The Sprudge Report - The Sprudge Design Awards Finalists
Voting continues through November 27th.
Sprudge Design Awards Finalists
From hundreds of entries, the field has been narrowed down, and this week we are proud to present the Finalists for the 2023 Sprudge Design Awards. Across 14 categories, Finalists come from all over the world, representing some of the most forward-thinking in coffee design. Public voting is open through November 27th. Read all about the categories and their Finalists!
Double-walled dosing cup
Artpresso Design introduces the La Marzocco Double Wall Dosing Cup, a unique creation exclusively tailored for La Marzocco. Designed by Artpresso’s visionary product designer, Steve Monti, this innovative tool caters to both the adept barista and the selective coffee lover.
Sprudge Maps goes to Estonia
The Sprudge Maps Spotlight returns again this week, this time to check out Paper Mill Coffee in Tallinn, Estonia. Set in a century-old fire station, Paper Mill blends modern design with industrial bones for a must-visit cafe.
Death Collab for The Postal Service
2003 was quite a year for Ben Gibbard. Both is bands, Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, released their seminal albums, both of which now turn 20 years old. To celebrate, both groups have teamed up with Camber Coffee for commemorative coffee blends.
The future of Taiwan coffee growing
Taiwan is not often considered a coffee producing country, but that is changing and fast. In an interview with Krude Che-Hao Lin of Taiwan Coffee Laboratory, contributor Tung Nguyen learns more about production in Taiwan and where it is heading.
Roaster Spotlight: Origin Coffee Bar
In this latest edition of Roaster Spotlight, we spoke with Matt and Elise Higgins, of Savannah, Georgia’s very own Origin Coffee Bar. First conceived as a mobile espresso bar, Origin grew as a pop-up concept and today occupies a restored historic space in downtown Savannah, with a considered food component and charitable mission.
Coffee before wine and you’ll be just fine
Caffeine and alcohol can both be disruptive to sleep patterns. But a new study finds combining the two actually counteracts the effects of each. Just in case you needed another reason to drink coffee or have a little splash of something.
Long COVID and coffee professionals
It’s been four years since the initial COVID-19 outbreak, and its impact is still being felt, especially by those in specialty coffee. Working in an industry that relies so heavily on sensory information, baristas and other coffee professionals are especially endangered by the effects of long COVID. Sprudge Editor at Large Jenn Chen talks with coffee vets to learn how they’ve had to navigate their occupation without the ability to smell or taste.
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 Finca Sophia Gesha Natural—Don’t miss out on the final release of award-winning coffee from this year’s harvest of Equator’s own Finca Sophia coffee farm in Panama! This Natural Gesha brews an unforgettable cup with sweet & floral of raspberry, tea rose, and cardamom. Sold as 6oz. bags of whole bean coffee.
Greater Goods Coffee Co.: Monteblanco—A tropical symphony in a cup! This coffee bursts with tropical flavors and a creamy sweetness that dances on your tongue. It’s like sipping on a glass of freshly squeezed mango juice, with a hint of lilikoi and a small bite of key lime pie. The unique processing, using whole passionfruit and cholupa, creates a complex and unique taste experience that will transport you to a warm and sunny paradise!
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 Company: COE Elefante Nueva Granada—The origins of this varietal were unknown until recent genetic testing has discovered Elefante to be a combination of an unknown Ethiopian Landrace and the world-famous Bourbon. With great pleasure, we offer an exclusive lot of Elefante, a 2023 Cup of Excellence winner, grown by Gloria Rodriguez’s son, Roberto. Elefante Nueva Granada took 6th place in the competition with a score of 89.54 and was one of only two washed coffees in the competition. This intense attention to detail results in a final cup with stunning clarity and soft, velvety mouthfeel, with notes of juicy lychee, jasmine blossom, and turbinado sugar.
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: Afterglow – Half Caf—Who says that decaf coffee can’t be delicious, satisfying and meaningful? For this holiday season, we wanted to take a moment to highlight some coffees that make us really happy. Afterglow is two naturally processed Ethiopian coffees, blended, and roasted to accentuate sweetness and sippability.
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: Panama Creativa Giovana Boutet Anaerobic—This anaerobic natural processed by our friends at Creativa Coffee District checks all the boxes we love about anaerobic processing. Layered, complex, and immensely sweet, this Catuai reminds us of ripe mangos and chocolate truffle, with the complexity and tactile of a cabernet.
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
Visions Espresso Service - Coffee Equipment Service Technician - Seattle, WA
Counter Culture Coffee - Regional Educator - Los Angeles, CA
Tradecraft Coffee - Program Manager, Specialty Coffee - Chicago, Minneapolis, Houston, or Austin
Intelligentsia - Director of Green Coffee Sourcing & Sustainability - Chicago, LA, NYC, Boston, or Austin
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.
Compound Coffee Co - Singapore
Mnemonic Coffee - San Diego, CA
PERC Coffee - Atlanta, GA
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