Our recurring round-up of the latest specialty-coffee industry news.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Featured image by Joshua Earle
Coffee By Design Distributes $10,000 in Grants With Their Rebel Coffee Blend
Coffee By Design recently announced the recipients of its 2025 Rebel Blend Fund, which is distributed annually to projects in Maine that have the potential to engage people across the state in meaningful conversation. The Rebel Blend fund is supported through the purchase of the company’s popular Rebel Blend coffee.
The recipients of this year’s grants are: Dyke March Maine, South Sudanese Group of Friends, ArtVan, and the Maine Academy of Modern Music’s Amplify Initiative.
The Price of Green Coffee Has Tripled Since 2020, Pushing Roasters + Cafés to Get Creative
An article by Vanessa Salvia for Lookout Eugene-Springfield shares that the price of green coffee has tripled since 2020—even before factoring in the U.S.’ recently imposed 50% tariffs on Brazil. As a result, roasters and coffee shops are getting creative to boost revenue. Click here to read more.
Portland Coffee Shop Raises Over $300,000 to Feed People Losing SNAP Benefits
Portland, Ore.’s Heretic Coffee Co. has raised over $300,000 in donations for people losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as a result of the government shut-down. The non-profit café will be using the funds for a free breakfast program to feed those in need.
Finding the Next “It” Ingredient: 6 High-Impact Flavors Worth Exploring
Flavor trend magazine Flavor & The Menu shares six unique ingredients, including caper berries, cacao nibs, and black lime, with potential to become the next “it” flavors of the food and beverage world. Click here for the full list.
Salt Coffee Drinks Are on the Rise
New data from Tastewise shows that in the U.S., salted coffee drinks are becoming increasingly popular. Popular variations include salted caramel lattes and iced coffee with sea salt cold foam.
Escaped Pet Monkey Caught With a Cup of Coffee
After escaping from her owner, a pet spider monkey in South Carolina—identified as Ava—was lured home with a cup of coffee. Click here to read the full story.
Subscribe and More!
As always, you can read Barista Magazine in paper by subscribing or ordering an issue.
Read the October + November 2025 Issue for free with our digital edition.
For free access to more than five years’ worth of issues, visit our digital edition archives here.
