Welcome to the news archive.
15th February 2010
The Specialty Association of Colombia is to hold three national coffee championships at the upcoming Second International Coffee Expo in Pereira in March
11th February 2010
Over 100,000 visitors are expected to visit the Citypark shopping mall in Graz for the 7th Austrian Barista Championship February 22-27, National Coordinator Theodor Zus reports
9th February 2010
Members have until March 12 to make nominations for the new SCAE Board of Directors, whose term begins in July, Executive Director Mick Wheeler reports
7th February 2010
The Westcountry 2010 Catering Exhibition hosted many of the country’s best baristas in early February, reports Paul Meikle-Janney, and also yielded three new coffee champions5th February 2010
The SCAE is pleased to announce the opening of the Association’s latest national chapter—its 36th—in Thailand
3rd February 2010
Over 300 people attended the successful Swiss Barista Championships at Berne’s Westside events centre in late January Swiss National Coordinator Heinz Trachsel reports
29th January 2010
Coffee from the Piatã region of Bahia state attracted the top bid of $24.05 per pound in the Brazil Cup of Excellence auction held in late January, COE said
27th January 2010
With strong support from spectators, the Slovak Coffee Championships was successfully relaunched in late January, SCAE National Coordinator Marian Galuska reports
27th January 2010
The next Brewmaster course, as part of the SCAE’s Gold Cup filter coffee programme, is scheduled to take place in Dublin on February 25
25th January 2010
Some of the hottest topics in the speciality coffee sector are about to be debated on SCAE Executive Director Mick Wheeler's new blog25th January 2010
The SCAE has relaunched its Facebook and Twitter pages for 2010, and is inviting all members and website visitors to take part
23rd January 2010
Coffee Culture Days 2010 will bring together Lithuania’s best coffee people February 20-21 in Vilnius, Lithuanian National Coordinator Vytautas Kratulis reports
21st January 2010
Dalla Corte, Technivorm and Cream Supplies have signed up as the first official sponsors of SCAE London 2010, the top European coffee event this year
17th January 2010
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters in mid-January was awaiting government approval for its acquisition of Diedrich Coffee, after outbidding Peet’s Coffee and Tea
17th January 2010
The SCAE’s Greek chapter and CoffeeNet magazine are inviting everyone to watch the Helenic Barista Championships, to be held February 5-817th January 2010
A new opportunity to be at the forefront of the development of a new filter coffee standard has been announced by the SCAE’s Gold Cup programme
6th January 2010
The 3rd Turkish Coffee Championships are to be held inside the 1,700-year-old Underground Cistern Binbirdirek in Istanbul's Old City, National Coordinator Serif Basaran reports
29th December 2009
The SCAE’s German chapter is to hold its 2010 Coffee Olympiad—featuring a number of national championships—at the Coteca event in Hamburg, June 4-621st December 2009
The SCAE's membership fees for 2010, as set in Euros, will remain the same as in 2009, the Board of Directors has decided20th December 2009
SCAE Gold Cup Programme Leader Paul Stack reports on an important new project which aims to reconfirm industry standards for brewed coffee.
16th December 2009
UK-based chain Costa Coffee in mid-December announced that it was to buy Coffeeheaven, which has 90 outlets across Eastern Europe, for £36m
14th December 2009
Tour leader Colin Smith and Web Editor Michael Segal report on the recent tour to one of the world's top origins, on the spectacular "Big Island" of Hawaii14th December 2009
Vermont-based Green Mountain Coffee Roasters in late November acquired Canadian coffee roaster/retail chain Timothy’s Coffees of the World for about $157m
11th December 2009
Finals for the Polish coffee championships, including the Polish Barista Championship, are scheduled for March 24-26 at the Euro Gastro trade fair in Warsaw27th November 2009
The top coffee in mid-November’s Cup of Excellence auction attracted a record price of $35.05 per pound after bidding from traders and roasters worldwide
26th November 2009
The SCAE’s Czech chapter is to launch Barista of the Year, at the Salima fair in Brno, March 2-5, National Coordinator Petra Veselá reports
25th November 2009
The Specialty Coffee and Tea Convention (in Dubai in mid-November) was a very well organised event, Pauline and John Sherwood report
20th November 2009
Contributions from the SCAE’s Russian chapter form an integral part of the activities at the Moscow International Coffee Forum
19th November 2009
The SCAE is now offering a select line of coffee-related jewellery items from Italian designer, artisan and goldsmith Pietro Marmo
18th November 2009
Basic, advanced and professional and profile roasting are the topics of three one-day courses being given in December by Barcelona-based IECafe
15th November 2009
The 2010 Sovakian Coffee Championships are to be held January 21-24 at the Danubius Gastro trade fair in Bratislava, National Coordinator Marian Galuska reports
13th November 2009
A group of SCAE members had an in-depth and on-site course in Hawaiian coffees at the end of October, tour leader Colin Smith reports
13th November 2009
Eleven coffee enthusiasts took part in the SCAE’s second Authorised Trainer course in mid-November, reports Education Committee Chair Inga Schäper
12th November 2009
Trieste-based roaster Illycaffè is to expand the network of independent coffee bars it supplies under its Artisti del Gusto programme
12th November 2009
In separate studies, coffee consumption was linked to a reduced risk of endometrial cancer and the slowing of liver damage caused by hepatitis C
12th November 2009
Roaster/retailer Starbucks and the African Wildlife Foundation in early November inaugurated a coffee quality laboratory near Nyeri
12th November 2009
Turin-based roaster Lavazza is to build a coffee roasting facility in the South Indian city of Chennai, to be operational by the first half of 2011
9th November 2009
Speciality roaster/retailer Peet’s Coffee & Tea in early November announced that it was to buy roaster/wholesaler Diedrich Coffee for $212m
4th November 2009
The SCAE's French chapter found three champions for London in 2010 at its first triple championship in Paris in mid-October, Michael McCauley reports
21st October 2009
Technique and a good signature beverage made Nikolay Litov the first-ever Bulgarian Barista Champ, National Coordinator Andrey Iliev reports19th October 2009
The SCAE has begun the search for a new Executive Director after Mick Wheeler announced his intention to step down towards the end of 2010
18th October 2009
Franchised coffee shop chain Esquires could open 250 outlets in China as a result of a deal announced in New Zealand in mid-October
13th October 2009
A number of growers in Hawaii’s famous Kona growing region have been donating coffee to US service people in Iraq and Afghanistan
12th October 2009
On October 1, for the first time, the Belgian chapter held all its SCAE Competitions together in one day, Jeanne Gennar reports
5th October 2009
Italy-based coffee concern Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group in early October announced that it had acquired leading Brazilian roaster Café Damasco
4th October 2009
Despite increased prices for coffee, retail sales increased in value by 5% in the twelve months to July
4th October 2009
Ethiopia in late September announced the opening of a Quality Certification Centre
4th October 2009
Quick service restaurant McDonald’s McCafé chain could become the largest coffee retailer in Europe in 2010
4th October 2009
Coffee chain Coffee Republic, which earlier this year was rescued from administration, is to open 20 new outlets across the UK within the next year
30th September 2009
The SCAE’s UK chapter in late September announced the dates for the 2010 UK Barista Championships
30th September 2009
The world demand for coffee remains stable despite the effects of the world economic recession, according to ICO Executive Director Nestor Osorio
29th September 2009
The ICO’s third World Coffee Conference, scheduled for next February 26-28 in Guatemala City, is set to bring together at least 1,000 participants
29th September 2009
The World Barista Championship is now inviting proposals for hosting its 2011 edition
21st September 2009
The SCAE's Belgian chapter presents its new coffee event The Golden Portafilter, encompassing all four national Championships, on October 1
14th September 2009
Alf Kramer reports on the exciting first edition of a championship that brings new glory to the specialists in a great coffee producing origin
12th September 2009
Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture is to invest Rp28bn (€1.9m) to increase the production of seven different types of speciality coffee12th September 2009
Roaster/retail chain Costa Coffee in early September posted sales growth “well ahead of expectations”
11th September 2009
Kenyan coffee farmers are hoping that an expansion in the number of exporters will mean more competition and better prices
10th September 2009
We regret to have to report the death in early September of speciality coffee pioneer Arvid Skovli, who worked for 33 years for Solberg & Hansen
6th September 2009
You can now access about 250 high resolution images covering all the events at June’s SCAE Wonderful Coffee Cologne and the Coffeena Exhibition5th September 2009
