Perfect Daily Grind

03/06/2026

🌖 Is it profitable to extend opening hours?

With more Middle Eastern-influenced coffee shops expanding in countries like the UK and the US, other cafés may be inclined to extend their opening hours.

All-day coffee consumption, driven by Gen Z, also aligns with longer opening hours.

However, lower foot traffic could make it hard to turn a profit. Operating costs and staffing challenges can also deter café shop owners from staying open late.

We spoke with MOKAFÉ Coffee House and LOT61 Coffee to learn more.👉www.perfectdailygrind.com/2026/06/should-coffee-shops-stay-open-later

02/06/2026

📢 Why is maximalist coffee packaging so popular right now?

Minimalist packaging reflected specialty coffee’s inward perspective. But after a decade of muted tones, clean lines, and simple typeface, less isn’t always more.

Today, consumers, especially Gen Z, are rejecting minimalism in favour of bold self-expression, meaning, and authenticity – and loud, colourful packaging is one of the best ways to catch their attention.

We spoke to Non-Conformity Coffee, Living Millennially, and MTPak Coffee to learn more. 👉 www.perfectdailygrind.com/2026/06/is-minimalism-over-in-coffee-packaging

01/06/2026

🧑🏾‍💻 How important is ecommerce in specialty coffee today?

The global online coffee market is projected to exceed US$13.6bn by 2027, driven by consumers who now expect direct access to high-quality coffee regardless of where they live.

For smaller, independent roasters, this presents a significant opportunity to extend customer reach well beyond physical location.

We spoke with RoasterCup and L'Original Restaurant to learn more. 👉 www.perfectdailygrind.com/2026/06/ecommerce-transform-buying-coffee

30/05/2026

Co-ferments have pushed the boundaries of processing innovation, but some producers are doubling down on low-intervention methods.

29/05/2026

Andrea Illy, president of illycaffè, has confirmed that a stock exchange listing is "a possibility" but has not set a timeline. Speaking at the Trento Economics Festival, he said the company is "taking it one day at a time".

His comments reflect a careful approach from a major coffee business under growing pressure. Illy pointed to geopolitical uncertainty and volatile green coffee costs as defining features of 2025, a year he described as "one of transition" for illycaffè.

The financial picture, though, gives the company a credible foundation for a listing. The group reported €700 million in revenue for 2025, up 12% year-on-year, with growth across every key market. Italy rose by 14%, the US by 20%, and Europe by 23%. The brand also began roasting 15-20% of its US-sold coffee domestically earlier this year, signalling a deeper commitment to its second-largest market.

The wider coffee industry faces the same conditions. Coffee futures hit historic highs in early 2025 and have stayed volatile since, though analysts expect prices to ease on the back of a predicted record crop in Brazil. Conflict in the Middle East has added further cost pressure, pushing up logistics, fertiliser, and oil prices across the supply chain.

These factors have thinned margins and delayed investment decisions throughout the sector. The question is timing, and right now, illycaffè, like much of the coffee industry, is monitoring conditions carefully before committing to any decisions.

Read about this story and more in this week’s PDG News Recap 👉www.perfectdailygrind.com/2026/05/coffee-news-recap-29-may-2026

28/05/2026

🌏 Global Coffee Awards expand into Asia

The Global Coffee Awards recognise and celebrate the best roasters from around the world. Throughout 2025, the competition hosted US & Canada, Europe, and Origin Roasted (roasters based in coffee-producing countries) editions.

This year, GCA will expand into Asia, the world's fastest-growing coffee market. Not only will this build on the competition’s explosive growth, but it will result in one of the most exciting editions to date.

Find out how to take part in today’s article.👉 www.perfectdailygrind.com/2026/05/global-coffee-awards-expands-into-asia

Photos by: Global Coffee Awards

27/05/2026

☕Do we need to treat decaf better?

James Hoffmann said on A Diary of a CEO: “The great frustration of decaf is that decaf drinkers are typically very poorly served by the coffee industry.

“They are the purest coffee consumer, actually, because they just want the flavour,” he continued. “They don’t even want the caffeine.”

While decaffeination processing continues to improve, it’s important to ask whether roasters and coffee shops are keeping up with rising standards for decaf.

We spoke with North Star Coffee Roasters to learn more 👉 www.perfectdailygrind.com/2026/05/does-decaf-deserve-better

26/05/2026

🔥 Have countertop machines made roasting easier?

Today, there is a range of countertop roasters offering app-controlled profiles with live graphs, safer chaff management, cleaner exhaust, and electric or induction heat.

While they have lowered the technical threshold considerably, they can’t replace the sensory knowledge needed to use them well.

We spoke to Thermoplan to learn more. 👉 www.perfectdailygrind.com/2026/05/countertop-machines-coffee-roasting

Photos by: Thermoplan

Roasters are typically large, gas-dependent, and require specialist knowledge to operate, but countertop machines lower the barrier to entry.

25/05/2026

🚀 How is access to new equipment supporting the growth of emerging markets?

The explosive growth of specialty coffee consumption in countries like Indonesia demonstrates how passion, creativity, and enthusiasm remain powerful competitive tools.

But ambition alone can’t prepare great coffee; access to new equipment is often the driving force, helping baristas perform their best work.

We spoke with Toffin and Officine Allegra to learn more. 👉

Photos by: Officine Allegra

24/05/2026

It’s clear that co-ferments are not everyday coffees; their intensity means most consumers drink them selectively. But as the market for these coffees becomes more established, roasters are finding new ways to serve co-fermented lots – opening up new flavour experiences.

Let us know your preferences in the comments.