The Insider: Headlines from the Coffee Industry

A blue banner reads “The Insider: Headlines from the Coffee Industry.” In the background are rows of coffee beans.

Join us for our recurring round-up of the latest specialty-coffee industry news.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Panama’s Hacienda La Esmeralda Breaks Coffee World Records at Best of Panama Competition

The Insider 6/20: A wooden sign at a coffee farm that reads “Hacienda La Esmeralda.”
Hacienda La Esmeralda’s El Velo farm won first place in the varietal category at Best of Panama with a Laurina. Photo courtesy of Hacienda La Esmeralda.

Panama’s Hacienda La Esmeralda received historic scores at the 2025 Best of Panama competition, breaking world records with their washed and natural Geshas (98.00 points and 97.00 points, respectively) and achieving first place in the varietal category at 92.88 points. This is the first time in history that one estate has won all three categories.

Starbucks Hops on Social Media’s “Protein Craze” with a Protein-Packed Cold Foam

The Insider 06/20: An iced coffee drink in a Starbucks to-go cup is topped with cold foam.
Starbucks customers love their cold foam—and soon, they’ll be able to get it loaded with protein. Photo sourced via Unsplash.

Cold foam is one of Starbucks’ most popular add-ons, and very soon, customers will be able to get theirs packed with as much protein as their morning omelette. The coffee giant is testing out a “Banana Protein Cold Foam,” which will have 15 grams of protein per serving—an apt response to the “protein craze” currently trending on social media.

World AeroPress Championship Announces Their 2025 Grand Finale Will Take Place in Seoul, South Korea

The Insider 06/20: A photo of three AeroPresses in a row.
The final of the 2025 World AeroPress Championship will take place in Seoul, South Korea, in early December. Photo by John Olson for AeroPress.

On December 5-6, 2025, competitors from over 60 countries will gather for the 2025 World AeroPress Championship in Seoul, South Korea. The event will take place at Studio Layer 41 in Seongsu-Dong, and early bird tickets will be available starting in October. Click here to learn more.

Round K Brings “Busan Coffee Week” to New York City, Spotlighting South Korea’s Most Prominent Coffee Brands

The Insider 06/20: A barista pours hot water into a coffee pourover.
Busan, South Korea’s Aery Coffee: one of the coffee companies Round K is showcasing in June. Photo courtesy of Round K.

New York City-based café Round K is celebrating their 10th anniversary by hosting a special weekly series, “Busan Coffee Week.” Starting June 14, the shop will showcase different coffees and signature drinks from coffee brands in Busan, South Korea, focusing on a different company each week for over a month.

Dutch Bros is Moving Their Headquarters to Phoenix, Arizona

The Insider 06/20: At night, a building is lit by a neon sign that says “Dutch Bros Coffee.”
Founded in Oregon, Dutch Bros is relocating their headquarters to Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Nicolas Nieves-Quiroz.

Dutch Bros is relocating their headquarters from Grants Pass, Oregon, to Phoenix, Arizona, after 33 years in the Beaver State. The company will maintain its original roastery and plans to open more than 150 new locations this year.

Cover of the June + July 2025 issue of Barista Magazine with Dara Santana

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Barista Magazine is the leading trade magazine in the world for the professional coffee community.