The SCAE has published preliminary details of its exciting origin trip to one of the world’s best known speciality growing regions in Hawaii
3rd September 2009
Coffee producers voted for Colombian Coffee Federation administrator Luis Genaro Muñoz to became general manager of the organisation in late August1st September 2009
The SCAE has scheduled the next in its popular Authorised Trainer courses for Monday/Tuesday, October 5-6 at the Association’s offices
1st September 2009
The SCAE’s Training Centre, at its headquarters near Chelmsford in Essex, is taking shape, thanks to some generous sponsorship30th August 2009
National Coordinator Marian Galuska is inviting everyone to the 2010 Slovak Coffee Championships, scheduled for January 22-24 in Bratislava28th August 2009
The SCAE’s Pauline Sherwood in late August announced the creation of the latest national chapter of the Association, in Bulgaria25th August 2009
The next in the series of successful Gold Cup Brewmaster courses is scheduled for October 7 at the SCAE’s headquarters in Essex25th August 2009
The RDS Simmonscourt Dublin Showground will be the venue for the three competitions in the 2009 Irleland coffee championships
24th August 2009
The SCAE’s French chapter is to hold its three coffee championships October 16-18 in Paris at the La Passion du Café event23rd August 2009
Giant coffee chain Starbucks is to reduce the prices of some of its most popular beverages at the same time as increasing prices for other drinks
22nd August 2009
The Romanian capital is holding its first Tea & Coffee Festival August 22-29, with the aim of promoting their consumption and celebrating their culture
12th August 2009
SCAE Past President Max Fabian reports on a trip to Rwanda earlier this year which took in the EAFCA meeting as well as the country's plantations
12th August 2009
The 2009 edition of the Nordic Barista Cup, scheduled for September 16-19, includes competitions, tours, lectures, a pool party and a gala dinner
6th August 2009
Imports of organic coffee into the US and Canada in 2008 rose 12% by volume, despite the economic crisis
2nd August 2009
Netherlands-based Royal Philips Electronics in late July bought Italian espresso machine manufacturer Saeco International Group for €170m
1st August 2009
Dr Gabriel Silva Lujan, General Manager of the National Federation of Coffee Growers resigned in late July after being appointed his country’s Defence Minister31st July 2009
Property firm Arab Investment in late July bought the operating business of UK-based chain Coffee Republic out of administration
30th July 2009
The number of branded coffee shops in the UK and Ireland grew 74.9% between mid 2005 and late 2008
27th July 2009
A fully illustrated guide to the speciality coffees used at the SCAE World Cup Tasters Championship is now available to download22nd July 2009
After a great success last year, the SCAE’s Swiss chapter is organising the Second Swiss Coffee Day for September 2520th July 2009
Three more Central American origins held Cup of Excellence auctions in late June and early July, marking the 50th programme20th July 2009
Roaster/retail giant Starbucks in late July is to pilot a “neighbourhood café-style” outlet in Seattle that will offer beer and wine13th July 2009
The Coffee Republic chain in mid-July was set to be sold, after being placed in administration and closing some company-owned outlets
13th July 2009
Caffeine intake could halt and even reverse the progress of Alzheimer’s disease, research at the University of South Florida has found13th July 2009
Giant roaster/retailer Starbucks in early July opened its 50th outlet in France, five years after entering the market
13th July 2009
Customs agents in early July seized almost half a tonne of cocaine hidden in a container of coffee
7th July 2009
The SCAE’s first international gathering held in Germany, Wonderful Coffee Cologne, attracted around 3,550 visitors in late June
30th June 2009
In a final that was decided on the very last cup, Russia’s Valentina Kazachkova won the World Cup Tasters Championship at Wonderful Coffee Cologne
30th June 2009
The United Kingdom team won the Best Nation prize at Wonderful Coffee Cologne, recognising its success across all of the SCAE’s World Championships
27th June 2009
Estonian barista Marta Piigli took the World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship title by a narrow margin at the SCAE's Wonderful Coffee Cologne event in late June
27th June 2009
Christina Koumpouni of Greece became champion for the first edition of the World Cezve/Ibrik Championship held at the SCAE's Wonderful Coffee Cologne event
27th June 2009
Neal Robinson, the influential and quality-conscious senior vice president of US-based brewer manufacturer Bunn, accepted the SCAE's highest award for Lifetime Achievement in late June
26th June 2009
Peter Hernou of Belgium took the 2009 World Latte Art Championship at the SCAE's Wonderful Coffee Cologne event in late June
25th June 2009
You can see live coverage of all of the SCAE's four coffee World Championships, taking place at Wonderful Coffee Cologne June 26-28, right here on this website
23rd June 2009
The entries--including this year's winners--for the Third SCAE Coffee Photography Competition are now online, in a special gallery on this site
19th June 2009
The UK Chapter now has three further champions to join Aysin Aydogdu (in the Cezve/Ibrik Championship) at Wonderful Coffee Cologne in Germany
15th June 2009
Multinational food group Nestlé’s Nespresso arm in mid-June opened a new production and distribution centre in Avenches
13th June 2009
Generous participants and attendees at the UK Barista Championship rounds earlier this year contributed £500 (€587) to be donated to international industry charity Coffee Kids11th June 2009
Wataru & Co of Japan, bidding on behalf of C&C, bought the top coffee in this year’s El Salvador Cup of Excellence programme for a record $22.25 a pound
10th June 2009
SCAE Photography Competition Coordinator Charles Prager in mid-March announced that the 2009 competition is now open, and that all members are invited to send in their coffee-related images
10th June 2009
You can now book tickets right here on the site for two of the most sought-after events of the SCAE's Wonderful Coffee Cologne
8th June 2009
The SCAE’s Competitions Committee is looking for volunteers for the World Championships to be held at Wonderful Coffee Cologne
5th June 2009
The world’s best coffee cuppers are getting their spoons ready for Sunday June 28 in Cologne, when the World Cup Tasters Championship is set to have a record turnout
5th June 2009
SCAE members should register now to get the member discount for Wonderful Coffee Cologne and the Coffeena exhibition, June 26-28
4th June 2009
The SCAE’s authorised trainers are to meet just before Wonderful Coffee Cologne, on Thursday, June 25 at the Koelnmesse—and you can become one!
3rd June 2009
The organisers of the SCAE's Wonderful Coffee Cologne in early June announced that a special Roasters Forum would be one of the highlights of the international gathering29th May 2009
The SCAE's first calibration session for barista certifiers is set to take place at Wonderful Coffee Cologne in June, reports Rasmus Helgebostad of the Education Committee
22nd May 2009
Milan-based espresso machine manufacturer Dalla Corte in mid-May invited a number of national champions to a workshop to prepare them for the World Championships in June
19th May 2009
You can now register for the top coffee event of 2009, Wonderful Coffee Cologne, which takes place June 26-28 at the brand new Coffeena exhibition
18th May 2009
A highlight of the upcoming Wonderful Coffee Cologne event, June 26-28, the SCAE’s Awards for Coffee Excellence will take place at the city’s Hyatt Regency Hotel18th May 2009
As part of the Gold Cup programme for filter coffee, the SCAE will once again be holding its very successful Brewmaster courses in the UK and ireland in early June15th May 2009
The SCAE has announced that its 2010 event, including the next edition of the World Barista Championship, will take place in London at the Caffe Culture show in June
13th May 2009
Expert cupper Clemens Appel proved his tasting prowess in the spectacular setting of a celebrity-filled Vienna City Hall in early May, as Alf Kramer reports
12th May 2009
The SCAE’s Swiss chapter and a number of SCAE-certified trainers are collaborating on the first certificated coffee programme at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences
11th May 2009
Efico's Bart Vansanden took the Belgian Cup Tasters Championship in early May in a suspenseful and exciting contest, Jeanne Gennar reports
8th May 2009
A truly international panel of judges is to select the winners of the most prestigious prizes in the industry, the SCAE’s Awards for Coffee Excellence
6th May 2009
Milan-based espresso machine manufacturer Dalla Corte is to hold a special workshop to prepare European champions for the World Championships in Cologne in June3rd May 2009
The Colombian Cup of Excellence programme auction, held in late April, achieved a record $21 per pound for the winning coffee29th April 2009
You can now see all the people and organisations nominated to date for the SCAE's 2009 Awards for Coffee Excellence
27th April 2009
The SCAE World Cup Tasters Championship is inviting suppliers worldwide to send samples of the world’s best coffees for use in its upcoming Final in Cologne.
