The Sprudge Report - Guides Galore!
City guides, gift guides, blend guides, we've got 'em all this week.
20 delicious blends for your holiday enjoyment
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and there is no greater broad-scale merrymaker than a coffee blend. A good blend has a little something for everybody, nuanced enough for black coffee drinker but structured enough to hold up well for the milk and sugar crowd. For the holidays, we’ve rounded up 20 of our favorite blends (not to be confused with a 20-bean blend, more on that in a minute) from around the world.
The incredible Coffee Alley at Seoul International CafeShow
CafeShow recently took place in Seoul, South Korea, and while there were sights galore, we couldn’t get over the Coffee Alley. 73 roasters from around the world were in attendance offering guests taste tests, espressos, whole bean coffee, and even merch. These are some our favorite moments from the Coffee Alley.
A coffee tour of Whistler, BC
For outdoor lovers, it’s hard to beat the beauty and grandeur of Whistler, British Columbia. Whatever it is that brings you to the Fitzsimmons Mountain range, be it skiing or snowboarding, hiking, or mountain biking, there is adventure awaiting you. And also good coffee. A mix of modern cafe and classic mountain chalet, the coffee scene is Whistler has made big strides over the years. We take a look at some of the hot spots here in 2023.
Behold the 20-bean espresso blend
You know those blends that are like, 20-bean blends, you know? In what they are describing as a world first, Vancouver’s Milano Coffee Roasters has released the Turks Crown, a blend of 20 different single origins to commemorate their 20th anniversary. But one can’t help but wonder: what are they odds of getting all 20 origins in a single shot of espresso?
More issues with the EU’s new deforestation law
Last year, the European Union enacted a new law banning the import of commodities linked to deforestation. It has faced criticism from major corporations and watchdogs alike, and now some are concerned that coffees stored in EU warehouses may have to be destroyed if not sold before the end of the transition period.
In gear news
CropConex, the digital green coffee platform, introduced a suite of back-office tools designed to transform the way green coffee is traded and managed. Meanwhile, Anfim has added an all-new grinder to their roster. The Alba brings a lot of tech to their 80mm flat burr grinder.
Finally, a nice looking knockbox
The aesthetics of home coffee gear has come a long way, and now that includes the knockbox. A new Kickstarter by Proper by Design brings a little form to the function of the knockbox with the Olympus, combining it with a tamping station for an all-in-one counter-friendly footprint.
What is white coffee?
It may sound like a milky drink—and in some cases it is—but white coffee actually refers to really, really, really light roasted coffee, and some people can’t get enough of it. Some say it has more caffeine, others think it’s healthier due to higher levels of chlorogenic acid. Sprudge editor gets to the bottom of what, exactly, is white coffee.
Pre-order Getchusomegear’s “Coffee Is Healing” sweatshirt
You’ve seen it on all your favorite coffee YouTube influencers, and now it’s back. The Coffee Is Healing sweatshirt from Getchusomegear is now on pre-order. This printing comes in four different colors to choose from—mauve, teal, vintage black, and yellow—and proceeds of the sales go to aid three competitors in their bids for the 2024 US Coffee Championships.
Carhartt WIP x Rocket espresso machine
You want a hard-working home espresso machine, and nothing says “hard work” like workwear brand Carhartt. Through their Work In Progress streetwear line, Carhartt has teamed up with Rocket Espresso for an espresso machine and grinder collab. Read all about it here.
A very Roaster’s Village gift guide
The holiday season is officially upon us, and that means it is time to start shopping for gifts. And for many, there’s no better gift than a good ole bag of coffee. Luckily, our Roaster’s Village includes some of the best roasters around, and they’ve helped curate a list of some of their favorite coffees currently on offer.
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: Natural Bolvia AIPEP—This limited release offering is from the primary-level producer association AIPEP, located in the Yungas mountains of Bolivia. We found this natural processed coffee to be pleasantly dense, with notes of blueberry, grape and black tea in the cup.
Camber Coffee: Ethiopia Seid Adem Boruu—Seid Adem Boruu’s coffee was a national jury selection at this year’s Cup of Excellence competition. This naturally processed microlot was handpicked before being dried on raised beds on Seid’s farm. His coffee was carefully processed and sorted specifically for the COE competition. In the cup we taste refined notes of key lime, grapefruit, cacao nib, and strawberry.
CXFFEEBLACK: Baile Funk: Afro Brazilian Natural Process—Brought to you straight from an all-Black supply chain, we proudly present Baile Funk. Grown by resilient Black farmers in the heart of Brazil, this coffee is a testament to their unwavering spirit. It’s a blend of Yellow Catuca and Mundo Novoi, and every sip pays tribute to Brazil’s rich coffee heritage. This coffee is a cultural anthem.
