identify green coffee but also decipher if it had any of four defects.
The world’s cringiest coffee collab
The White Lotus is a phenomenal TV show, of this there is no question. But that doesn’t mean it makes a great collaboration partner. Nonetheless, Coffee Mate has decided to release a limited-edition line of creamers based on and coinciding with the show’s third season. It really seems like Coffee Mate took away the wrong lessons from HBO’s funniest morality tale.
An Almond Bisco-Latte
Everyone loves a biscotti, and now The Caffe is offering one in latte form. Read on to learn more about the Oakland coffee shop’s new signature drink.
From the press desk
Onyx Coffee Lab announced a new retail line of whole bean coffee, Doyenne, that will be available for purchase via Sam’s Club across northwest Arkansas and online, with the plans to expand into the broader retail market.
The vote continues
The holidays are a season for rest, for reflection, for family and fun and watching lots of movies. They’re also the perfect time for you to cast your ballot at the 2nd Annual Sprudge Design Awards, a global compendium of the very best in innovative coffee design. Featuring more than 20 categories, and global entries from coffee companies and designers around the world, the Sprudge Design Awards are the coffee industry’s premier design platform. You play an active role in determining who wins this honor each year–and now is the moment. Voting is open December 6th, 2024 through January 7, 2025.
The Coffee Sprudgecast: A Mega Holiday Cupping
Hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen ring in the holidays with an epic 17 coffee cupping on the latest episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast. So many holiday blends (some not blends at all!) to taste through—and Carlsen and Michelman slurp through them all!
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—Barista’s Choice Espresso – Gift Coffee Subscription
Give the gift of award-winning espresso! Every month, we fresh roast and send a 310g bag of whole bean coffee to your gift recipient – you choose a 3, 6, or 12 month gift. The Klatch Coffee Espresso Gift Subscriptions is curated by Klatch CEO and 2x US Barista Champion, Heather Perry. Every gift subscription includes free shipping on every bag. You can even schedule the exact email date (like Christmas morning!) and we’ll notify your recipient of their gift right on time, with a link to redeem it.
La Barba Coffee—Colombia | Diego Bermudez Letty Gesha
A monument to what coffee is and can be, this directly sourced Gesha has a distinct peach note with a pineapple acidity and delicate caramel character. All is the result of meticulous farming and a scientific approach to processing. Notes: Pineapple – Peach – Caramel
Madcap Coffee—Rianjagi
The Rianjagi (Re-an-jah-gee) Factory is based in Mutunduri, Embu County, Kenya. Both the factory and the Rianjagi Farmer’s Cooperative Society are owned by the farmers, who receive benefits from the cooperative society, such as agricultural training and marketing for their coffee. Once picked and delivered to the factory, the cherries are sorted prior to being pulped and sorted once more, this time by density, before fermenting in tanks for 12-16 hours. Finally, the pulped coffee is washed and moved to raised beds before being dry milled. Enjoy notes of juicy pomegranate, mango, and delicate elderflower.
Equator Coffees—Costa Rica Sin Límites SL28
We’ve had the privilege of visiting the Sin Limites micro-mill a few times in the past, and we’re excited to be offering their coffee for the first time ever. This farm name translates to ‘without limits’, a reference to producers Maribel and Jaime Cardenas’ relentless pursuit of producing the highest quality coffee possible. This yellow honey-process SL28 variety coffee yields a buttery and complex cup with notes of yellow plum, Rooibos, and allspice.
Night Swim Coffee—The Holiday Blend
This coffee encapsulates our commitment the 2024 year, to share coffees with you that help you reminisce on familiar experiences while enjoying something very new! We’ve blended a bright and fruity anaerobic natural from Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia and a washed peaberry from the island of Papua New Guinea.
The Barn Berlin—CHRISTMAS COFFEE
Every year we search far and wide to find the perfect coffee to share at Christmas. This year is no different. This washed lot from David Rubanzangabo at the Huye Mountain estate offers perfect notes for the festive season. With sweet praline, candied fig, orange, and warm winter spice, it is like Christmas in a cup. Whether sharing with family and friends or enjoying some quiet, cosy days, the flavour of our Christmas Coffee will be sweet and satisfying.
Phil & Sebastian—Pepe Jijon Sidra Washed
This is probably one of the most elegant coffees we’ve had in our Uncommon Collection. Pepe likes his coffees super clean – to let them fully express their terroir. This coffee is delicate and elegant. The clementine and kiwi notes lead, and then they are rounded out with notes of sage and butterscotch all enveloped in a delicate yet creamy white tea body.
This is our third year working with Pepe. He is passionate about reforestation and harmony with the environment and his farm very much reflects this. He is one of Ecuador’s most decorated coffee producers, having won the 2023 Sprudge Notable Producer award.
Passenger Coffee & Tea —Holiday Coffee
Tart cranberry and cherry are accompanied by a toffee-like sweetness alongside flavors of orange marmalade, vanilla, and subtly spiced milk chocolate, making for a perfect pairing with a wide array of sweet and savory seasonal dishes.
