U.S. Grocery Coffee Prices Hit All-Time Average High in April
U.S. grocery‑store coffee prices reached an all‑time high of $9.72 per pound in April 2026, the highest level recorded since the BLS began tracking the metric in 1980. The price rose from $9.60 in March, reflecting a 39% increase since January 2025 and a 105% jump since April 2021. Coffee inflation outpaced overall grocery inflation, climbing 18.5% year‑over‑year while the broader CPI rose just 3.8%. Specialty coffee prices rose modestly, with a 3.9% Q1 increase but only 0.8% annual growth.
Affordable Indulgence, Pass the Plate, the Micro Community Effect, and Other Dining Trends
Quench’s 17th Food & Beverage Trend Report highlights four emerging forces reshaping restaurants: family‑style “Pass the Plate” dining, “Affordable Indulgence” pairings of budget basics with premium treats, the “Micro Community Effect” of niche, values‑driven audiences, and AI‑powered predictive demand forecasting....
Compounding Value: Blending Butter for Maximum Menu Impact
Butter consumption in the U.S. hit a historic high in 2024, up 21% over the past decade, while one in five diners now want more flavored butters on menus. Flavored compounds such as honey, lemon, buffalo, and miso have seen...
M&S Celebrates 40 Years of Canned Cocktails with Retro G&T, New Tequila Mixes and UK Tinnie Trends Research
Marks & Spencer marks the 40th anniversary of the UK’s first supermarket canned cocktail with a limited‑edition retro St Michael Gin & Tonic and a suite of new ready‑to‑drink tequila mixes. The retailer now moves more than 15 million cans a year – roughly...
![The States That Drink the Most Alcohol in America [MAP] (2025)](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/a63242d2eeae7a034b94c892351ea287.webp)
The States That Drink the Most Alcohol in America [MAP] (2025)
A Gallup survey shows U.S. alcohol consumption has been falling steadily from 2022 to 2025, with total volume dropping to 7.7 billion gallons in 2023. Beer and wine volumes contracted, while spirits rose modestly to 734 million gallons. Per‑capita ethanol use peaked...
How a Small Virginia Distillery Became Sazerac’s Secret Weapon
A. Smith Bowman Distillery, now part of Sazerac, bypasses traditional grain processing by redistilling partner‑sourced new‑make whiskey in a 2,000‑gallon pot still before aging it in varied casks. The triple‑distillation creates a softer, more floral profile that has earned back‑to‑back World’s...
Activate the ‘Halo Effect’
EzCater’s 2026 Workplace Catering Insights reveal that food is now a core component of return‑to‑office strategies, with 81% of meals employer‑funded and 91% of workplaces planning to maintain or increase spending. A workplace order creates a "halo effect"—62% of employees...
Food Inflation Update Mar 2026
Australia’s March 2026 CPI data shows food inflation gaining momentum, led by a sharp 3.2% rise in fruit prices and a 2.0% jump in vegetables. Protein categories remain the primary driver of annual inflation, with beef up 8.3% year‑over‑year and...
Guatemala Coffee Report: Production Up as Arabica Plantings Mature
Guatemala’s USDA‑FAS report projects green coffee output to reach 3.26 million 60‑kg bags in the 2026/27 market year, a 3.3% increase over the prior estimate. Harvested area expands 2% to 345,000 ha, driven by maturing arabica trees and rust‑tolerant hybrid renovations covering...
Ink Shortage From Iran War Forces Japanese Snack Brand Calbee to Remove Color From Packaging
Japanese snack maker Calbee will switch its chip bags to a black‑and‑white design at the end of May 2026. The change responds to a critical shortage of multi‑color printing inks, which are tied to naphtha supplies disrupted by the Iran‑related...
Meat Industry Consolidation: A National Security Issue?
Four meatpackers—JBS, Tyson Foods, Cargill, and National Beef—control roughly 80% of U.S. beef processing, driving historically high steak and hamburger prices. The Trump administration, via USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, frames this concentration as a national‑security threat because half of the...
