The Wizard Steamer + Biochar in ColombiaDaily Coffee News by Roast Magazine
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Flair Brings Some Magic Home with The Wizard Steamer
On March 5, fully manual espresso machine maker Flair released The Wizard Steamer, a milk steamer that is compatible with virtually any home stovetop, according to the company. Designed to give home users the ability to create high-quality latte art, the wood-handled steamer features a cool-touch steam wand that can swivel 270°, a custom pressure gauge with steaming range indicated, and two different nozzles for different levels of expertise. The Wizard Steamer launched with direct sales at $189.
First Certified Indigenous Member of the Australian Coffee Growers Association
The 18-month-old New South Wales, Australia coffee company Lone Crow Coffee recently became the first Certified Indigenous member of the Australian Coffee Growers Association. The company was founded by professional rugby player Reimis Smith, his father Tyran Smith and family friend Ben Hams, and has already made its way to some 800 supermarkets across Australia, according to a recent NIT article.
Volcafe and Cotierra Issue Biochar Initiative in Colombia
Swiss green coffee trader Volcafe recently announced a partnership with the Swiss-Colombian startup Cotierra to issue biochar-related carbon removal credits associated with Colombian coffee production. Carcafe, Volcafe’s entity in Colombia, is working with Cotierra on the project, which involves transforming existing farm biomass into biochar to sequester carbon, improve soil health and increase yields.
Mill City Leading Roasting Activities at Coffee Fest New York
Minneapolis-based Mill City Roasters announced its return to Coffee Fest New York, where the company is serving as the Roasting Education Sponsor. The company will be leading a series of paid workshops and free seminars. Coffee Fest New York takes place March 23-25.
Klatch Coffee Recognizes Women Who Produce Coffee
Southern California-based Klatch Coffee is celebrating International Women’s Month by donating 20% of proceeds from each bag of coffee sold in its ongoing Mujeres de Café coffee line to the nonprofit Grounds for Health.
AP Report Makes a Case for Excelsa Development in South Sudan
An AP news story highlighting the potential benefits of the excelsa coffee variety made the rounds this week. Excelsa currently makes up less than 1% of the global market, yet proponents of the species say it could provide a reasonable market alternative to the more climate-susceptible arabica coffee species.
Developer Accused of Ghosting Chicago Roasting Business in Redevelopment Deal
Chicago coffee entrepreneur Kavia Simmons of I Love My Coffee Black accused a developer by the name of Yellow Banana of backing out of a promise to work with her in the redevelopment of a former Whole Foods location in Chicago, as reported by WBEZ in Chicago.
Mexican Coffee Chain Caffenio Opens First US location
Mexican-based coffee chain Caffenio opened its first location in the United States, in Mesa, Arizona. Azcentral has more on the new shop, which joins more than 180 Caffeino locations in the company’s home country.
Starbucks Japan Names Hisae Morii CEO
Starbucks Coffee Japan recently named chief retail and marketing officer (CRMO) Hisae Morii as its new CEO. Morii will step into the role on April 1, 2025, taking over current CEO Takafumi Minaguchi.
Blue Bottle Opening First Las Vegas Location
Specialty coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee announced its first Nevada coffee shop, opening this month in the UnCommons development in Southwest Las Vegas. The Nestle-owned company described the opening as the “next chapter in its global expansion.”
ICYMI
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
Save the Date for Roast Magazine’s Inaugural Portland Coffee Festival
Roast magazine is delighted to announce the inaugural Portland Coffee Festival (PCF), taking place on October 4, 2025, at The Redd on Salmon Street in Portland, Oregon… read more
De’Longhi Names New Heads for Professional Division, La Marzocco and Eversys
Italy-based De’Longhi Group announced an executive realignment atop its professional coffee division, resulting in a new division CEO, a new CEO for La Marzocco and a new general manager for Eversys… read more
Sur La Table Acquires Coffee Equipment Specialist Seattle Coffee Gear
Kitchen equipment retailer Sur La Table is acquiring 20-year-old online home coffee equipment seller Seattle Coffee Gear… read more
Caribou Coffee CEO John Butcher Stepping Down After Five Years
John Butcher is stepping down as CEO of Caribou Coffee after approximately five years in the position… read more
2025 Cup of Excellence Auction Schedule Includes 11 Countries
The nonprofit Alliance for Coffee Excellence released a preliminary schedule of all its international Cup of Excellence (CoE) auctions for 2025… read more
Slow Pour Supply Hosting Origami Cup USA Ahead of SCA Expo in Houston
Houston-based manual coffee equipment seller Slow Pour Supply is holding the first ever United States version of its pourover brewing competition, the Origami Cup… read more
National Coffee Association to Honor Root Capitol, Allan Colley and Kyle Bawot
The National Coffee Association (NCA) of the United States has named the winners of its annual awards, which will be celebrated at the group’s upcoming annual conference in Houston on March 7… read more
