The Sprudge Report - The Champ Speaks
Plus a shocking acquisition.
2025 USBC Champion Kay Cheon: The Sprudge Interview
We’ve covered just about every angle of Kay Cheon’s high-powered win at the 2025 US Barista Championship, except hearing from the man himself. To remedy that, we sat down with Cheon to discuss his winning routine as well as what he has in store for the World Barista Championship.
An Expo scavenger hunt
Cafe Imports is going to be busy at Expo later this month in Houston. The latest activation from the green coffee company is Expo’s Greatest Scavenger Hunt. Teaming up eight as-of-yet named companies, Cafe Imports is sending Expo attendees on a search for clues, with prizes awaiting those who complete the mission.
Coffee in South Brooklyn
Our deep dive into the expansive world of coffee in New York City continued this week with an exploration of the coffee shops of South Brooklyn (anything south of Atlantic Avenue). As in previous NYC guides, Sprudge Associate Editor and NYC denizen Liz Clayton takes us on a tour of seven cafes exemplifying some of the best coffee in South Brooklyn.
A chemical analysis of Stenophylla
The coffee species Stenophylla offers a lot of promise in a climate change-riddled future. It’s heat tolerant, but perhaps more importantly, it tastes good. Very similar to that of Arabica. And in a new study, an analysis of the compounds in Stenophylla finds that it is remarkably similar to Arabica.
Ready to Use Espresso
In this installment of Ready To Drink, we take a look at Joe Coffee Company’s all new Ready to Use Espresso. It offers an easy alternative to the home espresso machine and is ready to handle any and all espresso drinks (or even a tiramisu).
Ruby Roasters x Bon Iver
Ahead of the new Bon Iver double album Sable, Fable, Justin Vernon et al teamed up with fellow Wisconsinites Ruby Coffee Roasters for a duo of limited edition coffees. Each coffee is meant to pair with the vibe of one of the two records in the new album.
A fresh look for Heartwood Coffee
This week in Coffee Design, we’re taking a look at the packaging for Ohio’s Heartwood Coffee Roasters. They implement a modern magazine type and an understated design for a simple yet refined look. We spoke with Heartwood owner James Sanders to learn more.
The Sweet Renaissance Coffee Academy
Minneapolis’s Dogwood Coffee and The Get Down have been in cahoots in some form or another for a decade now. And they are back at it again with The Sweet Renaissance Coffee Academy, a paid training program seeking to help members of underrepresented groups develops the skills to work in specialty coffee.
Press Release
Italian coffee equipment manufacturer Ceado announced an all-new line of grinders, the REV Series. It will include three new grinders with a host of new technology. Read the full press release for full details.
FairWave acquires Black & White Coffee, Lem Butler exits the company
Less than a month after hosting the 2025 US Barista Championship, North Carolina’s Black & White Coffee Roasters has been acquired by FairWave Specialty Coffee Collective, making them the 12th company under the umbrella of the Kansas City-based coffee conglomerate. In equally shocking news, it was also announced that former US Barista Champion and Black & White co-founder Lem Butler was longer part of the company.
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…
Portland Coffee Roasters – Anniversary Roast
Klatch Coffee – Peru Gesha
THE BARN – Ethiopia Chelbesa Natural
Madcap Coffee – Honduras Juan Angel
Equator Coffees – Thailand Mae Suai Natural
Stumptown Coffee Roasters – Vivid Bloom
Heartwood Coffee – Nicaragua La Esperanza Natural
PERC – Colombia Los Nogales Yellow Bourbon
Dune Coffee Roasters – Ecuador Hacienda La Papaya Anaerobic Sidra
Pachamama Coffee – Perú
Passenger Coffee – Colombia Lucas Melo
Partners Coffee – Colombia Vladimir Calambás
Phil & Sebastian – Colombia Jose Cuellar Pink Bourbon & Bourbon Aji
Night Swim Coffee – Ethiopia Nano Genji #6
La Barba Coffee – Ecuador Pepe Jijon Typica Wave
Sightglass Coffee Roasters – Spring Equinox
Olympia Coffee – Colombia San Sebastian Reserva
Mr. Espresso – Java Gunung Tikukur, Washed Process
Verve Coffee Roasters – Kenya Gura AA
Onyx Coffee Lab – Colombia Tio Conejo Gesha Natural
Joe Coffee – Honduras Rubí Sisters Catuaí
CXFFEEBLACK – Fruit Of Our Labor
New job listings from Sprudge Jobs
Stumptown Coffee Roasters - Executive Assistant - Portland, OR
Coava Coffee Roasters - Retail General Manager - Portland, OR
Cuppa Joy - Coffee Roaster - Clovis, CA
Highwire Coffee Roasters - Roaster - Oakland, CA
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.