Coffee News Recap, 24 Oct: Australia’s Jack Simpson is the 2025 World Barista Champion, Global Coffee Awards announces best roasters in producing countries & other stories

Every Friday, Perfect Daily Grind rounds up the top coffee industry news from the week. 

Editor’s note

The results of the 25th World Barista Championship are in. Australia’s Jack Simpson was crowned the winner, with Simon SunLei from China and Ben Put from Canada placing second and third, respectively.

It was a significant win for Jack Simpson, who has been competing for some eight years. Starting his routine, he talked about the disappointment of missing out on the title of World Barista Champion at last year’s competition, where he placed second after Indonesia’s Mikael Jasin.

At the 2025 event, Jack used two different coffees: an anerobic natural Papayo from Finca Zarza in Colombia and nitrogen-macerated Gesha from Finca Deborah in Panama. Throughout his performance, Jack shared personal journal entries from the previous year, demonstrating how emotional storytelling and vulnerability have become increasingly prominent parts of WBC routines against an industry backdrop of price volatility and political uncertainty.

“Coffee is about people, human connections, and not just results,” he said. “The more time I spent focused on results, the more disconnected I became from my responsibilities.”

Also in the competition spotlight this week are the winners of the Global Coffee Awards Origin Roasted category. Colombia’s Casa Landino was crowned the overall winner, while Ethiopia’s Galani Coffee, Nicaragua’s DeLa Finca Specialty Coffee, and Mexico’s Café de las Nubes also received top honours.

In March 2026, these roasters will go head-to-head with the US & Canada and European GCA winners to vie for the title of world’s best, helping to level the playing field for coffee competitions and recognising roasting excellence on a global scale.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 20 Oct –Liberia to promote Liberica under FAO’s OCOP initiative. Liberia has chosen the indigenous Coffeea Liberica species as its flagship export under the UN FAO “One Country One Priority Product” programme, aiming for launch in December 2025 and positioning the country as the first in Africa to promote liberica on a global scale. (Monrovia, Liberia)

• Tue, 21 Oct – Australia’s Jack Simpson wins the 25th World Barista Championship. China’s Simon SunLei placed second, and Canada’s Ben Put came third. Jason Loo of Malaysia placed fourth, Japan’s Hiroki Ito came fifth, and Denmark’s Christopher Sahyoun Hoff placed sixth. (Milan, Italy)

• Tue, 21 Oct –Colombia recalls US ambassador as tariff threat looms over coffee exports. US President Trump’s recent remarks about Colombian President Petro have raised concerns about trade relations. Trump also threatened to increase tariffs and cut aid to Colombia, potentially affecting coffee shipments to the US. (Bogotá, Colombia)

• Wed, 22 Oct –Regenerative coffee sales nearly triple in the UK. So far in 2025, UK regenerative coffee orders have reached 70 tonnes, and pre-orders from 22 UK roasters for the 2025-26 harvest are expected to double. Brazilian cooperative Expocacer’s ECO certification is key for buyers, demonstrating ESG compliance and guaranteeing traceability. (London, UK)

• Wed, 22 Oct – US administration may impose 100% tariffs on Nicaraguan commodities, potentially including coffee. Releasing the results of an unfair trade practices probe launched during President Joe Biden’s administration, the US Trade Representative’s office has proposed staggering tariffs on all or some of Nicaragua’s goods, citing alleged labour and human rights violations. (Washington DC, US)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Global Coffee Awards announces the best roasters in producing countries.Colombia’s Casa Landino took overall honours at the Origin Roasted event in Houston, Texas, US. Other category winners included Ethiopia’s Galani Coffee (Espresso), Nicaragua’s DeLa Finca Specialty Coffee (Flat White Dairy), and Mexico’s Café de las Nubes (Flat White Alternative). Gold winners progress to the global finals at PRF El Salvador on 26 & 27 March 2026. (Houston, Texas, US)

• Thu, 23 Oct – European Commission proposes simplifying EUDR compliance for SMEs. Micro and small enterprises will have reduced obligations under the EUDR, and the formal entry into application will be delayed until December 2026. For all other companies, the deadline remains 30 December 2025, but a six-month grace period will be granted due to IT issues. Certain supply chain actors, including smallholder farmers and downstream companies, will be exempt from submitting due diligence statements. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Arabica futures near an all-time high as political tensions rise and Brazilian stock prices drop. Arabica contracts reached US$4.32/lb amid US tariff threats on Colombia and Nicaragua and falling ICE-certified Brazilian stocks, which hit their lowest levels since 2000. (London, UK)

