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“Molecular” Coffee Just Got $2.6M In Funding From Impossible Burger Investors

By atomo coffee, Burger King, Grub Street, Horizon Ventures, impossible burger, Impossible Foods, molecular coffee, Wire

Earlier this year, we reported on the existence of Atomo Coffee, a “molecular” coffee that has, inexplicably, no coffee in it. Back in the halcyon days that were February, before Atomo’s Kickstarter had lapped its $10,000 Kickstarter goal a few times over, the only worry you had about “where’s the coffee in my coffee?” was if you tripped and fell into the condiments bar. But things have quite literally gotten 1,000 times worse, as Atomo Coffee has just received a $2.6 million investment from Horizon Ventures, who just so happened to also be an early investor in Impossible Foods, makers of the Impossible Burger.

The Impossible Burger has been in the news as of late; the lab-grown “veggie” burger that actually bleeds has found a home at Burger King, taking this whole getting-too-close-to-Soylent-Green-for-my-taste experience to new levels. And now Horizon Ventures is getting into the “coffee” game. As reported by Grub Street, with this new round of funding, Atomo will be that much closer building their hot brown beverage “from the bottom up, using the building blocks that comprise it, including quinic acid, dimethyl disulfide, niacin, 2-ethylphenol, and a handful of other elements,” and doing it on a much, much larger scale.

According to the article, Atomo states they are not trying to “destroy the coffee industry,” but “offer a sustainable alternative,” which is a weird way to say “make it even harder for the already struggling farmers to sell their crops for a profit.”

The Impossible Burger comparison is low-hanging fruit, because Impossible are the investors here, and because we’re talking about a lab grown thing replacing a real world thing, but that’s pretty much where the comparisons end. I’m fine with a meatless burger made to taste like meat; people need to stop eating so much meat, like, yesterday, both for health reasons and to try and temporarily slow the all-knowing global fuck that is our coming climate change apocalypse. (The bleeding, though, is still extremely weird.  If you’re eating a burger, meated or otherwise, for the blood, then you’re a monster.)

But coffee replacement tech like Atomo reeks of global techno imperialism. It looks at today’s global coffee crisis—further exasperated by yes, more climate change—and says, “Gosh, you know what would be great? Let’s just cut out that pesky farmer from the equation.” There’s nothing left to feel bad about! What could be better?

Lab engineered coffee means nothing good for the environment or humanity, least of all for the farmers upon whose livelihood the coffee trade depends. It means only more money for western tech dorks with Mike Judge Silicon Valley sounding start-up names, and less delicious product in the cup.

There’s a future in which a GenMod Impossible Clone Cow (Bovine Engineering Scientific SYstem, or B*E*S*S*Y*) gets a full dose of Atomo in a freak lab accident, gains cognitive sentience, organizes the rest of the cloned cows, and leads a GenMod ungulate army in a war against humanity. We are hurtling towards that future now and these Atomo chuds are lining their pockets along the way. Whose side will you choose?

Drink real coffee instead.

Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.

The post “Molecular” Coffee Just Got $2.6M In Funding From Impossible Burger Investors appeared first on Sprudge.


Source: Coffee News

Build-Outs Of Summer: Lucky’s Coffee Roasters In Upland, CA

By Build-Outs Of Summer, Cafes, california, Compak E-8, Lucky's Coffee Roasters, North America, Places, Sanremo Cafe Racer, SCA, Staff Picks, Tyler Smith, Upland, USA, wilbur curtis, Wilbur Curtis Seraphim

luckys coffee upland california

The thrill of the builds keeps on all summer long, and we are in the 100+° heat of it now. Today we are checking in on Lucky’s Coffee Roasters, a brand new outfit in Upland, California. The brainchild of Tyler Smith, who has previously spent time in marketing and e-commerce for Wilbur Curtis and the Specialty Coffee Association, respectively, Lucky’s is a labor of love set in Smith’s hometown.

So hop on the I-10 east out of Los Angeles, we’re headed to Uplands, California for a look at the all new Lucky’s Coffee Roasters.

The 2019 Build-Outs of Summer is presented by Pacific Barista SeriesnotNeutralKeepCup, and Mill City Roasters.

As told to Sprudge by Tyler Smith.

For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?

We are a local coffee shop and roaster in Upland, CA. We specialize in single origin sourcing and profiling to portray the best of each coffee we offer. Local is a huge part of our market so we source local honey and herbs for our in-house-made simple syrups. Our baker is a local neighbor and grows most of her ingredients used in our pastries and baked daily, delivered every morning. With our community being so close and tight we try our best to sponsor or collaborate with local events or other businesses for increase sales in our area.

luckys coffee upland california

Can you tell us a bit about the new space?

