A Company Gave an AI Agent Free Rein to Run a Cafe in Sweden
San Francisco-based Andon Labs opened a cafe in Stockholm, Sweden, powered almost entirely by a Google Gemini-powered AI agent nicknamed “Mona.” Results were strange.
Coffee News Club: Week of May 18
Parents in Japan are finding relief at crying cafes. Plus, a beloved coffee shop burns down just months after rebuilding due to damage from Hurricane Helene, and an AI chatbot manages a cafe poorly.
New Product: Monin’s 2026 Flavor of the Year is ‘Swavory’ Toasted Coconut
Sweet-and-savory flavors are trending in 2026, according to Monin’s data. The brand’s new Toasted Coconut syrup was designed to meet that emerging demand.
200,000 Sharpies Later, People Hate Those Messages On Starbucks Cups
In 2024, new CEO Brian Niccol told Starbucks baristas to write fun messages on to-go cups. Turns out, no one likes them.
How India’s Smaller Cities Are Rewriting the Rules of Specialty Coffee Expansion
More and more coffee businesses in India are turning away from the country’s largest metropolitan markets, and finding new opportunities in smaller, less saturated cities.
Scientists Have Been Able to Prove Coffee Is Good For You—Now They Think They Know Why
Researchers have observed that coffee is beneficial, but they haven't been able to say exactly why. A new study may have uncovered at least one reason.
Coffee News Club: Week of May 11
Scientists crack the code on coffee. Plus, coffee cooperatives in Brazil fight climate change, and everyone hates writing on cups, including customers.
How an Immigration Interview Turned Into 168 Days in Detention for a Coffee Worker in Hawaii
A Nicaraguan coffee worker in Hawaii, married to a U.S. citizen, was detained by ICE during a green card interview. He spent more than five months in federal custody until the ACLU got involved.
Trader Joe’s Sued for Beans Allegedly Not Having Enough Caffeine
Trader Joe’s is the target of the latest coffee lawsuit. The claim? The grocery chain’s low-acid coffee contained less caffeine than it should.
How Ghirardelli Made Classic Flavors Feel New Again In Their World of Coffee Drink Flights
Chocolate is ubiquitous on coffee menus, but Ghirardelli shows how to create innovative specialty beverages that feel fresh through unique flavor pairings that’ll keep coffee lovers engaged.