I learned that one simple gardening trick can boost harvests quickly while cutting pest numbers almost in half. The trick is companion planting: nature’s way of helping plants work better together.
After many seasons of trial and error, this method turned my weak veggie beds into a healthy, busy garden in no time.
No need to stress about fancy layouts. These 10 plant partners work well with little effort. Ready to match plants the easy way? Let’s go.
Plant Partners That Work Wonders
1. Tomatoes & Basil: A Reliable Match
This pair isn’t just delicious on the plate. Basil’s strong smell helps keep away pests like aphids and hornworms that usually bother tomatoes.
Growing them together can even make tomatoes taste better. (Seriously. My tomatoes tasted so much better once I planted basil beside them.)
2. Carrots & Onions: A Simple Defense
Carrot flies can wipe out a crop fast, but onions help block them. In return, carrots help loosen the soil for onion bulbs. They just work well together.
3. Corn & Beans: The Old “Three Sisters” Duo
This old planting method makes sense. Beans add nitrogen to the soil, which corn needs. The corn stalks give the beans something to climb. It’s a natural setup that works smoothly.
4. Cucumbers & Nasturtiums: The Decoy
Nasturtiums act like bait, pulling pests like aphids and beetles away from cucumbers. They also have pretty flowers that you can eat with a pepper-like taste.
5. Peppers & Marigolds: Root Protectors
A common mistake is planting peppers without help. Marigold roots release compounds that chase away nematodes that damage pepper roots.
Some studies show that marigolds can reduce nematode populations by up to 90%. Their blooms look nice, too.
6. Lettuce & Radishes: Soil Helpers
Radishes break up compacted soil, allowing lettuce roots to grow deeper. This makes lettuce stronger on hot and dry days. Radishes also grow fast, so you get an early harvest while waiting for your lettuce.
7. Squash & Borage: Bee Magnets
Squash needs more bees, and borage attracts them. These bright blue flowers pull in loads of pollinators and help keep pests away from squash. Knowing this pairing gives you better fruit.
8. Potatoes & Horseradish: A Surprise Team
This pair sounds odd, but it works. Horseradish contains natural compounds that help keep potatoes strong and beetles away. Plant horseradish at the corners of the potato bed for protection.
9. Strawberries & Thyme: Berry Guards
Slugs love strawberries, but thyme helps stop them with its strong scent. Thyme also acts as ground cover, keeping berries off the soil and reducing fungal problems. Simple and smart.
10. Cabbage & Dill: Friendly Bug Attractors
Dill doesn’t chase pests. Instead, it brings in helpful insects like ladybugs and lacewings that eat cabbage worms. It’s like having tiny guards watching over your cabbages.
Why Companion Planting Works
Companion planting is more than old advice. It’s backed by how plants interact. They use scents and root signals to communicate with one another. The results can be big:
Less pest damage, fewer sprays
Better pollination
Grow more in small spaces
Better soil use
Shade where needed
When you match plants well, everything grows better together.
How To Start
Try just two or three partner groups this season. Watch how plant health, pest problems, and harvest amounts change.
Remember: it’s not just about putting plants next to each other. It’s about letting them support each other. Keep them close but not crowded; about 12–18 inches apart works for most pairs.
With the right partners, your garden becomes a group that works together instead of single plants growing alone. That’s the goal for most of us anyway.
Selling for nearly $1,000 a cup, a cafe in Dubai is offering the world’s most expensive coffee, brewed from Panamanian beans sold at a premium price.
The wealthy emirate is known for its extravagant ventures, including an enormous mall with an indoor ski area, the world’s tallest building and an artificial island dotted with five-star hotels.
“The wait is finally over,” Serkan Sagsoz, co-founder of the Julith cafe with the pricey offering, said in a Facebook video. “The world’s most celebrated and highest graded coffee of all time has arrived at Julith.”
Located in an industrial neighborhood that has become a hotspot for coffee lovers, Julith plans to serve “around 400 cups” of the precious beverage starting on Saturday, Sagsoz told AFP.
“We felt Dubai was the perfect place for our investment,” Sagsoz said.
Barista Serkan Sagsoz, co-founder of Julith Coffee, prepares Nido 7FC Panama coffee that costs 3600 AED (around $980 U.S.) at his cafe in Dubai on October 30, 2025.
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images
For a price tag of 3,600 dirhams (around $980), the brew offers an experience of floral and fruity flavors reminiscent of tea.