Mizzica’s Italian Cream Liqueur Convinces a New Generation to Stay for One Last Drink
Mizzica, a new Italian cream liqueur crafted by branding agency Percept, launches with a tactile ribbed glass bottle and a striking diagonal diamond‑shaped label. The design deliberately breaks from the traditional, nostalgic aesthetic of cream liqueurs, positioning the product as...
The Lower-Cost Ikawa Go Is Ready and Set
Ikawa, the London‑based roaster‑maker, unveiled the Ikawa Go, a low‑cost, 50‑gram sample roaster, at World of Coffee San Diego. Priced at $2,100, it offers the same fluid‑bed roasting system, advanced profiling and app integration as the Pro and ProX lines,...
The Secret to Summer Staffing
Summer hiring spikes for restaurants, demanding rapid onboarding of large, often student‑driven workforces. Operators are urged to value adaptability, cultural fit, and energy over prior industry experience. Deploying standardized workflows, intuitive POS systems, and real‑time coaching technology enables new hires...
10,000 Touches, 800 Guests, Four Hours: What a Tea Sandwich Service Teaches About Restaurant Operations
A five‑person team produced over 3,000 tea sandwiches for 800 guests in four hours, managing nearly 10,000 individual touches. The operation hinged on three engineered sandwich profiles chosen for structural stability, strict role separation, and a parallel‑processing workflow that kept...
MSC and MEDLOG Renew Food Safety Management Certifications
MSC and MEDLOG have secured renewed certifications from RINA for their Food Safety Management System (FSM) and Good Distribution Practice (GDP) protocols. MEDLOG Italy obtained FSM certification for the first time, extending the group’s certified network. The certifications, based on...
Happycentro Turns Italian Stereotypes Into a Premium System for ‘I Am Italiano’ Chocolate
Happycentro has crafted a premium packaging system for Sabadì’s new “I Am Italiano” chocolate bar collection. The line features 12 distinct designs that humorously reference Italian clichés, icons, and cultural motifs. By blending irony with national pride, the packaging aims to attract...
Beef Export Update April 2026
Australia shipped 140,943 tonnes of beef in April 2026, 11 percent above the same month last year and 61 percent higher than the five‑year average, confirming a strong supply cycle. The United States remained the top buyer with 40,999 tonnes, a 10 percent YoY rise and...
Raw Milk Lattes Stir Debate in Wyoming
Public health officials in Wyoming ordered a shop to stop selling raw milk lattes, prompting a sharp response from former state representative Tyler Lidholm, the chief author of the state’s Food Freedom Act. Lidholm has previously challenged the Department of Agriculture...
The Sad Demise of the Food Industry
The food industry’s supply‑chain performance has collapsed between 2016 and 2025, with average operating margins slipping to 11% and inventory turns falling to 7.82, marking a 35% decline in inventory efficiency. Legacy 1990s practices—such as rigid demand‑error reduction and outsourced...
The Vitamin Shoppe to Add Shakeology by BODi in Retail Locations Nationwide
BODi announced that its flagship nutrition drink Shakeology will roll out in all 640 Vitamin Shoppe stores later this year, adding a seven‑serving bag format priced at $34.99. The launch follows a recent debut in more than 80 Sprouts locations and...
‘Wearable’ Water Has Entered the Chat
Liquid Death, the irreverent bottled‑water brand, is now valued at $1.4 billion, setting a tone for off‑beat marketing in the industry. Inspired by that playbook, musician‑turned‑experimenter @Franke unveiled “im Water,” which he calls the world’s first wearable water. The product features...
The Six-Pack That Counts Down Your Beers So You Don’t Have To
Leo Design teamed with Lake of Bays Brewing Co. to launch a six‑pack that visually counts down alcohol content from a 5% Strong Stout to a 0% non‑alcoholic Pale Ale. Each can features a massive numeral that starts blurred on...
Kaiser Beer Distills 50 Years Into a Beautiful Limited-Edition Design
Kaiser Beer commemorates its 50th anniversary with a limited‑edition can series designed by Luminous Design Group. The new packaging expands the iconic gold‑foil neck wrap into a full‑bleed visual system, pairing it with a bold, cinematic italic wordmark on a...
It’s Not a Discount Problem. It’s an Attention One.
