Our recurring round-up of the latest specialty-coffee industry news.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Featured image by Joshua Earle
Trump’s Tariffs Loom Over Brazil’s Coffee Producers
Uncertainty pervades amongst Brazil’s coffee-growing communities as Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs are set to take effect on August 1. Producers continue to hope for a solution, as the tariffs will raise duties on Brazilian imports to the U.S. from 10% to a shocking 50%.
2nd Edition of the Best of Congo Cooperatives Will Take Place August 11-12
The 2025 edition of the Best of Congo Cooperatives—a coffee competition and auction celebrating Congolese coffee—will take place August 11-12 in New York, N.Y., and Goma, DRC. “It’s a celebration of the hard work of coffee cooperatives in Congo despite the very difficult security challenges 2025 has brought so far,” says Jim N. Ngokwey, founder of Congolese coffee importer Optimist Coffee Traders.
Four Roasters Join Forces for Benjamin Paz Cup of Excellence (CoE) Collab Box Set
The Benjamin Paz CoE Roasters Collab Box Set—a collaboration between Black & White, Onyx, Proud Mary, and Verve—is now available for pre-order. The set features Honduran producer Benjamin Paz’s Finca La Salsa Gesha, which earned first place in the 2024 Honduras Cup of Excellence and the highest price ever paid for coffee in the competition, roasted by each of the four coffee powerhouses. Click here to learn more and place your order.
Pinhalense Partners with Csmart for AI-Powered Green Coffee Grading
Brazilian coffee processing equipment company Pinhalense has announced their partnership with deep-tech startup Csmart to revolutionize coffee grading, classification, and post-harvest quality control through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
“This partnership is a natural fit,” says João Alberto Brando, Export Sales Manager at Pinhalense. “Our clients around the world are looking for ways to optimize efficiency and enhance quality across the value chain. By integrating Csmart’s intelligent grading systems with our machinery, we are enabling a new standard of transparency and performance in coffee processing.”
For more information, visit pinhalense.com.br and csmart.ai.
La Marzocco and Tomorrowland Showcase Limited-Edition Espresso Machine
La Marzocco has unveiled a limited-edition version of their Linea Classic S, created in collaboration with Belgium-based music festival Tomorrowland. Drawing inspiration from nature and Tomorrowland’s visual universe, the machine features brass “wings” wrapped around the body, engraved wood portafilter handles, direct-printed botanical glass panels, and a hand-hammered aluminum shell.
Versions of the custom-made machine will remain at key Tomorrowland locations, including the official Tomorrowland flagship store in Ibiza, Spain. Click here to watch the documentary “Crafting Tomorrow” for a behind-the-scenes look at the machine’s creation.
Sucafina Announces Expansion into Germany
Farm to roaster coffee company Sucafina has announced the launch of its first full-fledged trading office in Germany, which will officially open in Bremen in January 2026.
“Establishing a dedicated legal entity in Germany underscores our long-term commitment to the country and the key role it plays in the global coffee industry. We’re excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to deepening our relationships with our suppliers and clients. We can’t wait to get started,” says Jordan Hooper, Head of Green Coffee Trading at Sucafina.
Warriors Star Jimmy Butler Draws in Crowds at San Francisco Coffee Pop-Up
Earlier this month, basketball player Jimmy Butler took his coffee brand, Bigface, to San Francisco, Calif., with a two-week long café residency in the Mission District. The pop-up—a collaboration between Bigface and Onyx Coffee Lab—drew lines around the block.
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