“There are white floral notes like jasmine, citrus flavors like orange and bergamot and a hint of apricot and peach,” said Sagsoz, who previously ran a cafe in his native Turkey.
“It’s like honey, delicate and sweet,” he said.
Dubai notched a Guinness World Record for the world’s most expensive cup of coffee last month, when Roasters offered one for 2,500 dirhams.
The new record staggered some people, though residents also said it was par for the course for the desert city with a luxury lifestyle.
“It’s very shocking but at the same time, it’s Dubai,” said Ines, who did not give her last name.
“For wealthy people, it’s just another experience they can boast about,” added another resident, Maeva.
The Julith cafe bought its beans at an auction in Panama after a tough battle that lasted many hours and drew hundreds of bids.
It claimed to have paid the highest price ever for coffee.
Twenty kilograms of the beans went for around 2.2 million dirhams, or $600,000, Julith said in a press release.
Asian buyers, Emirati coffee enthusiasts and coffee bean collectors have since reached out to the cafe in the hopes of securing some of the “Nido 7 Geisha” beans, which are grown on a plantation near Panama’s Baru volcano.
But the cafe said it does not plan to share its treasure, beyond a small amount reserved for Dubai’s ruling family.
Coffee prices surging in U.S.
The pricey cup of coffee is being offered as the cost of roasted coffee has jumped 18.9% in the U.S., according to the most recent Consumer Price Index data for September.
The average retail price of 100% ground roast coffee reached a record high of $9.14 per pound in September, labor data shows. That’s well over double the price from December 2019, when a pound of ground coffee cost just over $4.
Several factors are driving this increase. First, volatile weather, including both heavy rain and droughts in major coffee-producing countries, such as Brazil and Colombia, is depressing crop yields, Phil Lempert, food industry analyst and editor of SupermarketGuru, told CBS News.
Lempert also said American tariffs on foreign imports are having an impact on domestic coffee prices. As of 2023, the U.S. imported about 80% its unroasted beans from Latin America, according to the USDA, with Hawaii and Puerto Rico the only U.S. states or territories that produce much coffee.
The Trump administration this year has imposed new tariffs on several major coffee producers that export to the U.S. That includes a 50% levy on Brazil, which has led producers there to withhold shipments as they negotiate with American roasters over who will absorb the added costs, according to investment bank UBS.
In a September report, the International Coffee Organization cited uncertainty around coffee tariffs as one catalyst impacting supply in the U.S. Coffee “cannot be produced in the U.S. on a large enough scale to meet domestic demand,” the trade group noted.
Dunkin’ has officially signaled the arrival of the festive period by announcing its new holiday menu, which includes a range of new and returning seasonal food and drinks, and is set to launch in stores nationwide on Wednesday, November, 5.
Why It Matters
The company’s annual holiday menu is a major event for Dunkin’ customers who, each year, eagerly anticipate which old favorites might be back and what exciting, new additions might be on the menu to try.
As an example of this level of fandom, one customer posted this on X just as the 2024 seasonal menu was announced: “1st day of the best month of the year. Dunkin’s holiday menu dropped.”
What To Know
Dunkin’, the largest coffee and doughnut chain in the United States, with over 14,000 locations worldwide, has announced five new festive items and the return of two classic fan-favorites for this year’s holiday season. The new menu items will be served in limited-edition packaging that’s illustrated with gingerbread-style Munchkins, which are storybook-style characters of Dunkin’ Munchkin donut holes, but are wearing seasonal outfits.
Dunkin’s new holiday-inspired additions
Cookie Butter Cloud Latte: This is an iced espresso drink that incorporates brown sugar and baked cookie flavors. It’s topped with cold cookie butter foam and finished with cookie crumbles.
Berry Sangria Refresher: This is Dunkin’s first holiday-themed refresher drink, which is designed to taste like a festive punch that combines red berry flavors with the customer’s choice of green tea, black tea, lemonade, or sparkling water.
Raspberry Striped Croissant: This is an all-butter croissant with a raspberry fruit filling and ribbons of raspberry baked into the croissant dough.
Ultimate Bacon Jam Breakfast Sandwich: This is a new savory croissant that’s filled with bacon, white cheddar cheese, a fried egg, and all-new sweet-meets-savory bacon jam.
