We recently returned from San Diego, where we attended one of the biggest events in the coffee world: World of Coffee (formerly Specialty Coffee Expo).
To fully paint a picture of this year's Expo, I have to take you on a quick trip to one year ago: the same expo, in Houston, TX:
Last year brought some incredible highs for us—being in Houston allowed our entire team to attend! Khanh and I both were able to step back and watch our team thrive and shine across the showroom floor. However that weekend was shadowed by an understandable unease due to rising costs and looming tariffs – not just for our team, but for the entire industry at large. You left with a sense that no one was able to quite… relax.
Fast forward to this year in San Diego, CA - April 2026.
Not unlike a tried and true coffee order, there are some things that will always be a constant at the World of Coffee Expo: catching up with old friends, making new ones, geeking out over the latest equipment, and, of course, tasting a lot of exceptional coffee. Like, a lot. But as we traveled to San Diego, I couldn't help but wonder how everyone was doing, and how it would color the events of the weekend.
What I was pretty quickly reminded of is that the coffee industry, and the wonderful folks within it, are so damn resilient. All weekend I was caught up in how vibrant and warm the expo felt; there were big hugs, big laughs and an electric atmosphere fueled by shared passion and grit. We’re all riding the wave as best we can; things aren’t totally normal right now - not by a long shot, and won’t be for awhile so many of us are choosing to lean into the uncertainty.
This isn't to say the hurdles are gone. Rising costs, logistical nightmares, and global shortages (yes, even matcha) are still very real. A weekend with some of the most curious, innovative, and brilliant folks in the biz is not going to change that (for now). But it does provide an essential reminder and a big dose of inspiration. It reaffirms our commitment to showcasing incredible coffees and sharing the vital stories of our producers with you all.
Until next time!
