Blog

Whether running a restaurant or a boutique coffee chain, successfully scaling a multi-unit hospitality business means investing in managers today to ensure effective leadership tomorrow, says Christopher Muller Ph.D, author of The Leader of Managers

It’s 20 years since Blue Bottle Coffee opened its first café in Oakland, California. 5THWAVE speaks to the brand’s CEO Karl Strovink about scaling without compromise, navigating the pandemic, and why boutique store experiences remain at the heart of the business’ DNA

5THWAVE chat with Carline Bell, Co-founder of the iconic Café Grumpy about the shift to suburban trade and the growing demand for talented staff. Catch up on part one with Ever Meister here and part two with Coffee Project New York here.

From its history as a global hub for the coffee trade to the evolution of specialty coffee and the challenges posed by Covid-19, 5THWAVE speaks to four of New York’s esteemed caffeinated citizens about the past, present and future of one of the world’s most influential specialty coffee scenes

5THWAVE catch up with Chi Sum Ngai and Kaleena Teoh, Co-founders of Coffee Project New York about how the pandemic has strengthened New York’s coffee community and the new challenges operators are now facing. Catch up on part one with Ever Meister here.

We enjoy coffee in many ways, not least in a cup each morning. 

But for all you coffee lovers out there, you can now get your coffee fix in the shower!

After four days of intense competition, the winner of Coffee Masters London has now been revealed...

The coffee taster's flavor wheel is perhaps the most iconic resource in specialty coffee, using a variety of colors to show the plethora of different flavors that can be found in our favorite beverage.

Inspired by this famous wheel, KeepCup have created the Tasting Notes series. 

Timing, tasting, tactics - three essentials for anyone looking to become a Coffee Master champion.

If you think you've got what it takes, apply for Coffee Masters NYC 2016 now.

Caffeine fiends, take out your diaries and get ready to immerse yourself in all things coffee-related.

That’s right, tickets for the New York Coffee Festival 2016 are now on sale and this year’s event is shaping up to be even more awesome than 2015.

After successful first competitions in both London and New York last year, Coffee Masters is back and we can finally announce the 16 shortlisted contenders for London 2016.

Location is everything and can really help with the look and feel of an event.

The New York Coffee Festival will once again take place at the historic 69th Regiment Armory on Lexington Avenue, in the great arched drill hall.

The people have spoken and we are very excited to announce the winners of this year’s New York Coffee Festival awards...

New Yorkers love their coffee, so what better way to celebrate this great city’s love of caffeine than with a coffee festival? 

Huge thank you to everyone who made the first New York Coffee Festival so fantastic.

Coffe and music lovers rejoice - we can now reveal the winner of the first Coffee Music Project NYC.

What does having a Quality Control Program mean?

Jake Leonti from F+B Therapy talks us though his 3 steps for creating a strong QC program.

We are very excited to announce the artists whose work will be on display at The New York Coffee Festival as part of The Coffee Art Project.

Brewing an excellent cup of coffee at home is a deceptively simple and truly rewarding daily ritual. 

Toby's Estate share their compilation of the most important choices you can make while brewing at home.

Sustainability is a popular word in the coffee world right now, but it’s important that it doesn’t go overlooked. 

David Planer from Royal Coffee New York looks at how we can work together toward a thriving coffee future. 

Come and see the professionals in action as they pull shots on a beautiful customized Sanremo Opera espresso machine.

We may be heading into fall, but the weather is warm and the frappuccino is still popular.

But have you ever tried one with a little kick?

Unique, handmade aprons from The Netherlands.

Thinking of starting your own coffee shop, and wondering how to make it a success?

The team at Nobly POS offer their advice for future entrepreneurs.

September has arrived and we are heading into fall. To get you ready for the slightly cooler weather, Amy from Dona Chai has created some delicious, warming recipes.

Come and see the Steampunk in action and watch as it brews tea and coffee effortlessly in a way that is both mesmerising and remarkable.

Test out their new product range and enjoy espresso shots pulled by guest boutique roasters.

Music lovers, the wait is finally over!

We can now reveal the contestants who have made it through to the live preliminary rounds of the Coffee Music Project.

There is so much to love about brewing by the cup, yet sometimes it's just not practical or environmentally-friendly.

As a festival exclusive, BKON will be unveiling its new RAIN flavor extraction capabilities for coffee and tea.

In January 2012, the team at Café Kreyól left Northern Virginia for Haïti, the most poverty stricken country in the Western Hemisphere.

Their story continues as they work to alleviate poverty in rural coffee growing regions, one cup at a time. 
 

Find out how coffee reacts under pressure to unlock its natural - and often forgotten - sweetness. 

Looking to learn more about tasting coffee and understanding flavor notes? 

This handy infographic and guide from Stumptown will help you discover the subtle aromas and flavors within coffee.

Explore the unique sweetness in coffee and discover how to enhance it through a variety of unusual ingredients...

Devoción’s story begins in the vast, untamed regions of Colombia’s most inaccessible zones…

Let battle commence!

The wait is finally over and we can now reveal the incredible line-up for Coffee Masters NYC.

When Arnold Byun took a part-time job as a barista in New York, he never expected to be swept up in the city's coffee culture.

In this guest post, he explains how he became a proclaimer of coffee and set up the Coffee Club at NYU.

Before you start to taste coffee, remember that there’s really no right or wrong answer – everyone’s palate is different and will recognize different flavors and aromas. 

Find out how to taste coffee through cupping.

Discover the health benefits of matcha green tea and find out how to make it at home.

Enter Irving Farm's raffle to win a range of professional barista classes at their new Chelsea-based educational space - The Loft.

On a hot day in the city, sometimes you just need a cold beverage to help you cool down - but at the same time you also want your caffeine fix. 

La Colombe may have the answer...

“My life is chai...” explains Amy Rothstein, founder of Brooklyn based chai tea company Dona Chai.

The Cafflano Klassic is a simple, portable system for remote pourover brewing.

Find out how to use this device to make great coffee on the go.

Coming to the New York Coffee Festival all the way from Germany, The Barn Coffee Roasters opened their specialty coffee roastery in September 2012. 

Be a rebel with a cause and choose a color combination from the new KeepCup Renegade Range.

Are you passionate about music and coffee?

Fuse your love of these two daily essentials and apply for The Coffee Music Project New York.

Love coffee, but struggle to replicate it at home?

Find out how to brew the perfect espresso with The Aeropress.

There's something about a perfectly formed Flat White or Latte - the texture and design creating that beautiful work of art.

Here are some tips from coffee consultants DunneFrankowski to help you make your morning coffee even better.

We're delighted to announce that tickets for the inaugural New York Coffee Festival (25-27 September) are now on sale!

We are thrilled to announce that Coffee Masters, the fast-paced, multi-disciplinary barista competition launched at The London Coffee Festival 2015 is coming to NYC.

This vital ingredient is the foundation of every cup of coffee you have ever tasted, apart from the bean itself of course.

It’s not just coffee that relies so dramatically on this everyday and seemingly straightforward substance. The worlds of craft beer...