Bacon Jam Grilled Cheese: This is a piece of sourdough toast topped with bacon strips, melted white cheddar and American cheese, and all-new sweet-meets-savory bacon jam.
Dunkin’s returning festive favorites
Peppermint Mocha: This classic drink combines mocha and peppermint flavors with coffee, and comes in iced and hot versions.
Toasted White Chocolate Signature Latte: This is a hot or iced toasted white chocolate-flavored latte that’s topped with whipped cream and a caramel and cinnamon sugar, designed to taste like a crème brûlée.
Dunkin’ will also run its annual “Joy in Childhood Foundation Give Joy fundraiser” from November 5 to November 30. A $1 donation will reward customers with a coupon for a $1 Medium Hot Coffee, and a $16 donation will get them a special-edition Dunkin’ x BARK Chocolate Frosted Sprinkle or Cold Brew dog toy, with all proceeds going toward children who are hungry or ill.
What People Are Saying
According to the official press release, “The holiday magic at Dunkin’ is just beginning, with more exciting news brewing in the weeks ahead.”
Food reviewer Snackolator said on X: “I am READY for the holiday magic and Dunkin’ is bringing it with a new Cookie Butter Cloud Latte, Wicked Collab, and more! Check out the menu that drops Nov 5th and Christmas donuts arriving Dec 3rd.”
What Happens Next
The 2025 holiday menu will launch in Dunkin’ locations on November 5 and is expected to remain available until the end of the holiday season, subject to product availability. If customers want to stay updated with new seasonal incentives and menu changes, Dunkin’ advises them to subscribe to the Dunkin’ blog.
Hannah Frye is the Beauty & Health Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism and a minor in women’s, gender, and queer studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Hannah has written across lifestyle sections including beauty, women’s health, mental health, sustainability, social media trends, and more. She previously worked for Almost 30, a top-rated health and wellness podcast. In her current role, Hannah reports on the latest beauty trends and innovations, women’s health research, brain health news, and plenty more.
Iced lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, seasonal drinks or maybe a shot of espresso — these are some of my go-to orders at coffee shops across Charlotte.
As one of my favorite pop girls, Sabrina Carpenter says, “That’s that me, espresso.” The best part? After three years of living here, I’ve discovered there’s no shortage of great spots, from old favorites to the newer shops popping up around town.
Countless cups later, jolts of energy and lingering taste of nutty, chocolatey or caramel notes, each coffee shop in every neighborhood has its own voice and personality. I love hearing the chatter of girls catching up, murmurs of note taking from a graphic designer and a tech bro in a 10 a.m. meeting asking everyone, “How was your weekend?”
I live for hearing the espresso machine churn out a caffeinated drink, hearing a familiar song by Faye Webster and Laufey or talking to baristas about stuff going on in the city. Regardless of the reason, I love community and I love coffee.
Consider this my love letter — written in espresso shots and milk foam.
Here’s a curated list of my personal picks. Full disclosure: I’m an avid almond milk drinker, so most of my orders feature a milk alternative.
An iced latte from The Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters, located in Plaza Midwood. Tamia Boyd CharlotteFive
I frequent Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters, and for good reason. Parking (let alone finding a seat) can be tricky, but it’s worth it. I always try to sit inside in front of the coffee roaster itself. In the mornings, the aroma of freshly ground coffee fills the air as you sip whatever concoction you’ve ordered.
My go-to is a cappuccino with almond milk, extra hot — it takes me a while to finish a drink, and this keeps it warm.
If the weather’s mild, sit at the picnic tables or under the umbrellas. It’s perfect for people-watching since so many pedestrians pass through the area.
For food, don’t miss Giddy Goat’s croissants or quiche. The quiche is buttery and rich but light at the same time — one of my favorite refined breakfast foods.
Choosing a favorite in NoDa was tough, but my heart says The Hobbyist. I discovered it shortly after moving here, after friends raved about its convenience and charm. I even considered moving up the street for it.
The Hobbyist has two moods, depending on the garage door: dark and moody, or bright and calm. Both suit the space perfectly. I love sitting at the bar rail, eavesdropping on the baristas’ lore and maybe even making a friend, since most patrons sit alone. If the garage door is open, sit by it to catch the sun’s warmth without overheating. Truly, I used to be a regular here.
Decorated with greenery I envy (I can barely keep one plant alive), it feels inviting. My usual order is a hot coffee with vanilla or an iced matcha with vanilla. I’ve debated with many friends about the best matcha in Charlotte — The Hobbyist always wins.