23rd April 2009
Ben Kaminsky, of Arlington, Massachusetts-based Barismo, came first in the very first edition of the US Cup Tasting Championship
23rd April 2009
Coffee exporter C I Virmax Colombia in mid-April won the Roasters Guild Coffee of the Year at the SCAA's Conference and Exposition in Atlanta
23rd April 2009
Espresso machine manufacturer Quality Espresso in March inaugurated a solar power plant on the roof of its Barcelona factory
20th April 2009
The UK's top barista, Gwilym Davies, became 2009 World Barista Champion at the finals held at the SCAA Exposition and Conference in Atlanta in mid-April
19th April 2009
Six baristas were announced as finalists in the 10th World Barista Championships held in mid-April during the SCAA Exposition in Atlanta.
18th April 2009
The Specialty Coffee Association of America gave former Executive Director Ted Lingle its 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award at the SCAA's Exposition13th April 2009
The best baristas from 52 nations, will converge in Atlanta in mid-April to compete at the 10th annual World Barista Championship, in front of a live and online audience
13th April 2009
The hotly contested Awards for Coffee Excellence go to individuals, companies or groups that have been nominated by SCAE members all over the world
10th April 2009
You can now download full details of the extensive and practical programme for Wonderful Coffee Cologne, June 26-28
8th April 2009
Diedrich Coffee at the end of March said it was selling its Gloria Jean’s retail business in the US to the firm that bought the worldwide franchise business in 2005
8th April 2009
Dutch-based consumer electronics multinational Philips is thought to be considering buying indebted Italian coffee machine manufacturer Saeco
8th April 2009
The Ethiopian government in early April denied that it plans to nationalise its coffee export business, following the seizure of six warehouses6th April 2009
The fourth edition of the Belgian Cup Tasting Championship, which takes place May 8, is to be featured in a Belgian television programme
4th April 2009
Izabela Popiolek, a 23-year-old barista working for Warsaw café Green Coffee, in late March became the Polish Barista Champion
2nd April 2009
More details of the most important European coffee event of 2009 are now available with the release of the SCAE's Wonderful Coffee Cologne schedule
23rd March 2009
Coffee consumption in the US is “recession resilient”, according to the results of the National Coffee Drinking Trends survey, previewed in late March
23rd March 2009
Speaker of the Board at the world’s largest green coffee trader, David Neumann in late March addressed a lunch in support of the International Women's Coffee Alliance
11th March 2009
In the Barista Championship, all six places in the final round were taken by baristas from Moscow, representing well-known coffee shops and chains9th March 2009
Swiss-based multinational food group Nestlé in late February announced that its Nespresso coffee system arm increased sales in 2008 by 30%
9th March 2009
US coffee shop chain Gloria Jean’s, whose international business was sold to its Australian master franchisees, is to move into the Czech Republic9th March 2009
Waterbury, Vermont-based Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is constructing a huge solar array on the roof if its main distribution centre9th March 2009
Robert Mbabazi of Flavors Café in Jinja took top honour in the second edition of the Uganda National Barista Championship
5th March 2009
Independent Barista Gwilym Davies was celebrating after being crowned the 2009 UK Barista Champion in Glasgow in early March
4th March 2009
Nine baristas from the three regional competitions came to Barcelona at the end of February to take part in the Campeonata de España de Baristas 20094th March 2009
The SCAE has a new website, and members, prospective members and all coffee lovers are invited to explore it!1st March 2009
You can watch the 2009 United Kingdom Barista Championship semi-final and final rounds live online from the ScotHot exhibition in Glasgow
28th February 2009
A social gathering for baristas and bartenders at Amsterdam’s famous Jimmy Woo club spread the word about the upcoming Dutch Coffee in Good Spirits Championship26th February 2009
Giant roaster/retail chain Starbucks in mid-February launched a line of instant coffee called Via26th February 2009
The Polish Barista finals, together with Championships in Latte Art, Coffee in Good Spirits and Cup Tasting are to take place March 25-2722nd February 2009
After qualifying events for the UK Barista Championship, the response of competitors has been excellent, including some very promising newcomers21st February 2009
Two of last year’s winners at the Greek Championships came back to take the top prizes again at the 2009 events
18th February 2009
Last year’s winner of both the Finnish Barista Championship and the Finnish Latte Art Championship in mid-February did it again18th February 2009
Michal Kocman became the top barista in the country in early February at the successful 2009 edition of the Czech Barista Championship in Prague12th February 2009
The SCAE’s Finnish chapter is about to produce Vuoden Barista, the biggest Barista Championship yet to take place in Finland12th February 2009
The Coffee Culture Days event, begun last year, had another success in early mid-February11th February 2009
Bob Marley, the legendary Jamaican singer-songwriter, is to have a brand of Blue Mountain coffee named after him11th February 2009
Drinking coffee could significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia and mental problems like Alzheimer’s disease in old age, a Finnish study found11th February 2009
Demand for coffee in China could increase by 20% annually if roasters tailor their offerings to local budgets and tastes
11th February 2009
Rainforest Alliance and the 4C Association are to collaborate to benchmark equivalence between their two standards
9th February 2009
The current world economic crisis does not appear to be having a significant effect on coffee consumption, an ICO report says6th February 2009
The Cup of Excellence programme will take place this year in all nine countries that successfully held the 2008 competitions and auctions30th January 2009
Serbia is to hold its first Barista Championship on March 4 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Belgrade
30th January 2009
The SCAE in late January unveiled the first details of the exciting and varied programme of events at Wonderful Coffee Cologne29th January 2009
Georg Branny, already champion in Latte Art and Coffee in Good Spirits in the championships, on the last day also became Austrian Barista Champion29th January 2009
First time participant Philipp Meier in late January won the Swiss Barista Championship in Berne by the narrowest of margins27th January 2009
Barista Georg Branny became both Latte Art and Coffee in Good Spirits Champion at the Austrian Coffee Championships in Graz in late January24th January 2009
This year for its national championships, the Austrian chapter allied with the main shopping mall in Graz for a week celebrating coffee24th January 2009
What started out with four teams ended with one withdrawing and two others merging, but what was left was the real thing
24th January 2009
Helmut Thurner of the CMA/Astoria distributor in Austria has given a new meaning to “a coffee on the road”, Alf Kramer reports
24th January 2009
The organisers of Ramacafe 2009 are promising to bring coffee growers closer to roasters and retailers at the 9th edition of the international gathering22nd January 2009
Netherlands-based coffee brewing machine manufacturer Technivorm in late January became the Wonderful Coffee Cologne’s first sponsor19th January 2009
Well known SCAE Projects and Marketing Officer Jens Henrik Thomsen has announced that he will be leaving the Association staff18th January 2009
The successful Coffee Culture Days, first organised in Vilnius last year, are to be repeated February 7-816th January 2009
The Austrian Barista Championship is only one of the events taking place January 20-24 at the Citypark Shopping Centre in Graz
14th January 2009
An initiative to introduce branded Kenyan coffee is to be part funded by the European Union, reports said in early January14th January 2009
The country’s coffee output could virtually double to 600,000 tonnes by 2014, Ethiopian growers and exporters association ECGPEA has predicted14th January 2009
Former major coffee supplier Angola is to invest $150m (€114m) to rebuild its share of the world market
14th January 2009
The National Federation of Colombian Coffee Growers is to sue American cartoonist Mike Peters for a cartoon that allegedly brought the country’s coffee sector into disrepute14th January 2009
Seattle, the spiritual birthplace of the US speciality coffee sector, in mid-January was named the top coffee consuming city in America14th January 2009
Seattle-based roaster/retail giant Starbucks in mid-January said that it was not seeing any slowdown in the Chinese market as a result of the world economic situation14th January 2009
Drinking coffee could lower the risk of developing cancers of the mouth and throat, according to a study of the diet of 38,000 participants14th January 2009
Brazil could become the world’s biggest coffee consumer as well as its largest producer by as soon as 2010, based on the current rate of growth of consumption14th January 2009
The 8th edition of the Hellenic Barista Championship will take place February 5-9 at the new Metropolitan Expo Centre in Athens13th January 2009
While coffee stocks for the current 2008/09 season appear are likely to rise, the following year could see a much tighter supply situation11th January 2009
