Updates from the World of Specialty Coffee

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Perfectly Mineralized Water for Coffee: BWT bestbarista ROC COFFEE for Masterful Coffee Flavors

Perfectly Mineralized Water for Coffee:  BWT bestbarista ROC COFFEE for Masterful Coffee Flavors

Sponsored Content by BWT water+more The quality of water used to brew coffee is decisive for the taste experience in the cup.

Perfectly Mineralized Water for Coffee: BWT bestbarista ROC COFFEE for Masterful Coffee Flavors

Perfectly Mineralized Water for Coffee:  BWT bestbarista ROC COFFEE for Masterful Coffee Flavors

Sponsored Content by BWT water+more The quality of water used to brew coffee is decisive for the taste experience in the cup. Water treatment plays a particularly important role in vending, gastronomy, and the hotel industry, where high demands are placed on coffee specialties. With the new BWT bestbarista ROC COFFEE, BWT water+more presents a revolutionary system that optimizes any local raw water to the highest level for coffee preparation—regardless of the varying local raw water quality. Extremely soft water, high salt content, contamination with chlorine or limescale—when it comes to raw water, quality and composition vary greatly around the world. “Not all water is the same,” says Dr. Frank Neuhausen, Managing Director of BWT water+more. “Coffee suppliers in particular with branches in different regions or even continents attach great importance to offering their customers consistent taste experiences everywhere.” The BWT bestbarista ROC COFFEE filter technology enables consistently high water quality so that every coffee can develop its unmistakable character worldwide— - regardless of the local water composition. A mineralization process specially tailored to coffee aromas brings out the subtle nuances of each bean and the skill of the barista. A New Era of Mineralization BWT bestbarista ROC COFFEE is the latest generation of water treatment. It combines reverse osmosis with a completely new type of mineralization. Regardless of the mineral composition and the content of chlorine, gypsum, lime, or other undesirable water components, the new technology transforms any local raw water into a fully standardized quality product, on the basis of which the aromas of each coffee can develop in the best possible way. Figure 1. Perfect coffee requires more than just good beans, modern machines and expe-rienced baristas. The unique remineraliza-tion of BWT bestbarista ROC COFFEE filter cartridges unlocks the unmistakable aroma of every coffee worldwide. Reverse osmosis removes all unwanted components from the water. A special remineralization process that is precisely tailored to the requirements of coffee extraction creates the optimum basis for aroma development. In this precisely controlled process, the quantity and quality of the minerals in the water are precisely coordinated. The unique combination of minerals developed by BWT water+more, with a focus on magnesium and silicate, ensures a balanced and globally uniform quality of coffee water. This allows each coffee to develop its own individual profile and bring out its full potential. “In short: we set the stage for every coffee worldwide,” sums up Dr. Frank Neuhausen. Even with challenging raw water qualities, the result is reliable and reproducible at all times. In addition to the sensory component, the unique BWT technology reliably protects the valuable machine technology against corrosion and unwanted deposits such as limescale and gypsum. Formula for the Best Coffee Water RedefinedPerfect coffee requires more than just good beans, modern machines, and experienced baristas—without optimal coffee water, the full aroma remainss hidden. This is underlined by the self-confident reinterpretation of the world-famous formula E=mc² to Evolution = masterbarista x coffeewater². With this new design, BWT water+more is underlining the pioneering nature of its new technology and its understanding of its role in the industry: “This milestone is the result of many years of careful development work, coupled with the experience and skills of our partner baristas,” says Dr. Neuhausen. “We see ourselves as a partner, supporter and pioneer for roasters and baristas on the way to the perfect cup of coffee. The full potential of every coffee only unfolds when all players work together.” This understanding is also reflected in BWT water+more's close cooperation with the Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) and its involvement in the World Barista Championships. Easy to use and resource-saving The BWT bestbarista ROC Coffee system with its user-friendly plug-and-play design is easy to connect and operate. Operators can monitor the system effortlessly via the app control and can adjust the water quality individually. The resource-saving technology simplifies and reduces maintenance and filter cartridge changes, making it ideal for larger catering establishments. With BWT bestbarista ROC COFFEE, the water expert builds on its many years of experience in the development of unique filter solutions and once again demonstrates its expertise as a water optimizer. The latest technology delivers perfectly treated coffee water—reproducible worldwide and independent of the quality of the raw water. Learn more about BWT water+more on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. About BWT water+moreBWT water+more Deutschland GmbH, based in Wiesbaden, is a specialist in water optimization technologies for the hospitality trade, the hotel trade and vending. Founded in 2005, the company, which is a 100% subsidiary of BWT Holding GmbH from Austria, offers the largest product portfolio worldwide for professionally optimizing water for coffee specialties, hot and cold drinks, and baking, steaming and dishwashing technology. In addition to Germany and Austria, BWT water+more is represented throughout Europe with branches in Belgium, Denmark, France, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland.

