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The world’s leading voice for coffee. A PDG Global Publication
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16/08/2025

At some point, you’ve probably been gifted coffee that turns out to be an ultra-dark roast. Cold brew is often the solution, but are there other ways to “salvage” it?

15/08/2025

The US and Brazil are at a standstill on tariffs, and there’s still no confirmation of an exemption for coffee.

President Trump’s 50% import levies on Brazilian goods caused the C price to surge earlier this week, peaking at US$3.24/lb. Reports of US buyers requesting to delay Brazilian imports, holding out for a decision on tariffs, could drive up prices even further.

The push to exempt coffee has been persistent. New York roaster Coffee Bros launched a petition in April, which has reached nearly 14,000 signatures, and the Congressional Coffee Caucus has urged the US government to reconsider its stance.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hinted at the possibility that coffee may be exempt from tariffs, but there has yet to be a final confirmation.

Brazil is not the only country affected by US tariffs, however. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's supporters in India, which is also facing 50% duties, are calling for boycotts of US-backed brands, including coffee chains. In such a lucrative, thriving specialty coffee market like India, this underlying tension could spell bad news for US coffee chains looking to expand.

Global coffee trade and international brand expansion are undergoing a transformation, reshaped by tariffs. Given the unpredictability of the situation, what happens next remains to be seen.

Read about these stories and more in this week’s PDG News Recap. 👉 http://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2025/08/coffee-news-recap-15-august-2025

14/08/2025

Specialty coffee has long advocated for “pure” coffee experiences – single origin pour overs and clean washed espresso, for instance. But the wider coffee industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation; new, lucrative trends are emerging, and some roasters don’t want to lose out.

Matcha is becoming the new darling of cafés, beloved by Gen Z as a canvas for customisation. Cold and RTD coffee are reigning supreme, often outselling “traditional” hot coffee drinks at chains like Starbucks. Functional ingredients, such as adaptogenic mushrooms, are also gaining traction as the health and wellness movement proliferates. And these trends are becoming harder to ignore as margins are increasingly squeezed.

Specialty coffee roasters then find themselves at a crossroads: Do they diversify and capitalise on these trends to stay resilient and adaptable? Stick to their core values of quality and “pure” flavour? Or find ways to combine both?

We spoke to Square Mile Coffee Roasters to find out more.👉 http://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2025/08/roasters-capitalise-on-trends-focus-on-specialty

13/08/2025

Coffee auctions have changed beyond recognition over the last few decades. Former record high prices – like US $21/lb in 2004 – now pale in comparison to what some buyers are willing to pay for exceptional coffee.

Prices only increase year after year, too. At the 2025 Best of Panama (BoP) auction, Hacienda La Esmeralda received US $30,204/kg for its washed Gesha, setting a new world record for the highest price ever paid for coffee. The farm also earned US $23,608/kg for its natural Gesha, breaking the record twice and reflecting the ultra-premium prices these exclusive lots command.

In addition to premiumisation and luxury marketing, the expertise and commitment of the producers who can afford to invest in these coffees drive up auction prices. But other factors that also contribute to the ever-growing success of these events can often go unnoticed: the people who roast these incredible coffees.

We spoke to Monogram Coffee and Hacienda La Esmeralda to learn how machines like Stronghold 스트롱홀드 테크놀로지 are helping coffee auctions reach new heights.👉 http://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2025/08/roasting-at-coffee-competitions-auctions

12/08/2025

The specialty coffee and craft beer industries have long shared a pursuit of quality, innovation, and artisanal excellence – and thrived as a result. But in recent years, both markets have faced unprecedented challenges that are reshaping their respective industries.

Between 2024 and 2025, the UK alone lost over 100 independent breweries. Rising retail prices, market consolidation, and the surge in non-alcoholic offerings as Gen Z curbs their alcohol intake mean craft breweries are struggling more than ever.

Specialty coffee, meanwhile, is grappling with similar challenges: record green coffee costs, supply chain volatility, a string of mergers and acquisitions, and rapidly changing consumer demands.

Examining craft beer's recent struggles could then offer valuable insight for specialty coffee's future trajectory.

We spoke to LongStory Coffee and BrauKon to learn more.👉 http://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2025/08/what-can-specialty-coffee-learn-from-craft-beer

11/08/2025

Coffee shops are the “third place”: a social space that serves the community and meets their holistic needs. Yet, simultaneously, roasters and coffee shops are businesses, meaning they need to stay profitable – and striking this delicate balance has become increasingly challenging in recent years.

Record green coffee prices, rising inflation rates, stricter access to credit, and increasing operating costs are squeezing roasters’ profit margins more than ever. Operators now need to allocate more of their attention and financial resources towards areas that need them most.

In today’s tough economic landscape, this means it’s all too easy for coffee businesses to lose sight of one of their most important purposes: serving their local communities.