The dates for the elimination and final rounds of the Polish Barista Championship are set, National Coordinator Agnieszka Brandys reports
24th December 2008
Private equity firm Epic in late December purchased London-based coffee and tea retail chain Whittard of Chelsea from administrators24th December 2008
Colombia and a number of other Latin American producing countries aim to buy a significant stake in giant roaster/retailer Starbucks21st December 2008
Today, December 19, the organisers held the qualification rounds for the Barista final, reports Alf Kramer in Istanbul20th December 2008
The Turkish Championships—featuring all five disciplines—opened here December 18, reports Alf Kramer from Istanbul
17th December 2008
Northern Ireland-based coffee chain The Streat in mid-December opened its first outlet in Scotland
17th December 2008
The third edition of the India International Coffee Festival has been postponed from its original March dates until October 5-8, 200917th December 2008
On Friday, December 5, Belgium held its 4th National Barista Championship and the 2nd edition of its Latte Art Championship15th December 2008
In early December, Ethiopia began trading coffee using a new electronic exchange, in a move aimed at increasing competitiveness
15th December 2008
Latvia-based coffee chain Double Coffee is to scale down its development plans in its home country and in neighbouring Lithuania11th December 2008
Full details of the wide range of SCAE media next year are now available in the SCAE Media Plan for 20099th December 2008
A certification workshop for potential World Barista Championship judges is to be held in Stockholm, Sweden, 13-14 January, 20093rd December 2008
There are just a few places left on the unique origin visit being organised for the SCAE to Costa Rica and Panama
1st December 2008
German-based roaster/retail chain Tchibo is considering withdrawing from the British market
1st December 2008
British-owned coffee shop chain Coffeeheaven is to leave Slovakia and Romania in favour of strengthening its other markets30th November 2008
Seattle-based roaster/retail giant Starbucks in late November opened its first shop in the Bulgarian capital
30th November 2008
Italian roaster/retailer Segafredo Zanetti in mid-November opened its first outlet in the Vietnamese capital27th November 2008
The SCAE Spanish chapter successfully mounted the first Balearic Islands Barista Championship in mid-November25th November 2008
The SCAE is offering its members an exciting opportunity to visit two prime coffee growing origins in one trip at the end of January
24th November 2008
Despite the current economic climate, the European coffee shop sector is predicted to grow significantly in the next few years18th November 2008
The World Barista Championship in mid-November announced that it is currently seeking an Executive Director to run the organisation
17th November 2008
Real drama unfolded at the Fifth Ukrainian Barista Championship in mid-November, capped by the closest score ever recorded
15th November 2008
The second day of the European team challenge was a wonderful blend of learning, competing and controlled anarchy15th November 2008
Denmark has once again proved it is the best in the art of preparing coffee by triumphing at the European Team Coffee Challenge in Trieste15th November 2008
The European Team Challenge reached its final day with the competitions still going strong14th November 2008
At the SCAE’s European Team Coffee Challenge, held on-site at the Trieste event, the Italian team is determined to prevail on its own home turf13th November 2008
SCAE France in early October held the country’s first ever Cup Tasting Championship, marking the 20th anniversary of Fairtrade coffee13th November 2008
The UK Barista Championship Committee in early November announced the dates for the heats of the 2009 event10th November 2008
The SCAE and German event organiser Koelnmesse in early November agreed to jointly run the Wonderful World of Coffee event in Cologne10th November 2008
New SCAE National Coordinator Robert Soti, and Tibor Hajcsunk of the Hungarian chapter created an impeccable championship in mid-October
7th November 2008
Espresso machine manufacturer CMA is inviting UK SCAE members attending the TriestEspresso Expo to tour its new plant and the coffee shops of Venice7th November 2008
The SCAE’s Spanish chapter is organising the first Balearic Islands Barista Championship, to be held November 17 in Palma, Mallorca
7th November 2008
Brewing equipment manufacturers Bunn in early November announced a programme of Gold Cup training sessions at its Milton Keynes facility during 2009
5th November 2008
The entire sales force of Bern-based roaster and Pioneer Member Blasercafé in late October took and passed the tests for the SCAE’s Barista Level 2 certificate30th October 2008
The next of the popular two-day Brewmaster certification courses is due to take place November 25-26 at the Norwegian Coffee Association in Oslo27th October 2008
Pioneer SCAE Member Solberg & Hansen in late October bid $18.00 per pound to win the top coffee in the Rwandan Cup of Excellence online auction27th October 2008
The SCAJ's exhibition and conference in mid-October was a larger event than ever before and drew prominent sector visitors, reports SCAE past president Colin Smith24th October 2008
The SCAE’s Finnish chapter for the first time is participating at the largest restaurant industry trade exhibition in the country19th October 2008
The latest European Team Coffee Challenge schedule, a full list of activities set to take place in Trieste in November, is now available
15th October 2008
Large US-based franchise chain Coffee Beanery in early October said that it would open its first outlet in the Czech capital in 200915th October 2008
Seattle-based roaster retail chain Starbucks opened its first outlet in Portugal at the end of September
15th October 2008
Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, who owns a number of top London restaurants, in September launched premium coffee brand 96°
15th October 2008
The company that owns iconic New Orleans-based brand French Market Coffee is to be acquired by roaster Reily Foods15th October 2008
British-based roaster/retail chain Costa Coffee in mid-October announced that its sales were up 26%15th October 2008
The government of the main robusta-producing state in Brazil, Espirito Santo, in early October launched an initiative aimed at doubling arabica production
15th October 2008
Philadelphia-based retailer Saxby’s Coffee Worldwide in early October acquired roaster Bucks County Coffee Co, which has 15 retail outlets in the region
15th October 2008
Franchised coffee bar chain Cup&Cino is to move into the Romanian market after signing a master franchise agreement with Bucharest-based RTC Holding
15th October 2008
Dublin-based roaster and SCAE Pioneer Member Bewley’s is set to become the country’s first certified Carbon Neutral company by the end of the year
15th October 2008
Roaster Coffee Bean International in mid-October opened a new coffee roasting plant and office facility in Portland, Oregon
15th October 2008
A demonstration of the Cezve/Ibrik coffee tradition was one of the highlights of the Coffee and Taipei: Memory and Story festival, reports SCAE Member Jui-Ling Hsu14th October 2008
The 2008 Turkish Barista Championships are set to take place December 18-21 at the Cafe World exhibition in Istanbul9th October 2008
The International Coffee Organization's executive director Nestor Osorio presents his latest coffee market report for September on the site6th October 2008
Past president Colin Smith presents an illustrated report on late September's SCAE visit to Dalla Corte in Milan, where the latest technology is linked to a quest for coffee perfection3rd October 2008
On Friday, December 5, 2008, Belgian Coffee Education and SCAE Belgium will organise the Belgian Barista Championship, National Coordinator Jeanne Gennar reports1st October 2008
The Norwegian Coffee Championships will return to the Kulinarisk Institutt in Oslo, February 19-21, 20091st October 2008
Switzerland’s first National Coffee Day aimed to raise awareness of the increasingly sophisticated beverages, National Coordinator Heinz Trachsel reports30th September 2008
World coffee consumption appears to be remaining strong in the face of the current economic crisis, International Coffee Organization executive director Nestor Osorio said
22nd September 2008
E D & F Man, one of the world’s largest green coffee merchants, in mid-September closed its London-based coffee, sugar and cocoa brokerage operation
22nd September 2008
Green coffee supplier Growers Direct Coffee Co in mid-September said it was to acquire franchised coffee shop chain Ellianos Coffee Co
22nd September 2008
Multinational roaster Sara Lee Corp in mid-September said that it was acquiring São Paulo-based family-owned coffee supplier Café Moka
22nd September 2008
Seattle-based Tully's Coffee Corp in mid-September said that it was selling the Tully's brand to Green Mountain Coffee Roasters for $40.3m22nd September 2008
Starbucks’ whole bean coffee is to be sold in Coop grocery stores in Switzerland19th September 2008
The Triestespresso Expo, scheduled for November 13-15, will be the setting for this year’s European Team Coffee Challenge18th September 2008
The SCAE’s Gold Cup filter coffee programme is holding two more of its popular two-day workshop courses to certify new Brewmasters, in the UK and Ireland
17th September 2008
Rose van Asten took the Dutch Cup Tasting Championships by a tiny margin in a thrilling competition, Alf Kramer reports15th September 2008
The World Barista Championship has named Laura Lee as its Sponsorship Manager for the 10th annual WBC event in Atlanta next April
11th September 2008