Parking in uptown gives me the heebie-jeebies, but I make an exception for Lottie’s Cafe. My first visit was during a monthly coffee set hosted by a local group called The 4C, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
I typically get the “Iced Airplane Latte,” a creamy Biscoff cookie butter iced latte. Sweet? Yes — but in all the right ways. Imagine a DJ playing your favorite song while people dance, chat and sip coffee at 11 a.m. on a Saturday — that’s Lottie’s vibe.
The space is bright, with just enough indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy the energy without feeling crowded. And the baristas are fun, too. I love watching them interact when they hear a song they like — they do a little two step and shuffle while making my order.
Stable Hand is my top pick in South End. Unlike other crowded spots, it’s never congested — the perfect place to meet friends or even grab a quiet coffee before an interview.
Inside, the space feels modern, clean and straight to the point. My favorite thing about the space is how bright it is; regardless where you’re sitting, you’ll see and feel the sun peeking through.
I usually sit outside, letting the sun’s warmth soak in as I sip an iced vanilla matcha or try one of Stable Hand’s funky seasonal drinks. The seasonal menu is unlike most coffee shops. (No, seriously, last year it had a spiced plum syrup that was to die for!) But the matcha is always a perfect, vibrant green. Not in the mood for coffee? They serve beer and wine, too.
Stable Hand frequently collaborates with local businesses like Hello Uncle and Rowan Coffee.
Come in the morning, and pair your drink with the tofu scramble and add the Verdant sourdough to dip it in. It’s so hearty!
I first discovered Burr & Berry on TikTok earlier this year. Though originally from South Carolina, it now has locations in Lower South End and Matthews.
This is my favorite grab-and-go spot — the drive-thru makes it easy, and the baristas’ fun energy shines through in every cup. I rarely stick to one specific drink; I usually ask, “What’s the most popular right now?” and go with that.
Any iced drink comes with a chocolate-covered coffee bean, a small touch that makes the experience extra delightful. I especially love visiting during colder months so I can stay in my car while sipping my order.
Burr & Berry Coffee opened its second Charlotte-area location at 4209 South Boulevard with drive-thru and walk-up service. MVP Properties
A hot vanilla latte from Not Just Coffee, Dilworth. Tamia Boyd CharlotteFive
When I first moved to Charlotte, everyone told me to go visit Not Just Coffee, and they will still tell you that to this day. Whenever I have friends come down to visit me, I will always take them to Not Just Coffee, because, really, this place has it all. There are a lot of locations you can choose from, but I love the Dilworth one.
It’s incredibly cozy inside, but if you’re an outdoor person, the patio is also really nice to sit at. You can catch me on a Saturday morning with the line out the door, mostly because half of the customers are coming from an early morning cycling class at Sky Cycle (me) or yoga at Y2.
I normally get a vanilla latte, the Dukkah Avocado Toast, the breakfast sandwich or if it’s the afternoon, the tuna melt. Many coffee shops might have food items, but to me, NJC has the best. Guaranteed, there’s not an item you won’t like.
It isn’t just the coffee that warms you here — it’s also the people behind the counter. The staff greets you like an old friend.
I think I’m a sucker for coffee shops with real food. Not the kind where someone reheats a pastry for you, but the kind with a kitchen where a burger is sizzling on the grill.
Platform Coffee is that place. You’ll want to order The Moonlight, its ube latte layered with coconut and ube-infused milk. Drink it iced, and, yes, you will finish this drink in two minutes — because it’s that good. Sometimes, I will add cold foam if I’m feeling fancy. This drink is also good as a matcha, as well. Come early to Platform Coffee because it does fill it up quickly. I love sitting by the roastery, it fills the space with such a strong aroma — it’s like getting an extra shot of espresso in your body.
I would say anything off Platform’s food menu would be the perfect pair, but I haven’t tried everything yet. Do get the breakfast burrito or the Railyard Burger if you’re coming closer to lunch time. You’ll leave here filled, warm and wanting to come back the next day if you live up the street like me.
The seating area is spacious and accented with greenery at Vavela Café. Vavela Café
Vavela Cafe opened this year, and it’s a spacious Turkish cafe that offers beautiful views, delicious desserts and plenty of food options.