Producer: Wilson Alba Origin: Palestina, Caldas, Colombia
PERC—China Lao Xu Zhai Village
This is the first coffee PERC has sourced from China. The quality and unique cup profile of this lot blew us away. It’s an incredibly sweet cup with a unique plum and cherry acidity. Baking spices, chocolate, and a subtle licorice/herbal quality round out the finish. We’re stoked to partner with the folks at Torch Coffee and Lao Xu Zhai on this truly unique coffee.
Portland Coffee Roasters—Holiday Roast
Indulge in the spirit of the season with our Holiday Roast! Each year, we release a Limited Time Offering that benefits organizations helping people near and far. What started as a one-time celebration of festive goodwill has evolved into a tradition we have cherished for over 15 years!
For every 12oz bag or bulk pound of Holiday Roast sold, $1 will be donated to Growing Gardens – a Portland non-profit using the experience of growing food to cultivate healthy, equitable communities.
Sightglass Coffee—Winter Solstice
Returning for the fifth year, we’re excited to release something exceptional for the holiday season: our Winter Solstice Blend. Named for the longest night and shortest day of the year, Winter Solstice is the perfect accompaniment to cool weather and changing seasons. A time when we crave comfort, warmth, the familiar, and the surprising. For Winter Solstice, we combine two amazing coffees from Kenya and Colombia to evoke flavors of chocolate truffle, marzipan, and blackberry.
Onyx Coffee Lab—Colombia Tio Conejo Gesha Natural
In the high mountains of Caldas, Colombia, Tío Conejo cultivates coffee with a commitment to tradition, community, and resilience. Nestled at 2,000 MASL on rich volcanic soil, their farm’s high altitude and meticulous practices yield exceptional quality. That quality shows in the cup with pungent fruit characteristics throughout the drinking experience, culminating in pink guava and watermelon candy.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters —Guatemala El Injerto Pacamara
Pacamara is the result of a combination of teamwork, a unique microclimate and good plant genetics! All of these factors come together to produce one of the most award-winning flavorful coffees in the world. Each decadent cup features notes of ripe peach and sugar cane complemented by a touch of sage – truly exquisite!
Partners Coffee—Honduras – San Francisco Natural Bourbon
Roger Domínguez produces some our favorite natural process coffees, like this red bourbon from Finca San Francisco. This coffee is all punchy and jammy red fruits—think strawberry and raspberry compote or rhubarb pie—supported by subtle notes of chocolate and brown sugar. A delicious filter coffee.
Dune Coffee—Honduras Benjamin Paz Gesha
Benjamin Paz is a multiple time Cup of Excellence winner, taking first place with his coffees in 2022 and 2024. His farm, La Salsa, is is located on the Santa Bárbara mountain of Honduras. Here, the rainforest and proximity to water create a unique microclimate, where the Gesha variety thrives amidst these high elevations on the farm. Benjamin then processes this coffee using an anaerobic washed process, preserving the floral flavors and silky textures of the Gesha variety grown in the Santa Bárbara terroir. Benjamin’s Gesha reminds us of sweet stonefruit and vibrant citrus, with aromatic floral qualities like jasmine and honeysuckle.
Joe Coffee —Rubí Sisters Catuaí
Perched between the Sierra La Esperanza and Santa Bárbara mountains in Las Vegas, Honduras, lies Finca Ruland 2—a specialty coffee farm as beautiful as it is biodiverse, owned and operated by the Rubí-Landaverde family. Notes of Candied Lemon, Almond Paste, Cinnamon.
Pachamama Coffee Farmers—Guatemala
Grown on the volcanic shores of Lago Atitlán, this is an exceptional single origin medium roast coffee from the Manos Campesinas coop in Guatemala.
Olympia Coffee—Alexander Vargas Pink Bourbon
Alexander Vargas is a Cup of Excellence-winning producer for his Pink Bourbon varietal. He continues to innovate in processing and drying, making his coffees an absolute delight for us to roast. The variety is native to Colombia, specifically Huila, with the name inspired by the cherry ripening with a pinkish hue.
CXFFEEBLACK—Fruit Of Our Labor
A HIGA JUNT -NATURAL RWANDA KILIMBI STATION, 1650-1850 MASL
TASTING NOTES: Strawberry, Dark Chocolate, and Passionfruit
Verve Coffee Roasters—Seabright
From our house to yours, Seabright House Blend is undeniably inviting. Seabright showcases apricot and honeydew flavor notes composed of direct trade coffees from El Salvador and Guatemala. A balanced mouthfeel. And aromatics of toasted hazelnuts. Set yourself up for a winning day with one of our easiest drinking blends.
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
Cimbali Group North America - Customer Service Manager - Renton, WA
Cimbali Group North America - Customer Logistics/Service & Back-Office Specialist - Renton, WA
La Marzocco USA - USA Logistics Coordinator - Seattle, WA
March Beverage Systems - Technical Support Specialist - Renton, WA
Loyal Coffee - Director of Coffee - Colorado Springs, CO
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.