The Specialty Coffee Association of Japan, the SCAE’s sister organisation, has scheduled its World Specialty Conference and Exhibition 2008 for October 15-1711th September 2008
Sponsorship opportunities are now available for the tenth edition of World Barista Championship, to be held in Atlanta in April 2009
4th September 2008
The Colombian government aims to increase the country’s coffee production to 17m bags by 20142nd September 2008
Market research concern Allegra Strategies has gathered a group of presenters from across Europe for the European Coffee Symposium on October 172nd September 2008
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda presented awards to the winners of the first Cup of Excellence competition to be held in Africa
31st August 2008
You can now access hundreds of images from June’s successful SCAE Wonderful Coffee event in Copenhagen27th August 2008
The Dutch Cup Tasting Championship is set to take place September 15, at 13:00, during the Deli X1 foodservice fair in Apeldoorn27th August 2008
A meeting set for Istanbul on August 28 aims to spread Turkish coffee culture after the success of the Ibrik/Cezve Championship in Copenhagen
21st August 2008
2008 World Barista Champion Stephen Morrissey is interviewed in the latest set of videos available on the SCAE site18th August 2008
Roaster/retail giant Starbucks in mid-August said that it was to open an undisclosed number of outlets in Dutch railway stations
18th August 2008
Jede, the vending machine concern owned by multinational Nestlé, in early August announced that it had acquired coffee and equipment supplier Kaffeknappen
18th August 2008
The largest Canadian coffee chain, Tim Hortons, is to invest C$30m (€19.2m) in a new coffee roasting facility in southern Ontario18th August 2008
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters in early August paid $10.4m (€7.1m) for a building in Knox County, Tennessee to be used as a new manufacturing facility18th August 2008
A 15% rise in coffee sales at tea and coffee retailer Whittard of Chelsea is being linked to a general consumer move away from coffee shops in favour of making coffee at home
18th August 2008
The men and women of the coffee industry are being invited to the first International Conference of Women in Coffee, October 23-25 in Orosi, Costa Rica
12th August 2008
Espresso machine manufacturer M Schaerer is to put its entire service and sales staff through the SCAE’s Basic Barista certification31st July 2008
Seattle-based roaster/retailing giant Starbucks at the end of July said it was cutting 1,000 of its support staff in the US and closing 61 outlets in Australia
31st July 2008
The New Zealand Olympic team is taking a barista to supply it with coffee at the Beijing games in August31st July 2008
The Panamanian Environmental Protection Agency in June discovered 40 acres of coffee growing inside the Volcan Baru National Park31st July 2008
Seattle-based roaster/retailer Starbucks at the end of July reported its first loss since 1992, reflecting falling customer numbers
29th July 2008
The SCAE’s Swiss chapter is to organise the first Swiss Day of Coffee on September 26
24th July 2008
Just click on the banner above to see the highlights of the SCAE's World Championships, held at the Wonderful Coffee 2008 event in Copenhagen in June16th July 2008
Norwegian SCAE members made up one of the largest groups of successful bidders at the Honduras Cup of Excellence auction in early July9th July 2008
Roaster/retail giant Starbucks in early July said it planned to close 600 US stores and trim its staff by up to 12,0009th July 2008
The top-scoring Cup of Excellence coffee in mid-June brought in the highest price at auction ever received for any coffee in the programme
9th July 2008
Dublin-based chocolatier Butlers Chocolates is to launch its Butlers Chocolate Café chain in the UK
9th July 2008
Multinational beverage maker Coca-Cola is to launch what it calls a “creamy coffee and energy blend” drink throughout the US in August
3rd July 2008
The World Barista Championship is seeking a sponsorship manager
29th June 2008
The entertaining and enjoyable Ibrik/Cezve Competition, held in Copenhagen at Wonderful Coffee event in late June, had a surprise winner in Russia’s Gleb Neveykin26th June 2008
The finals of the 2008 edition of the Israeli Barista Championship will take place November 26, at the Israfood show and conference, Ganey Hataarucha, Tel Aviv
25th June 2008
Denmark’s team of coffee professionals became this year’s winner of the 2008 Best Nation at Wonderful Coffee 2008 in Copenhagen
24th June 2008
Greek representative Tasos Delichristos won the World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship in late June at the SCAE’s Wonderful Coffee event in Copenhagen
24th June 2008
Denmark’s Casper Engel Rasmussen showed his amazing palate for fine coffees by becoming World Cup Tasters Champion at the SCAE’s Wonderful Coffee event in Copenhagen
24th June 2008
Irish barista champion Stephen Morrissey on June 22 took the top prize in the World Barista Championship
24th June 2008
Hacienda La Esmeralda from Panama won the SCAE’s highest honour at the Awards for Coffee Excellence during late June’s Wonderful Coffee event in Copenhagen
20th June 2008
Australian barista Con Haralambopoulos on June 20 became the winner of the SCAE’s World Latte Art Championship, held at the Wonderful Coffee event in Copenhagen
19th June 2008
We very much regret to report the death on June 16 of Dr Alberto Hesse, a Pioneer Member of the SCAE17th June 2008
For the first time, the SCAE is planning to broadcast all four of its World Championships live on the web13th June 2008
Online registration for Wonderful Coffee 2008 is now closed, but all Conference, Workshop, Exhibition and Social Programme tickets will be available on-site June 1812th June 2008
A 17-bag lot of Bourbon from Juan Jose Ernesto Menéndez Argüello’s La Ilusión farm at Santa Ana brought in a whopping $20.10 a pound
12th June 2008
Jams and baking products manufacturer J M Smucker Co is to acquire Folgers, the country’s top coffee brand, from owner Procter & Gamble12th June 2008
The makers of Campari have joined with Trieste-based espresso roaster Illycaffè to introduce a new coffee liqueur, which is to be launched in Italy in July
12th June 2008
Italian espresso machine maker Rancilio in early June acquired a further 53% of fully automatic coffee machine manufacturer Egro Coffee Systems
12th June 2008
Roaster/retail chain Ueshima Coffee Co (UCC) at the end of May bought 89% of the equity of Tokyo-based coffee shop chain Kohikan12th June 2008
Roaster/retail chain Starbucks’ Canadian arm in late May said that it was to buy 39 outlets from coffee bar operator Coffee Vision11th June 2008
Coffee’s aroma itself could improve efficiency in the workplace, according to research conducted at Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia10th June 2008
Anyone wondering about coming to Copenhagen for the SCAE’s Wonderful Coffee 2008 need only look closely at the full Conference programme7th June 2008
Visitors to Copenhagen for the SCAE’s Wonderful Coffee 2008 event can get a great deal of free practical insider information to help them out during their stay
5th June 2008
An illustrated report of the highlights of the SCAA's 20th Anniversary Conference & Exhibition in Minneapolis in May
5th June 2008
The Gold Cup—Europe’s standard for excellence in grinding and brewing filter coffee—will offer a number of “golden opportunites” at Wonderful Coffee Copenhagen5th June 2008
Nicaragua’s internet auction of the winning coffees from its 2008 Cup of Excellence programme in late May brought a top price of $18.55 per pound31st May 2008
Those who missed out on the chance to take an exhibition stand at the sold-out Wonderful Coffee event in Copenhagen in June have another chance!29th May 2008
Nominations from SCAE members are now closed, and the final list of nominees for the Association’s annual Awards for Coffee Excellence are now up on the site29th May 2008
The highlight of the social programme at the SCAE’s Wonderful Coffee 2008 event in Copenhagen will no doubt be the Awards of Coffee Excellence Summer Party
29th May 2008
A study of close to 86,000 women over the course of 22 years has ruled out any link between coffee or tea consumption and breast cancer
29th May 2008
Israel-based multinational roaster Strauss Group in mid-May paid €7.5m for Italy’s Doncafe operations in Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia26th May 2008
With every exhibitor stand taken, wall-to-wall visitors and a stunning theatre location for the SCAE, the 2008 edition of the Caffè Culture show will be hard to beat!23rd May 2008
Copenhagen’s brand new Royal Danish Playhouse will offer a spectacular welcome to attendees at June’s Wonderful Coffee event18th May 2008
A major two-hour Copenhagen workshop session will highlight the important role of milk in today’s espresso-based beverages, coordinated by leading dairy products supplier Arla Foods18th May 2008
The market for organic coffee in North America reached $1 billion (€643m) in 2007, according to figures released in mid-May
17th May 2008
Japanese and European companies, including several SCAE members, dominated the first of 2008’s Cup Of Excellence auctions in Costa Rica in mid-May
15th May 2008
British-based speciality importer Mercanta is to establish a base in the US to serve customers there
14th May 2008
Many of us have a vision of Egypt as an historical nation, complete with the Pyramids and a lot of tea drinkers—but if you are in coffee, think again13th May 2008
The SCAE will launch a new competition named after the pot that is used the make the most popular coffees in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa
12th May 2008
Antwerp-based importer Efico is to invest €20.3m in the first phase of a green coffee processing facility in Zeebrugge, and another €15m building windmills to offset its carbon footprint8th May 2008
