Fresh Cup Magazine

23/11/2024

"Realistically, consumers should at least be told about the presence of gluten and allergens." — Tricia Thompson, MS, RD.

As biodegradable packaging trends grow, how can cafes balance sustainability with inclusivity for customers dealing with allergies?

Some cafes are turning to biodegradable and edible packaging as a way to reduce waste. But many of these items contain major allergens—here’s what you need to know to keep patrons safe.

22/11/2024

Winter is on the horizon, and coffee shops are gearing up for the season. While classics like peppermint mochas and gingerbread lattes are always in demand, many shops are getting creative with new drinks designed to entice customers and play with flavor combinations.

Here’s a look at how five shops are refreshing their winter menus in 2024 — or bringing back tried and true creative classics — to celebrate the season and keep customers coming back for more.

Winter drinks are the highlight of the season — five coffee shop owners reveal the seasonal drinks their customers can't get enough of in 2024.

22/11/2024

From aluminum tins to compostable cups, each choice in packaging tells a different story. Discover how to choose packaging that’s can help your business meet your sustainability goals.

Single-use packaging might seem like an inevitable part of a coffee business, but learning the basics of sustainable design can help owners reduce waste and align packaging needs with their values.

21/11/2024

Starbucks may be struggling globally, but in Australia, it’s booming—sales shot up 35% last year. Why? TikTok, iced drinks, and a new generation of coffee lovers.

Think Italy’s espresso bars are fiercely independent? Around 99% are tied to major roasting companies, subsidized to keep coffee at €1.

🔗 https://rebrand.ly/CoffeeNewsNovember18th

20/11/2024

Edible and biodegradable packaging can be a genuine game-changer for coffee businesses looking to meet their sustainability goals. Unfortunately, such packaging can *also* trigger serious reactions in people with food allergies.

As Chloé Skye Weiser writes in her new story for Fresh Cup, many of the materials needed to make it are found among the top nine allergens.

But that doesn’t mean that coffee businesses need to choose between being eco-friendly or allergy-friendly. Want to know how you can pursue sustainable packaging while protecting your patrons with allergies? Click the link to learn more.

Some cafes are turning to biodegradable and edible packaging as a way to reduce waste. But many of these items contain major allergens—here’s what you need to know to keep patrons safe.

19/11/2024

Ever had a coffee delivery go sideways? You're not alone!

The moment those bags hit your loading dock, every decision matters. Industry veterans Sandra Loofbourow and Rachel Apple know firsthand that receiving coffee isn't as simple as signing on the dotted line.

From BOL verification to damage inspection, they've created the ultimate receiving checklist to help you avoid costly mistakes and keep your green coffee operation running smoothly.

Don't miss their final live virtual class in the "Raise the Bar: Roastery Operations Series" happening TODAY with special guest on Production Floor Efficiencies!

Can't make it? No worries! Grab the Full Bundle to access all class recordings and resources, including this essential receiving checklist.

Sign up for the next class, or purchase access to the whole bundle of Raise the Bar session recordings and resources at sandraloofbourow.com.

19/11/2024

Laila Ghambari went from barista to six-figure leader in coffee. How? Patience, strategy, and a lot of connections.

In this interview, find out:

* Why investing in knowledge is more valuable than a degree.
* How to use networking events to build career momentum.
* What business owners can do to support ambitious employees.

Barista, coffee champion, and now coffee consultant Laila Ghambari shares her secrets on building a self-sustaining career in coffee.

18/11/2024

From farm to cup, these cafes in Central America are redefining how coffee connects communities and empowers producers.

Historically, coffee traveled from producing countries in the Global South to consuming countries in the Global North. But increasingly, coffee producers are opening cafes that prioritize their own communities—and changing the wider coffee industry in the process.

18/11/2024

Starbucks: big in Australia. Plus, large companies are buying more sustainably certified coffee than ever, and Italy’s love affair with €1 espresso might be ending.

Stay up to date with the latest news in the coffee sector by The Pourover !

🔗 https://rebrand.ly/CoffeeNewsNovember18th

16/11/2024

Need a foolproof system for quality control in your roastery? Industry experts Sandra Loofbourow and Rachel Apple have got you covered!

Quality control is the backbone of every successful roasting operation. From charge temps to development time, moisture loss to physical defects, there's a lot to track to maintain consistency in your roasts.

In their latest live session of the Raise the Bar: Roastery Operations Series, Sandra and Rachel broke down the essential QC parameters every roaster should monitor. Up next, the final session will cover Production Floor Efficiencies featuring special guest Kat Melheim.

Sign up for the next class, or purchase access to the whole bundle of Raise the Bar session recordings and resources at sandraloofbourow.com.

16/11/2024

“Sustainable packaging is packaging that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” — Madeleine Smart, decent packaging.

For coffee businesses looking to cut waste and protect future generations, sustainable packaging is more than a buzzword. Get insights from experts on designing with the planet in mind.

Single-use packaging might seem like an inevitable part of a coffee business, but learning the basics of sustainable design can help owners reduce waste and align packaging needs with their values.

15/11/2024

Looking to grow your wholesale program?

RoasterLink helps roasters connect with potential wholesale buyers, like coffee shops and restaurants.

Partner roasters experience a 4.37x return on investment on average.

🔗 https://rebrand.ly/RoasterLink

15/11/2024

Most coffee travels thousands of miles from where it was grown in the Global South to consuming countries in the Global North.

But a new generation of Central American coffee shop owners and industry leaders are upending that dynamic—and opting to serve their own communities first.

In her new story, Malena Kruger talks to Lily Pacas in El Salvador and Gerardeth Sagastume in Guatemala, both of whom are working to keep coffee local and prioritize farm-to-cup experiences.

Historically, coffee traveled from producing countries in the Global South to consuming countries in the Global North. But increasingly, coffee producers are opening cafes that prioritize their own communities—and changing the wider coffee industry in the process.

15/11/2024

When it comes to customer loyalty, are discounts enough? Some coffee shops are turning to other strategies, from loyalty apps to “celebratory discounts.” Find out what works best.

Following Starbucks’ recent decision to cut back on drink promotions, we asked coffee shops if offering discounts is ever really worth it—and how they find success through thoughtful, targeted promotions.

13/11/2024

Today, most coffee businesses understand the importance of sustainability—but far fewer know how to navigate a field that’s rife with greenwashing and uncertainty.

In her new story, Chloé Skye Weiser goes deep on sustainability for coffee shops, covering everything from the harms of single-use plastics and how to approach packaging design to the difference between biodegradable and compostable products.

The bottom line: There’s no one sustainability template that applies to all coffee businesses—but there *is* an almost endless number of small steps cafes can take towards meeting their sustainability goals.

Single-use packaging might seem like an inevitable part of a coffee business, but learning the basics of sustainable design can help owners reduce waste and align packaging needs with their values.

11/11/2024

Contributor Lydia Stolper's panel interviews at the Austin Building a tech stack isn’t a one-time event. Dive into the tools that’ll streamline your coffee business—but don’t rush it. A thoughtful approach will pay off in the long run.

Coffee shops are more connected than ever before, and building a robust technology stack is essential—here are the tech and tools industry leaders use to make their shops run smoothly.

10/11/2024

Contributor Lydia Stolper's panel interviews at the Austin Coffee Festival gave three long-time industry icons a chance to share what it’s like to adapt, innovate, and thrive. Here's what they've learned along the way.

As part of this year’s Austin Coffee Festival, three longtime Austin coffee pros reflected on the changing industry—and shared their advice for keeping the coffee passion alive.