Gen Z now dominates restaurant loyalty programs, representing 38% of sign‑ups and 35% of check‑ins in 2024. While they still appreciate value, they favor instant, relevant rewards and personalized experiences over generic discounts. Data shows they redeem fewer coupons than...
What It Truly Takes: Why Women Restaurant Owners Are Speaking Honestly About This Industry
Women restaurant owners are increasingly voicing the hidden pressures of running eateries, from volatile food costs to chronic staffing shortages and the emotional toll of constant decision‑making. The industry’s traditional culture of projecting steadiness is giving way to candid dialogue...
Tewinbury Farm Unveils Chocolate Afternoon Tea with Acclaimed Chocolatier Paul A Young
Tewinbury Farm in Welwyn, Hertfordshire, has launched a Chocolate Afternoon Tea in partnership with renowned chocolatier Paul A Young, available from May. Priced at £42 (about $53) per guest, the menu blends classic tea‑time fare with single‑origin Colombian chocolate, farm‑grown rhubarb,...
Foodborne Virus Analysis Shows Key Role of Prevention
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) released a comprehensive review of recent scientific data on foodborne viruses, emphasizing prevention and intervention strategies across the supply chain. The report highlights the effectiveness of hygiene protocols, temperature controls,...
Shelf Life 111: Does Everything Now Come In A Single-Serve Pack?
Legacy food brands are pivoting from bulk, pantry‑style products to single‑serve formats, signaling a shift away from earlier sustainability promises. Bragg, the 112‑year‑old maker of apple cider vinegar, launched a six‑pack of on‑the‑go ACV pouches at Walmart for $7.99, reflecting...
Scientists Discover How Coffee Impacts Memory, Mood, and Gut Health
Scientists have identified that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee influence brain function and gut health. Clinical studies show caffeine improves short‑term memory, while decaf enhances mood by modulating the microbiome. Regular consumption of two to three cups daily reshapes gut...
Daisy Brand Headcheese Linked to Listeria Outbreak in Illinois
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert for Daisy Brand headcheese after an unopened sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The fully cooked pork headcheese, produced on Jan. 20, 2026, was sold in Illinois and...
The Most Underused Sales Strategy in Modern Coffee Shops
Coffee shop owners often chase foot traffic, but the most profitable growth lies in upselling existing customers. Data shows a $1.50 increase per patron can generate roughly $9,000 extra revenue each month without additional staff or space. The article outlines...
What Everyone Knows About Obesity, Nutrition, and Health
Two recent papers challenge the prevailing narrative on obesity and ultra‑processed foods. In a systematic review, nutrition researcher David Ludwig argues that most of the evidence linking ultra‑processed foods to obesity is observational, with scant experimental proof of causality. A...
Cheese Curds Recalled because of Salmonella Risk
Stoltzfus Family Dairy of Vernon Center, NY, is recalling four batches of its Sour Cream & Onion cheese curds after discovering a potential Salmonella contamination. The issue traces back to a milk powder ingredient used in the seasoning blend, which...
Williams Sonoma, Fireworks Brand Seasonings Recalled for Salmonella Risk
Jonco Industries is recalling several White Cheddar Seasoning products sold under the Williams Sonoma and Fireworks brands after learning the seasoning may be contaminated with Salmonella. The affected items, identified by lot codes 088594-2-1, -5-1, and -7-1, were distributed in...
Chocolate Bars Recalled because of Undeclared Milk
CBSL Commissary LLC, operating as Winfield’s Chocolate Bar, is voluntarily recalling five dark chocolate products sold at its three Houston locations after discovering that the ingredient label omitted the word “milk.” Milk is a major allergen under the Food Allergen...
Bluberry Muffins Recalled because of Undeclared Nuts
Brownie Baker Inc. has voluntarily recalled its Nouria Banana Nut Muffins that were mistakenly packaged as blueberry muffins, leaving walnuts undisclosed on the label. The 9‑count, 6‑oz muffins (lot code 6082) were distributed on March 31, 2026 and reached retail and food‑service...
More than 6 Tons of Sunflower Seeds Recalled because of Undeclared Allergen
George J. Howe Co. of Grove City, PA is voluntarily recalling 13,619 pounds (about 6 tons) of sunflower seeds after discovering undeclared cashew nuts in the product. The recall spans several SKUs, including 11‑oz pouches and 9.5‑oz tubs, with best‑by dates...
