Michael Acosta’s Post

In Jefferson County, the cost of a 12oz latte can vary quite significantly depending on which independent coffee shop you choose to visit. For coffee lovers, price points can be a determining factor in their choice of café, and this fact is quite apparent when looking at the average pricing in various towns. In Arvada, for example, the average price is the highest at $4.93 per latte.

HOUSTON’ SPECIALTY COFFEE SCENE / 1 The Rise of the Brew. By Marta Campos-Mace Houston, TX Houston’s specialty coffee scene is on the rise, with a 7-8% annual increase in coffee consumption. From bustling inner-city spots like Montrose and The Heights to the growing suburbs of Katy and The Woodlands, the demand for ethically sourced, high-quality coffee is growing stronger. Growth Driven by Consumer Preferences Today, consumers prioritize sustainability and transparency. They want to know where their coffee comes from, how it’s grown, and how it supports the communities behind it. Houston’s specialty coffee shops are answering this call. Cold brews and plant-based milks (oat, almond) have become favorites, reflecting broader trends nationwide. One standout in Houston’s coffee scene is BlendIn Coffee Club, whose founder, Weihong Zhang, recently won the 2024 U.S. Brewers Cup . With its focus on coffee education and an extensive coveted selection of coffee bean is cementing Houston’s specialty coffee culture. Challenges in the Industry Nontheless, running a specialty coffee business comes with challenges. High turnover rates among baristas and increasing operational costs in key areas are common struggles. Many coffee shops are focusing on employee development programs to retain talent and utilizing data-driven technologies to track consumer trends and streamline operations. The Next Big Opportunity: Suburban Markets While Houston’s inner-city coffee scene is well-established, suburban areas like Katy and The Woodlands offer significant opportunities for expansion. With growing populations and less competition, these areas are ripe for specialty coffee growth, making them prime spots for investors and entrepreneurs looking to capitalize on this trend. Houston’s specialty coffee movement is just getting started, and as the demand for ethically sourced coffee continues to grow, the future looks bright for businesses ready to expand into both established and emerging market. • Source 1: “Houston Specialty Coffee Market Growth,” Industry Overview Report, 2023. • Source 2: “2024 US Brewers Cup Champion Weihong Zhang: The Sprudge Interview” #SpecialtyCoffee #Sprudge #HoustonCoffeeScene #EthicalCoffee #ColdBrew #DirectTrade #HoustonBusiness #CoffeeCulture #Sustainability #SCAcoffee #NCA #Houston #Coffee #Texas #Blendincoffee #followers

As someone who owns a coffee shop and works as a barista, I want to discuss 4 often-overlooked factors that can impact the taste and quality of coffee. ☕ Coffee grind freshness and size It's widely accepted among coffee enthusiasts that coffee loses its flavor within 30 minutes of being ground. Therefore, it's best to grind your coffee just before brewing to ensure maximum flavor extraction. The consistency and size of the grind can significantly affect the taste of your coffee, so it's important to be precise when using your grinder. If the grind is too coarse, your coffee will be weak, while a too-fine grind can lead to bitterness from over-extraction. 💧 Water quality The quality of water used in brewing is often underestimated but is crucial. Hard water can hinder proper bonding with coffee particles and may cause limescale buildup in your coffee maker. Many coffee aficionados prefer using bottled spring water or carbon-filtered tap water to avoid these issues. 🔥Temperature Water temperature is another critical factor; water that's too hot can extract undesirable compounds, resulting in bitterness. The recommended brewing temperature is typically between 195°F-205°F/ 90.5°C-96°C, with a sweet spot around 94°C/201°F. It's advisable to consume freshly brewed coffee within 30 minutes for optimal freshness and flavor. Avoid letting brewed coffee sit for extended periods. 💫Brewing equipment cleanliness Maintaining clean brewing equipment is essential. Regularly clean storage containers and grinders to remove oil buildup, and periodically run a vinegar solution through your coffee machine to eliminate limescale buildup. If you strive to offer your customers exceptional coffee, feel free to reach out to me for an evaluation of your coffee shop and assistance in enhancing your service. #CoffeeBusiness #FranchiseOpportunity #CoffeeEntrepreneur #FranchiseSuccess #CoffeeLover #BusinessExpansion #FranchiseInvestment #CoffeeIndustry #FranchiseGrowth #CafeFranchise #CoffeeCulture #FranchiseDevelopment #coffee #kaffee