But the real reason this spot is a standout for me is because everyone kept raving online about the pistachio latte. Listen, this is coming from someone who doesn’t like pistachio, but this drink surprised me. From the looks of it, I thought it was going to be super sweet, but it was right in the middle.
I usually pair my drink with, of course, the Dubai Chocolate Strawberry cup and an eclair. I’m a sucker for a sweet treat with coffee. My favorite thing about this café is that there’s always somewhere to sit. Cozy, green and inspiring, perfect for getting work done.
The Cumulus, an iced matcha at Fly Kid Fly located at The Bowl at Ballantyne. Tamia Boyd CharlotteFive
I was a little skeptical about Fly Kid Fly at first because a friend told me it could be hit or miss. But after my first few visits, I quickly realized it was a hidden gem.
The space is small, so it’s not my typical spot to work for hours, but the few times I’ve been, I’ve been able to claim a corner cubicle and loved it. The music here feels like it’s curated just for me, like someone peeked at my Spotify playlist.
Order the Cumulus: It’s an iced matcha with toasted coconut, blue spirulina, and a cloud of cream, agave and sea salt. If you’re not a coconut fan, skip it, but otherwise, this drink is a little work of art. I swear, I finished mine in under five minutes — it’s that soft, creamy and refreshing.
There are several locations of Night Swim Coffee, but the Brevard Street location is by far my favorite of the bunch. It throws “For The Early Birds,” a Saturday morning daytime jam session with a local DJ. Along with listening to some good tunes, it has a killer matcha colada that tastes like you should be somewhere warm with your toes in the sand. Here’s what you should get: a bag of beans. I’m serious. Night Swim Coffee, in my opinion, has the best coffee beans. My go-to bags are Bahire, which are sourced from Burundi. These bags have a lighter, fruiter taste in comparison to Ultraviolet, another bag that I frequently buy.
Aside from buying beans, my go-to is a cortado with almond milk and — hear me out — quarter-sweet simple syrup. It’s still got that velvety strong taste but with a little extra sweetness.
Technically a market, The People’s Market serves great coffee. It’s one of those places I kept seeing on TikTok and everyone kept hyping up — and rightfully so.
Locally, this place has the best chai lattes. Now, I only drink chai from October until spring rolls around because it’s the perfect fall drink in my opinion. I get mine hot, never iced. It warms the soul, truly. It’s never not too sweet, and the aromas really sell it for me. The velvety texture of the milk and the spices really makes me feel like I’m living in an episode of Gilmore Girls, although Luke’s would never serve chai. If The People’s Market has a seasonal chai latte, like the pumpkin chai latte, do it. It’ll really put you in the mood to jump in a pile of leaves.
If you’re going in the morning, grab yourself a breakfast burrito with it and sit outside on the patio, at a table closest to the street in a corner. Or if you want something hearty with it, get a side of grits and bacon.
Cup of Cappuccino at Julia’s Cafe & Books, a used bookshop located by Habitat for Humanity. Tamia Boyd CharlotteFive
Tucked away off Independence and North Wendover Road, Julia’s Cafe and Books is easy to miss — but trust, you don’t want to miss this. The vibes inside are busy and bustling, but still quiet enough that it feels like you’ve stepped into a library that just happens to serve great coffee.
Julia’s is an extension of Habitat for Humanity ReStore of the Charlotte Region, so while you’re shopping, you can stop by the café and its used bookstore, which has an amazing, well-loved collection.
There’s a little bit of everything on the menu, plus some fun seasonals. But my go-to is always the cappuccino. The few times I’ve been, I’ve had it plain — just a classic cappuccino — and other times I’ve added flavor shots of toasted marshmallow or butter pecan. The cappuccino is this soft, foamy dream with smooth milk and that bold espresso kick running underneath. It’s organic, rich and the kind of drink that wakes you up and warms you up all at once. The coffee is not burnt, not bitter — just balanced.
I love sitting upstairs on the small second floor that gives off major loft vibes. If you’re nosy like me, it’s the perfect perch to people-watch and take in the cozy vibes below. But they also have nooks tucked throughout the bookstore, where each one feels like a secret spot waiting to be claimed.
Notable Mentions
Caffeto: A Colombian coffee bar, located on North Davidson Street. I went to Colombia last year and had my first bombon, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. The sweetened condensed milk and espresso combo is like having a dessert I could drink every day.