Rainforest Alliance Reduces Requirements in Latest Standard Revision

Rainforest Alliance Reduces Requirements in Latest Standard Revision

The third-party sustainability certifier Rainforest Alliance recently launched a new version of its sustainable agriculture standard, while also introducing a future add-on program for...

Raleigh’s Black & White Coffee Roasters Now Part of FairWave Collective

Raleigh’s Black & White Coffee Roasters Now Part of FairWave Collective

Raleigh, North Carolina-based Black & White Coffee Roasters is now part of FairWave, continuing FairWave’s five-year streak of acquisitions in the high-end specialty coffee industry. Black & White, founded in

Registration Now Open for 2025 Specialty Coffee Expo Houston!

Registration Now Open for 2025 Specialty Coffee Expo Houston!

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is thrilled to announce its flagship North American Specialty Coffee Expo will take place in Houston, TX at the George R.

Registration Now Open for 2025 Specialty Coffee Expo Houston!

Registration Now Open for 2025 Specialty Coffee Expo Houston!

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is thrilled to announce its flagship North American Specialty Coffee Expo will take place in Houston, TX at the George R. Brown Convention Center, April 25–27, 2025. This extraordinary gathering will welcome more than 17,000 attendees from 85 countries, showcasing the best in coffee innovation, culture, and sustainability as well as several networking opportunities supporting the commerce side of the trade business. Proudly supported by Title Sponsor Middleby Coffee Solutions Group, Diamond Sponsor Sanremo Coffee Machines and Platinum Sponsor Pacific Barista Series. Coffees from Peru will be featured as the Portrait Country with unique cultural activations, and a pop-up café experience.“Specialty Coffee Expo is more than an event—it’s where the global coffee industry comes together to tackle today’s challenges and celebrate its future. In 2025, resilience will be key as we navigate the impacts of climate change, rising costs, and evolving consumer demands. Expo 2025 will showcase innovative solutions, from advanced brewing technologies to sustainable products, and foster meaningful connections across the coffee value chain,” said Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Specialty Coffee Association. “It’s the premier North American event for innovation, collaboration, and business in specialty coffee.”The expansive Exhibition Hall will feature 600+ exhibiting companies offering the industry's most innovative and cutting edge coffee products. Coffee professionals representing the entire value chain including roasters, retailers, buyers, producers, wholesalers, equipment manufacturers, baristas and more will have the opportunity to learn about integrating specialty coffee into their existing business plan, and easily make purchasing decisions face to face on the show floor. The 2025 education program will feature 20+ workshops and 60+ lectures from top industry experts who will focus on core topics including Emerging Sustainability Regulations (e.g., EU Deforestation Legislation); E-commerce Strategies; Consumption Trends and Dynamics; and Technology, Automation, and Innovation. There will also be scientific poster sessions, updates on research from the Coffee Science Foundation including presentations from World Coffee Research, roast color research, insights on the current green coffee training ecosystem and the SCA Coffee Value Assessment. Throughout the three-day event there will be several Special Events, including:World Coffee Roasting Championship, the only world coffee competition in North America in 2025, where attendees can witness dozens of elite roasters from around the world compete for the championship title in a thrilling three-day event.Awards: Attendees will be able to discover new products and innovations through the Best New Product Awards, Coffee Design Awards and Sustainability Awards.Interactive Experiences: The Roaster Village and Cupping Exchange will be two areas to discover amazing new coffees from boutique roasters and green coffee importers from around the world.Networking Opportunities: From happy hours with fellow industry peers to evening receptions, parties and meet-ups, attendees and exhibitors will have several ways to network.Retail Buyers Lounge: Network with industry peers and enjoy curated programming designed for retail professionals.Green Coffee Connect - Learn about the issues facing the fascinating world of green coffee production from experts in the field and discover new ways to interact with this critical sector. “Middleby Coffee Solutions is honored to be the Title Sponsor of the 2025 Specialty Coffee Expo in Houston, a prestigious show that has a reputation for showcasing the latest innovation and emerging trends in the coffee industry. Our brands are committed to delivering the highest quality coffee solutions to our customers with a focus on innovation, performance, and reliability. As the coffee industry continues to evolve, we are proud to support specialty coffee operators with product advancements, outstanding customer service and experienced, readily available support. We understand the importance of personal customer relationships with their cafes, and our goal is to strengthen these ties by supporting operators as they deliver an exceptional experience, every time,” said Tim FitzGerald, Middleby Corporation CEO. Attendees from around the world enjoy participating in Specialty Coffee Expo. These are a few testimonials following the 2024 event. “I am a coffee producer in Colombia and was very excited to attend the Specialty Coffee Expo. It was very valuable for me to see the development of the coffee value chain worldwide,” said a first-time attendee. “Our company has been attending the SCA Expo since 2010, which is the main reason we manage to stay updated. There is no better investment than attending the SCA Expo,” an international attendee commented. “SCA Expo weekend is still the premier annual space for professionals from around the globe to come and network with each other. It can't be skipped,” one attendee added.Registration for the Specialty Coffee Expo is now open at www.coffeeexpo.org. Register before March 14, 2025 for early bird discounts. All SCA members receive a discount on registration. For sponsorship, exhibitor, or registration inquiries, email info@sca.coffee or visit Specialty Coffee Expo. Register Now!

