September 13, 2023

Do the Barista and Coffee Roasters Guilds benefit the specialty coffee sector?

There are many organisations and non-profits which support and strengthen the specialty coffee sector. One of the most prominent is the Specialty Coffee Association –...

September 4, 2023

Why are digital coffee printers becoming more popular?

It’s fair to say that most customers expect baristas to pour latte art for their milk-based coffee drinks – and rightly so. Not only do...

August 24, 2023

Are specialty coffee competitions still about credibility – or prize money?

Competitions are some of the most exciting and captivating events in the global coffee sector. Often pushing the boundaries of innovation and creating new trends...

August 10, 2023

April Brewers Cup 2023

In partnership with Asylum Coffeehouse, the second edition of the April Brewers Cup will take place in Singapore on 29 August 2023. The competition is...

July 31, 2023

ASEAN Barista Team Championship 2023

The 2023 ASEAN Barista Team Championship will take place from 3 to 5 August at the SMX Convention Centre in Manila, Philippines. The third edition...

July 18, 2023

How have career opportunities changed in specialty coffee?

We’ve seen many changes in the specialty coffee sector over the last ten or so years. From the rise of plant milks to an increasing...

June 29, 2023

What happened at the 2023 World Barista Championship?

From 21 to 24 June 2023, this year’s World Barista Championship was held at World of Coffee Athens in Greece. Along with the 2023 World...

June 26, 2023

The Barista League Los Angeles 2023

The Barista League returns to Los Angeles, California on 5 August. This year’s event will be hosted by MoonGoat Coffee in Costa Mesa. Alongside the...

May 2, 2023

Why do specialty coffee brands care about consumer trust so much?

For any successful consumer-facing business, building trust is key. Without this, you struggle to create long-term customer relationships and you can struggle to succeed. There...

March 16, 2023

Senate barista unionisation hearing: What does it mean for specialty coffee?

On 7 March 2023, the US Senate announced that Starbucks’ interim CEO Howard Schultz has agreed to testify at a hearing which will address over...

January 24, 2023

Is the World Barista Championship too exclusive & expensive for competitors?

There are a number of competitions in specialty coffee designed to test the skills and knowledge of industry professionals. However, many consider the World Barista...

November 23, 2022

Is there space for new coffee competitions?

In specialty coffee, there are a range of competitions designed to test the skills and knowledge of different coffee professionals. Among these, the World Coffee...

July 14, 2022

How will sponsor changes affect future World Barista Championships?

On 12 January 2022, the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) announced the qualified sponsors for the 2022 to 2025 World Barista Championships (WBC). These sponsors provide...

June 30, 2022

How can coffee shops handle a busy rush?

There’s no doubt that a sudden rush of customers is a familiar prospect for many baristas and café owners. For some, this can happen on...

May 9, 2022

Career progression for specialty coffee baristas

For many baristas, a passion for high-quality coffee is one of the main reasons they work in the specialty coffee industry. But alongside this enthusiasm,...

February 16, 2022

What does “barista-grade” mean?

As specialty coffee continues to become more popular, consumer demands are naturally evolving. People want more from each cup of coffee they drink. As part...