Undercurrent Coffee: It’s not on the menu currently, but seasonally, it does the best espresso and tonic water/soda combinations. If the drinks come back, get the Little Gay Tonic and the Dirty Shirley. They’re so different and refreshing.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he had a positive meeting on Sunday with U.S. President Donald Trump, and their respective teams will start “immediately” to discuss tariffs and other matters.
Trump and Lula spoke on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in a meeting to overcome tensions between Brazil and the United States after Trump increased tariffs on U.S. imports of most Brazilian goods to 50 percent from 10 percent in August.
“We agreed that our teams will meet immediately to advance the search for solutions to the tariffs and sanctions against Brazilian authorities,” Lula said in a social media post following the meeting.
Trump had linked the tariff move to what he called a “witch hunt” against Jair Bolsonaro, the South American country’s former president. The U.S. government also put sanctions on a number of Brazilian officials, including Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw the trial that led to Bolsonaro’s conviction for attempting a coup.
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Ahead of the meeting on Sunday though, Trump said he could reach some agreements with Lula.
“I think we should be able to make some pretty good deals for both countries,” Trump said.
Lula previously described the tariff hike as a “mistake”, citing a $410 billion U.S. trade surplus with Brazil over 15 years.
Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said negotiations will start immediately to work on solutions and a meeting with the U.S. delegation was planned for Sunday.
“We will establish a negotiation schedule and establish the sectors we will talk about so that we can move forward,” Vieira told journalists at the summit, adding that Brazil had requested that tariffs be suspended during the negotiation process.
It was not immediately clear if the United States agreed to the request.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were present at the meeting, Vieira said.
“We hope to conclude bilateral negotiations that address each of the sectors of the current American (tariffs on) Brazil in the near future, in a few weeks,” Vieira added.
Bolsonaro was not mentioned in the meeting, said Marcio Rosa, the executive secretary for Brazil’s ministry of development, industry and commerce, who stood next to Vieira.
Higher U.S. tariffs on Brazilian goods have begun reshaping the global beef trade, pushing up prices in the United States and encouraging triangulation via third countries such as Mexico, while Brazilian exports to its biggest beef market, China, are booming.
Brazilian beef industry group Abiec said it viewed the meeting between the two leaders as a positive step.
“The understanding between the two countries can preserve the competitiveness of the Brazilian product, guarantee predictability for exporters and expand the presence of (Brazilian) beef in the North American market,” it said in a statement.
Globally, Brazil’s total beef exports, including fresh and processed meat, edible offal and tallow, generated $1.92 billion in revenue in September, with volumes reaching 373,867 metric tons, up 49 percent in value and 17 percent in volume year-on-year.
Brazilian coffee industry group ABIC said it was confident in the historic partnership between the two countries. Brazil is the world’s top coffee producer and exporter, while the United States is the biggest importer.
“The recent meetings between the presidents of the United States and Brazil have been more positive, and at ABIC we are optimistic,” ABIC president Pavel Cardoso said in a statement.
Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Eduardo Simoes; Additional reporting by Roberto Samora; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by John Mair, David Stanway, Will Dunham and Elaine Hardcastle
If you’re looking for a new single-cup coffee maker, but only have limited counter space, you’re in luck. The Keurig K-Mini, our favorite pod coffee maker for small spaces, is marked down to just $70 on Amazon in several colors. That’s a healthy $30 discount on your morning cup of brew, as long as you aren’t too picky about the particulars, or just want an afternoon lift in your home office without getting out of your chair.
Photograph: Louryn Strampe
While larger coffee makers might offer more features, like timers or warm carafe plates, the Keurig K-Mini focuses on squeezing into the smallest spots in the tiniest kitchens or break rooms. It’s just over 12 inches tall, and under five inches wide, making it one of the most compact powered options for making coffee of any sort. It’s only undercut by tiny manual coffee makers like a pour-over or Aeropress, but if you don’t feel like grinding beans and boiling water, the K-Mini is an all-in-one alternative.
Beyond its exceptionally compact footprint, the Keurig K-Mini is also super simple and straightforward to use. The tank holds just enough water to brew one cup of coffee to tea, so it’s easy to just fill it with your mug, plop in a pod, and hit the button. There are no extra settings or filters to deal with, which is perfect if you just need caffeine, and don’t want anything standing between you and that first sip.
