Espresso News and Reviews – TheShot.coffeeratings.com

Today’s bit of European coffee controversy actually has nothing to do with the undropped espresso machine name from French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who recently demanded a decent espresso machine of his choice while visiting Columbia University: French President Nicolas Sarkozy demands special espresson machine during Columbia University visit – NYPOST.com. (Meanwhile, the French press made [...]

Oh, sure, it’s a rather frivolous promotional piece. Today’s Telegraph (UK) gives us a glimpse into how quality coffee is marketed in the UK versus here: Costa Coffee’s taster has tongue insured for £10 million – Telegraph. Whereas American coffee pros seem to go ga-ga at the altar of Q grader certification, the UK opts [...]

As Starbucks‘ future looks ever bleaker and bleaker, CEO Howard Schultz continues his maniacal lever-pulling atop Starbucks’ runaway corporate bulldozer. After shedding themselves of music, movies, and books, they’ve tried everything from an online suggestion box and free coffee promotions to membership cards to less expensive (“daily”) roasts and smoothies. Mr. Schultz’s latest lever pull [...]

Today Which? Magazine (U.K.) published a comparative review of three major coffee chains in Britain: Starbucks, Caffé Nero, and Costa Coffee: Coffee shops | Overview. Their survey examined coffee prices, beverage quality, and how much their drinks are calorie bombs. For their taste test, they sent in an “undercover expert” — Whittard coffee buyer and [...]

The votes have been tallied and a huge round of congratulations are in order. Props to James Hoffman, of La Spaziale UK Ltd. and jimseven fame (jimseven.com has linked over here often), for winning the 2007 World Barista Championship (WBC) today in Tokyo: Briton is crowned world espresso ‘barista’ champion at Tokyo contest (International Herald [...]

Yesterday’s Sunday Times (London) ran a story concerning McDonald’s UK’s announcement of a coffee supply partnership with the Rainforest Alliance: McDonald’s brews up £1m fair trade deal – Sunday Times – Times Online. At first read, I opted not to add a blog entry on how the Rainforest Alliance served as another alternative example to [...]

As reported today on Forbes.com, the recently reviewed Caffè Nero chain (one of the fastest growing in Europe right now) was subject to a private buy-back by its previous owner: Billionaire Buys Back U.K. Coffee Chain – Forbes.com. Apparently, espresso chains are multiplying like cancer in London. The attractive growth rates are enough to lure [...]

Back in August we reported on Caffè Nero’s expansion plans beyond the U.K. to the rest of Europe. For my recent travels to Portugal, I passed through London Heathrow Airport and had the chance to finally review a Caffè Nero for myself. (OK, you always have to wonder about airport espresso, but I’ll get to [...]

Today the London Times published an interview with Brian Chapman, who founded Percol Coffee in the U.K. some 15 years ago: Airlines need to wake up and smell the coffee – Business Travel – Times Online. One of Mr. Chapman’s most memorable (and accurate) quotes?: “You can judge a restaurant by its house wine and [...]

Ten years ago in London, Starbucks was a complete no-name. Today London has more Starbucks than Manhattan Island, according to an article in today’s Scotland on Sunday: Scotland on Sunday – Business – Waking up to smell the coffee. Not too shabby for a traditional tea town. Point is that the rampant growth of the [...]