Industry news

• Mon, 20 Oct – Salted coffee trend gains traction among US specialty cafés. Baristas are adding small amounts of Himalayan or sea salt to espresso, filter, and cold brew drinks to heighten perceived sweetness, reduce bitterness, and accentuate caramel notes, demonstrating the global popularity of Southeast Asian food and beverage trends. (New York City, New York, US)

• Mon, 20 Oct – For Five Coffee Roasters joins JFK Terminal 6 concessions. JFK airport aims to bring a local roaster presence and branded coffee to travellers as part of a line-up that also includes P.J. Clarke’s and Brooklyn Brewery. (New York City, New York, US)

• Mon, 20 Oct – Lavazza partners with American Airlines for premium in-flight and lounge coffee. Starting early 2026, passengers on American Airlines flights and in Admirals Club and Flagship lounges will be served premium blends from Lavazza, marking a significant upgrade in the carrier’s hospitality offering. (Turin, Italy)

• Tue, 21 Oct – Starbucks investors urge company to restart union talks. A shareholder resolution backed by major institutional investors called on the company to engage proactively with unionising workers. It emphasised the need for a consistent labour strategy, citing reputational and operational risks if dialogue remains stalled. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Tue, 21 Oct – Lagardère Travel Retail posts record third-quarter revenues. The global travel-retail operator reported Q3 revenue of nearly €1.7 billion, marking 6.2% reported growth. Performance was led by openings in Amsterdam and Auckland and substantial F&B gains in the EMEA and South American markets. (Paris, France)

• Tue, 21 Oct – Art of the Espresso by Breville transforms coffee lovers’ brainwaves into art. Gallery Different hosted a one-day pop-up where visitors, fitted with EEG headsets while tasting coffee made on Breville machines, saw brainwave data translated into personalised artworks by Caroline Hobkinson. (London, UK)

• Tue, 21 Oct –South Korea issues record franchise fine for cost-shifting. FTC penalised a major coffee brand with the largest fine ever over undisclosed additional billing to franchisees, finding the chain shifted raw materials, uniforms, and wastewater charges onto store owners without a contractual basis. (Seoul, South Korea)

• Wed, 22 Oct – Salma Hayek Pinault stars in Kahlúa x Dunkin’ campaign. The Telenovela-style spot promotes Kahlúa Dunkin’ Caramel Swirl Cream Liqueur by pairing the coffee liqueur with Dunkin’ caramel swirl and real cream. The campaign, featuring the Academy Award-winning actress, runs on streaming, social media, and audio, with a Grand Central pop-up. (New York City, New York, US)

• Wed, 22 Oct – Black Sheep Coffee to open 11 new sites. The UK chain will expand into market towns, shopping centres, retail parks, and drive-thrus across the Merseyside area under a multi-unit development plan, continuing its rapid nationwide growth. (Liverpool, UK)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Coca-Cola reassesses coffee strategy. Coca-Cola says it’s pausing to reassess its position in the fast-growing coffee category, reviewing channels from RTD to retail and weighing partnerships, brand investment, and speed-to-market as competition and margin dynamics intensify. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Café Amazon accelerates global expansion after leaving the Vietnamese market. The Thai chain charts its entry and expansion into other Southeast Asian markets after stepping back from Vietnam, while expanding sites across Mongolia, the Middle East, and Europe as part of its international growth plan. (Bangkok, Thailand)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Espresso House unveils new corporate leadership team. The Nordic chain named a five-member leadership group as part of a streamlined organisational structure across its 500-store business, signalling a push for operational simplification and growth. (Lund, Sweden)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Hojicha, roasted Japanese tea, is gaining popularity on coffee shop menus. Hojicha is roasted tencha, yielding caramel, nutty, and smoky notes with low caffeine levels. It has become popular in cafés in Japan and beyond, where it’s served as lattes, cold brews, and even as a flavour shot alongside espresso as an alternative to coffee. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Rival Bros raises near $4m to scale roastery and cafés. The company has reached nearly 75% of its fundraising goal to increase roastery production, open more cafés and grow e-commerce, targeting national expansion and higher roasting capacity. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US)