To mark the Colombian Coffee Federation’s lead sponsorship of the SCAE’s Wonderful Coffee event, a special coffee is on sale in Irma supermarkets5th May 2008
The SCAE has managed to negotiate a very special rate for particularly budget-conscious attendees at June's Wonderful Coffee 2008 event in Copenhagen5th May 2008
Prospective attendees for the Wonderful Coffee Copenhagen 2008 event have only until May 9 to take advantage of the specially discounted early bird rates
4th May 2008
The Specialty Coffee Association of America in early May bestowed its highest honour, the Lifetime Achievement award, on past president, roaster and activist Paul Katzeff1st May 2008
The SCAE Competitions Committee met in late April to make the Latte Art and Coffee in Good Spirits competitions faster, fairer, more exciting, and more media-friendly1st May 2008
In Copenhagen in June, the SCAE will find the best coffee nation--not the best growing country, but the one that takes the best care of the coffee after that30th April 2008
Trieste-based roaster/retailer Illycaffè is to open 50 outlets throughout the Middle East30th April 2008
Roaster/retail giant Starbucks in late April said it was planning to open at least 80 more outlets in China this year
30th April 2008
Swiss-based multinational food group Nestlé has no plans to spin off its successful Nespresso speciality coffee business30th April 2008
The UK’s top coffee chop chain Costa Coffee is to double the number of its outlets worldwide to 2,00029th April 2008
Exhibitors at the SCAE’s Wonderful Coffee Copenhagen 2008 event in June are now able to download important information from this website29th April 2008
Mark Inman, of Taylor Maid Farms of Sebastopol, California is to become president of the Specialty Coffee Association of America24th April 2008
Monday, April 28 is the deadline for booking at the SCAE discounted rate in the Radisson hotels for Wonderful Coffee Copenhagen 200823rd April 2008
All SCAE members are invited to take out their cameras and submit their favourite photos on any coffee theme
20th April 2008
Caffè Raro, a blend made up of Kopi Luwak and Jamaica Blue Mountain, in mid-April went on sale in a London department store at £50 (€63.45) a cup20th April 2008
As little as one cup of coffee a day could protect the body’s blood-brain barrier from one of the main causes of Alzheimer’s disease20th April 2008
Roaster/retail chain Starbucks in mid-April launched its Pike Place Roast, which the company said would be available in all of its 7,100 American stores
20th April 2008
Primary Capital, the operator of Coffee Nation, in early April sold the firm to its management and to buyout firm Milestone Capital Partners for £25m20th April 2008
Israel-based food company Strauss Group in mid-April announced its purchase of the Cosant Enterprises coffee brands in Russia and Ukraine for $93m
20th April 2008
The National Federation of Coffee Growers in mid-April revoked the suspension of coffee exports from the Caribbean port of Santa Marta
18th April 2008
It is with great regret that we must report the death on April 16 of David Williamson, managing director of Glasgow-based coffee roaster and supplier Matthew Algie11th April 2008
Ukraine National Coordinator Sergiy Reminny loves the coffee world, and explains why on an illustrated trip to the Himalayas10th April 2008
You can see the updated list of the SCAE's Awards for Coffee Excellence nominees on the site now10th April 2008
In Austria, the SCAE chapter and its sponsors really understand what the Cup Tasters Championship is all about, reports Alf Kramer9th April 2008
The exacting Cup of Excellence programme of competitions and internet auctions of winning coffees is to add Rwanda to its list of origins this year31st March 2008
Coffee shipments from the Caribbean port of Santa Marta in late March were suspended after the discovery of 100 kg of cocaine hidden in a consignment of coffee31st March 2008
Italian roaster Illycaffè is to open five Espressamente Illy cafes this year in its initial move into the Indian market31st March 2008
Fewer consumers are drinking coffee, but the percentage of gourmet coffee continues to rise, according to the 2008 National Coffee Drinking Trends survey31st March 2008
Nele Mangulis was named best barista at the 4th Estonian Barista Championship, held March 18-1931st March 2008
Please vote now in order to have a say in the future of your Association30th March 2008
Coffee consumption is likely to rise in Eastern Europe’s newly emerging nations, International Coffee Organization executive director Nestor Osorio said30th March 2008
The judge in a long-running law suit filed on behalf of 100,000 Starbucks baristas in late March ruled that the Seattle-based roaster/retail chain would have to pay $105m30th March 2008
Private equity firm Advantage Partners is to buy Nagoya-based chain Komeda’s Coffee for ¥15bn (€95.7m)
30th March 2008
Roaster/retail chain Starbucks in April will launch a customer loyalty scheme30th March 2008
Kona growers are concerned that state legislators shelved until 2012 a bill that would have prohibited the growing of genetically modified coffee
30th March 2008
Starbucks in mid-March said that it was buying Coffee Equipment Co, the makers of the award-winning Clover coffee brewing system
30th March 2008
The joint venture business co-owned by beverage giant Coca-Cola and roaster Illycaffè is to launch its first ready-to-drink products in April30th March 2008
UK-based Costa Coffee in late March opened its 1,000th outlet in Moscow’s Pushkin Square, marking the chain’s first entry into the Russian market30th March 2008
American investment concern Sun Capital Partners in late March said that it was acquiring Toronto-based Timothy’s Coffees of the World
30th March 2008
Newspaper distributor Ruch, which last year moved into operating coffee shops, in March bought 10 outlets belonging to the Mercer’s Coffee chain30th March 2008
World coffee production will grow to 141.87m bags in the 2007/08 crop year, Fortis Bank predicted in late March30th March 2008
The traditional torrefacto method of roasting increases the development of compounds with high antioxidant activity, according to a study by a Spanish biologist
26th March 2008
SCAE Pioneer Member Schluter SA in mid-March marked its 150th anniversary19th March 2008
Members can now propose the best people and organisations in the industry for the SCAE's prestigious Awards for Excellence18th March 2008
Søren Stiller Markussen and his SCAE Denmark colleagues not only organised this year's barista championship in early March, but Søren also became the country’s 2008 Barista Champion17th March 2008
Full details of the SCAE’s Wonderful Coffee event are now available online on this site10th March 2008
National Coordinator, Silver Rits, invites everyone to Estonia's Barista Championship, and provides full details29th February 2008
UK-based baristi and coffee cuppers can now enter the UK heat of the SCAE’s 2008 World Championships in Latte Art, Cup Tasting and Coffee in Good Spirits27th February 2008
You will be able to register online for the Conference, Workshops and Social Programme, and even book your accommodation, for the SCAE's Wonderful Coffee Event from early March22nd February 2008
Hugo Hercod, who works at Relish Deli in Wadebridge, Cornwall, is the 2008 winner of the UK Barista Championship19th February 2008
Roaster/retailing giant Starbucks is testing the market for premium coffees made with the Clover brewing system by charging $2.50 (€1.70) a cup
19th February 2008
The Rwandan capital, Kigali, is to be the venue for the 6th African Fine Coffee Conference and Exhibition in February 200919th February 2008
UK-based roaster/retail chain Costa Coffee in mid-February opened its 53rd outlet in the United Arab Emirates12th February 2008
Set for March 14-17 at the Helexpo International Exhibition Center in Thessaloniki, the sixth edition of the CoffeeBiz exhibition will include a large range of competitions12th February 2008
The term of office of our Board of Directors expires in June this year, and we need to appoint a new Board for the next two years at the Annual General Meeting9th February 2008
Lithuania held its fourth National Barista Competition late January at the Europa shopping centre in Vilnius, organised by the SCAE’s Lithuanian chapter
6th February 2008
German roaster and consumer products retailer Tchibo in early February said it was to close 33 of its 73 UK outlets6th February 2008
Australia-based franchised coffee shop chain Gloria Jean’s Coffees is looking to expand in a number of markets, including Germany
4th February 2008
It is with great regret that we have to report the death on February 3 of Dr Ernesto Illy, one of the coffee world’s most respected scientists
31st January 2008
Cincinnati-based multinational Procter & Gamble is to spin off or split off its top selling Folgers coffee brand31st January 2008
A new marketing organisation, the Specialty Coffee Association of Kenya, is to concentrate on developing the American market for the country’s better quality coffees27th January 2008
The newly drafted International Coffee Agreement will be available for signature by its 77 member nations on February 1
27th January 2008
Coffee from British chain Caffè Nero has come first for both price and taste in a survey published in late January
23rd January 2008
SCAE roaster member Miko in mid-January announced its sponsorship of a project to provide a live webcam link with a rainforest reserve in Ecuador17th January 2008
Roaster and retail chain Starbucks in early January removed CEO Jim Donald and replaced him with former CEO and chairman Howard Schultz17th January 2008
