Every Friday, Perfect Daily Grind rounds up the top coffee industry news from the previous week.

Here are this week’s coffee news stories.

Mon, 6 Nov

• SCA releases updated 2024 World Barista Championship rules & regulations. The association says the rule changes focus on minor language clarifications to current practices around judging, conflicts of interest, and the milk beverage. It has also updated the tactile experience section of the espresso evaluation protocol.

• Starbucks announces improved employee benefits. The company says updates to employee benefits include earlier vacation accrual for new hires and incremental pay increases. It has also introduced a Starbucks North America Barista Championship.

• Saudi Coffee Company launches its first model farm in Jazan. The government-owned company says the massive facility aims to grow five million coffee trees by 2030. It will also offer insights into sustainable agriculture.

• Panamanian Geisha sells for US $686 per cup at Chinese coffee shop. The coffee was auctioned for US $10,005/kg at Best of Panama 2023 and each serving uses 15g. The Hanghzou coffee shop, Pumpli House, has now gone viral on Chinese social media.

• Starbucks reports first profitable year in Australia. The company says it made over US $2 million in profit during the 2023 financial year, after posting a loss of US $3.5 million the previous year.

• Pocket’s Chocolates launches collaboration with Blue Bottle Coffee. The chocolate-covered almond bar is inspired by Blue Bottle’s signature New Orleans-style spiced cold brew latte. It’s available exclusively at Blue Bottle stores in the US.

• illycaffè announces judges for 2023 Best of the Best Awards. The awards will be announced at the Ernesto Illy International Coffee Awards on 16 November. Judges include Guatemalan taster Silvia Escobar, Federação dos Cafeicultores do Cerrado President Glaucio De Castro, and CoffeeLab Director Sunalini Narayan Menon.

Tue, 7 Nov

• Brandon Lee wins 2023 American AeroPress Championship. Lee topped runners-up Cecil Cope and Tyler Galbraith at the event held at Onyx Coffee Lab’s Rogers HQ on 2 & 3 November. He will go on to represent the USA at the 2023 World AeroPress Championship in Melbourne, Australia from 1 to 3 December.

• Sintercafé International Coffee Week 2023 held in Costa Rica. The event was held at the Hotel Real Intercontinental in San José from 8 to 10 November and welcomed more than 500 key decision makers in the coffee industry.

• Two washed Geisha lots receive 90.74 points at 2023 Cup of Excellence Peru. The lots were produced by Yoniser Mego Silva on the Alton Mirador farm in Cajamarca. A total of 33 lots will be auctioned on 30 November.

• Stone Brewing launches full line of specialty coffee in partnership with NuZee. The brewery says the line is inspired by its coffee-infused beers and includes single-serve brew bags, pour-over bags, industrially compostable K-Cups, as well as whole beans.

• Fairtrade partners with Satelligence to expand coffee and cocoa producer deforestation monitoring. The organisation says the programme prioritises producer access to satellite monitoring data to boost forest protection and meet EU regulations. It’s hoped that Fairtrade cooperatives will use the data to better manage forest landscapes.

• New AstroBrew cold coffee maker promises to prepare cold brew in just 20 minutes. The countertop cold brew maker automatically chills coffee to 32°C in 20 minutes and can also prepare iced coffee and ice tea. Brewed coffee stays fresh for up to 30 days.

• SCA announces Coffee Value Assessment Patrons Programme. Adding to its Global Events Initiative, the SCA has introduced an official Patrons Programme, which will facilitate the SCA and Coffee Science Foundation’s continued research and development of the CVA and enable companies and organisations to support further refinement and development of the system.

• Coffee Quality Institute appoints Michael Sheridan as new CEO. Sheridan has spent two decades in international coffee development. He will guide the nonprofit organisation’s attempts to best meet emerging challenges in the industry to support global coffee-producing communities.

Wed, 8 Nov

• Brazil International Coffee Week 2023 held in Minas Gerais. First held in 2013, the event has grown into one of the largest coffee industry expos in the world. The 2023 edition took place at Expominas in Belo Horizonte from 8 to 10 November, featuring exhibitions, lectures, workshops, competitions, and coffee tastings.

• NCA Annual Convention early bird tickets available until 15 November. The annual convention is scheduled to take place from 7 to 9 March 2024 in Nashville, USA. NCA members are eligible for an additional US $450 on top of the early bird discount.

• ACE to host Los Rodriguez Collection Nº2 Private Collection Auction on 30 January 2024. The Bolivian private collection auction features various lots produced by the Los Rodriguez family, promising citrus, caramel notes from the Caranavi region and the bold and fruity flavors of the Samaipata valleys. Sample sets are available now.

• Allpress and Minor Figures to host Manchester Coffee Festival warm-up party on 16 November. The party will take place at Allpress Espresso Café in Manchester, featuring a barista competition, food & drinks, a live DJ, and a celebration of Allpress’ new location.

• Blue Bottle Coffee and artist Devon Rodriguez collaborate on “The Human-Generated Art Experiment”. Blue Bottle hosted a collaborative event in New York City on 25 October, where Rodriguez and an AI image generator simultaneously created artworks from the same prompts. The event aimed to draw parallels between “the human touch” involved in coffee brewing and artistry.

• Dutch Bros reports 33.2% increase in total revenues year-on-year. The coffee chain recorded net income of US $13.4 million in the 2023 financial year. It also opened 39 new stores during Q3 of 2023 and now operates a total of 794 locations.