So, carrying on from yesterday’s post about regional variations in distribution, it’s time for Tea! With over 11,500 stores across the estate selling at least one pack of tea in September – it’s big business. The most popular Yorkshire Tea Bags are sold in an average of 54% of all stores across the estate - in Scotland they only sell in 24% of stores. The most popular Tetley Tea Bags are sold in an average of 59% of all stores across the estate. In Scotland they are sold in 77% of stores. Tetley are in position 1 and 2 for Scotland for units sold. Apparently the soft water in Scotland makes tea taste very different, and it must be true because several tea companies product a Scottish blend. PG Tips have a Scottish Blend, it is only sold in 27% However, it is sold in packs of 80s and the top sellers are all in packs of 40 – would that make a difference? Going back to Yorkshire Tea – looking at the most popular tea bag barcode across the estate, and even if we ignore Scotland, there are still over 4,000 stores which sell tea, which are not selling your top selling barcode. Do you want some help with that? Get Jean-Luc Picard to beam himself over here and we’ll see what we can do. #data #tea #convenience #insights

🚀 Does Red Bull Belong on the Menu of Specialty Coffee Shops? ☕️ An emerging trend in the coffee world is the rising frequency of energy additives on specialty coffee menus. I'm curious to hear/see your thoughts on if Red Bull belongs in specialty/craft coffee. To be clear, I'm talking specifically about the Red Bull brand, not energy concentrates or other alternatives. ☕ Would you welcome the addition of Red Bull to your favorite specialty coffee shop's menu? ☕ Do you think it complements or conflicts with the essence of specialty coffee? Would love to get your thoughts! Drop your comments below. As an added incentive, I'll send samples of our recently-launched RTD cold brew cans to a random winner among the comments 🙌 #CoffeeTalk #SpecialtyCoffee #RedBull #CoffeeShopVibes

200 Degrees Coffee Roasters, the Foresight-backed coffee roaster and retailer, has appointed advisors to help review strategic options for the next stage of its growth, Propel has learned. The 21-strong business, which was founded in 2012 by Rob Darby and Tom Vincent and is led by Stephen Fern, has expanded its footprint across the Midlands and north of England. 200 Degrees is understood to be working with M&A advisors at AlixPartners on its options, although it is thought no official process has begun as yet. It is thought 200 Degrees will attract interest and has received inbound enquiries from trade buyers across the value chain, as well as private equity. Foresight invested £3m in the then six-strong 200 Degrees in December 2017. Sector investor Paul Campbell was appointed as the group’s chairman in 2021. Fern told Propel in January that the business expects revenue in its current financial year, ending March 2024, to exceed £16m. Fern said the company was looking to open four or five sites in the next financial year and has already secured two leases for openings towards the end of 2024. Sales in its wholesale business continue to rise while revenue from online and subscriptions has significantly accelerated, and its barista schools are on a similar trajectory. Fern said: “When it comes to our coffee shops, we are confident in our ability to open successfully across the UK. However, the other pillars of our business have grown dramatically in recent years. Given that, we are really positive about our performance across all areas, and we continue to drive profitable growth in them all.” 👉 Find out the latest hospitality news first by signing up to the Propel email newsletter for free, here: https://lnkd.in/g_vS_S7

The third wave of coffee was born out of an appreciation for improving quality, transparency, and traceability across the supply chain. As such, paying more for coffee quickly became one of the market’s core principles. Today, third-wave coffee roasters might pay anything from a small premium above the C price to record-breaking amounts. Last year’s Best of Panama auction saw a bid of just over $10,000 per kilogram for a washed Gesha. In today’s article, Melina Devoney speaks with Howard Gill and Spencer Turer to explore whether, as we enter the fourth wave — characterised by what many describe as the commercialisation of specialty coffee — we should expect this to continue. #coffeeindustry #coffeeintelligence #specialtycoffee

The secret behind so many successful coffee brands, Lincoln & York is a #coffeeroaster and packer using taste, data and the latest environmental best practice to deliver the best quality in every cup. For 30 years Lincoln & York has been consistently growing. As a #familyowned, independent #coffeeroasting and packing business they cover all sections of the market, from out-of-home food service to #retail.  Lincoln & York supply 15 export markets of varying sizes, and when we speak with Ian Bryson, Managing Director, the business now supplies around 9,000 tons of #coffee every year, and with a #roastery that is capable of producing double that they are set to double the business by 2026. “You’ll see our products on every shelf in the country, but we work with a high level of discretion,” Bryson shares. https://lnkd.in/ecdkUzK5 #businessworld #digitalnews #globalnews #news #onlinenews #internationalnews #businessleaders #newsupdates #newsoftheday #businessbuilding #latestnews #subscribe #follow #businessfocus

Learned something new today! Did you know that Chobani recently acquired Philly coffee brand La Colombe? I was fascinated to discover that La Colombe has a rich brand history. Coffee and creamer seem like a great fit to me! I'm now itching to visit the tasting room in Philadelphia. Have you been? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below. #coffee #coffeelovers #mergersandacquisitions #branding #brandbuilding Check out the link to learn more about La Colombe and their tasting room in Philadelphia.