Origin of the day
Costa Rica punches well above its weight in specialty coffee. The country legally mandated that only Arabica could be grown (Robusta was banned until 2018), resulting in a laser focus on quality. Tarrazú is the most famous region, but West Valley, Central Valley, and Brunca produce outstanding lots. Costa Rica pioneered honey processing in Central America and its micro-mills produce some of the most innovative coffees in the world.
City guide
Vienna
Vienna's Kaffeehaus culture is UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage — grand, marble-tabled institutions where you can nurse a Melange for hours with a newspaper. This heritage coexists with a thriving specialty scene centred in the 7th district (Neubau) and Naschmarkt, where a younger generation of Viennese coffee lovers have embraced third-wave culture without abandoning the Schlagobers.
Brew guide
French Press
Full-bodied and forgiving
Recipe
La Cabra V60 Structured
Nordic-style V60 with high temperature and structured pours, focusing on clarity and acidity.
Did you know?
The Viennese Kaffeehaus tradition — where you pay for your seat, not just your coffee — was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2011.
— Vienna
How to Order
Turkey
“Bir Türk kahvesi, lütfen”
Merhaba!
City
Prague
Prague's coffee transformation over the past decade has been remarkable. Once dominated by cheap espresso and tourist-trap cafes near the Old Town Square, the city now has a thriving independent scene — particularly in Vinohrady, Žižkov, and the areas around Náměstí Míru — with world-class roasters and baristas who regularly compete at European championships.
Espresso: 80 Kč (~$3.60)
Tool
Espresso Dial-In
AI assistant, troubleshooter, and recipes by roast level for Sage/Breville machines.
Coffee news · from the specialty press
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