UK-based coffee bar chain Coffee Republic is to enter the Czech market16th January 2008
Many of the best known suppliers to the coffee industry are already set to appear at this year's most important European coffee gathering15th January 2008
The SCAE’s UK chapter is using its members’ expertise to support the World of Coffee event at the Hotelympia show, to take place February 17-21
14th January 2008
Restaurant chain McDonald’s is to incorporate speciality coffee bars into up to 14,000 US outlets
10th January 2008
International coffee science body ASIC is planning its 2008 bi-annual conference in Campinas, São Paulo state, for September 14-19
3rd January 2008
Fifteen Cornwall, a restaurant founded in Watergate Bay, Cornwall, by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, is to serve coffee grown in the rainforest area of the Eden Project28th December 2007
Ethiopia in late December won trademark rights for two of its regional speciality coffees, Harrar and Sidamo28th December 2007
Coffee drinkers maybe protected against kidney cancer, according to an analysis of 13 previous studies28th December 2007
Seattle-based roaster/retail chain Starbucks is to move into Portugal and Bulgaria in 2008, following agreements with joint venture partners
22nd December 2007
International industry charity Coffee Kids is to celebrate its 20th anniversary at a special celebration dinner during the SCAA's 2008 Conference & Exhibition in Minneapolis in May
19th December 2007
In mid-December at the hotEQ fair in Istanbul, the speciality coffee movement in Turkey really showed it muscle, reports Alf Kramer15th December 2007
The SCAE's Wonderful Coffee event in June has found yet another way to attract the coffee sector: the perfect place for the Barista Party12th December 2007
The winners of Belgium's national Cup Tasting and Barista competitions, which took place in November, have been announced by National Coordinator Jeanne Gennar12th December 2007
UK-based Costa Coffee, the chain with the largest number of outlets in Britain, is to move into Russia with 200 shops over the next five years3rd December 2007
US-based roaster/retail giant Starbucks in early December confirmed that it would be opening a regional support centre for growers in Rwanda, as well as one in Ethiopia
3rd December 2007
Well over half of Colombian coffee exports are now going through the Caribbean port of Cartagena because of congestion and delays at the Pacific port, Buenaventura
28th November 2007
The SCAE’s UK chapter is to hold the national finals of the World Championships at next year’s Caffè Culture event, the organisers announced in late November
28th November 2007
Certification body Utz Certified in late November named Frank Pronk as its new executive director24th November 2007
The SCAE is pleased to introduce the Lithuanian chapter of the Association, which was formed in Vilnius in mid-November23rd November 2007
On November 17 and 18, 2007 the SCAE Swiss Chapter organised the 2008 National Barista Championship at the IGEHO Gastronomy fair in Basel
20th November 2007
This year, the Championship was accompanied by the Coffee Star of Ukraine—the first coffee show in the world with celebrities
19th November 2007
Prices at the 2007 Bolivian Cup of Excellence internet auction in mid-November reached as high as $21.20 per pound16th November 2007
The success of speciality coffee products at quick service restaurant chain McDonald’s has prompted the firm to move more strongly into drinks16th November 2007
Local coffee connoisseurs are seeking out a variety that is harvested after Formosan monkeys have eaten ripe cherries and spat out the seeds
13th November 2007
India-based coffee chain Café Coffee Day in mid-November announced that it was to open 50 stores in Poland, Belgium and Germany by the end of 200913th November 2007
Caffeine could play an important role in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the debilitating condition that in old age causes damage to memory and mental abilities
13th November 2007
Roaster and tea supplier the Campbell Bewley Group returned to profit in 20069th November 2007
Kona Old Style organic coffee in early November won first place in the annual competition organised as part of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival9th November 2007
American charity organisation DKT is supplying coffee-flavoured condoms as a means of promoting safe sex and to help prevent the spread of AIDS
9th November 2007
The Alliance for Coffee Excellence, which runs the Cup of Excellence programme, has named Erwin Mierisch as its Operations Manager
30th October 2007
Roaster and brewing equipment supplier Matthew Algie in late October said that its pre-tax profit had risen about 31% in 200630th October 2007
Such is the popularity of the SCAE’s upcoming Wonderful Coffee event that two-thirds of the Exhibition space is already sold out29th October 2007
The Belgian National Barista and Cup Tasting Championships for 2007 are scheduled to take place November 2126th October 2007
British chain Coffee Republic in late October announced that it was to open 25 shops in Scotland26th October 2007
Ndiara Coffee estate in late October won the 2007 Dorman Coffee Cup, the quality competition sponsored by trade house C Dorman Coffee23rd October 2007
SCAE members can get detailed and up-to-date information about the coffee market every month from the International Coffee Organization's Executive Director's Letter, which is now accessible on our Publications page
22nd October 2007
Cerrado region coffee estate Daterra in late October launched Opus 1 Exotic, which it said is the first naturally grown low-caffeine coffee.18th October 2007
State-controlled newsagent and kiosk chain Ruch in mid-October announced that it was to pay 8.1m zloty (€2.2m) for the nine coffee outlets owned by Tchibo’s Polish arm
17th October 2007
Trieste-based espresso roaster Illycaffè is to join forces with US beverage giant Coca-Cola to develop premixed coffee drinks
16th October 2007
Serious and not-so-serious competitions occupied three days of fun, learning and camaraderie at the 2nd European Team Coffee Challenge in Moscow
10th October 2007
London-based exchange LIFFE in early October said it was to increase the lot size of its robusta coffee futures contract, as well as bringing in other improvements10th October 2007
As the SCAE's Wonderful Coffee event is to run for four full days, the social programme for all 10,000 expected attendees and visitors is also likely to break records.8th October 2007
Espresso machine manufacturer CMA in early October opened a 19,000 sq metre factory at Susegana7th October 2007
Alf Kramer finds a problem with all that free coffee at Norwegian petrol stations!3rd October 2007
The Council of the London-based International Coffee Organization at the end of September agreed on a new ten-year International Coffee Agreement
1st October 2007
Judges from Estonia, Lithuania, Italy and the UK joined those from the home country to put the ten finalists through their paces in the second edition of the Latvian Barista Championship
30th September 2007
Two of Europe’s best known grinder manufacturers—Switzerland’s Ditting and Mahlkönig of Germany—are to merge under a new Swiss-based holding company
27th September 2007
Switzerland’s largest retailer, Migros, in late September said it was to offer Utz Certified sustainable coffees
27th September 2007
Coffeemaker manufacturer Bodum’s US arm in late September accused roaster/retail chain Starbucks of copying the design of its Chambord cafetière26th September 2007
The Italian government is considering establishing a standard for the perfect espresso, a late September report said
26th September 2007
The European Union in mid-September made Colombian coffee the first non-EU product to be granted protection as a unique local product25th September 2007
Dr Massimiliano Fabian of Trieste-based decaffeination firm Demus offers this informed comment on the recent report of planned decaf production from Ethiopia24th September 2007
In early September, the SCAE authorised 13 new trainers during its workshop in Berne, Switzerland23rd September 2007
The Specialty Coffee Association of America in mid-September announced that Ric Rhinehart was to become interim executive director
21st September 2007
Casper Engel of Coffee Collective will represent Denmark at next June's international championships after winning the first Danish Cup Tasting contest in late August3rd September 2007
Alfred Peet, the Dutch-born founder of one of the first speciality coffee businesses in the US, died at the end of August
28th August 2007
The New York Board of Trade on September 28 is to launch a screen-traded futures contract for robusta coffee
27th August 2007
The effects of late August’s Hurricane Dean on the coffee growing region in Jamaica were mixed, according to Peter de Bruyne of Blue Mountain Coffee
26th August 2007
A group of finance providers and sustainable bodies in late August received start-up funding to develop sustainable trade26th August 2007
Seattle-based coffee shop chain Starbucks in September is to open its first outlet in Russia at a new shopping mall near Moscow26th August 2007
Ethiopia is to begin commercial production of a naturally low-caffeine coffee variety26th August 2007
Coffee drinking appears to reduce the risk of liver cancer, according to Dr Francesca Bravi, who reviewed ten studies of the disease26th August 2007
Green coffee trading company and SCAE member Alberto Hesse Trieste in early August said that it was moving offices20th August 2007
SCAE Members can download three presentations given at the Coffee Fiesta in Antwerp in May.20th August 2007
The SCAE's Wonderful Coffee Copenhagen 2008 event next June has already sold 60% of its exhibition space.8th August 2007