It took us about two years to be able to find our current home. As a life long resident of Upland, CA I have strived to bring the world of coffee I have experienced during my time with Wilbur Curtis and SCA closer to home. The building we acquired and now call our home was build in the 1940s and is apart of the original historic downtown Upland area. The building was originally built in the 1940s as an office space for citrus growers for the Sunkist corporation. As time progressed it continued as an office space but once we came in with our ideas our landlords (the original family to own this building) were up for our creativity. We had a full brick exterior, two large original windows one each side and our main entrance doorway in the middle. We took out the large windows and installed garage doors. In front of each garage door is an outdoor patio space with seating. Inside, we took down six walls, cut two in half, tore up two layers of tile, and one layer of carpet to expose our concrete floors and the history they hold.

What’s your approach to coffee?

We source our coffee either from personal contacts or trusted importers and profile each coffee to the roast level that showcases its true flavors. We try our best to know the background of our sources and repeatedly purchase from them to ensure a successful business practice.

Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?

We have a Sanremo Cafe Racer three-group Renegade, two Compak E-8s, and a twin Wilbur Curtis Seraphim.

luckys coffee upland california

How is your project considering sustainability?

We try our best to use recyclable paper goods or reusable dishware. We source local for all food ingredients in our offerings.

What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?

We officially opened June 13th at 5pm.

Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?

Most of the internal demo and rebuild was done by myself but the external construction was handled by Linde Construction Company.

Thank you!

Thank you for being you and always supporting the coffee industry!

luckys coffee upland california

Lucky’s Coffee Roasters is located at 387 N 2nd Ave, Upland. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

The Build-Outs Of Summer is an annual series on Sprudge. Live the thrill of the build all summer long in our Build-Outs feature hub.

The post Build-Outs Of Summer: Lucky’s Coffee Roasters In Upland, CA appeared first on Sprudge.


Source: Coffee News

With Starbucks Imminent, The Mormon Church Gives Tips On How To Avoid Coffee

By brigham young university, byu, caffeine, latter day saints, mormon church, provo, starbucks, THE GUARDIAN, utah, Wire

Space may be the depths for which the phrase was coined, but for the coffee world, a cafe space at Brigham Young University may be the actual final frontier. The Provo, Utah private college is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints—also known as the Mormon Church—who have pretty strict rules about caffeine consumption: in short, you can’t. So when Starbucks announced plans to open a stand-alone coffee shop near BYU, the LDS responded by putting out a guide on tips to avoid getting sucked into coffee’s dark orbit.

Starbucks’ rapid expansion has long been the stuff of lols, but this reaches new level of thirst. Provo is a city where, as of a 2010 census, 89% of the population aren’t allowed to consume the company’s main offering. This is uncharted territory, and in response, according to The Guardian, the church has issued “official guidance” on how to navigate any coffee-adjacent situations the youths may find themselves in. Released as part of the August issue of a magazine directed at the LDS youth, the church offers some (frankly good) advice that “the word coffee isn’t always in the name of coffee drinks” and that “drinks with names that include cafe or caffe, mocha, latte, espresso, or anything ending in -ccino usually have coffee in them.”

So, before you try what you think is just some new milkshake flavor, here are a couple of rules of thumb: one, if you’re in a coffee shop (or any other shop that’s well-known for its coffee), the drink you’re ordering probably has coffee in it, so either never buy drinks at coffee shops or always ask if there’s coffee in it.

Now, I may not agree with the Mormon Church’s stance on coffee (and about a million other things), but if they are the moral compass you’ve chosen to direct your life, then good on you. I wouldn’t want you to inadvertently do something against your guiding principles, so I’m all for these tips. I mean, how the heck is anyone supposed to know that there is coffee in something called a “pour-over” or a “macchiato”?

But the magazine’s guidance may be more than just some friendly tips. As The Guardian notes, “a 2016 survey found that four in 10 active church members under age 51 had drunk coffee during the previous six months.” The guidance may be more of a “we see what you are doing, you rebellious youths.”

Despite efforts to modernize some of the church’s rules, coffee remains off the table. (Hey, at least there may be a little cannabis in your future.) And for what it’s worth, if you’re a coffee-curious BYU student looking to experiment, Salt Lake City’s excellent indie coffee scene is just an hour away.

Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.

The post With Starbucks Imminent, The Mormon Church Gives Tips On How To Avoid Coffee appeared first on Sprudge.


