Specialty Coffee & Cafe Culture — 2026-10-16
Bellwether Coffee has launched a new Shop Roaster, claiming cafes can cut coffee costs in half by roasting in-house. Meanwhile, Càphê Roasters is expanding its footprint in South Philadelphia with a significantly larger second location, and the 2027 Good Food Awards entries have officially opened.
Specialty Coffee & Cafe Culture — 2026-10-16
Key Highlights
Bellwether Debuts New Shop Roaster Bellwether Coffee introduced a new "Shop Roaster" designed to be more durable, easier to install, and simpler to operate for cafe owners. The launch coincides with new data from their Roasting Calculator suggesting that cafes can potentially reduce their coffee costs by up to 50% by roasting in-house rather than outsourcing. The new equipment is set to debut at Coffee Fest Dallas.
Càphê Roasters Expands in Philadelphia Càphê Roasters, a James Beard-recognized Vietnamese coffee shop, announced plans to open a second location, Càphê Roasters South, in the Grays Ferry neighborhood of South Philadelphia. The new site will be more than twice the size of their original location, marking a significant expansion for the popular local brand.
Good Food Awards Entries Open Entries are now open for the 2027 Good Food Awards, a prestigious competition recognizing culinary excellence. The announcement comes alongside various industry updates involving brands like Transcend, Better Buzz, Fairtrade, and Sancoffee.
Brew Guide
The Center Pour Technique for Sweeter Coffee A recent tip from Food & Wine suggests that pouring water primarily into the center of your coffee grounds can produce a sweeter-tasting pour-over without the need for added sugar. This technique helps stabilize the coffee grounds for a more even extraction of sugars and aromas, potentially reducing bitterness and enhancing natural sweetness.
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Cafe Spotlight
Pastime Coffee (Portland, Oregon) While specific opening dates vary, recent industry reports highlight that Portland-based Pastime Coffee is expanding its professional production capabilities with a new 1,000-square-foot roastery located in a former Northeast Portland flower shop. This move signals a deeper commitment to in-house roasting and quality control for the brand.
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