Moonhead Coffee News

23/02/2024

Starbucks faces lawsuit from US consumer group over claims its tea and coffee is ethically sourced

LINK: https://buff.ly/49yTrLY

22/02/2024

Seth Rogan launching a coffee brand why LORD why?

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Houseplant Coffee is the latest addition to Seth Rogen's cannabis-focused lifestyle brand.

21/02/2024

Black Rifle Coffee Company kicks off UFC marketing partnership via World Coffee Portal

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As the Official Coffee of UFC, the veteran-owned coffee chain will have branding at the mixed martial arts organisation’s US competitions, as well as on its digital content and social media

20/02/2024

Agonising superbowl coffee adverts

LINK: https://buff.ly/42NsmT5

Yet again, I am tortured by American subjects using undersea cables to hurtle towards me at lightspeed and then being shone directly into my innocent pupils.

I am reliably informed by my richer cousins from across the pond, that the "Super Bowl" is a regional religious and cultural ceremony including traditional sporting activities and dancing combined with food and entertainment from the area. Modern European historians think that there was never any bowl (super or otherwise) and that the name refers to a local deity. Very confusing.

Anyway, as part of the ceremonies, Americans like to watch adverts and many of these adverts are for coffee. Now this I can support!

There were two adverts for two fairly established US coffee brands: Dunkin Donuts and SToK Coffee.

The Dunkin Donuts advert was far beyond what my simple European mind could comprehend but Anthony Hopkins starring as a football mascot in a cold brew commercial was quite enjoyable.

If you'd like to torture yourself with the Dunkin Donut's commercial, you can do so on this link https://buff.ly/49g2t0H

19/02/2024

Blank Street Coffee auditors warn account figures may be ‘misstated’

LINK: https://buff.ly/49ndnC4

Super interesting article and I recommend you read the whole thing but there are a couple of highlights.

Firstly, the accounts show that it costs Blank Street Coffee more to make and serve a cup of the brown stuff than they charge you for it! Your daily coffee is being subsidised by West Coast investors.

This isn't uncommon for venture-backed businesses but you should expect in the future Blank Street will become increasingly expensive as they gain market share.

Second, it seems that the auditors are trying to distance themselves from the numbers because they were appointed too late to be able to evidence some of the figures. In particular, they weren't able to perform the stock checks necessary to properly access the value of Blank Street's inventory.

I think that isn't a big problem aside from the screw-up of just appointing your auditor so late in the process. But, keep your ears to the ground...

18/02/2024

New Marzocco Mini Released

LINK: https://buff.ly/49ndnC4

In the last few hours, Marzocco has gone live with their Linear Mini updated for 2024 including a suite of feature and aesthetic upgrades.

The Mini was already a punchy machine at an even-punchier price point and these improvements aren't exactly groundbreaking - but the Mini continues to be a remarkably desirable home machine.

Alongside four new colours, LM has updated the pre-infusion and pump-adjustment systems and added compatibility for brew-by-weight scales. The brew-by-weight will now bring the Mini in line with the Micra which had this functionality since launch.

16/02/2024

Australia's Richest Barista applications released

Link:

2024 Australia’s Richest Barista rules and regulations are included in the application form. Please note there have been some changes and updates to 2023’s rules. Each competitor must read these rules and regulations carefully before submitting their application to compete in the Australia’s R...

15/02/2024

Starbucks revenue is up but operating costs are up too

Link:

Q1 Consolidated Net Revenues Up 8% to a Record $9.4 Billion Q1 Comparable Store Sales Up 5% Globally; Up 5% in North America; Up 7% in International Q1 GAAP EPS Up 22% to $0.90; Non-GAAP EPS Up 20% to $0.90 as Reinvention Unlocks Continued Efficiency Q1 Active U.S. Starbucks ® Rewards Membership Re...

14/02/2024

Great article from Sprudge on Robert Downey Jr's new coffee

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Robert Downey Jr. and Craig Dubitsky team up for Happy Coffee.

