Specialty Coffee & Cafe Culture — 2026-06-10
Ethiopian coffees dominated the 2026 Good Food Awards, while Brazil's coffee production is poised for record growth. New specialty cafes are opening across the U.S., including Locke Coffee in Newport, Kentucky this month, signaling continued momentum in the third-wave coffee movement.
Specialty Coffee & Cafe Culture — 2026-06-10
Key Highlights
Ethiopian Coffees Lead Good Food Awards
The 2026 Good Food Awards recognized 15 coffees from 13 U.S. specialty roasters, with Ethiopian lots taking the spotlight. The awards program continues to elevate craft coffee roasting in America and celebrate roasters committed to quality sourcing and sustainable practices.
Brazil's Coffee Production Expected to Surge
The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service forecasts Brazil's 2026/27 coffee production to rise 14.1%, with exports expected to rebound significantly. This record crop outlook comes as the world's largest coffee producer capitalizes on favorable growing conditions and increased demand from Asian markets.
Locke Coffee Opens in Newport, Kentucky
Locke Coffee, a multi-roaster specialty café, is opening June 27, 2026 at 400 York Street in Newport, Kentucky. The shop will feature a La Marzocco ModBar AV espresso system, matcha on tap, mobile ordering via app, and a loyalty program. This opening represents continued expansion of third-wave coffee culture into mid-size markets near Cincinnati.
Kansas City Gets New Roasting Shop
A new coffee roaster and shop recently opened in Johnson County, Kansas, housed in a nearly century-old building. The café allows customers to watch coffee being roasted in real-time, a hallmark of modern specialty coffee retail.
13 Coffee Roasters Win 2026 Good Food Awards
Here Are 26 New Roasters to Support in 2026
2025 Year in Review: 10 New Coffee Shops in the US Southeast
dailycoffeenews.com
Locke Coffee | Newport Coffee Shop Near Cincinnati
lockecoffee.com
Johnson County coffee shop, roaster opens. It’s in a nearly century-old building
Brew Guide
Master the Kalita Wave for Consistent Pour-Over Results
For coffee enthusiasts seeking reliable, user-friendly brewing, the flat-bottomed Kalita Wave dripper offers a significant advantage over cone-shaped alternatives. Its distinctive design—featuring 1,502 small holes in the flat bottom—promotes even water distribution and consistent extraction in just 2–3 minutes, regardless of minor variations in pouring technique. Unlike steep-sided cone drippers that require precise pouring skills, the Kalita Wave's design is forgiving, making it ideal for beginners while delivering specialty-grade results.
Cafe Spotlight
June Coffee — Birmingham, Alabama
June Coffee is a specialty roaster and café in Birmingham, Alabama, bringing quality-roasted beans and warm hospitality to the Heart of Dixie. The café operates both a physical location and an online shop, making their carefully curated roasts accessible to coffee lovers across the region. Their focus on dreamy, quality-roasted beans reflects the third-wave philosophy now thriving in the Southeast.
This article covers specialty coffee and café culture news from June 4–10, 2026.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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