The Sprudge Report - Beers, Blends, and Boy Bands
And Builds!
A coffee guide to Hiroshima
When you think of coffee in Japan, Tokyo is the first city that pops to mind, and for good reason. But in the western part of the country, the city of Hiroshima is home to a rapidly growing scene that is worth taking note of. It’s a coffee-loving city; folks in Hiroshima spend more on coffee per household than anywhere else in Japan. And their cafe scene features a host of exciting new spots that are putting the Peace City on the map. This week on Sprudge, we checked out five of the newest cafes to put on your to-do list next time you are in Hiroshima.
Nestlé’s new Arabica variety
In coffee’s fight against climate change, many scientists and researchers are seeking out new varieties better able to withstand the challenges of the future. Working in Brazil, Nestlé has created a new Arabica variety known as Star 4 that is said to be leaf rust resistant while also producing higher yields, which they claim will also lead to fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Buildin’
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but it’s been a week of Builds. Our summer feature series, the Build-Outs of Coffee rolled on with three brand new cafes across this fair land. Let’s got east to west shall we, starting off with Java Love Roasting in Montclair, NJ, who have turned a former burger joint into their third cafe location. Then in Denver, Coffeegraph brings Indonesian inspiration into the West Highland neighborhood. Finally, and perhaps most controversially, Moonwake Coffee is looking to open their first brick-and-mortar in San Diego. You may remember Moonwake as the roasting outfit that put a pop-up in the back of a Tesla Cybertruck (or maybe you just remember the wild backlash to it on Instagram). And make sure to check out the latest episode of the Buildscast that dropped on Friday, looking back at some of the global cafes we’ve featured thus far this year.
An iced coffee-themed boy band?
The greatest rivalry of our generation has always been The Backstreet Boys vs. *NSYNC, the biggest boy bands of the late-’90s and early-’00s. But now, iced coffee—specifically Dunkin’ iced coffee—has brought at least part of these two rivals together. *NYSNC’s Joey Fatone and The Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean have teamed up to create The Iced Boys, a musical group extolling the joys of iced coffee. And they have an album out on Spotify.
Coffee for a cause
Good coffee is made even better when it’s for a good cause. And that’s exactly what the new Friends Blend from Sisters Coffee Company is. $1 for each 12oz bag sold of the Friends Blend will go to each Friends of the Children Portland and Friends of the Children Central Oregon, both non-profits providing long-term mentorship opportunities for at-risk youth.
Coffee and smaller brains
After a bad’s night rest, the first thing we do is grab a coffee to get that quick energy boost. But new research suggests that doing so decreases the total volume of grey matter in your brain and inhibits the body’s ability to adapt to chronic sleep deprivation.
A transitional coffee beer
Summer’s not over but fall isn’t all that far off itself. Pretty soon we’ll be in the halcyon days of warm afternoons and cool nights, leaving some perfect alchemy in the golden hour. And as the seasons change so too do the things we want to drink. And this rare in-between point makes for the perfect conditions for a dark sour beer. Bright yet warm, zippy but with body. That’s why New Belgium has teamed up with Onyx Coffee Lab for a coffee variant of their La Folie Reserve flanders-style sour brown ale. Foeder-aged with red honey processed Las Lajas coffee, the limited release beer is the perfect way to celebrate that very particular time of year.
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…
Partners Coffee—Colombia Aidé Garro Chiroso
Chiroso is a mysterious variety specific to Antioquia, Colombia. Once thought to be a local mutation of caturra, it is now believed to have a closer relationship to Ethiopian landraces. This is fifth year buying chiroso from Aidé Garro, and hers is a beautiful representation of its incredible flavor profile—think watermelon and cherry Jolly Rancher, mango, lime, jasmine, and elderflower. Truly a stunner.
Equator Coffees—Colombia Finca Santa Monica Strawberry Macerated
Our newest coffee was produced by innovative Colombian coffee farmer Jairo Arcila on his Quindío farm, Finca Santa Monica. This unique flavor profile is an example of what can be achieved using an alternative fermentation process. Fresh strawberries were added to the coffee during the anaerobic fermentation, resulting in a vibrant profile we liken to strawberry soda, raspberry, and black currant.
Pachamama Coffee Farmers—Peru Santa Teresa
This single origin coffee is from Pachamama Farmer Owners at COCLA cooperative in Santa Teresa Peru. Just a short trip from the slopes of Machu Picchu, the organic and shade grown farms of the cooperative are situated in prime landscape to grow world class coffee. This coffee brings forward notes of cherry chocolate and cream in each cup.
Madcap Coffee Company—Party
Party is back! Each year Madcap looks forward to releasing their fan-favorite Party. Always a natural processed coffee from Ethiopia, this year’s component is currently Gora Kone out of the West Arsi, Nensebo region of Ethiopia. The high altitude combined with natural shade and unwavering farming practices result in coffee packed with flavor. This year, we’re enjoying jammy notes of strawberry, tart lime, and sweet cotton candy.
Olympia Coffee—Kenya Kamwangi AA Micro Lot 18
Out of hundreds of lots tasted at origin in Kenya, this was our top pick of the harvest. This coffee comes from the Kamwangi washing station and was produced as the 18th lot of the season.