We spoke to Iconik Coffee Roasters to find out why roasters need to prioritise profitability and community engagement.👉 http://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2025/08/coffee-roasters-profitable-community-engagement

Photo by: Iconik Coffee Roasters, Mike Flores

09/08/2025

Roasting is a rewarding job, but it’s never been harder to run a roastery.

08/08/2025

In the days leading up to the 2025 Best of Panama auction, many in the industry placed their bets on a new world record price for coffee. Following Hacienda La Esmeralda’s triple-win at BoP – a first for the competition – estimates ranged from US $15,000 to an unbelievable $30,000/kg.

While it may seem impossible for a kilogram of coffee, even Gesha, to sell for such a staggering price, these predictions came true.

Hacienda La Esmeralda’s washed Gesha, a 98-point coffee, sold for US $30,204/kg. The farm’s natural Gesha, which scored 97 points, also sold for $23,608/kg. Both bids massively exceed the previous world record of US $13,518/kg set by the 2024 Lamastus Family Estates auction.

Just when it seems like auction prices can’t get any higher, they do. Ultimately, new world record prices work in favour of prestigious producers and the buyers who can afford their coffees; they drive exclusivity and brand appeal. So at next year’s BoP auction, there could well be another new world record.

Read about these stories and more in this week’s PDG News Recap. 👉 http://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2025/08/coffee-news-recap-8-august-2025

Photo by:

07/08/2025

The romantic notion of opening a “passion-project” roastery appeals to many people, both in and outside of the coffee industry. From experiencing the aroma of freshly roasted beans every day to being your own boss, there are many idyllic aspects to running a small roastery.

The reality, however, is more sobering. Fierce competition, high start-up costs, and complex regulations are just some of the hurdles that new business owners will face.

This year is also posing unfamiliar challenges. In February, green coffee prices reached an all-time high of US $4.41/lb, and have remained around US $3/lb ever since. On top of rising operating costs, increasing interest rates, and staggering import tariffs, this means roasters are under more financial pressure than ever.

We spoke to OIivo Coffee Culture for their insight into why now isn’t a good time to open a passion-driven roastery.👉 http://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2025/08/why-you-shouldnt-open-passion-project-roastery-in-2025

06/08/2025

Specialty coffee originally built its pricing narrative around ethics, but persistently high and volatile green coffee prices have changed this.

Since the industry’s inception, many roasters positioned themselves as transparent, responsible buyers. Their marketing strategies were centred around paying fairer prices for coffee that was traceable, sustainable, and higher in quality.

Arabica futures have more than doubled over the last two years, however. Roasters now need to communicate the reasons behind their rising costs in different ways.

We spoke to Coffee Machines Sale, Stronghold, and Trabocca for their insight.👉 http://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2025/08/roasters-need-to-raise-prices-in-new-ways

05/08/2025

n recent years, drink customisation has evolved from a novelty into a strategic cornerstone for coffee shops around the world.

Gen Z consumers, in particular, are reshaping the coffee landscape with their willingness to spend more on personalised, premium beverages that reflect both their tastes and values.

With the rise of mobile ordering apps and digital menus, customers now expect the ability to tailor their drinks with a wide range of options, from different flavour combinations and textures to health-conscious add-ons.

This shift has prompted coffee shops to innovate and adapt, introducing everything from cold foam to house-made syrups that enhance or transform the flavour profiles of coffee drinks.

With this in mind, it begs the question: Are highly customised drinks pushing us too far away from the fundamentals of specialty coffee?

We spoke to CAYE Technology, Latte Art Factory, and Infusion Coffee & Tea Crafters for their insight.👉http://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2025/08/drinks-more-customised-shift-away-from-specialty-coffee

Photo by: Latte Art Factory actory

04/08/2025

Coffee events have long reflected wider industry trends. But in 2025, an unprecedented year for specialty coffee with record C prices, this has never been more apparent.

At trade shows like World of Coffee Geneva, Specialty Coffee Expo Houston, London Coffee Festival, MICE, and Producer & Roaster Forum, for example, there have been noticeable shifts. Non-coffee products, such as matcha and plant-based milks, are proliferating, while premium home equipment is becoming a more prominent fixture.

Producers are increasingly starting to export their coffee, reshaping trade dynamics. Roasters, meanwhile, are shifting to smaller, regional-format events to manage tighter marketing budgets.

These pivots signal a market in flux, reflecting changing consumer preferences and a new era of pricing, and they’re likely to continue in the years ahead.👉 http://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2025/08/key-trends-2025-coffee-events

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The Story Behind The Cup

Here at Perfect Daily Grind, we believe the coffee world is better when knowledge is shared. Our team’s passion for coffee drives us to brew fresh, useful, well-informed content for everyone from the casual consumer to the experienced coffee pro.

We aim to reveal the story behind the cup by exposing coffee lovers every stage of the specialty coffee supply chain, from bean to cup. By speaking to and publishing the words of coffee professionals around the globe, we hope to share with the world a greater understanding of the intricacies of this wonderful industry.

This learning journey from production to consumption will transform your relationship with coffee. Read our articles to get started.