Rules & Regulations Released for the 2025 World Coffee Championships in Geneva

Rules & Regulations Released for the 2025 World Coffee Championships in Geneva

The Specialty Coffee Association is delighted to release updated Rules & Regulations for the 2025 World Latte Art (WLAC), World Coffee in Good Spirits (WCIGS), World Cup Tasters (WCTC) and...

Rules & Regulations Released for the 2025 World Coffee Championships in Geneva

Rules & Regulations Released for the 2025 World Coffee Championships in Geneva

The Specialty Coffee Association is delighted to release updated Rules & Regulations for the 2025 World Latte Art (WLAC), World Coffee in Good Spirits (WCIGS), World Cup Tasters (WCTC) and Cezve/Ibrik (CIC) Championships. The updated rules and scoresheets follow the 2025 World Coffee Roasting Championships and World Brewers Cup Rules and Regulations announced last month. The updated Rules & Regulations will be used at the at the 2025 World Latte Art, World Coffee in Good Spirits, World Cup Tasters and Cezve/Ibrik Championships at World of Coffee Geneva, from June 26-28, 2025. This round of updates primarily clarifies and formalizes existing practices. Key changes include updated preparation time in the WLAC when using fully-automatic espresso machines, and clearer language around the optional use of a technical judge for Competition Bodies. Adjustments in the WCIGS competition permit minor repositioning of espresso machines, along with clearer guidelines for drink temperature evaluation. To align with SCA standards, the WCTC increases the coffee-to-water ratio and reorganizes rules for better clarity. In the CIC, judging criteria now align more closely with the World Barista Championship (WBC) and integrate updated evaluation details reflecting the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA). Additionally, in alignment with all 2025 World Coffee Championships, the appeals and complaints process at both Competition Body and World-level events has been streamlined, now requiring submissions via an online form. Updates to the rules & regulations are overseen by the WCC Competitions Strategic Committee. The rules documents, summaries of changes, scoresheets, and new appeals form are now available at the new website for the World Coffee Championships: wcc.coffee/rules-regulationsMake sure to join us — either in-person or online — at the 2025 World Coffee Championships this season: Houston World Coffee Championships April 25-27 at the Specialty Coffee Expo in Houston, TX, USA Featuring the World Coffee Roasting Championship Jakarta World Coffee Championships May 15-17 at World of Coffee in Jakarta, Indonesia Featuring the World Brewers Cup Geneva World Coffee Championships June 26-28 at World of Coffee in Geneva, Switzerland Featuring the World Latte Art, World Coffee in Good Spirits, World Cup Tasters, and Cezve/Ibrik Championships Milan World Coffee Championships October 17-21 at HostMilano in Milan, Italy Featuring the 25th World Barista Championship

SCA France Chapter Election: Nominations Now Open

SCA France Chapter Election: Nominations Now Open

The 2025 SCA France Chapter Election has started! That means that it’s time to make your voice heard by nominating and voting for the volunteer committee who will be leading the chapter's activities...