Drink of the Week: Mother Root Ginger Nonalcoholic Aperitif
Mother Root Ginger, a UK‑born non‑alcoholic aperitif, has entered the U.S. market at $39.95 per bottle. The drink blends apple cider vinegar, honey, ginger juice, and a capsicum extract, delivering a tangy, slightly spicy profile. The brand recommends a 1:6...
Optimizing Operations at a Legacy Brand
Tony Roma’s is re‑engineering its 50‑year‑old brand by shrinking restaurant footprints to about 3,000 sq ft, cutting construction costs roughly 30%, and rolling out a fast‑casual prototype aimed at high‑traffic venues like airports and university centers. The chain is embedding AI and...
Rink Drink Is A Clapper Of A Coffee-Hockey Collab
Celebrity chef Matty Matheson has teamed up with coffee roaster Dean Perry of Anchored Coffee to launch “Rink Drink,” a hockey‑themed coffee line. Inspired by Matheson’s junior‑B hockey memories in Fredericton, the collection features a blue‑orange jersey and a red‑lid...
Weekly Coffee News: Dean’s Beans Wins + Drinks as Self-Expression
Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee Company was named Massachusetts Rural Business of the Year by the SBA and posted a B Impact Score of 168.5, underscoring its worker‑owned, ethical model. At the same time, major players such as Lavazza and Fairtrade...
Is $9 For Coffee An Affordable Premium Experience?
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol told the Wall Street Journal that a $9 cup of coffee can be an "affordable premium experience," sparking a wave of criticism from media outlets and consumers. The comment landed amid a U.S. cost‑of‑living squeeze, prompting...
Does Uni Belong in a Cocktail? The Corima Team Doubles Down on Sea Urchin at Bar Chucho
New York’s Bar Chucho has revived Corima’s Uni Gin Sour, serving it on draft to address raw‑seafood safety and texture issues. The updated recipe infuses Isolation Proof Gin with freeze‑dried strawberries, adds yuzu juice, and uses a vegan foaming syrup,...
The VinePair Podcast: Do People Really Care About the Color of Their Red Wine?
Large wineries use Mega Purple, a grape‑derived concentrate, to give red wines an inky, deep‑red look that has become a status cue thanks to Robert Parker’s influence. However, the rise of lighter‑style, thin‑skinned reds and chillable wines is shifting consumer...
Same Impala?
Super 8’s sixth venue, Impala, opens in London with a striking wood‑oven as its centerpiece, delivering oversized aish baladi bread and a menu that defies single‑cuisine labels. Co‑owner Meedu Saad, former Kiln head chef, infuses Egyptian heritage into the concept while the...
Harrison Ford Launches Limited-Edition Glenmorangie Whisky
Actor Harrison Ford partnered with Glenmorangie to launch a limited‑edition single malt Scotch, developed over several months with the distillery’s Director of Whisky Creation, Dr. Bill Lumsden. The whisky blends the house’s classic bourbon‑cask spirit with a parcel finished in...
St Austell Brewery Launches Plantable Beer Mats
St Austell Brewery, celebrating its 175th year, has introduced biodegradable, seed‑embedded beer mats across its 45 South West pubs. The mats feature QR codes that direct customers to the brewery’s latest sustainability impact report after they finish their drink. The...
Xi Home Dumplings and Shogun Sakes Debut Sake-Forward Cocktail Pairing Menu in Spitalfields
Xi Home Dumplings Bay in Spitalfields has teamed with Peckham‑based Shogun Sakes to launch London’s first sake‑forward cocktail pairing menu. Five bespoke drinks, built around Shogun’s additive‑free Pure English Sake, debut on May 1 and are matched to specific Northern Chinese...
Salmonella Tainted Powdered Milk Causes More Food Recalls
A wave of product recalls has been triggered after testing linked powdered milk to Salmonella contamination. Stoltzfus Family Dairy withdrew several 8‑oz bags of sour‑cream & onion cheese curds, JCB Flavors pulled its Wildlife Seasoning sour‑cream topping (lot 057596), and...