The Barn Coffee Roasters Berlin—Bumba Hill Lot 6
For the third season, we are excited to be roasting coffee from Bumba Hill. The Long Miles Project is a farmer-focused producer that works with some of the most remote coffee growers in Burundi. Every year, we have seen the quality of their coffee improve and we are launching the season with an exceptional naturally processed coffee: Lot 6. Our exclusive reserve lot is slowly dried on raised African beds, producing a profile with deep sweetness and smooth texture. Just in time for summer, it is like a cup of strawberries and cream.
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.
Monogram Coffee—Mil Cumbres **Pre-sale next roast on August 1, 2024**
Mil Cumbres has produced coffee for less than 10 years, but it is already making a big impact and highlighting a fairly unknown coffee region in Panama. Healthy soil, interesting varieties, and processing acumen all contribute to a really exciting and unique expression of Panamanian coffee. Because Mokka is a fairly rare variety due to the low yields and difficulties in harvesting such a small seed, we always jump at the chance to share this special coffee.
Joe Coffee—Amsterdam
Rich, sweet, and comforting, Amsterdam is the perfect drip coffee option for those who seek a deeper roast profile. We select the components for this coffee for their ability to stand up to a more developed roast, without ever tasting over-roasted or smoky. Instead, we pull out classic notes of chocolate, nut, and toffee.
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.
Greater Goods Coffee Roasters—Basha Bekele
Our latest release from Ethiopia is a juicy fruit bomb from the Sidama region. Grown at the mid-bending altitude of 2000 plus meters above sea level, this coffee is a great example of how clean and beautiful extremely highgrown coffee can be. In the cup we got mouth-watering notes of dried strawberry, grape candy, and star jasmine.
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.
Mr. Espresso—Italian Espresso Trio
A Trio of Italian Classics. Return to the place where espresso began with Mr. Espresso’s trio of regionally inspired blends from Tuscany, Trieste and Naples. The elegant medium-roast Tuscan offers sweet chocolate and butterscotch notes; the light-roast Triestino has complexity of nut and fruit; and the company’s medium-dark signature Neapolitan delivers dark chocolate, hazelnut and caramel.
Dune Coffee—Indonesia Bener Meriah
Bener Meriah comes from Mikael Jasin’s company Catur Coffee, who works with producers in Aceh to apply intentional post-harvest processing methods to push the boundaries of what has been thought possible from traditional Indonesian coffee varieties. Through anaerobic processing and yeast inoculation, we taste juicy red berry flavors and a creamy texture in the cup.
Night Swim Coffee—Jairo Arcila – EF2 Natural
A masterclass in processing, the work Cofinet and Jairo Arcila’s team have done at Santa Monica and La Pradera produced a very balanced, sweet, and clear encapsulation of the best characteristics of the Java variety. Take this limited opportunity to join us in enjoying the remarkable sundried Java varietal from Quindio, Colombia. We think you’ll find your childhood in it’s limeade-like acidity, sweet and sticky strawberry frutiness, and a syrupy, lingering, chocolate-y mouth feel.
Cxffeeblack—Ubudasa
Ubudasa is a Kinyarwandan word loosely translated to mean the uniqueness of something or how something just hits different. In partnership with Higa coffee, a natural anaerobic from Businide station in the Kayanza district in Burundi. You already know, All-Black supply chain. Notes of grape Jolly Rancher, mango Jumex, and cinnamon. Proceeds from the sale of this coffee go to support Phase 2 of the Black Barista Exchange Program.
PERC—Peru Santos Flores
We love this particular lot. It’s sweet and smooth, with enough subtle complexity to keep you coming back for more. We taste sweet maple syrup and candied lemon flavors in the cup with a rich brown sugar finish. This one goes down so easily that you might want a big bag!
Verve Coffee Roasters—Limoncillo Farmlevel Reserve
This very rare mutated yellow Pacamara from El Limoncillo has a beautiful spiced and citric profile. Those who enjoy herbal and complex coffees will find this limited batch delightful.
Amavida Coffee Roasters—Burundi Nemba
This beautiful lot represents the unique flavors available in coffees from the region. It comes from the Nemba washing station in the Hills of Kayanza in Burundi. It’s sugary aroma is reminiscent of ginger, molasses and red fruit. Unique flavors of gingersnap cookies, apricot and molasses are balanced by a pleasantly citric cup.
New job listings from Sprudge Jobs
Ratio Coffee - Customer Experience Associate - Portland, OR
Conscious Coffees - Head Roaster - Boulder, CO
Counter Culture Coffee - Eastern Roasting Apprentice - Durham, NC
Counter Culture Coffee - Regional Technical Services - San Francisco, CA
Counter Culture Coffee - Regional Manager - Columbus, OH
Philz Coffee - Coffee Quality Specialist - Oakland, 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.
Drip - Holmfirth, UK
Rubenstein Bagels - Redmond, WA
Haven Coffee and Cocktails - Covington, LA
Heavenly Coffee - Centurion, South Africa
Nossa Familia - Portland, OR
Cafe Provenzal - Caracas, Venezuela
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.