Equator Coffees: Ethiopia Abana Estate Instant Coffee—Our latest single origin instant coffee is designed to capture the beloved flavors of our light roast Ethiopian coffee favorite, without the bitterness typically associated with instant. Sourced from the scenic highlands of Ethiopia’s Limu growing region, this washed-process coffee has a unique blend of sweet flavors of nectarine and lemon verbena coupled with hints of caraway.
Greater Goods Roasting: El Paraiso—The mastermind behind the YN-09 lot, Diego Bermudez, has concocted a symphony of flavor that is nothing short of brilliant. This blend strikes the perfect balance between the sweetness of peach and the tartness of guava, creating a nuanced and complex cup of coffee that is equal parts refreshing and complex. It’s a true work of art, a testament to the power of experimentation and creativity in the coffee world.
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. 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.
Madcap Coffee: BEST OF 2023 SET—We are honored to showcase a round-up of the very best on our menu from over the past 12 months. This tasting set encapsulates what we do at our core—highlighting individual producers and their coffees, and focusing on building those relationships and supporting their efforts. The limited set includes 12 single orgin coffees, with each bag containing 2oz of whole bean coffee, for 24oz total of coffee.
Monogram Coffee: Maximino Gutiérrez Tejada Gesha—This is the first gesha we have had from Maximino and the outstanding quality of this coffee is exactly as we would expect from him. Processed a honey, this coffee spends a little bit of time in contact with the fruit while it dries which gives this coffee complexity and sweetness. You’ll taste notes of iced tea, plum and milk chocolate in this delicious gesha.
Night Swim Coffee: Aurora – Mensur Ahabika Natural—Say hello to our featured coffee offering for the holidays! Mensur Abahika was the first single producer that Osito purchased coffee from in Ethiopia, four harvests ago. These coffees are fundamental to our coffee menu, so it’s a no-brainer to take this opportunity to put Mensur’s work on a pedestal for all to enjoy.
Olympia Coffee Roasters: Holiday Blend—Our annual Holiday Blend is back! This year’s blend draws inspiration from our beloved Pacific Northwest, paying tribute to the iconic, decked-out evergreen trees that usher in the holiday season and brighten our homes during the darkest time of the year.
Onyx Coffee Lab : Framily—We are excited to release our seventh edition of this heartwarming Holiday coffee that embodies the joy of spending time with friends and family. This washed coffee from Banko Gotiti is a developed medium roast creating complex cocoa notes mixed with sweet berry cobbler-like flavors. Designed to accommodate the coffee nerd or the heavy-handed cream and sugar in-laws… you’re welcome, my friends.
Partners Coffee: Guatemala – Santa Elisa—Finca Santa Elisa sits on the western side of Acatenango, one of the three volcanoes that surround the charming city of Antigua Guatemala. This lot, consisting entirely of red bourbon, was processed by our friends Los Volcanes at Beneficio La Esperanza in Antigua. The result is a sweet, pristine coffee that reminds us of blood orange and tangerine supported by warm confectionary and caramels—delightful in a host of brewing methods from filter to espresso.
PERC Coffee: Holiday Blend—The roasting team has been in the workshop, tinkering away, mixing a little of this and a little of that. Now, the team has emerged with the perfect concoction. It’s smooth and sweet, with the perfect hint of roastiness to satisfy everyone in the family, even the grinchiest grinches and the scroogiest scrooges.
Stumptown Coffee: Guatemala El Injerto Pacamara —A seven-time winner of Guatemala’s prestigious Cup of Excellence competition, El Injerto Pacamara is one of the most highly anticipated coffees we roast all year. Known for its large size and award-winning profile, El Injerto Pacamara will captivate your senses like only a legendary coffee can. This year’s lot is pure decadence with notes of ripe peach and sugar cane complemented by a touch of sage.
Verve Coffee: Costa Rica Sumava Lactico Natural—Sweet Magnolia florals greet the nose at the first sip, complemented by the soft touch of White Peach. Concord Grape is woven throughout with a similar profile to natural wine, finishing the cup with a sparkling mouthfeel. Francisco Mena’s coffee has been sprinkled throughout our menu year after year, and he is someone that we are proud to partner with.
New job listings from Sprudge Jobs
Stumptown Coffee Roasters - Cafe Manager - New York, NY
Cropster - Product Marketing Specialist (f/m/d) - Innsbruck/Vienna, Austria
Bunsita Roastery - Roast Master/Production Manager - Khobar, Saudi Arabia
La Cabra - Wholesale & Client Relations Associate - New York, NY
Curated - Curated Coffee Expert (Contract) - Remote (USA)
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.
Johan & Nyström - Stockholm, Sweden
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