Are matcha & customised drinks actually helping specialty coffee shops?
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes Key takeaways Rising coffee, energy, and labour costs are squeezing specialty coffee shop margins. Matcha and cold foam have no...
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October 13, 2026
Are matcha & customised drinks actually helping specialty coffee shops?
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes Key takeaways Rising coffee, energy, and labour costs are squeezing specialty coffee shop margins. Matcha and cold foam have no fixed price expectation, allowing higher charges. Starbucks’ cold foam sales rose over 40%, helping lift average US spend. Signature drinks justify higher prices without slowing baristas or diluting coffee menus. Specialty coffee has always put the coffee first. Most menus centre on black filter coffee… read more
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes Key takeaways Rising coffee, energy, and labour costs are squeezing specialty coffee shop margins. Matcha and cold foam have no fixed price expectation, allowing higher charges. Starbucks’ cold foam sales rose over 40%, helping lift… read more
Why buying and selling coffee online is changing
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Key takeaways Online ordering lets roasters reach buyers anywhere without distributors. Fresh coffee peaks briefly, so roast dates and courier...
Old meets new: How heritage is shaping modern coffee equipment
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Key takeaways Italian heritage still matters in coffee equipment, but innovation now earns lasting trust. Record US specialty coffee demand...
Why the protein coffee boom won’t last
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Key takeaways Protein coffee’s rise stems from GLP-1 drug use and fitness-driven social media trends. The functional coffee market could...
What do the pioneers think of specialty coffee’s future?
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes Key takeaways Market consolidation squeezes independents, but also opens space for emerging specialty coffee brands. Automation risks cutting barista pay...
Matcha is everywhere – but what does Japan think?
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes Key takeaways Global demand for matcha creates opportunity for Japan, but the boom is confusing producers. Converting to tencha production...
From edgy to elegant: How “cool” in specialty coffee is maturing
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes Key takeaways Cool café design has moved from Scandinavian minimalism towards industrial, brutalist aesthetics. Authenticity, consistency, and a clear identity...
Why specialty coffee is now gaining wider recognition outside the industry
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes Key takeaways James Beard nominations signal that specialty coffee is earning wider recognition from outside its own industry. But decades...
Why medium-sized coffee shops are struggling
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Key takeaways Mid-sized coffee brands currently face the sector’s toughest financial squeeze. They lack both small-brand agility and big-chain purchasing...
What does Gen Alpha want from coffee?
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes Key takeaways Gen Alpha’s oldest members are turning 16 and drinking coffee. Their spending power could reach US$5.46 trillion by...
What is the problem with matcha?
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Key takeaways Major coffee brands are chasing matcha’s booming popularity. Virality is driving over-commercialisation, diluting quality and cultural meaning. Japan’s...
Chasing trends at any cost can be risky for roasters
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes Key takeaways Not every coffee trend is worth the R&D investment and supply chain commitment. Trends should align with a...
Cold coffee is driving sales, but cafés need to create unique, signature drinks
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes Key takeaways Cold coffee, matcha, and refreshers are reshaping consumer demand. Younger consumers want drinks that reflect identity, not just...
Germany’s coffee habits are changing
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Key takeaways Record whole bean coffee sales signal that Germans prioritise freshness and quality. The country’s coffee market hit a...
How the Philippines is influencing global specialty coffee culture
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes Key takeaways Filipino cuisine blends local, Spanish, and American influences. Ube and pandan are becoming mainstream ingredients in coffee shops...
Understanding Hungary’s growing appetite for specialty coffee
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes Key takeaways Hungary’s green coffee imports nearly tripled between 2023 and 2024. World-class champions built Budapest’s specialty coffee scene from...