• Fri, 24 Oct – US representatives Bacon and Khanna urge removal of coffee tariffs. They asked President Trump to exempt coffee from reciprocal tariffs and backed the bipartisan No Coffee Tax Act to repeal them; US domestic production covers under 1% of consumption, and the letter cites a roughly 26% rise in retail coffee costs, hitting consumers and small cafés. (Washington, DC, US)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Industrial coffee grinders report profiles of 180 companies. The market study maps supplier profiles, market size, forecasts, and technology trends in the industrial coffee grinder sector, benchmarking 180 companies and analysing demand, capacity, and competitive dynamics; includes Buhler, Ditting, Kuban Makina, and Modern Process Equipment. (New York City, New York, US)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Cimbali Group presents its 2024 Sustainability Report. The group aligns 2024 disclosure with the ESRS, strengthens governance and people policies, and sets targets for product decarbonisation, the circular economy, and responsible supply-chain practices, while reporting Scope 1–2 inventories and energy-efficiency measures. (Milan, Italy)

• Fri, 24 Oct – La Colombe named official coffee and cold brew partner under Chobani US Soccer deal. Under Chobani’s multi-year partnership with U.S. Soccer, La Colombe Coffee Workshop is named the official coffee and cold brew partner, set to supply brewed coffee and ready-to-drink cold brew across federation venues, the training centre and match-day events. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US)

New launch

• Mon, 20 Oct – Julius Meinl launches industrially compostable capsules for organic Fairtrade line. Debuting at HostMilano, the capsules meet industrial composting standards and extend the brand’s award-winning organic Fairtrade portfolio, offering retailers a lower-waste single-serve option for compatible capsule brewers. (Vienna, Austria)

• Tue, 21 Oct – Fellow unveils its first matcha set, expanding beyond coffee tools. The five-piece collection includes a bamboo whisk, ceramic or glass bowl, whisk holder, stainless steel sifter, and modular tray. (San Francisco, California, US)

• Tue, 21 Oct –RAVE Coffee launches El Carmen No. 50 coffee liqueur. Made with cold brew using Colombian coffee, the liqueur uses coffee sourced from the region where the roaster’s flagship sustainability project is based. (Cirencester, UK)

• Tue, 21 Oct –La Marzocco unveils the Jay grinder. The new model offers stepless micrometric adjustment, anti-retention geometry, programmable weight-based dosing, modular burr sets, and Wi-Fi connectivity, designed for café and roaster workflows to improve dose accuracy and extraction consistency. (Florence, Italy)

• Tue, 21 Oct –Bazzara unveils new logo and luxury packaging. The restyling refines the brand for international retail and e-commerce with clearer typography, gold colour coding on the Luxury line, a simplified sensory radar, and wider online visibility. (Trieste, Italy)

• Tue, 21 Oct –Franke launches new modular coffee solution. The A-Line combines modular automation, an intuitive touchscreen, energy-saving modes, and cloud connectivity to ensure consistent extraction and easier servicing. (Aarburg, Switzerland)

• Tue, 21 Oct –Mahlkönig reveals Xenia home espresso machine. The new home model follows Hemro Group’s acquisition of German Xenia Espresso and targets prosumers with dual boilers, steam, an auto-adjust integrated grinder, Wi-Fi app control, and fast heat-up time. (Milan, Italy)

• Tue, 21 Oct –Sonic debuts bourbon caramel iced coffee with NBC’s Jimmy Fallon. The new fall drink features bourbon-infused caramel syrup, whole milk, and coffee, available through December as part of NBC’s “On Brand With Jimmy Fallon” menu collaboration. (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US)

• Wed, 22 Oct – Terres de Café releases Permanent Coffee documentary. Christophe Servell and Fabrice Leseigneur’s new film follows their journey from Mexico’s Chiapas to Panama, capturing producers’ voices calling for a transformation in coffee production and consumption models. (Paris, France)

