A common theme in places where rulers banned public coffee drinking (see earlier posts in June) was the danger of coffeehouses as meeting places for talk against the king or government. Enforcement of these bans, from fines to beatings to beheadings, may have helped keep revolt at bay. But in 18th century France, the monarch’s luck ran out.
Read MoreAfter a couple posts on coffee bans in exotic locations from Iran to England, we’re moving to the 18th century and back across the English Channel to Sweden and Prussia (Germany). Monarchs in these two countries tried to control or ban coffee partly because they believed it was unhealthy and partly to bring money into their treasuries through license fees and taxes.
Read MoreWelcome to part two of our series on times in history when coffee was banned. Today, I’ll cover Murad IV in Istanbul (Constantinople) and King Charles II in England .
Read MoreGiven coffee’s popularity today, it’s interesting to find that rulers or governments banned coffee six times as a threat to health or public order: from the 16th to the 18th century. We cover the first two occasions here.
Read MoreHere’s the recipe for a delicious summer tea that’s perfect for relaxing in the sunshine or enjoying from the covered comfort of your home.
Read MoreThis article updates information in our March 2018 blog post about plans by Jay Ruskey and Frinj Coffee cooperative members to produce and harvest a new crop in San Diego County, as well as to make Southern California the next leader in the “super specialty coffee industry.” Their first full harvest is in!
Read MoreThere’s a new tea on the block, and she’s a fast kinda gal who dares to lose the tea bag! Meet Tea Drops, the drop-and-go compressed combination of finely ground organic tea leaves and spices, dashed with a hint of natural sugar. No bag necessary.
Read MoreCoffee shops are gaining popularity as cozy “hangout zones” with friends, family, colleagues, and business associates—especially for people 16 to 45 years old. As a result, the market has grown enough to support two niche players: Barista Coffee and Costa Coffee.
Read MoreWith Indian middle-class consumers ready to spend more and be part of global lifestyle and culture, coffee parlors in the country are expanding rapidly. We cover the two biggest players (not Starbucks) here, showing how India’s coffee market is growing by leaps and bounds.
Read MorePeople are beginning to get excited about something that may eventually render coffee pod and capsule machines (perhaps even baristas?!) obsolete: moving the bean-to-cup experience from specialty coffee cafes to home kitchens.
Read MoreThis third blog in a series of three about the French coffee scene shows that France is now firmly on the specialty coffee map. Meander with us onto the streets of Paris to sample five of the best coffee houses the city of romance has to offer.
Read MoreThis second blog in a series of three about the French coffee scene surveys specialty coffee roasters and chains that are becoming more popular in France. Café baristas haven’t quite reached the status of wine sommeliers in France, but the French are finally starting to come around to specialty coffee.
Read MoreFrance has its own rich history with our most beloved bean. Since about 2013, the country’s coffee industry has been experiencing growth in the number of branded coffee shops, where French press coffee makers, cozy pour-over techniques, and even cold brew are beginning to crack the market.
Read MoreA new trend is emerging in specialty coffee that is beginning to take the U.S. coffee industry by storm. Single-serve pour-over coffee is here, and based on the numbers, we believe it will be here to stay.
Read MoreThis past week has seen two major “coffee holidays” founded in the 21st century: National Coffee Day and International Coffee Day. Both days were created as awareness days designed to promote amazing coffee culture. . . .
Read MoreWith the economy in China booming, young people in particular are spending more disposable cash. One industry seeing a large boost is the specialty coffee industry. Let’s cozy up to some of the coffee shop chains leading the way.
Read MoreAt just four cups per person per year, the average consumption of coffee in China is still very low compared to the U.S. and Europe, but consumption has risen in parallel with increased coffee production. Here’s the scoop . . .
Read MoreWhen we think of China and beverages, tea comes to mind first. But did you know they also have a burgeoning coffee industry? Cozy . . . and cool! Read about it in China coffee, Part 1.
Read MoreIn 2011 Starbucks signed an agreement to use Tata Global Beverages' 8,258 square foot roasting facility at Kushalnagar near Coorg as a way to produce global taste with truly local coffee. Now they have 120 stores in India and plans for many more. Here’s the scoop . . .
Read MorePeople typically use three kinds of coffee grinders: blade, electric burr, and manual (hand) burr. But the blade grinder produces inconsistently sized grounds, and the electric burr grinder generates a lot of heat. That’s why many connoisseurs choose hand-held grinders: a less expensive, more mobile way to deliver a consistent grind.
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