Steeping Sweetness: Milk Brew Provides a Fun Take on Cold Coffee

You’ve heard of cold brew. But what about milk brew? A common technique in coffee shops in Japan, more shops are trying steeping ground coffee beans in milk instead of the more typical cold…
by Amber Gibson | December 20, 2024

Behind the Headlines: Is Starbucks Writing Names on Cups Again Sweet or Silly?

Starbucks’ announced they’ll return to hand-writing customers’ names on their cups. We interview shop owners and ask: is writing names on cups silly or a way to build connection with customers?
by Amber Gibson | December 11, 2024

Behind the Headlines: Starbucks Cut Back on Discounts, But Were Discounts Ever Worth It? 

Following Starbucks’ recent decision to cut back on drink promotions, we asked coffee shops if offering discounts is ever really worth it—and how they find success through thoughtful, targeted promotions.
by Amber Gibson | November 6, 2024

Behind the Headlines: Whole-Bean Coffee Sales Are Up—But Why?

New reports suggest whole-bean coffee sales are on the rise. But what’s fueling that growth? We ask roasters what they think.
by Amber Gibson | October 30, 2024

Just Add Water: The Potential and Possibility of Coffee Concentrates

Coffee concentrates offer more than a convenient way to make coffee on the go. Innovators across the industry are using concentrates to reach new customers and enter new markets.
by Amber Gibson | February 7, 2024

The New Coffee Cocktails of 2024

There's more to coffee cocktails than espresso martinis. Here are the coffee drinks to look for in 2024.
by Amber Gibson | January 24, 2024

Perfect Harmony: How Pastry Chefs Choose Coffee for Tiramisù

Tiramisù is a decadent dessert made with ladyfingers, whipped mascarpone, and coffee, but finding the right coffee to use for the dessert can be a daunting—yet delicious—challenge.
by Amber Gibson | December 8, 2023

How Coffee Shops Are Breaking The Rules To Create Signature Drinks

Housemade syrups are par for the course at independent coffee shops: patrons are just as likely to see menu stalwarts like cappuccinos and mochas grace a menu alongside latte mashups flavored with syrups like…
by Amber Gibson | August 18, 2023

The Art of the Perfect Affogato

With summer around the corner, affogatos are the perfect seasonal addition to your menu and a fun way to explore creative pairings of coffee and ice cream.
by Amber Gibson | May 24, 2022