SCA France Chapter Election: Nominations Now Open

SCA France Chapter Election: Nominations Now Open

The 2025 SCA France Chapter Election has started! That means that it’s time to make your voice heard by nominating and voting for the volunteer committee who will be leading the chapter's activities for the next two years. Nominations are open February 19 - February 26 and voting will take place March 12 - March 19. The results of the election will be announced on March 26.Your contributions are vital in ensuring the growth of your local SCA Chapter. If you wish to nominate yourself or someone else, please provide us with the following information: first and last name, email address, membership number (if known), and an optional short biography. After finishing the nomination period we will contact all nominees directly to verify their interest in participating in the election.Only SCA members with a current valid membership are eligible to vote and serve on the SCA France Chapter; the membership cut-off date to vote in this election is March 10, 2025. You can check your status in the SCA member portal. The roles open for election are:National CoordinatorEducation CoordinatorMarketing & Communications CoordinatorEvents CoordinatorCommunity CoordinatorJudges CoordinatorClick here to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of each position and click the button below to submit your nomination now.Ready to submit your nomination? Click the button below to visit the SCA portal and get nominating! nominate Why should I nominate myself to serve on the SCA France Chapter?A chapter reflects the SCA’s global vision, mission, and purpose on a local scale. Chapters can more efficiently develop and serve their communities with respect to culture and language. As an SCA Chapter, you can provide access, influence, and a sense of belonging to your local community as part of a greater global network.SCA Chapters are run by volunteers elected by SCA members in their country. The election is run by SCA staff and communicated via email to all SCA members in France. Anyone from the community can be nominated for a leadership position. There is no limit to the number of nominees but all are required to be a member if they wish to run in the election. The elected SCA Chapter Coordinators serve a two-year term after which an election is run again.Am I eligible to vote?This SCA Chapter election is your opportunity to make your voice heard by voting for the volunteer committee who will be leading your local chapter's activities. Only SCA members with a current valid membership are eligible to vote. Not sure if you're eligible to vote? Check your membership status in the SCA Member Portal here.Please be aware that SCA Company Memberships receive one vote in SCA elections, which means that Company Individual Members / Secondary Members on a Company Membership cannot cast a vote.

SCA France Chapter: Meet the Committee

SCA France Chapter: Meet the Committee

The SCA France Chapter has elected their new committee!SCA members in France cast their ballots in the 2025 election to select their new leadership. Today we are pleased to welcome and celebrate the SCA France Chapter’s new committee.The new SCA France Chapter Committee is formed by:National Coordinator - Marton SuardEvents Coordinator - Mathias RodriguesCommunity Coordinator - Camille TournyMarketing & Communications Coordinator - Alexis GagnaireEducation Coordinator - Antoine PeronThe Events Coordinator who received the most votes was Senny Ferreira. Since the election they have informed us that they are no longer able to take on the role, and have withdrawn their candidacy. We are pleased to welcome the candidate with the next highest number of votes to the committee.We would like to give the community the chance to provide comments on the new Chapter Committee consisting of the professionals listed above. If you have any feedback, please get in touch with us before April 9, 2025 by emailing us at chapters@sca.coffee. As a reminder, you can learn more about the roles and responsibilities of each position on our website. Thank you for participating in this important process for the SCA France Chapter.

SCA France Chapter: Vote Now in the 2025 Election

SCA France Chapter: Vote Now in the 2025 Election

The voting period for the SCA France Chapter election is now open!The nomination stage is closed and the candidates have accepted their nominations.

SCA France Chapter: Vote Now in the 2025 Election

SCA France Chapter: Vote Now in the 2025 Election

The voting period for the SCA France Chapter election is now open!The nomination stage is closed and the candidates have accepted their nominations. If you are an SCA member based in France, cast your vote for the new Chapter Committee now! Log into your account via the portal to vote!Voting is open March 12 to March 19, and the results of the election will be announced on March 26. Following the nomination period, there are five coordinator roles for the SCA France Chapter, some of which are uncontested. As such, there is no need to proceed with a vote for these roles.• Education Coordinator• Community Coordinator Voting will proceed for the roles of:• National Coordinator (Chair)• Marketing & Communications Coordinator• Events CoordinatorThank you for participating in this important process for the SCA France Chapter.Meet the Nominees Am I Eligible to Vote?This SCA Chapter election is your opportunity to make your voice heard by voting for the volunteer committee who will be leading your local chapter's activities. Only SCA members with a current valid membership are eligible to vote. Not sure if you're eligible to vote? Check your membership status in the SCA Member Portal. Please be aware that SCA Company Memberships receive one vote in SCA elections, which means that Company Individual Members / Secondary Members on a Company Membership cannot cast a vote.Ready to cast your vote?Remember you can cast your vote for the Open Positions. Voting closes on March 19 and the results of the election will be announced on March 26. If you are an active SCA member based in France, you will be able to vote via the SCA portal. If you believe you are eligible to vote but are not able to, get in touch with us at chapters@sca.coffee.