Source: Coffee News

Build-Outs Of Summer: Pilot Coffee Roasters In Toronto, ON

By Build-Outs Of Summer, Cafes, Canada, Featured, mahlkonig peak, Manulife Centre, marco, modbar, North America, ontario, Pilot Coffee Roasters, puqpress, toronto, Trevor Walsh, Williamson Williamson Inc.

pilot coffee roasters toronto canada

In Toronto, Pilot Coffee Roasters is building themselves quite a coffee empire. We’ve featured Pilot previously in the Build-Outs of Summer, all the way back in August 2017. Two years ago, they were hard at working opening their fifth cafe, an impressive number no doubt. That is, until you fast forward to today and Pilot is getting ready to premiere their seventh (if you count the seasonal pop-up).

Some things are staying the same from the previous build, specifically a plethora of cold coffee options and Pilot’s continued work with Toronto architects Williamson Williamson Inc. But for this new location, Pilot is dropping the box-type espresso machine and going instead for the undercounter Modbar AV. The new location is soon to open, so let’s grab a little sneaky peaky before the rest of the world, shall we?

The 2019 Build-Outs of Summer is presented by Pacific Barista SeriesnotNeutralKeepCup, and Mill City Roasters.

As told to Sprudge by Trevor Walsh.

For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?

Pilot Coffee Roasters is a full-service roastery, cold brewery, training provider, and cafe operator with six permanent locations across Toronto, a seasonal shipping container cafe, and wholesale accounts from coast to coast. Our passion for great coffee and commitment to quality remains at the heart of everything we do.

Can you tell us a bit about the new space?

Pilot Coffee Roasters is opening their first uptown location in Toronto’s luxurious Yorkville neighborhood this summer. Located in the Manulife Centre (which is undergoing a massive $100 million redevelopment), our seventh permanent cafe will be a full-service retail location offering whole beans of our house blends and seasonally rotating single origins, brewing equipment, accessories, and merchandise. Behind the bar will be a range of espresso and brewed coffee options, Pilot Cold Brew, a rotating seasonal coffee cocktail (non-alcoholic), and other non-caffeinated beverages. The coffee program will be supported with a full menu of freshly baked goods, healthy snacks, sandwiches, and salads delivered daily from our east Toronto kitchen.

Signature Pilot Coffee design elements will highlight the Modbar Undercounter Espresso system, including oak cabinetry, metal detailing, and high top bar with seating. Unique stadium seating will be on either side of the cafe for customers who aren’t on-the-go to sit and enjoy their coffee.

What’s your approach to coffee?

The perfect roast is only possible if it begins with the perfect green bean.

The first step to realizing our mission is finding the most amazing green beans this world has to offer. Beans that have the depth of flavor that tells the story of where they come from. We track down and source exceptional coffee by working closely with our trusted partners on the ground and traveling to the coffee’s origin. The truth is, we would be nowhere without the skilled effort of the farmers and the workers producing high quality specialty coffees to share through the roastery. To honor this indispensable effort, we are always expanding our Direct Trade model. This involves regular trips to origin, building strong relationships with producers, touring their farms, and purchasing coffees directly from the growers as often as possible. Through Direct Trade, we can be sure that the premium prices we pay go straight into the hands of our producer partners.

Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?

Three-group Modbar Espresso AV, Mahlkönig PEAK grinders, Puqpress precision coffee tampers, Marco Jet Brewer, Mix 3 Marco Hot Water Tower and Dispenser.

How is your project considering sustainability?

Bring your own mug incentive (save 25 cents), fully compostable packaging for our avocado toast and salad menu items, paper straws, bio cutlery, and milk waste audits performed by managers on a monthly basis.

pilot coffee roasters toronto canada

What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?

September 2019

Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?

Toronto-based architecture and design studio Williamson Williamson Inc.

Thank you!

Thank you!

Pilot Coffee Roasters is located at 50 Wagstaff Drive, Toronto. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Build-Outs Of Summer is an annual series on Sprudge. Live the thrill of the build all summer long in our Build-Outs feature hub.

Disclosure: Pilot Coffee Roasters is an advertising partner with the Sprudge Media Network.

The post Build-Outs Of Summer: Pilot Coffee Roasters In Toronto, ON appeared first on Sprudge.


Source: Coffee News

James Hoffmann Wants You To Microwave Your Coffee

By james hoffmann, microwave, square mile coffee roasters, videos, Weird Coffee Science, Wire

James Hoffmann is the 2007 World Barista Champion and co-founder of London’s Square Mile Coffee Roasters. He is also the owner of a rather popular coffee-based YouTube channel (he’s closing in on 90,000 subscribers), where he offers tips, tricks, and reviews for those looking to increase their coffee knowledge. Hoffmann is a big name in the industry, and when he says you should be doing something to improve your brew, people listen. But in his latest video, Hoffmann suggests you microwave your coffee beans, and we’re like whaaaaaaaaaaat?

But as odd as it may sound, there may be something to it.