• Swiss Water reports 29% decrease in year-on-year revenue in Q3 2023. The premium green coffee decaffeinating company adds that it recorded a net loss of US $0.4 million during the same period, while its adjusted EBITDA for Q3 decreased by US $2.8 million.

Thu, 9 Nov

• Tanzania Coffee Research Institute develops four drought-resistant coffee varieties. The institute says the arabica varieties will be distributed to local farmers during the coming 2023/24 growing season. According to The Citizen, several growing regions suffer from insufficient rainfall.

• Coffee Board of India appoints MJ Dinesh as new CEO. Dinesh will serve a three-year term, contributing his extensive experience in policymaking and administration in the Indian coffee industry.

• Nespresso announces David Beckham as new brand ambassador. The English former professional footballer has starred in a new advert for the Nestlé brand, joining actor George Clooney as a brand ambassador.

• Westrock Coffee Company reports 4.6% year-on-year decrease in sales in Q3 2023. The American company says sales decreased by US $10.7 million year-on-year in Q3, while its adjusted EBITDA fell by US $6.3 million during the same period.

• Coffee prices close higher on dwindling ICE inventories. ICE-monitored arabica inventories reached a 24-year low of 302,235 60kg bags of green coffee on Thursday. As a result, the arabica contract for December delivery increased by 2.55%, while the corresponding robusta contract increased by 1%.

• vida e caffè launches 100% South African coffee blend. The South African coffee chain says it sources the coffee for its RedBerry blend from producers in the KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces, adding that it aims to support local farmers.

• Starbucks faces wide-scale boycotts over Israel ties, sues union over deleted pro-Palestinian post. Starbucks employees are reporting lower footfall at various cafés following several calls to boycott the chain over alleged support for Israel. Last month, Starbucks filed a legal complaint against Starbucks Workers United over a since-deleted social media post stating “Solidarity with Palestine”.

• Quench announces acquisition of Neighbors Coffee Co. The American filtered water, ice, and coffee company says the acquisition aligns with its goal of providing commercial customers with “the broadest array of premium point-of-use offerings”.

• De’Longhi reports 3.3% year-on-year increase in revenue in Q3 2023. The company says its adjusted EBITDA increased by 5.7% during the same period. However, year-to-date revenue decreased by 6.1% compared to the same period last year.

Fri, 10 Nov

• The Paris Café Festival set to return from 9 to 11 March 2024. The 5th edition of the annual event will take place at Le Carreau du Temple, featuring dozens of industry exhibitors, a dedicated Pro Day, and several coffee competitions – including Roast Masters Paris and Latte Art Live.

• Cafe Imports hosts Cupping Corner at Coffee Fest Orlando. The cupping programme includes demonstrations, an FAQ session, featured cuppings, and the “2 Brews & a Lie” triangulation challenge. Coffee Fest Orlando takes place on 10 & 11 November at the Orange County Convention Centre.

• Artpresso restocks accessory line for Breville espresso machines. The coffee machine accessory manufacturer says the line, which includes the Lance Hendrick Signature Collection, is available once more. It includes custom covers, portafilter handles, and grinder hopper lids.

• DoubleShot Coffee founder Brian Franklin launches crowdfunding campaign to fund new book. The American company says The Coffee Purist will feature various stories relating to its history, including its legal battle with Starbucks. The book is set to be published in November 2024.

• Breville says the average UK coffee consumer will drink 62,000 cups in a lifetime. The coffee machine manufacturer commissioned a study of 2,000 coffee consumers, finding that the average consumer will drink around 18,000 litres of coffee in their lifetime. It added that 41% of respondents said they struggle to function properly until they’ve had their first cup.

• Flash Coffee owes employees US $220,500 and owes creditors US $11 million. The coffee chain owes outstanding amounts to around 120 creditors after closing all 11 of its Singapore stores in October to focus on other markets. Authorities are in the process of taking assets into custody, which will be sold to settle debts.

Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look.

• Wed, 1 Nov – Paris Baguette announces partnership with French football club Paris Saint-Germain. The deal will see the café chain carry out a range of marketing activities in South Korea and elsewhere, while its logo and advertising video will be displayed during live games at the Parc des Princes stadium.

• Thu, 2 Nov – Panera Brands cuts corporate staff by 17% ahead of initial public offering. The company, which operates Panera Bread and Caribou Coffee, has let go of around 300 employees as it aims to streamline operations ahead of its IPO.

• Fri, 3 Nov – Kona Coffee Cultural Festival gets underway in Hawaii. The 52nd edition of the festival aims to preserve, perpetuate, and promote the Kona region’s nearly 200-year coffee growing heritage. The event runs until 12 November.

• Fri, 3 Nov – New study finds humans smell in 3D. A study published in Current Biology suggests that the human brain records smell information – including coffee aromas – in different places depending on which nostril it comes from.

• Fri, 3 Nov – US grocery store coffee sales drop below pre-pandemic levels. Reuters reports that overall packaged coffee sales fell by 3.7% from September 2022 to September 2023, suggesting that high coffee prices are leading to lower consumption.

• Sat, 4 Nov – Police probe death of three workers at Ugandan coffee factory. According to Monitor, three casual workers died after they reportedly suffocated in the Zigoti Coffee Factory’s elevator shaft.

Coffee news photo credits: World Coffee Events

Sign up to our weekly coffee news recap to get a summary of all the biggest coffee news stories in the sector, delivered straight to your inbox every Monday.

Want to keep up with current affairs in the coffee industry? Check out last week’s coffee news stories and make sure to read the latest Coffee Intelligence news piece questioning whether ecommerce makes supermarkets less important for coffee roasters.