We recently looked at how coffee inspired the invention of the webcam. In that article, we highlighted movies that had predicted that invention. Have movies and television series also predicted developments in coffee brewing and drinking?
Webcams are now such ubiquitous features of everyday life that it is really quite hard to imagine living without them. But those of a certain age will recall times past when the internet was the stuff of science fiction and there weren't little eyes staring back at them from their screens. So, was the arrival of this form of communication foreseen, when was it invented and what does all this have to to do with coffee?
Most coffee waste currently ends up in landfill and that is a major issue as around 10 billion kilograms of waste is produced across the world each year. When placed in landfill, that waste emits greenhouse gasses which contribute to climate change. But could coffee waste become the solution rather than the problem?
When coffee arrived in Christian Europe via Venetian trade routes from the Muslim world, some Catholic priests and advisors were concerned. They are said to have characterised coffee as the "bitter invention of Satan" or a dangerous, intoxicating foreign drug. They urged Pope Clement VIII to ban it.
But research suggests that 64% of speciality coffee shops fail within the first five years of trading. Why do shops run into trouble and is it possible to avoid the buzz of your coffee equipment grinding to a halt?
We all know that our coffees, in all their forms, are created using coffee beans. Those beans have been dried, roasted and then ground before brewing. But coffee brewing is only the end of the story. How does that lengthy tale begin?
It has become clear that recent growth has largely been driven by increased coffee drinking amongst 18-34 year-olds. The latest British Coffee Association research found that coffee consumption in this age group increased by nearly 50% between 2021 and 2026. That’s huge and an important consideration for any business serving coffee. Why is it that coffee drinking has increased dramatically amongst younger age groups?
Coffee is certainly established as a part of everyday life for many, but the way consumers enjoy it is changing. From growing demand among younger consumers to greater interest in specialty coffees and sustainability, several trends are now shaping the industry.
Every driver will have experienced condensation. Surprisingly, a simple household item—tea bags—can help reduce this issue. Here’s how and why they work so well.
It has to be said that few cocktails combine sophistication and energy quite as well as the Espresso Martini. It is a modern classic that marries the rich, bold flavour of coffee with smoothness and a kick of vodka to create a drink that’s both luxurious and invigorating.
Hard water is that which occurs when rainwater has percolated through chalk, limestone, or gypsum. These rocks cause water to collect calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃) that lend a hard feel and bitter taste to tap water. Water...
