2023 Sprudge Design Awards Winners
Over the past two months, over 100,000 votes have been cast to help in deciding the winners of the inaugural Sprudge Design Awards. And at long last, we are thrilled to announce the winners! The global selection of brands represent some of the best and brightest in coffee design. Let’s take a look at the winners, shall we?
New bags are Looming
Speaking of design, this week we take a look at the new packaging for Greensboro, North Carolina’s Loom Coffee Co. The new bags were designed in-house and feature a clean, minimalist look. It gives a new look to Loom’s original branding.
This week in coffee science
Someone must have put a new espresso machine near the lab, because the scientists have been busy at work this week. First, researchers in Singapore found that regular coffee consumption in midlife led to a decreased risk of frailty as you age. Then, another study noted that coffee could help alleviate symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome. And finally, scientists examined the effects of adding moisture of coffee before grinding, and it had a pretty significant impact on espresso.
Emma Chamberlain has regrets
Emma Chamberlain is one of the modern internet’s biggest celebrities, amassing millions upon millions of followers across social media platforms. She is also the owner of Chamberlain Coffee, a heretofore mail-order situation trading mostly in blends, flavored coffees, and cold brew bags. And she kind of regrets starting it. In an exhausting expansive three-hour interview, Chamberlain discusses the trials and tribulations of running her VC-back coffee brand.
Go Get Em Union
Workers at Los Angeles’s Go Get Em Tiger have filed a petition to unionize with the National Labor Relations Board. The 100+ workers across the eight locations are seeking representation from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 45, citing “hazardous conditions… and issues of racism, homophobia, and transphobia [that] are swept under the rug.”
A gift guide from the heart
‘Tis the season of gift giving, and we here at Sprudge have put together quite a few guides to help you to that end. But this one is near and dear to our hearts. We asked the editors to pick some of the coffee things they would want to receive in their stockings or under their trees. Large and small, these are gifts sure to please the coffee lover in your life.
Coffee Sprudgecast: The One With A Lot Of Beverages
Hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are back at it again, and this time they brought a lot of coffee. Like, a lot a lot. They sample their way through some of the Roaster’s Village on this very caffeinated episode of The Coffee Sprudgecast.
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: Panama Hacienda La Esmeralda Gesha Natural—We are pleased to announce that Equator has secured a natural-processed Gesha lot from Hacienda La Esmeralda. We have extremely limited inventory — place your order soon to secure a 4 oz. bag of this beloved coffee from a truly historic farm.
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: Trifle—Four different coffees have been layered (like a trifle!) to create a unique brewing experience where the flavours will mingle and change as you brew through the bag. As you enjoy Trifle, you’ll work your way through a spicy anaerobic natural, a fermented peach coffee, a delicious natural with strawberry yogurt notes and a fermented grape coffee.
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
La Colombe - Cafe Manager - Washington, DC
Malongo - Coffee Expert (Bakeries, Cafes, Restaurants) - Tri-State Area: Essex/Hudson/Bergen County or Manhattan/Brooklyn/Queens
PERC Coffee - Baristas - Tucker, GA
PERC Coffee - Lead Barista - Tucker, GA
260 Bridge Cafe, Partners Creating Community - Lead Barista - Phoenixville, PA
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.
Anagram - Singpore
Tala Coffee Roasters - Winnetka, IL
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.