Coffee News: Lisbon Beckons for World of Coffee 2027, Brazil's Record Crop

World of Coffee Heads to Lisbon

The global coffee community is buzzing about the 2027 World of Coffee. The Specialty Coffee Association announced this major event will be held in Lisbon, Portugal. Mark your calendars for June 17-19, 2027. It's a significant return for the European trade show to the vibrant Portuguese capital.

Roaster News & Awards

This week saw some exciting wins for roasters. Thirteen U.S. roasters earned 2026 Good Food Awards for their coffee. Among them, Keia & Martyn’s in Portland, Oregon, a roastery led by one of Oregon's only Black woman roasters, took home a significant award. Congratulations are also in order for Eline Ferket, co-champion of the Barista League Europe, who is preparing for the world stage after her Austrian Brewers Cup win. In other news, the Alliance For Coffee Excellence has suspended the Taiwan Cup Of Excellence auction, a competition held annually since 2023.

Industry Trends & Innovations

Specialty coffee continues its strong performance in the U.S., maintaining its lead over traditional coffee according to the National Coffee Association's 2026 report. Meanwhile, Romania's specialty coffee market is experiencing rapid growth, with nearly 300 specialty shops now operating, primarily in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Brașov.

There's also innovation on the equipment front. Varia has launched the Orbi, a compact, automated brewing system for espresso and capsules. For water quality, Bluewater has introduced Coffee Rock, a mineral formula designed to enhance flavor and protect equipment in cafes.

The conversation around caffeine is evolving too. Articles explore the search for caffeine modulation and the "second rise" of decaf coffee, suggesting a growing interest in caffeine-free options.

The packaging landscape is also shifting. The era of pure minimalism in coffee packaging might be drawing to a close, with roasters potentially moving towards more expressive designs.

And for those looking to deepen their coffee knowledge, a new Kickstarter project called Taste-to-Ace offers a card deck designed to make coffee tasting more approachable.

New Cafes & Openings

Jacob Alejandro has expanded its presence in Troy, NY, with a larger cafe space and plans for a cocktail bar. The coffee scene in San Francisco is also highlighted, with a guide featuring four must-visit cafes. Birmingham, AL, welcomed Daysol Coffee Lab, and Carrboro, NC, saw the opening of Gray Squirrel Coffee Co.

From the Farm

Brazil is anticipating a record crop and exports for the 2026/27 market year, with production forecast to rise significantly. Colombia also expects a production increase of 7.2% due to favorable weather. However, Costa Rica faces a different challenge: while production is up, growers are struggling with profitability due to a strong local currency and lower coffee prices.

Tragically, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake has impacted Kona coffee farms in Hawaii, destroying water systems and leaving many farmers without access to water.

Uganda's coffee ambitions are finding a new market in Turkey, as direct-trade partnerships grow.

Brewing & Cafe Culture

There's a thoughtful piece exploring whether coffee shops should extend their hours, considering the drop in afternoon traffic. For those who love the ritual of home brewing, there's a humorous take on a peculiar Rodin-inspired porcelain pour-over device. And if you're looking for new brew methods, a DCN article touches on manual immersion brewing.

Barista Magazine is out with its June + July 2026 issue, featuring Maria Andreé Negreros de Durán of Guatemala on the cover. Topics range from summer coffee tips to automation and tech.

That's all for this week's coffee news roundup. Until next time, keep brewing!