Cool Coffee Things
Let’s be real: there’s no such thing as a coffee expert. The specialty coffee industry is always changing, learning, and growing. Barista Friend doesn’t have all the answers; luckily, we have lots of friends who know things we don’t know!
Here’s an on-going list of resources coffee people should know about. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, or if you know someone/something we may have missed, please tell me about it! DM me on Instagram (@baristafriend) or message me at coffee@howdymissmiranda.com.
Palate Development
Leaderboard: a global, virtual coffee-tasting game
Cherry Love Coffee: like Leaderboard, but 100% European roasters and led by @coffee.with.carly
Tomato Coffee Class: virtual tasting classes by a US cup tasters’ champion
Local cuppings: the best way to get better at tasting is to do it more often with experienced cuppers! In Austin, you can cup Desnudo (Mon @ 8a), Greater Goods (Thurs @ 8a), Houndstooth (weekdays @ 1p), and Proud Mary (first Mon @ 5p).
News Outlets
Sprudge: no BS coffee news + frequently updated jobs board
Fresh Cup: coffee news for industry folk
Daily Coffee News: more coffee news for industry folk
Standart: pretty printed coffee magazine
Coffee People Zine: art zine with compiled work from coffee people; yes, you can submit your work
Boss Barista: coffee news with an emphasis on workers’ rights
Podcasts
Totally Dissolved: interviews with coffee people by two lovely ladies in California
Fifth Wave: coffee business podcast from the UK
Keys to the Shop: business tips, interviews, and more from an industry veteran
Valor Podcast: coffee business tips + lifestyle from three dudes in Georgia
The Barista Friend Podcast: THE BEST COFFEE PODCAST ON THE INTERNET ;)
Coffee Lit. Review: nerdy coffee pod reviewing scientific papers
Cat and Cloud: inspirational business podcast from Santa Cruz, CA
Books
The Physics of Filter Coffee by Jonathan Gagne - textbook for manual brewing
The World Atlas of Coffee by James Hoffman - the coffee bible
How to Taste Coffee by Jessica Easto - sensory development
The New Art of Coffee by Ryan Castelaz - signature drink inspo
Terroir by Jem Challender - origin info by barista hustle
Cheap Coffee by Karl Wienhold - an honest look into the green coffee trade
Certifications + Courses
SCA Coffee Skills Program - 1-3 day intensive courses with a certification program
Coffee Quality Institute - Q-Grader and Q-Processing
Coffee Technician’s Program - learn how to fix machines and stuff
Barista Hustle - online barista education program
Ed+u by Cafe Imports - free video series about origins + processing
Competitions + Events
US Coffee Championships - brewer’s cup, barista, cup tasters, roasters, coffee in good spirits, and latte art
Specialty Coffee Expo - the biggest coffee event, houston, april 2025
CoffeeFest - coffee events with good latte art competitions
The Barista League - fun, low-key international barista competition
Coffee Masters - all-encompassing coffee competition at the NY Coffee Festival
Golden Bean - a global roasting competition
World Aeropress Championship - need i say more?
Content Creators
James Hoffman - the grandaddy of coffee content
Lance Hedrick - gear reviews
Emilee Bryant - latte art
Morgan Eckroth - signature drinks + recipes
Jimmy the Barista - home barista lifestyle + “coffee hot takes”
Kat Melheim - roasting tips
Even MORE AMAZING THINGS!!!
getchusomegear - free gear for marginalized coffee folk
Coffee Asians - elevating and amplifying the voices of Asian coffee professionals
Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity - scholarships, resources, and a podcast committed to building a racially diverse and equitable industry
Color of Coffee Collective - driving equitable change throughout every facet of the specialty coffee supply chain
The Coffee Human Resource - HR training for coffee people
The Coffee MBA - business tips for coffee people
Beverage Business Consulting - a collective of coffee consultants