The Brew Blog

A guide to the world's best coffee growing regions — the mountains, valleys, and microclimates that shape specialty coffee's most distinctive flavors.

Hawaii is the only US state with serious coffee production. Here's the truth about Kona prices, the Ka'u alternative, and what 100% Kona actually means.

The US Coffee Championships Roasting Championship — how it works, what it tests, and why a USCC medal is one of the strongest single quality signals in American specialty coffee.

The SCA 100-point coffee scoring system — what 87 points actually means, the ten dimensions cuppers evaluate, and how to read coffee scores accurately.

Direct Trade, Fair Trade, and Rainforest Alliance all appear on coffee bags — but they mean very different things. Here's what each label actually signals about quality and ethics.

Global Coffee Awards — the international coffee roasting competition spanning categories and continents, and why an international medal adds a distinct quality signal beyond domestic competitions.