Our summary of SCA Expo 2023:

FTO Prices Up. Fairtrade International presented an increase in minimum pricing, which will take effect in August 2024. For further details, visit Fairtrade's website.

Fine Robustas In. Every year, we find that the Expo revolves around some hot topic. Our perception this year: fine robustas. There were plenty of booths, countries, lectures, and cupping sessions promoting the virtues of fine robustas and the potential for it. 

We ran a quick survey and, to our surprise, there are a lot of roasters already using them.

Among its potential, experts talk about all sorts of possibilities from 100% robusta offerings (popular in countries like The Philippines) to its use in the segment of energy drinks due to its high caffeine content. 

The roadblocks for roasters to start using robustas seem to be a lack of understanding of their quality (since comparing them with Arabica is not the recommended way to go) and a little access to info on how to roast them properly. These can be overcome, of course, and some roasters mentioned being open to incorporating them for the right price. 

What do you think? Would you use them? What’s the right price? Let us know your thoughts.

New quality assessment by SCA. After three years of research and development, the SCA launched the Coffee Value Assessment, in an effort to update the way we evaluate the quality of coffee. Here is the official info. We observed divided opinions about this. Let us know your thoughts.

You might like to know:

MTPak. A lot of roasters/friends were talking about this company and the competitive pricing they have. MOQs of 2,000 bags for fully printed options, and pricing around $0.40 per bag. Not bad!

Hope and Seasame (milk). Surprisingly good and milky. We were expecting a strong sesame flavor, but it wasn’t there, and it had a nice and heavy texture. They said the pricing is just $0.10 more than oat milk, and (they say) baristas like it in case you are in need of another alternative milk.

Freaker. Check out Slippy, a reusable sleeve for any cup or bottle, and you can even use it as a wristband. The best parts are the fun designs and that the yarn they’re made from comes from recycled bottles recovered from the ocean. 

Cafe Quindio. We became friends with this Colombian brand that is exporting beautifully-packed, coffee-related products made in Colombia. We highly recommend the coffee cookies and merengues with coffee. Tell them we recommended you for Expo deals. 

That’s a wrap! We’d love to hear your insights! What did you learn and enjoy at Expo 2023?