Ethiopia is widely understood to be where coffee originated, although technically it probably first evolved in Southern Sudan. What is certain is that Ethiopia is regarded by most industry professionals as the most captivating and hypnotic origin of all. At their...

The history of Rwandan coffee is probably the most interesting of all the African nations… Coffee is not indigenous to Rwanda. It was brought there by German missionaries in the early 1900s. The very first trees were planted in Cyangugu province in the southwest of...

From cycling to ‘Men in Sheds’, from coffee to marketing tips, we meet Paul and Jane Green, business owners, entrepreneurs, and all round fantastic hosts to discuss the ins and outs of life at Caffe Velo Verde. Because they are from the cycling community and have...

This is the start of a series of posts taking an in-depth look at various coffee producing nations. We’ll be thinking about the history, geography, quality, production methods and social welfare of farmers and producers along with the environmental sustainability of...

Large chains like Starbucks and Costa are major contenders in the current coffee market, since 2014 their share has been diluted by an ever-growing number of independent coffee shops.  Due to this rise, consumers have become savvier when purchasing their coffee and...

Any retail coffee shop has a great opportunity to make retail sales when displayed and marketed well.  Retail sales can generate a welcome additional revenue stream and an appropriate well thought out retail section of your shop can elevate your brand and your offer....

As any experienced manager knows, efficient workflow is key to running a successful and productive business.  Speed of service, profitability, repeat custom and team wellbeing are often predicated on efficiency. From the initial concept, to the planning and eventually...

Decaffeinated coffee has historically had a bit of a bad rep, especially in the minds of coffee connoisseurs. For a long time, it’s been viewed by many as a drink for the blood pressure conscious or for the instant coffee consumer who cares little for flavour and just...

We’re not claiming to be seasoned gardeners by any stretch of the imagination, but working around coffee all day every day has made us very thrifty to all its great uses. Whilst there’s a time and place for proper gardening products, who really has the mental and...