SCA France Chapter: Vote Now in the 2025 Election

SCA France Chapter: Vote Now in the 2025 Election

The voting period for the SCA France Chapter election is now open!The nomination stage is closed and the candidates have accepted their nominations. If you are an SCA member based in France, cast your vote for the new Chapter Committee now! Log into your account via the portal to vote!Voting is open March 12 to March 19, and the results of the election will be announced on March 26. Following the nomination period, there are five coordinator roles for the SCA France Chapter, some of which are uncontested. As such, there is no need to proceed with a vote for these roles.• Education Coordinator• Community Coordinator Voting will proceed for the roles of:• National Coordinator (Chair)• Marketing & Communications Coordinator• Events CoordinatorThank you for participating in this important process for the SCA France Chapter.Meet the Nominees Am I Eligible to Vote?This SCA Chapter election is your opportunity to make your voice heard by voting for the volunteer committee who will be leading your local chapter's activities. Only SCA members with a current valid membership are eligible to vote. Not sure if you're eligible to vote? Check your membership status in the SCA Member Portal. Please be aware that SCA Company Memberships receive one vote in SCA elections, which means that Company Individual Members / Secondary Members on a Company Membership cannot cast a vote.Ready to cast your vote?Remember you can cast your vote for the Open Positions. Voting closes on March 19 and the results of the election will be announced on March 26. If you are an active SCA member based in France, you will be able to vote via the SCA portal. If you believe you are eligible to vote but are not able to, get in touch with us at chapters@sca.coffee.

SCA Ireland Chapter: Meet the Committee

SCA Ireland Chapter: Meet the Committee

The SCA Ireland Chapter Has a New Committee!We are pleased to announce that the SCA Ireland Chapter has successfully formed a new committee to continue its important work within the community.

SCA Ireland Chapter: Meet the Committee

SCA Ireland Chapter: Meet the Committee

The SCA Ireland Chapter Has a New Committee!We are pleased to announce that the SCA Ireland Chapter has successfully formed a new committee to continue its important work within the community.Following discussions with the National Coordinator and the wider community, a new committee has been established to ensure the chapter remains active and well-supported.The new committee for the SCA Ireland Chapter is as follows:National Coordinator: Mark AshbridgeEvents Coordinator: Pa CotterJudges Coordinator: Maja RozwadowskaMarketing & Community Coordinator: Darren MurphyEducation Coordinator: Vlad NovrantidisThis team brings together a diverse group of coffee professionals dedicated to supporting and growing the coffee community in Ireland.We welcome feedback from the community regarding this new committee. If you have any comments or concerns, please reach out to us by emailing communitypartnerships@sca.coffee before January 6, 2025.Thank you for your continued support of the SCA Ireland Chapter. MEET THE COMMITTEE

SCA Launches Intro to Cupping Workshop: Step into the World of Cupping

SCA Launches Intro to Cupping Workshop: Step into the World of Cupping

The SCA is excited to announce the very first Intro to Cupping Workshop – a beginner-friendly and inclusive experience designed to familiarize anyone without cupping experience to the foundational...

SCA Launches Intro to Cupping Workshop: Step into the World of Cupping

SCA Launches Intro to Cupping Workshop: Step into the World of Cupping

The SCA is excited to announce the very first Intro to Cupping Workshop – a beginner-friendly and inclusive experience designed to familiarize anyone without cupping experience to the foundational practices of cupping and sensory analysis. This brand-new workshop launches with three dates this month — two at World of Coffee Dubai (February 11 & 12), one at Escuela del Café de Tueste Café in Mexico (February 19), and more dates coming soon.Intro to Cupping is the first component of the cupping education program that the SCA will launch in 2025. This program is grounded in the Coffee Value Assessment, informed by sensory science, and designed to equip participants with the skills of cupping professionals. Intro to Cupping is an engaging, hands-on activity, where participants will learn techniques to assess coffee's sensory attributes, and bridge theory with practice. By joining an upcoming date you'll gain:By joining an upcoming date you'll gain:An inclusive learning experience: Designed for all experience levels, this workshop ensures that everyone feels welcome and supported.Practical skills: Develop tools and techniques to confidently evaluate and describe coffee's sensory qualities.A foundation for growth: Build your sensory knowledge and take the first step in mastering cupping practices.Upcoming Dates:February 11 & 12, 10:30 am - 1:30 pmWorld of Coffee Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Registration Opens Soon)February 19, 10:00 am - 1:00 pmEscuela del Café de Tueste Café, Coatepec, Veracruz, Mexico Learn More & Register