Coffee Pals Blog

Specialty coffee has a real definition beyond the marketing. The SCA scores coffee on a 100-point scale, and anything above 80 qualifies. But the number is just the start - it means every decision from plant variety to altitude to processing was made intentionally. This is your guide to what that looks like, and why it matters for the cup in front of you.

Melbourne didn't just adopt specialty coffee - it arguably invented the culture the rest of the world now follows. The flat white was perfected here. Single-origin espresso went mainstream here. And the expectation that even a corner shop should serve genuinely excellent coffee? That's Melbourne too. From warehouse roasteries in Collingwood to standing-room laneway bars in the CBD, this is our guide to the city's best.

Berlin doesn't just have good coffee - it has one of the most important specialty coffee scenes in Europe. From Bonanza's pioneering roastery to The Barn's Nordic-influenced empire and Five Elephant's legendary cheesecake-and-coffee combination, this sprawling city rewards exploration. We break down the essential roasters, the best cafés, and the neighbourhoods worth walking - plus two ready-made routes for your next visit.

Bath might be famous for Roman heritage and Georgian crescents, but there's another reason coffee lovers should visit: this compact city punches well above its weight in specialty coffee. You could argue Bath helped shape the entire UK specialty coffee scene, thanks to one very influential cafe that opened back in 2009. Here's your guide to finding great coffee in the city.

Nottingham doesn't always get mentioned alongside London or Manchester when people talk about UK coffee cities. That's a mistake. From veteran roasters who've been at it since the 1980s to newer spots pushing things forward, here's your guide to finding great coffee in the city.

When you receive a bag of coffee from your exchange partner, you're not just getting beans - you're getting a small piece of geography, history, and culture. This guide covers the major coffee-growing regions of the world, processing methods that shape flavour, and everything you need to know to appreciate what lands on your doorstep.

127 signups from 23 countries, invaluable feedback, and a clear path forward. Here's what happened in the first 24 hours of sharing Coffee Pals with the world.

You know that feeling when you land in a new city and immediately think: "Right, where's the good coffee?" The Coffee Map is our community-built guide to specialty coffee roasteries and cafes across 100+ European cities—and we need your help to make it even better.

A few years ago, I discovered something magical on Reddit: a community of coffee enthusiasts exchanging bags from local roasters with strangers around the world. Then it disappeared. So I'm bringing it back—better this time. Monthly exchanges, geographic preferences, a reputation system, and a real community. Here's what we're building.