The Sprudge Report - All Things Go
We're in Chicago for the 2024 SCA Expo!
Expo weekend in Chicago!
The Specialty Coffee Expo is happening right now in Chicago, and we’re on the scene to report on all the sights and sounds. This week was heavy on the Expo news ahead of the big event. We published an expansive guide of what to do in the Windy City. There’s a party guide. We previewed the Proper Syrup Drink Competition. There’s a new all ceramic tumbler premiering at Expo. La Marzocco will be showcasing their first commercial grinder, the Swan. Mahlkönig is kicking off the celebration of their 100 year anniversary in Chicago. And this is all before the convention center opened their doors.
We’re only getting started. Stayed tuned in all weekend as we’ll be following along with all the US Coffee Championships and World Coffee Championships and checking out all the new tech and amazing sights this weekend at the 2024 SCA Expo.
Five Boston Blue Bottle cafes are unionizing
Following an unsuccessful attempt to have the company voluntarily recognize their union, five Boston area Blue Bottle locations have filed with the National Labor Relations Board for a union vote. The Blue Bottle Independent Union is fighting for higher wages, more input in cafe operations, and protection from harassment.
Does coffee make the Jumpman jump?
Deadstock Coffee’s Ian Williams is no stranger to sneakers, coffee, or the intersection of the two. The former Nike designer turned Portland cafe owner has been combining the two worlds for nearly a decade now. And this week, Williams and Deadstock announced a collaboration with the Jordan brand, giving a coffee-inspired colorway to the Jordan Tatum 2 sneakers.
The Democratic Republic of Coffee
When folks think of the Democratic Republic of Congo, coffee probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But thanks to concerted efforts by coffee stakeholders, that may soon change for the central African country. In a new report for Sprudge’s Special Projects Desk, journalist Daniel Muraga examines the potential bright future of coffee production in the once war-torn country.
A luxurious new La Marzocco Linea Mini
Having an espresso machine at home is a luxury. Having a high-end espresso machine at home, like the La Marzocco Linea Mini, is luxurious. What is beyond luxurious I cannot say, but I know what it looks like. Introducing a limited-edition La Marzocco Linea Mini, designed in collaboration with luxury luggage brand RIMOWA. The well-appointed new Linea Mini will make its debut at Milan Design Week next week, and needless to say, it’s going to turn some heads.
The Pre-Expo Coffee Sprudgecast
We couldn’t really contain our excitement for Expo, and for this episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast, hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are talking about the things they are most looking forward to at this year’s event, including a potential sighting of beloved Sprudge spokesbean Buzzy the Bean!
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…
Amavida Coffee Roasters: Honey Comsa —This medium roast Honduran coffee from COMSA Cooperative has a mild, berry-like acidity and a full body. It features pronounced dried fruit notes in the aroma followed by prominent flavors of raisin, fig, and molasses. Certified Organic & Fair Trade Coffee.
Cxffeeblack: Fatherland—Kenya, Lions Hill Farm, Tinderet Nandi County, Solai Coffee Junt, Washed Peaberry. When my dad went to Africa while in college, Kenya changed his life. Years later, he introduced Kenyan coffee to our household. I didn’t know it then, but this was the first clue that coffee, like me, was black. This cxffee is our latest from the all black supply chain, sourced by the Kuria family. We met the Kuria family at the second inaugural Color of Coffee Collective, and we’re so excited to be able to share the the first of our collaborative offerings with you.
Equator Coffees: Thailand Chaiprakarn Black Honey Single Origin Espresso—Our third and final Thai coffee of the season has a juicy and sweet profile that truly flourishes in espresso form. This standout coffee was black honey-processed by coffee industry veteran Noi Duongdee from his own processing mill in Chaiprakarn, located in Thailand’s Chiang Mai growing region. If you’re at SCA this weekend, we’ll be sharing this SOE at a few booths including La Marzocco and Breville. Come find us and enjoy. Otherwise, order your bag today as this is likely to sell out quickly!
Greater Goods Roasting: Santa Gema—Last year, we had the privilege of visiting some incredible farms in Nicaragua, including Santa Gema. At Santa Gema, Mario Vilchez produces a remarkable maracaturra coffee with flavor notes of cherry cordial, tea rose, and tamarind. We’re proud to say that this coffee qualified for Nationals at the US Brewer’s Cup competition, a testament to its exceptional quality.
Joe Coffee: The Village—Currently, The Village comes from the Rubí sisters’ farm Finca Ruland 2, in Las Vegas, Honduras. Andrea and her sisters’ skill and diligence shine through this lot of washed and natural coffees. Expect a complex balance of layered acidity and structured sweetness. Beginning with notes of deep citrus and stone fruit, flavors arc towards ripe cherry as the coffee cools, leaving us with a final, soft note of spice and caramel.
