Ernesto Illy dies at age 82; industry saddened by loss
illycaffè’s honorary president Ernesto Illy died yesterday at the age of 82. Throughout his career, Dr. Illy openly shared his discoveries—not only to advance the interests of his own company, but for the benefit of all people who enjoy and appreciate the authentic...
Asia Barista Championship Announced
For the first time in Asia, a competition between Asia's best coffee barista professionals will be held at an Asian level from 22nd to 24th April this year at the Singapore Expo. In conjunction with FHA2008 (Food&HotelAsia2008) the "Asia Barista Championship" will...
Hawaii buzz: first certified coffee cupping judge
In an impressive piece of writing and editing of a news story (involving me), Erika Engle of the Honolulu Star Bulletin masterfully extracts the essence of a very complicated and obscure subject (coffee tasting and the Hawaii coffee industry) in a tidy 14 inch daily...
Starbucks breakfast sandwiches are toast
In the company's best business move in years, Starbucks has nixed their breakfast sandwiches in order to stop pretending to be McDonald's and return back to their core expertise: coffee. So far today, Wall Street does not seem to understand the move, but give them a...
Big Island coffee going to troops in harm's way
Here's one from the Honolulu Advertiser to kick off the new year: Coffee growers from the Ka'u district on the Big Island of Hawai'i have sent 375 pounds of their acclaimed coffee to the troops serving in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan this holiday season. The growers...
Reuters: Many gift cards go unused
Reuters reports today that Gift cards are popular, but many go unused or so says a recent survey from the Consumer Reports National Research Center. More than half of those survey respondents said they had not used their card yet because they did not have time, while...
Convenience Retailing Conference Features Specialty Coffee
Something new is brewing for the February 2008 Convenience Retailing Conference in San Antonio, Texas. For the first time in the event's history, Andrew Hetzel of leading retail coffee consultancy Cafemakers will teach attendees the ins and outs of specialty coffee....
Burger King burned over coffee advertisement
From Stuff.Co.NZ I'm not one for frivolous litigation, but I am immensely pleased to see some independent group recognize that the serving vessel affects the experience of drinking a beverage -- specifically coffee. B Hay complained that a poster advertisement...
2007 Kona Joe Signature Cup results
Third time is a charm for Barista and Coffee Roaster Brooke Bateman of Mountain Thunder Coffee as she steamed and her way to the top barely breaking a sweat with her Italian themed drink, Citrus Twist, brewed with 100% Kona coffee from her family farm, prepared as...
Brew Ha Ha! gets serious with new coffee menu
Brew Ha Ha! gets serious with the addition of seven serious coffee beverages at its store in Center City, Philadelphia. Brew Ha Ha!'s menu additions include traditionally-prepared small but intense specialty coffee beverages, original Brew Ha Ha! signature creations,...
Businesses buy espresso machines to cut break time
It was only a matter of time until we started to see articles like this one in the Australian Daily Telegraph about businesses adding espresso bars to their offices to cut back on employee "cappuccino runs." Coffee runs have become the new smoko and businesses have...
Thomas Keller serves Geisha at French Laundry
...the plant variety (to avoid any confusion and possible outrage). The French Laundry and Per Se announce a one of a kind coffee program beginning in October 2007. Each restaurant will offer Panama Esmeralda Geisha, which is a premiere estate coffee from Equator...