• Wed, 22 Oct – Rancilio introduces Classe 5 Crono range. The new model builds on the Classe 5 and Classe 5 Eco, adding a group-integrated digital display with shot timer, Steady Brew temperature stability, and quick-clean automation. The Classe 5 Crono will be available in one, two, and three-group formats from January 2026. (Milan, Italy)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Inoumi launches matcha, mushroom, and collagen ranges in the UK. The brand sells powdered ceremonial matcha, mushroom blends, and hydrolysed collagen powders made from whole ground ingredients without extracts or sweeteners. These products are packed in recyclable pouches and home-compostable single-serve sachets. Retail rollout is due in the coming months. (Surrey, UK)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Alfred Coffee opens dedicated matcha café in Los Angeles. The Studio City outlet focuses exclusively on premium Japanese matcha menu items, including lattes, soft serve, and signature beverages, demonstrating the booming global popularity of matcha. (Los Angeles, California, US)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Control Freak Coffee launches controlled-caffeine lineup. The new range includes five roast profiles calibrated to 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% caffeine levels to encourage more mindful consumption. (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Monin launches Indian Rasa range for Diwali. Chai Tea Concentrate leads the lineup, supported by rose, spiced jamun, raw mango, and hibiscus syrups. Designed for chefs, baristas, and mixologists under the Brighter With You campaign, the syrups are available in 700ml and 250ml bottles via select outlets and online. (Hyderabad, India)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Hario launches AYA series inspired by Japanese design. The New AYA collection blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern coffee and tea gear, featuring heat-proof glass servers, drip stands, and thin-wall glasses crafted for mindful daily rituals. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Fri, 24 Oct – OhmIQ debuts water-heating tech with UNIC espresso machines. The partnership introduces ohmic heating to UNIC machines, sending electrical current directly through water for near-instant heating, improved precision, and reduced scaling. (North Charleston, South Carolina, US)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Soul Origin launches first drive-thru in Melbourne. The café brand will open its Epping site on 23 October with a drive-thru format serving its signature brewed coffee and fresh meals, offering free iced matchas and lattes during the launch, and targeting 10–25 drive-thru openings annually. (Melbourne, Australia)

Milestone

• Tue, 21 Oct –Panera Bread names Earl Ellis new CFO. Ellis succeeds Kelly Cook and brings experience from tech and retail finance roles. He begins immediately and will steer Panera’s capital strategies, reporting directly to CEO Niren Chaudhary as the chain grows its bakery-café operations. (St. Louis, Missouri, US)

• Wed, 22 Oct – Brazil’s The Coffee opens first store in Belgium. The chain’s Belgium debut marks its eighth European market as it accelerates Benelux growth after recent launches in the Netherlands and Luxembourg, positioning Europe at the centre of its international expansion. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Fresh Roasted Coffee expands production with solar-powered growth model. The Pennsylvania roastery installed a 753 kW solar array, cutting energy costs by about 90%, enabling reinvestment in technology and co-packing. Its 115,000 sq ft facility now produces over 375 million pods and capsules annually with 80% lower roasting emissions. (Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, US)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Kissing Rock Coffee wins gold at Golden Bean the Americas. Oregon coast roaster captured the championship for its processing innovation and flavour clarity, beating over 30 finalists and earning international recognition for its microlot programme. (Oregon Coast, Oregon, US)

Trade & production

• Tue, 21 Oct –Indian coffee expert highlights robusta’s key role in sustainability. S. Ravi, former CEO of the Indian Coffee Board, argues robusta offers climate resilience and disease resistance, urging balanced planting and genetic improvement to protect farms and meet demand for both robusta and arabica across India’s expanding coffee zones. (Bengaluru, India)

• Wed, 22 Oct – African Union backs continental coffee sector amid market shifts. AU endorses a continental coffee strategy to harmonise standards, expand processing capacity, mobilise investment, and boost intra-African trade, aiming to strengthen farmer incomes and resilience as global market pressures reshape export dynamics. (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Vietnam’s coffee exports reportedly reach record US$8.4 bn in 2024–25. The country says it exported over 1.5 million tonnes of coffee, up nearly 6% in volume, generating record earnings compared to US$5.4bn in the previous season. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

• Thu, 23 Oct – New study says Brazil’s coffee-related forest loss reached 737,000 ha between 2002 and 2023. Coffee Watch’s latest report shows that from 2001 to 2023, municipalities with dense coffee cultivation lost more than 11 million hectares of forest. At least 312,803 ha were directly cleared for coffee, with 737,000 ha of forest loss inside coffee farms. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Uganda projects a 14.8% rise in coffee output this crop year. Production is forecast at 9.3 million 60-kg bags, up from 8.1 million, as maturing new plantings and government seedling and fertiliser programmes boost yields; exports earned $2.2bn in the 12 months to August, reinforcing Uganda’s role as East Africa’s leading robusta supplier. (Kampala, Uganda)

Research

• Wed, 22 Oct – New review highlights coffee’s chlorogenic acid role in metabolic health. Researchers found that chlorogenic acid (CGA), a plant compound abundant in coffee, may help boost energy use, reduce fat buildup, calm inflammation, and improve blood sugar control. Though promising, human-scale trials are still needed to confirm these benefits. (Poznan, Poland)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 20 Oct –Indigenous Amazon robusta scores 100 points in Brazilian competition. Rafael Mopimop Suruí’s microlot from Sete de Setembro Indigenous Land in Rondônia scored 100 using the Fine Robusta Cupping Form at the Tribos competition – the first robusta to reach this mark and a landmark for indigenous producers. (Porto Velho, Brazil)

