AMUCC: Association of Women Coffee Growers of Cauca A new coffee with a terrific back story. We have been experimenting and tasting and roasting with a new coffee from a very untypical source. This new coffee, called Manos Mujeres, comes from a co-op of 274 women producers from a range of growing regions in Colombia like Balboa, Caldono, La Vega, and Timbio. In the heart of Colombia's Cauca department, a group of 274 female coffee growers have united under the Read More [...]

The Rainforest Alliance. A force for good. Sustainable coffee is everyone's responsibility. What if every cup of coffee we drink represented not only a great taste experience but also helped to generate a sustainable and ethical living for those who cultivate and harvest it? This inspiring concept lies at the core of the Rainforest Alliance, a dedicated non-profit organisation working towards transforming coffee cultivation into a means of making positive environmental and social change. Coffee plantations across the globe serve Read More [...]

Why are coffee prices rising again? A sense of foreboding is spreading through the global coffee business in the early days of 2024 as coffee prices rise again across the globe A complex drama is unfolding, driven by the whims of our changing weather patterns and global market forces. This drama is as familiar as it is unwelcome, repeating itself again and again over the decades as the prices of Arabica coffee and Robusta rise and fall. After a brief Read More [...]

The best gift for coffee lovers Award-Winning Gourmet Coffee Collection: Dreambeans All-Stars Gift Pack Discover a selection of Ireland's best coffee with Dreambeans' All-Stars Gift Pack, an amazing selection of award-winning specialty coffees. This exclusive collection includes the three-star Great Taste Award (GTA) winner 'Torero' - Ireland's most decorated coffee, and the only Irish coffee EVER nominated for the Golden Fork Award. Savour the distinct flavours of 'Jaggy Loko' and 'Sweet Sorrento', both two-star GTA winners and favourites among the Read More [...]

The chemicals used in (other) decaf coffee NONE of our decaf is by solvent. It's ALL Swiss water method.  Let me say from the outset, ALL Dreambeans' decaf coffee is decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Method. It might cost a few dollars extra per sack but it's definitely worth it for the taste and for the knowledge that you're not drinking in any of the horrible chemicals used in the other methods. Some other roasters are not so meticulous. Read More [...]

Cold Brew Coffee. Cold brew coffee: a global tale of taste and trend. Cold brew coffee used to be only for the aficionados, or for people with too much time on their hands in the western US states. These days, however, it's more like a parallel movement, something that complements mainstream coffee techniques, and cold brew coffee has undeniably become a global beverage phenomenon. This journey from being a slightly obscure preparation method to one of the world's most sought-after Read More [...]

Coffee and El Nino 2023. What's happening? How El Niño could affect the coffee world in 2023. El Niño is a natural climate pattern that occurs every few years. It causes the Pacific Ocean to warm up, which can lead to a number of changes in weather patterns around the world. These changes can have a significant impact on coffee production, which depends on favorable weather conditions. In 2023, El Niño is expected to develop and strengthen. This could have Read More [...]

How to Pair Vegan Milk with Coffee How to Pair Vegan Milk with Coffee A study from Simply Healthy Vegan found that 12% of Irish people prefer to follow a vegan diet. This naturally raises the question of which plant based milks are the best to have with coffee. Here we are going to look at what the best plant based milks are to add to coffee and evaluate how well you can steam these vegan milks to make latte Read More [...]

Cappuccino: Where did the name come from? The term "cappuccino" comes from the Italian word "cappuccio," which means "hood" or "cap." The "ino" suffix makes it diminutive, so "cappuccino" essentially means "small cap." This name was likely chosen because of the hood-like layer of milk foam that tops the drink, resembling a small cap or hood. However, there's another interesting historical and cultural association that may have contributed to the naming of the cappuccino. The color of the coffee mixed Read More [...]

One way valves and coffee outgassing The Freshest Coffee: Understanding Outgassing and One-Way Valves Great coffee is so much more than just a drink or a caffeine boost; it's a sensory experience and a little island of indulgence in hectic schedules. One aspect that really influences the quality of this experience is the freshness of the coffee. Everyone at Dreambeans understands this, and we want to dig a little deeper into the importance of coffee freshness, the process of outgassing, Read More [...]