Weekly Coffee News: US AeroPress Champion + Coffee 101 with the Howells

2026 American Aeropress Championship finalists. Image courtesy of Atomic Coffee Roasters.

Phillippe “Akira” Kato Wins American AeroPress Championship

Phillippe “Akira” Kato of Boston’s Newbery Street Coffee won the 2026 American AeroPress Championship, presented by Atomic Coffee Roasters at Studio B in Boston. Kato led a field of 36 competitors. Newbery Street teammate Sompetch “Pack” Katisomsakul placed second, while Justin Enis of Enjoy Coffee Roasters in Providence, Rhode Island, finished third. Kato will represent the United States at the World AeroPress Championship on Dec. 6 in Mexico City.

Food 4 Farmers Auction Supports Food-Security Programs

Vermont-based nonprofit Food 4 Farmers is holding its first online Harvest Festival silent auction, with bidding open through 5:30 p.m. Eastern on Aug. 30. The auction includes Vermont lodging, recreation and food experiences, with proceeds supporting the organization’s programming in coffee-growing communities.

Maui Coffee Association Honors Kimo Falconer

The Maui Coffee Association named MauiGrown Coffee President James “Kimo” Falconer its 2026 Farmer of the Year, presenting the award during its Aug. 1 Seed to Cup event in Waikapū. Earlier that week, the Hawaiʻi Coffee Association presented Falconer with its Legacy Leader of the Year Award. Falconer established MauiGrown Coffee in 2003 after helping Pioneer Mill Company transition former West Maui sugar lands to coffee production.

George Howell Coffee Plans Four-Hour Coffee 101 Seminar

George Howell Coffee Founder George Howell and Vice President and Director of Sourcing Jenny Howell will lead Coffee 101: The Long Road to Quality on Sept. 19 at the company’s Newbury Street location in Boston. The four-hour seminar and guided tasting will explore the effects of harvesting, processing, storage, freshness and other variables through side-by-side comparisons. Tickets are listed at $81.88.

Third Wave Coffee Raises US$43 Million for Expansion

India-based cafe chain Third Wave Coffee raised approximately US$43 million in a funding round led by existing investor WestBridge Capital. Third Wave currently operates more than 240 cafes and is targeting 320 by the end of the fiscal year, while planning to enter eight additional markets.

Denim Coffee Taking Over Two Prince Street Cafes

Pennsylvania roaster-retailer Denim Coffee says it reached an agreement to take ownership of Prince Street Cafe locations in York and Columbia. The York transition is scheduled for Sept. 16, with Columbia following approximately one month later. The additions will become Denim’s 10th and 11th cafes. Denim opened a 30,000-square-foot headquarters and roastery in Chambersburg in 2024.

Ljubljana Coffee Festival Moving to Center Rog

The Ljubljana Coffee Festival is moving to the Center Rog creative complex in Slovenia’s capital for its Sept. 26-27 edition. Organizers describe the event as Slovenia’s largest specialty coffee gathering. 

Graffeo Giving Away Ferrari with Built-In Espresso Machine

San Francisco-based Graffeo Coffee is giving away a 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS fitted with an electric La Pavoni lever espresso machine in its engine compartment. The prize also includes what the official rules define as a lifetime coffee supply — 1 pound per month for 20 years. Free entries are open through Sept. 4, although residents of Florida and New York are not eligible.

Ardito Fuel Expanding Small-Batch Roasting Capacity

Dearborn, Michigan-based Ardito Fuel Coffee is adding a 3-kilogram commercial coffee roaster to support its wholesale, office coffee, hospitality and direct-to-consumer operations, the company told DCN. 

Everyday Dose Names Kyle Thibaut CEO, Expands at Sam’s Club

Functional coffee brand Everyday Dose named Kyle Thibaut CEO, while founder Jack Savage transitioned to chairman. Thibaut previously held executive roles at Robinhood, Credit Karma and TrueCar. The company said it also rolled out its Coffee+ instant coffee product to more than 300 Sam’s Club stores.

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ICYMI

Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…

Florida-Grown Coffee Gets Its First Serious Field Test

A new University of Florida study evaluated four arabica cultivars grown in South Florida, finding promising early yields and some favorable physical and chemical traits alongside substantial climate, soil, labor and management hurdles… read more

Coffee Futures Fund Seeks Independent Cafe Owners for Second Cohort

Coffee Futures Fund, a free mentorship program for independent coffee shop owners, has opened applications for its second cohort following a first year in which 10 participating shops reportedly grew combined annual revenue by 52%… read more

High-Scoring Microlots Head to Best of Congo Cooperatives Auction

The third Best of Congo Cooperatives coffee auction runs Sept. 1-3, giving green coffee buyers a chance to buy high-scoring, traceable microlots from the Democratic Republic of Congo while supporting producers in a region affected by civil conflict and infrastructure challenges… read more

Blank Street Raises $105 Million, Expands to LA

New York-born coffee and matcha chain Blank Street has closed an approximately $105 million equity deal, including $75 million in new financing, as it begins expanding onto the West Coast… read more

Study: Sleep Loss Scrambles Social Memory; Caffeine May Help

In a new study of mice, researchers found that five hours of sleep loss disrupted a brain circuit involved in social recognition and made it harder for the animals to distinguish familiar mice from strangers. Caffeine appeared to reverse the effect… read more

Oklahoma’s She Brews Opens Larger Cafe Supporting Women After Incarceration

Oklahoma nonprofit She Brews Coffee Roasters has opened a larger shop in downtown Claremore, providing more room for customers and expanded job training for women transitioning from incarceration… read more

13-Year Study Gives More Good News to the Livers of Coffee Drinkers

A major study involving more than 350,000 participants over 13 years adds fresh evidence linking coffee consumption to better liver health, with associations appearing at one to two cups per day and the strongest associations around three to four cups… read more

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