The Sprudge Report - Build-Outs, Bacteria, & Boise
And a coffee company sells for $18 billion
A very SoCal Build-Outs
One of the more insane arguments making the rounds on the internet is whether or not Los Angeles is a coffee city (making matters worse is that it is LA-based publications driving the debate). The mind boggles. And our Build-Outs this week show why the greater LA area remains one of the best in the country. First up is Dayglow, whose new Venice location is the fourth in the city (with cafes in Chicago and Brooklyn to boot). It’s a continuation of what Dayglow does best: bright colors and multi-roaster maximalism. Further south, in Long Beach, Dedo Coffee is a new hi-fi listening cafe that is a treat for all the senses while keeping coffee as the focal point.
A water filter that makes coffee?
Is it a water filter that makes coffee or a coffee maker that also filters water? Sure, why not. What we know for sure is that it’s called the Chimera and it touts itself as the “world’s first plastic free water filter.” It also just so happens to look a lot like a Chemex and can be used as one.
Back-to-bacterial coffee news
Lots of bacteria-based coffee stories this week. First, it was the viral (ahem, bacterial) TikTok coffee trend known as “proffee”, which is simply when you mix your coffee with protein powder. Sounds harmless enough, no? Except when you then leave it to sit for hours while you’re on a hike, which turns your thermos into a petri dish for all sorts of bacteria that can lead to “serious food poisoning.” Then, it was news about how coffee could impact the efficacy of your antibiotics. Short story, it may lead them to not work as well.
Keurig Dr. Pepper to buy JDE Peet’s for $18 billion
When the history of specialty coffee is told, Peet’s will be mentioned as the first major company to be bought by private equity that then became a prevailing trend. Well, Peet’s appears to be on the move again, sort of. The JAB Holdings-owned coffee brand is being sold to other JAB Holdings-owned coffee and beverage brand Keurig Dr. Pepper.
Strawberry Matcha Cream Latte
Is there anything sweeter than finding out your favorite cafe is bringing back a seasonal signature drink? I can only think of one thing. And it’s a tie. No, strike that, I’ve given it more thought, and discovering the Strawberry Matcha Cream Latte is back at Equator Coffees is definitely the sweetest. Ceremonial-grade matcha, house-made organic strawberry purée, choice of milk, and a touch of Strauss Organic Heavy Cream. What a way to end the summer.
A coffee guide to Boise
Boise is a city on the move. Yes there’s the whole potato thing, but Boise is so much more than that. One of the fastest growing cities in the country, the City of Trees is also seeing growth in the coffee scene. Our last guide to Boise is from 2019, so we have journeyed back to see what has changed in six years.
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…
Heartwood Coffee – Ethiopia Basha Bekele
Partners Coffee – Guatemala Las Moritas
Equator Coffees – Kenya Lenana Single Origin Espresso
Klatch Coffee – Panama Altieri Gesha, Mike Perry Signature Edition
Madcap Coffee – Colombia Luz Mary Galindez
Sightglass Coffee – Autumnal Equinox
PERC – Colombia Diego Bermudez M-03
Blueprint Coffee – Turaco, Burundi
Olympia Coffee – Kenya Kirimahiga AA Micro Lot 11
Caffé Umbria – Naturale Blend
Stumptown Coffee Roasters – Cold Brew Summer Blend
La Barba Coffee – Colombia Sebastian Ramirez Washed Pink Bourbon
Mr. Espresso – Brazil Córrego Da Boa Vista
Verve Coffee Roasters – Morning Brew Blend
Onyx Coffee Lab – Ethiopia Gore Dako
Portland Coffee Roasters – Endless Summer
Night Swim Coffee – Kenya Kirimahiga AA
Joe Coffee – Lincoln Center
Coffee Gear!
A bi-weekly selection of coffee gear from some of the best manufacturers in the industry, both big and small. This week’s selection is…
TIMEMORE Sculptor Series – Electric Grinder
Acaia Umbra Lunar – Digital Scale
Dwell Dripper by Verve Coffee — Coffee Brewer
La Marzocco Home Linea Micra — Home Espresso Machine
Baratza Encore ESP Pro — Coffee Grinder
Ceado Hoop Brewer — Coffee Brewer
New job listings from Sprudge Jobs
Ceremony Coffee Roasters - Director of Coffee - Annapolis, MD
Irving Farm Coffee - Account Manager - New York, NY
River City Roast - Lead Coffee Roaster - Post Falls, ID
Minor Figures - Territory Sales Representative, Mid-Atlantic - Remote/Philadelphia/Washington DC/Baltimore
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.