13/02/2024

"A chromosome-scale assembly reveals chromosomal aberrations and exchanges generating genetic diversity in Coffea arabica germplasm"

Link: https://buff.ly/3SE6iFQ

This study delves into the genetic diversity of Coffea arabica, a key coffee species, using advanced long-read sequencing technology. Despite its origins from a hybrid between C. eugenioides and C. canephora (Robusta), resulting in a mostly genetically uniform species, researchers have uncovered significant diversity in certain cultivated strains due to genetic introgression from the Timor hybrid.

The analysis reveals extensive chromosomal aberrations, including aneuploidies and exchanges, contributing to genetic variation. These findings challenge the prevailing view of C. arabica's genetic makeup, highlighting the importance of these variations for breeding more adaptable and resilient coffee varieties. The study underscores the role of Ethiopian and Yemeni accessions in C. arabica's history, emphasizing hybridization's impact on expanding its genetic base

12/02/2024

Pink Aeropress released in time for Valentine's Day

Link: https://buff.ly/3SyLxeD

11/02/2024

AMG and ECM release collab
Link: https://buff.ly/3SSP09n

There is an inexplicable and longstanding crossover between car-fanatic and coffee-lovers. A certain type of espresso-enjoyer can appreciate a gasket or pressure valve as long it's making something go fast - your car or your heart rate (or both).

Since Sprecht partnered with Spring (a preeminent Porsche modification company) I've been waiting for the next collaboration and here it is.

The good news is that it's a thing of beauty and that the existing ECM machine is already a high-quality piece of kit. The bad news it that sadly it's a superficial body-kit and they haven't been able to find areas of technical collaboration.

25/01/2024

Luckin Coffee sponsors the Australian Open

LINK:

SINGAPORE, Jan. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- luckin coffee and the Australian Open have announced their multi-year partnership with luckin coffee to become the Official Coffee Partner for the Australian Open in China and Southeast Asia. This partnership between luckin coffee and the Australian Open trans...

24/01/2024

Roast Summit 2024 lineup announced

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Cheers to the new Drew Barrymore coffee maker, a single-serve, customizable experience with great features and good looks

23/01/2024

Rules changes at the SCA

LINK: https://buff.ly/3vJEdFq

With the 2024 World Coffee Championship around the corner in Copenhagen - new rules have been released for four of the underlying competitions; World Latte Art Championship (WLAC), World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship (WCIGS), World Coffee Roasting Championship (WCRC), and Cezve/Ibrik Championship (CIC).

Having read through the rules changes, the news is that there is no news. No substantial changes have been made apart from within the WLAC.

Here competitors will now have a choice of different milk options for the championship and will have the option of bringing battery-operated electrical equipment onto the stage.

22/01/2024

Redemption Roasters secure £1.3m in funding

LINK: https://buff.ly/424vMQW

Redemption Roasters have successful closed out a round of crowdfunding - well exceeding their goal. Redemption does tremendous work in the UK with a number of coffee shops plus a Roastary behind bars at HMP The Mount.

This investment will go into building their e-commerce operation and streamlining existing operations.

21/01/2024

Better margins attract VCs to specialty coffee startups

LINK: https://buff.ly/47JC6yw

We've been reporting on coffee investment here at Moonhead throughout 2023 and it's been an impressive 12 months. However, during this period I wasn't aware of what a chance in tempo these investments where. 2023 saw almost double the funding that 2022 did.

The explanation for this is not immediately obvious in the context of plateaued overall coffee consumption and a mature, stable market in Europe and North America.

On inspection, the theme driving this investment is specialist coffee in two specific countries: India and China. I'd recommend you read the above article to see the details.

16/01/2024

Shipping Lines Raise Freight Prices For Some Coffee Routes

LINK: https://buff.ly/47zDXWO

As you may know, over the past months rebels in Yemen (known as The Houthis) have been targeting container ships at the south end of the Suez passage in response to the violence in Gaza. These attacks have led both individual ships and shipping firms to reroute their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.

This is an extremely costly exercise for everyone involved affecting the amount of shipping available to the industry and pushing up the price of fuel and insurance. These costs will inevitably filter through onto the consumer.

The ICO has sensibly warned that the biggest impact will be on East African and SE Asian coffee being shipped into Europe and the Middle East. Expect some price instability in the coming weeks as the US prepares an 'intervention'...