London and Copenhagen are the venues for the next SCAE Open Board Meetings, which members are welcome to attend
2nd August 2007
Check out the new galleries from the SCAE's Antwerp Coffee Fiesta, including images from the Coffee in Good Spirits Competition, the World Latte Art Competition and the Gala Awards Banquet
2nd August 2007
The UK’s James Hoffman surpassed the other finalists to become 2007 World Barista Champion in Tokyo at the beginning of August.1st August 2007
James Hoffman of the UK, Anna Kaeppeli of Switzerland, Brazil’s Silvia Magalhaes, Miyuki Miyamae of Japan, the USA’s Heather Perry and Carl Sara of New Zealand are this year’s WBC finalists28th July 2007
The Specialty Coffee Association of America in late July announced that Dawn Jantsch, its executive director of less than a year, was stepping down26th July 2007
The SCAE’s Russian chapter is inviting all members and coffee professionals to the 2nd edition of the European Team Challenge in Moscow
23rd July 2007
The annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, scheduled for November 2-11, is to include a one-day barista training course for the first time in its history
23rd July 2007
During the recent Beijing coffee exhibition, SCAE member and coffee bar owner Zhengnan Yi completed both the SCAE Basic Barista and Barista certifications
23rd July 2007
Investment concern Accent Equity Partners in early July announced that it was acquiring 51% of the shares of Arvika-based brewing equipment manufacturer Coffee Queen
17th July 2007
Katie Grey, the daughter of Roy and Linda Grey of London-based SCAE member Capital Coffee Roasters, in late July is to begin six weeks teaching English at the El Bosco school in Santander17th July 2007
Seattle-based roaster/retail giant Starbucks in mid-July closed its outlet in Beijing’s Forbidden City following a long series of protests17th July 2007
Quick service restaurant chain McDonalds is to open 15 McCafe outlets in the Tokyo area at the end of August, as a test of the country’s coffee market16th July 2007
The SCAE will once again be holding its very successful SCAE Authorised Trainer course at the offices of Blaser Café in Berne, Switzerland on Saturday/Sunday, September 15-16
12th July 2007
Norwegian speciality roaster Solberg & Hansen in mid-July bid $18.70 per pound for the winning 12-bag lot of coffee in the 2007 Honduras Cup of Excellence programme10th July 2007
After the final that took place at the SCAE's Antwerp Coffee Fiesta in May, the winning coffees from the 2007 Brazil Late Harvest Competition are to be auctioned online on August 7
9th July 2007
The online auction held at the beginning of July brought an average $5.18 per pound to the 23 winning farmers in El Salvador’s 2007 Cup of Excellence programme
9th July 2007
Ashtead, Surrey-based coffee supplier and SCAE member Daily Grind Trading Co in late June supplied the espresso drinks for the performers at one of Britain’s premier music events7th July 2007
Those at the top of their game in speciality coffee can get the recognition they deserve with the SCAE's Certified Master Barista programme.5th July 2007
The SCAE's new president, Max Fabian, took charge of the first board meeting under his regime, held at the end of June in his home city of Trieste.27th June 2007
The Caffè Culture event was aimed not only at all those involved in the trade, but also at consumers, who could talk directly to the trade about the myths and mystique surrounding their favourite beverage.25th June 2007
Members can download the presentation--by Lucas Simons of Utz Certified--given at the Antwerp Coffee Fiesta in May.25th June 2007
Taiwan-based Great Wall Enterprises is to set up a joint venture coffee shop chain in China in conjunction with Italian espresso roaster Illycaffè.25th June 2007
Vevey-based multinational Nestlé in late June said that it was to spend SFr150m ($121m) on a new production and distribution plant for its Nespresso system
21st June 2007
Oslo-based speciality roaster Solberg & Hansen in mid-June successfully bid $19.50 per pound for the top coffee in the 2007 Guatemala Cup of Excellence programme.20th June 2007
The first SCAE Barista Certifications in China will take place in Beijing, July 12-14.
20th June 2007
The US National Coffee Association in mid-June advised the coffee industry that a 275-bag shipment of Colombian green coffee was stolen.
13th June 2007
Have a look at the first galleries from the SCAE Antwerp Coffee Fiesta, covering the competitions, the conference, the socialising, and the fun!10th June 2007
The top coffee in the Cup of Excellence programme sold for $47.06 per pound at the early June internet auction of 34 winning coffees.
2nd June 2007
Incoming SCAE president Max Fabian outlined his goals for the Association for the next year at the SCAE’s Annual General Meeting in Antwerp1st June 2007
Members can download the presentations from the SCAE's Antwerp Coffee Fiesta here
30th May 2007
Coffee specialists from all over the world came to Antwerp in late May to benefit from the huge pool of knowledge and enthusiasm that characterised the 2007 Coffee Fiesta
25th May 2007
The International Coffee Organization's late May Council meeting proposed a revamped ICO as part of the new International Coffee Agreement23rd May 2007
You can help decide the future of the association by voicing your opinions here!22nd May 2007
Belgian TV network VRT featured the World Latte Art Championship in its regular news reports during the SCAE's Coffee Fiesta in Antwerp in late May. You can watch the report here!
20th May 2007
The SCAE announced the winners of its 2007 Awards for Coffee Excellence at its Coffee Fiesta held in late May in Antwerp
18th May 2007
Norwegian-born Anette Moldvaer, representing the United Kingdom, took the 2007 SCAE World Cup Tasters Championship in late May8th May 2007
National Coordinator Jeanne Gennar introduces her country and invites you to the Antwerp Coffee Fiesta6th May 2007
With nominations about to close, the SCAE has announced more nominees for its Coffee Excellence Awards 2007
5th May 2007
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA—An emotional Ted Lingle gave his last speech as executive director of the Specialty Coffee Association of America29th April 2007
Full details have been released of the innovative and fun Barista Party at the SCAE's Antwerp Coffee Fiesta, to be held May 18.
27th April 2007
At last we have done it—we have gone live with the new website!
17th April 2007
TOKYO—Top roaster Ueshima Coffee Co (UCC) in May is to launch onto its local market an ancient coffee variety from Madagascar17th April 2007
KINGSTON—The government is to study the coffee industry with a view to establishing a new regulatory structure17th April 2007
ST MATTHEWS, SOUTH CAROLINA—Starbucks in mid-April announced that it was to build its fifth roasting plant
17th April 2007
LONDON—The higher temperatures and drought associated with global warming could force some producers away from traditional coffee growing land17th April 2007
NEW YORK—Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) announced in mid-April that it was laying off about 60 NYBOT staff17th April 2007
SANTOS—The country’s main port registered a record February, with coffee exports surging 88% from the same period in 200617th April 2007
ZURICH—Nestlé and Coca-Cola Co's joint venture drinks company Beverage Partners Worldwide is to drop production and marketing of RTD coffee17th April 2007
RIO DE JANEIRO—The National Coffee Council (CNC) in mid-April said it disputed the latest—and highest—Brazilian coffee crop estimate from a government agency17th April 2007
KALPETTA, KERALA—Producers’ body the South Indian Coffee Growers Association in mid-April called for the establishment of special zones demarcating the traditional coffee growing areas17th April 2007
BEIJING—Coffee supplier Daxishi in mid-April said it was planning to develop a brand based on coffee produced in the country’s southern Hainan province17th April 2007
BUJUMBURA—As much as 4,000 tonnes of coffee went up for sale at the weekly auction in Bujumbura in mid-April, as the country’s coffee board Ocibu sought to move the remainder of stocks from its bumper 2006/07 crop17th April 2007
LIVERPOOL—A type of Stilton cheese blended with Colombian coffee and vanilla has been introduced at some branches of supermarket chain Morrisons17th April 2007
ISTANBUL—The city’s oldest patisserie, Markiz, founded in 1840, in early April re-opened as the latest Turkish branch of Finnish coffee house chain Robert’s Coffee17th April 2007
LONDON—A substantial increase in Vietnamese production could see the International Coffee Organization increasing its estimate of global coffee production for 2007/08 above the current level of 112m bags.
17th April 2007
LONDON—New-style pod and fully automatic coffee machines are leading a consumer boom in the sector14th March 2007
The Starbucks outlet in Beijing’s Forbidden City could be forced to close following a campaign to remove it from the UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Reuters report said in mid-January.23rd February 2007
Coffee could be one of Brazil’s major crops at most risk from global warming, researchers at the country’s Centre for Meteorological Studies and Applied Climatology said
23rd February 2007
The Specialty Coffee Association of Costa Rica (SCACR) is to hold the first Cup of Excellence competition and auction later this yea
19th February 2007
The Italian/Swiss Massimo Zanetti beverage group in mid-January acquired traditional Edinburgh-based coffee and tea supplier Brodie Melrose Drysdale & Co
12th February 2007
The coffee served in quick service restaurant giant McDonald’s in early February came first in a taste test on a number of chains conducted by Consumer Reports magazine
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