Coffee News Roundup: Week Ending January 5th

Back in the swing of things with a new Roundup. So what’s been going on?

• China’s coffee consumption is growing, as is the number of coffee companies trying to take advantage. This has led to rapid expansion, and “cut-throat competition” according to Reuters.
• The Italian brand De’Longhi is forming a super-group of espresso machine brands, combining La Marzocco and Eversys into one “world-class operator in the professional coffee machine industry.”
• Delta and Starbucks are going to war with disposable cups, in different ways: Delta is switching to paper-only cups on its planes, while Starbucks will now allow you to bring your reusable cup to the drive-thru. For the planet, you understand.
• The quotes this week oscillated between corporate-speak and unchecked honesty. I especially liked this one from a worker at the newly-unionized Hex & Co. board game cafe chain: “There is not a group of people better at organizing than a bunch of nerds.”

Read the full Roundup over at Fresh Cup Magazine:

If you missed it, my latest somewhat navel-gazing piece looks at the State of the Pourover, and includes the announcement that you can now become a paid subscriber to support my work:

The State of the Pourover

Musings on the past and future of this newsletter, plus an announcement.

The PouroverFionn Pooler

Until next week, it’s goodbye from a very serious Merlin: