Nicaragua is making a bold comeback in the coffee industry - after the devastation of Civil War and Hurricane Mitch in 1998, coffees from this region have been dominating Cup of Excellence competitions. In 2018, the top 5 winning coffees were produced in Nueva Segovia. The lush Nueva Segovia region boasts near perfect growing conditions - shade, fertile volcanic soil, high elevations, and organized producers who pay careful attention to cultivation and processing. In fact, most coffee in Nicaragua is shade grown. Most of the coffee from this region is produced by small family farms averaging just three hectares (about...

Holiday gift giving for the coffee lover in your life is fun (and easy) with this gift guide.  For the Cyclist: The Umbria Cycling Jersey - equal parts eye-catching and high-performance, this limited edition jersey is Made in Italy by Biciclista. Buy online or at the Portland Pearl District, Chicago Clark Street, or Seattle Pioneer Square Cafés. For the Bon Vivant: The Deruta Mug & Coffee Gift Set - the Deruta mug is handmade for us in Italy, and is sure to bring a smile to someone who loves to enjoy their cup of coffee in a beautiful mug. Only...

This Myanmar microlot is produced by 18 farmers in the Hta Min Paung village, most of whom own less than a hectare of land. The majority of the farmers are women (there are only two men in the group), and the group uses much of its profits for the development of the village, including an ongoing project to build a monastery. The community’s five pagodas stand prominently overlooking the drying beds. This community cultivates its coffee under a broad canopy of mixed trees in an ideal climate of hot days and cool nights. The extremely hot weather during the December...

Nestled in the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range, smallholder farmers near the town of Pluma Hidalgo cultivate this coffee in a very rustic and artisan way, honoring the love of coffee and the land passed down from generation to generation for almost 200 years. Pluma Hidalgo is a very small village surrounded by coffee farms and is the capital of coffee country in southern Mexico. This coffee gets its name both from the town, and the featherlike clouds that float amidst the mountains. Most of the farms are small, between one and nine Hectares (one Hectare is approximately 2.5...

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...