Cool fall temperatures, the changing leaves and the anticipation of the holidays are making us want to cozy up with some warm seasonal specials. These special drinks are all available at the cafés in Chicago, Seattle and Portland now through the holiday season.  Caffè al Pepe This spicy latte is back by popular demand! A few of our cafés had to keep it on the 'by request' menu from when we introduced it last year. Made with honey, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg, the Caffè al Pepe has an unexpected and delightful mix of sweet and spicy.  You can watch Kara...

Madison Café Barista Jamie Oliver visits Perugia. By Jamie Oliver - I took a week off of work in August for a road-trip around Iceland with a friend. Once I started looking into flights from Iceland to Italy, I decided to extend my stay to pursue my love of Naples and the one-of-a-kind pizza they make. I have visited Italy before, so I knew that I needed that pizza! After some research and talking with my co-workers at Caffè Umbria, I was convinced to check out the roots of our company in Perugia. I took the bus from Rome to...

On August 7th, 2018, eight teams of three baristas competed for the grand prize at this brand new, ferociously fast barista battle organized by La Marzocco and hosted at our Armitage Café. The energy and excitement were through the roof! Our all-star barista team – Tony, Mackenzie, Cassie – used their mad skills and laser-like focus to calmly crush some of the best barista teams in the industry: Colectivo, Starbucks Reserve, Intelligentsia, Stumptown, Madcap Coffee and La Colombe. Each team was given the same list of 8 drinks to make – the drinks needed to be made perfectly in the...

Our cafés are now serving Rishi Tea Matcha Lattes. This green, powdered tea, dating back to the 10th century, has been taking the world by storm just in the last few years. Matcha was first introduced as a medical aide, but shortly after was consumed for enjoyment. Unlike brewed tea, you are actually consuming the tea leaves when drinking Matcha. Made from stone ground green tea leaves, matcha is a mood-enhancing drink that is full of antioxidants and, of course, caffeine. Traditionally, Matcha is scooped into a bowl and whisked with hot water to create a foamy texture. Using the...

Our brand new Caffè Umbria Mocha Martorana, inspired by the Southern Italian treat made of Marzipan. Made with our Gusto Crema Espresso, almond-infused Pernigotti chocolate sauce, and steamed milk, the Mocha Martorana is a refreshing twist on a beloved classic coffee drink.