In any system where steam is generated, there is always a possibility that over-pressurization can cause a catastrophic failure of the pressure vessel. This could result in destruction of property, injury, and loss of life. This is a bad day no matter how you cut it.

Learn about the good old pressure relief valve, and how it can save you and your espresso machine a whole load of bother.

It’s exciting to see so much interest in the testing and reporting of water quality among technicians these days. Let’s talk about what a TDS meter actually is, what is measures, what it doesn’t measure, and how to make the most of yours.

SCA Board Vice President Juan Luis Barrios, Second Vice President Konstantinos Konstantinopoulos and CEO Yannis Apostolopoulos will host a conversation with the six professionals who were chosen after an extensive interview process to fill the final ballot in the 2021 SCA Board of Directors election.

“In my day-to-day you’ll often find me on the phone helping techs in the field figure out what’s going on with the piece of equipment they’re in front of. We’ve all been there. After having dealt with traffic, circling the block several times looking for parking, only to be confronted by a frustrated café manager who needs their business-critical piece of equipment back in operation so they can get back to bringing in the monies. In those types of situations, it can often be a challenge to take a step back, gather information, and work toward sussing out the root cause.

It’s times like these where having a mantra comes in handy.”

The 2021 Milan World Coffee Championships, featuring the World Barista Championship, World Brewers Cup, and World Cup Tasters Championship, will take place at HostMilano, Italy, this week from October 23-26.

For International Coffee Day on October 1, doors of coffee shops, coffee roasters, and training centers were opened throughout Italy for an amazing new event: Coffee Boom.

As a coffee technician, some of your accounts will need equipment that is able to grind large amounts of coffee at a time. The million dollar question, though: how do you decide which grinder works best for them?

This week, LAURO FIORETTI, Knowledge and Education manager, tells us about the Simonelli Group’s Premier Training Campus in Belforte del Chienti, Italy.

For 2021, the Sustainability Award Individual Model Category winner is Michael Sheridan. Over the past 17 years, Michael Sheridan’s work has helped to shape the way coffee professionals are understanding and engaging with sustainability issues. His many and varied contributions, from writing and speaking to innovations in project and supply chain management, have been instrumental in the drive to create a more inclusive and equitable industry.

The Specialty Coffee Association has donated $205,000 to two organizations that support Louisiana coffee businesses and hourly coffee workers impacted by Hurricane Ida. This figure represents 50% of all attendee revenue generated by the SCA at the Specialty Coffee Expo in New Orleans from September 30 to October 3.

For 2021, the Sustainability Award Business Model Category winner is the Pachamama Coffee Cooperative. Founded in 2006, Pachamama Coffee is the first global cooperative in North America entirely owned by producers outside the country, uniting thousands of small farmers to roast their best coffee in California.

“Sproparts sells parts. We do our best to manage stock for the US Market. We listen to the needs of the technicians. We carry the stock so they don’t have to carry everything around in their truck or carry the cost of high-cost parts that will rarely be used. Let us do that. We got you.”

ANN HALSNE gives us the “breakdown” on the What, Why, and How of Parts.

It’s officially election season! The Barista, Coffee Roasters, and Coffee Technicians Guilds are all looking for new members to join their Leadership Councils. The nomination period is now open and will run until Monday, October 4.

U.S. Coffee Championships Postponed, Expo Moving Forward with Half of Attendee Revenue Going to Local Coffee Businesses

Support Coffee People Affected by Hurricane Ida.

Our hearts are with the people of Louisiana who were battered by Hurricane Ida this past weekend.

UL was set up to develop standards so that insurance companies could require that the equipment installed by companies didn’t burn the buildings to the ground. Or blow them up. But what does it mean to be UL listed?

Not all coffee shops are created equal and neither should their maintenance plan be. JAKE CHIAVARIO shares tips on how to add value to maintenance and repair visits.

Will you be joining us at Expo? Please take a minute to read our updated Entry Requirements for all 2021 Specialty Coffee Expo exhibitors and attendees, our Safety Protocols and answers to and for answers to frequently asked questions related to Expo and the U.S. Coffee Championships.

Hylan Joseph gets schooled by the patron saint of water, Scott Manley, and shares a handy guide to chlorides VS chlorine.