Madcap Coffee Company: El Porvenir—El Porvenir translates to “things to come.” It also happens to be the very first coffee Madcap ever purchased back in 2008 — and we haven’t stopped yet. Headed by 4th generation farmer Gloria Rodriguez, the Rodriguez family operates five small farms located in the Apaneca region — known as the “Golden Coffee Belt” — in El Salvador. Coffee notes: brown sugar, rich black cherry, and baking chocolate in this sweet yet round-bodied cup.
Monogram Coffee: Elida Estate Catuai—Panama is now world famous for the gesha variety, producing some of the most delicious (and expensive) geshas in the world. Elida Estate is world famous for their gesha coffees, but they have not rested on their success and they are trying to improve every coffee they offer—including coffees that are not gesha. They grow a large amount of Catuai on the farm and they have developed a process that brings the best out of the variety, revealing the power and structure of Catuai, with big aromas, intense fruit, and a heavy body.
Night Swim Coffee: Kaku – Washed—The first container of specialty coffee left Yunnan, China for Australia in late 2015. Over the last nine years, Yunnan’s specialty coffee production has increased in leaps and bounds in both quantity and quality. We’re typically not familiar with specialty grade Asian coffees, but the truth is that these coffees can pass quality tests with flying colors and display an enormous amount of sweetness, consistency, and complexity. Tasting notes include Meyer Lemon, Mandarin, Almond, and Nutmeg.
Olympia Coffee Roasting: Ariz Family Gesha Natural—Olympia Coffee: According to our sourcing experts, this coffee is—and we quote—”insanely ****ing good.” The coffee-producing superpowers of Ricardo and Marco Ariz are responsible for this mindblowingly-delicious, anaerobic-natural Gesha from El Salvador. We found flavors of strawberry jam and gummy candies, along with a florality that makes for an extra elevated cup.
Onyx Coffee Lab : Doyenne—One 10oz Box of the World’s Best Female-Produced Coffee Once a Month + Roasted and shipped the first Wednesday of every month. Doyenne seeks to identify and amplify the stories of woman achieving incredible marks in coffee. The selections are curated by Andrea Allen, co-founder of Onyx Coffee Lab and 2020 US Barista Champion. The heart is for women to collaborate and to boost each other’s work and achievement through stories.
Partners Coffee: Burundi – Gahahe—Hundreds of farmers deliver their coffee to the Gahahe Washing Station in Kayanza, Burundi. The station serves the critical purpose of buying, sorting, and processing coffee, and also participates in a number of farmer outreach and support projects. In this fully washed lot, we taste delicious flavors of golden raisin and honey as well as dried apricot, caramel, lime, and subtle florals.
PERC: El Salvador Delagua Pacamara—We knew we had to bring it in as soon as we tasted this coffee. It reminds us of freshly picked strawberries, oranges, and maple syrup. Pacamaras are giant beans that yield big, juicy flavors with lots of sweetness, and Delagua delivers on that reputation in spades. Now, we can fit these beans in the dang bag.
Portland Coffee Roasters: Bridge Blend—This Limited Release is a blend of coffees from Guatemala and Peru. The Guatemala is from Maya Ixil, and the Peru is from the Pueblo Libre and Mamahuaca communities. When we cup this coffee it is floral and herbal, with hints of sugar cane and chocolate.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters: Ethiopia Mordecofe—We’ve been serving up Ethiopia Mordecofe for over 15 years now. A perennial favorite in our cafes for its versatility, it performs beautifully in any brew method. This year’s crop is brewing a complex and floral cup, sparkling with notes of nectarine, melon and jasmine.
Verve Coffee Roasters : ASTER— Formerly known as The 1950, Aster’s components highlight the best of what Ethiopian coffee has to offer. A key lime sweetness and brown sugar complexity come together to inspire adventure in your morning. As our only blend sourced from one origin roasted two different ways, Aster is our star on the map that marks the birthplace of coffee – Ethiopia.
New job listings from Sprudge Jobs
Tradecraft Coffee & Tea Outfitters - Program Manager, Specialty Coffee - Chicago, Minneapolis, Houston, or Austin
Tradecraft Coffee & Tea Outfitters - Program Manager, Specialty Coffee - Houston or Austin, TX
Highwire Coffee Roasters - Lead Roaster - Emeryville, 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.
The Understudy Coffee & Books - Chicago, IL
Dawn Cafe + Market - Santa Barbara, CA
Door - London, England
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.