30 October 2026 · Issue 03
Here's what's inside:
- This weekend: latte art in Mumbai and a pour-over get-together in Nagpur.
- Next weekend: Kerala Coffee Festival in Calicut.
- Watch from home: the new World Barista Champion.
- New here: my C2 vs ZP6 video, plus recent articles you might have missed.
- My take: the Blue Tokai criticism has surprised me. But I'm buying elsewhere too.
1. Weekend coffee plans
Mumbai: get some milk-steaming practice
Doodhles: Latte Art Workshop · Saturday, 31 October
Subko HQ - The Workery, Byculla · 11am-1pm · Listed at ₹599
Subko's baristas will cover milk texture, espresso basics and latte-art pours. The session includes demonstrations and two guided attempts on the equipment, with materials provided.
If you're trying to get beyond a white blob in your cappuccino, this is a chance to practise with someone beside you!
Nagpur: an afternoon with other home brewers
Diwali Pourover Party · Sunday, 1 November
Place Bake House · 3:30-6pm · Listed at ₹299 per person
A coffee get-together with festive clothes encouraged. The organiser promises an afternoon of brewing and conversation, rather than a formal class.
Organiser's details and registration
Details checked on 30 October. Confirm availability before heading out.
2. Plan ahead: Kerala Coffee Festival
Calicut, 7-8 November
Aspin Courtyards, Beach Road · Day and two-day passes listed
The Kerala Coffee Festival brings together growers, roasters, cafes and coffee drinkers, with workshops, discussions and brewing competitions on the programme.
For anyone who usually buys coffee online, it's a chance to meet the people behind the bags and ask questions in person.
Festival details · Official tickets
Want to compete with your V60?
The festival lists a Hario V60 Brewers Cup on 7 November. Competition registration is separate from choosing a festival pass, so check the entry details before making plans to compete.
3. Something to watch with your coffee
Pan Wei wins the World Barista Championship
Last week, the championship was still underway in Panama. Pan Wei, representing China, is the 2026 World Barista Champion.
The organisers have linked his final performance, so you can catch up from home.
Watch the final performance · Official result
Last week's edition has more on the competition and India's qualification route.
4. New on Indian Coffee Stories
My Timemore C2 vs ZP6 video is up
I used the C2 for four years before buying the ZP6. In this comparison, I brewed the same coffee with both and tasted the cups side by side.
The C2 made good coffee. The ZP6 gave me a sweeter, juicier cup that I enjoyed even more as it cooled. That doesn't make the C2 a bad purchase! But the difference was enough that I'm glad I upgraded.
Watch the video · Read the comparison
If you missed the Gaggia review
I also recently published my Gaggia Classic Pro long-term review. Almost three years of daily coffee, what I've changed, what needs fixing, and whether I'd buy it at today's prices.
And last week's roundup has my thoughts on the James Hoffmann event, along with the grinders and brewing setups you could buy for the price of a ticket.
5. Blue Tokai: the criticism surprised me. My buying habits, less so.
I've been reading some fairly sharp criticism of Blue Tokai on Reddit, and honestly, I was surprised.
I've been inspired by Blue Tokai and happy with its coffees for years. So reading people talk about disappointing bags, inconsistency and no longer wanting to order from them felt strange. This is a brand I've had a lot of affection for!
An earlier discussion about Amaltas includes people saying the coffee no longer tastes like the blend they enjoyed. A recent sale thread has people choosing other roasters instead, even with a discount on offer. It also has people happily recommending Blue Tokai coffees. Not everyone is having the same experience.
But here's the thing: I haven't been particularly inclined to buy from them lately either.
Part of that is building the Cafe Atlas and Coffee Atlas. I've spent so much time finding cafes and roasters that I now have more than a hundred roasters to explore. There are simply more options in front of me than there used to be.
And part of it is that some other roasters are making coffee I enjoy more. I want better now. I don't want to settle for a bag just because it's the familiar choice.
My reason for buying elsewhere is mostly what I'm finding elsewhere. But I can be grateful for the coffee Blue Tokai has given me and still want to try something different.
I'm curious how many of you feel the same way. Have you moved away from a roaster you used to order from all the time? Was it the coffee changing, your taste changing, or finding something you liked more?
Looking for coffee near you?
Browse the Cafe Atlas for a place to visit, or the Coffee Atlas for beans to brew at home.
Know about a tasting, meetup or workshop we should include next time? Send it over.