• Tue, 21 Oct –BRITA reveals Grounds of Innovation 2025 winners. Cheltenham’s Ritual Coffee Roasters received the top prize, with 15grams in London and Effy in Nottingham also placing among the top UK cafés. BRITA Professional hosted an exclusive event at Ritual Coffee Roasters, featuring a latte art masterclass with 2025 Latte Art Champion, Ben Lewis, and a water sensory session led by a BRITA water sommelier. (Taunusstein, Germany)

• Tue, 21 Oct –My Coffee Awards unveils fourth edition with unlimited coffee tastings. The three-day festival (formerly BCN Coffee Awards) will run from 7 to 9 Nov at Nau Bostik, offering unlimited coffee for ticket holders. The event will host the 2026 Spanish Latte Art and Cup Tasters championships, and My Coffee Guide ratings. My Coffee Awards will recognise excellence in categories such as Café Experience, Barista Personality of the Year, Breakthrough Café, Excellence in Barista Training, Pastry and Bakery Experience, Design and Atmosphere, and Sustainability. (Barcelona, Spain)

• Wed, 22 Oct – NCA convention set for Tampa in March 2026. The three-day event will run from 12 to 14 March and will convene nearly 800 coffee leaders for sessions on economic forecasts, supply chain trends, and strategic networking for C-suite decision-makers. (Tampa, Florida, US)

• Thu, 23 Oct – World Coffee Innovation Summit 2025 takes place in London. The event gathered senior leaders from coffee and cocoa supply chains to explore themes like Scope 3 emissions, EUDR compliance, regenerative agriculture, digitalisation, and inclusive value creation through an ecosystem business model. (London, UK)

• Thu, 23 Oct – DMCC to host ninth UAE AeroPress Championship under Qahwa Qulture theme. The business hub will host the 2025 edition of the competition from 6 to 8 November in its flagship Almas Tower. The theme for the ninth edition, “A Celebration of Qahwa Qulture in the Emirates”, pays tribute to the UAE’s position as both a global trading nation and a booming specialty coffee market. (Dubai, UAE)

• Fri, 24 Oct – HOTELEX Shenzhen 2025 to showcase coffee and hotel-catering innovations. Scheduled for 16 to 18 December at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Centre, the expo will feature over 3,000 exhibitors, a dedicated coffee & tea zone, a Coffee Value Summit, and international barista competitions, aimed at sourcing across South China’s hospitality supply chain. (Shenzhen, China)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Café Granja La Esperanza sets record for highest-priced Colombian green coffee. The Mavicure Hills Laurina Natural lot fetched $2,194.1/kg ($13,137.30 total) at Cumbres de Colombia on 22 Oct 2025, scoring 94.25; buyer Brew92 secured the 13.2 lb microlot, underlining Colombia’s rising presence beyond Geisha offerings. (Cali, Colombia)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Austin Coffee Festival returns to Palmer Events Center. Fourth edition runs 25–26 Oct with at least 40 roasters, latte-art competitions, tastings and vendors serving coffee, tea and chai, offering visitors a single-venue chance to compare micro-lots, new blends and local roaster offerings. (Austin, Texas, US)

Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look:

• Mon, 13 Oct – Malaysia’s OldTown White Coffee eyes $6.8 million expansion in the Philippines. A Malaysian coffee chain plans to invest about $6.8 million to expand across the Philippines by opening additional outlets and strengthening its supply chain infrastructure. The initiative aims to strengthen its regional footprint in Southeast Asia. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

• Wed, 15 Oct – The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf partners with Now You See Me for a limited-time menu. Two limited-time iced teas, Mango Magic Heist Tea and Strawberry Shimmer Heist Tea, pair Swedish Berry tea with lemonade, fruit flavours, and glitter, while a sweepstakes runs until 14 Nov with weekly prizes and a grand-prize VIP trip to the film premiere in New York City on 10 Nov. (Los Angeles, California, US)

• Wed, 15 Oct – Data-driven approaches target coffee quality and consistency. A review published in AIP Conference Proceedings surveys supervised learning, sensor, and spectroscopy tools that predict sensory scores, reduce variability, and support sustainable processing, suggesting data-driven workflows for grading, roasting, and supply chain decisions. (Melville, New York, US)

Photo credits: Specialty Coffee Association, Fellow, My Coffee Awards

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