While the K-Mini is available in a variety of colors, I was able to find the $30 discount on Black, Oasis, and Evergreen. They have a bit more pop than a lot of other coffee makers, and should cover most common kitchen color schemes. It’s a great option for occasional coffee drinkers, or a sneaky second cup in your home office, but if you have a little more space, make sure to check out our full guide to pod-based coffee makers. If your mornings need multiple mugs, or a full pot, make sure to swing by our favorite traditional coffee makers, or even consider upgrading to an espresso machine.
More than half of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) sufferers appear to have a form of atypical food allergy.
A chronic gastrointestinal disorder, irritable bowel syndrome affects about one in ten people. You may have heard about low-FODMAP diets, but they don’t appear to work any better than the standard advice to avoid things like coffee or spicy and fatty foods. In fact, you can hardly tell which is which, as shown below and at 0:27 in my video Friday Favorites: Fasting for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Most IBS patients, however, do seem to react to specific foods, such as eggs, wheat, dairy, or soy sauce, but when they’re tested with skin prick tests for typical food allergies, they may come up negative. We want to know what happens inside their gut when they eat those things, though, not what happens on their skin. Enter confocal laser endomicroscopy.
You can snake a microscope down the throat, into the gut, and watch in real-time as the gut wall becomes inflamed and leaky after foods are dripped in. Isn’t that fascinating? You can actually see cracks forming within minutes, as shown below and at 1:03 in my video. This had never been tested on a large group of IBS patients, though, until now.
Using this new technology, researchers found that more than half of IBS sufferers have this kind of reaction to various foods—“an atypical food allergy” that flies under the radar of traditional allergy tests. As you can see below and at 1:28 in my video, when you exclude those foods from the diet, there is a significant alleviation of symptoms.
However, outside a research setting, there’s no way to know which foods are the culprit without trying an exclusion diet, and there’s no greater exclusion diet than excluding everything. A 25-year-old woman had complained of abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea for a year, and drugs didn’t seem to help. But, after fasting for ten days, her symptoms improved considerably and appeared to stay that way at least 18 months later. It wasn’t just subjective improvement either. Biopsies were taken that showed the inflammation had gone down, her bowel irritability was measured directly, and expanding balloons and electrodes were inserted in her rectum to measure changes in her sensitivity to pressure and electrical stimulation. Fasting seemed to reboot her gut in a way, but just because it worked for her doesn’t mean it works for others. Case reports are most useful when they inspire researchers to put them to the test.
“Despite research efforts to develop a cure for IBS, medical treatment for this condition is still unsatisfactory.” We can try to suppress the symptoms with drugs, but what do we do when even that doesn’t work? In a study of 84 IBS patients, 58 of whom failed basic treatment (consisting of pharmacotherapy and brief psychotherapy), 36 of the 58 who were still suffering underwent ten days of fasting, whereas the other 22 stuck with the basic treatment. The findings? Those in the fasting group experienced significant improvements in abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, anxiety, and interference with life in general, which were significantly better than those of the control group. The researchers concluded that fasting therapy “could be useful for treating moderate to severe patients with IBS.”
Unfortunately, patient allocation was neither blinded nor randomized in the study, so the comparison to the control group doesn’t mean much. They were also given vitamins B1 and C via IV, which seems typical of Japanese fasting trials, even though one would not expect vitamin-deficiency syndromes—beriberi or scurvy—to present within just ten days of fasting. The study participants were also isolated; might that make the psychotherapy work better? It’s hard to tease out just the fasting effects.
Psychotherapy alone can provide lasting benefits. Researchers randomized 101 outpatients with irritable bowel syndrome to medical treatment or medical treatment with three months of psychotherapy. After three months, the psychotherapy group did better, and the difference was even more pronounced a year later, a year after the psychotherapy ended. Better at three months, and even better at 15 months, as you can see here and at 3:58 in my video.
Psychological approaches appear to work about as well as antidepressant drugs for IBS, but the placebo response for IBS is on the order of 40%, whether psychological interventions, drugs, or alternative medicine approaches. So, doing essentially nothing—taking a sugar pill—improves symptoms 40% of the time. In that case, I figure one might as well choose a therapy that’s cheap, safe, simple, and free of side effects, which extended fasting is most certainly not. But, if all else fails, it may be worth exploring fasting under close physician supervision.
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. — A drive-thru coffee shop in Wheat Ridge said construction along Wadsworth Boulevard is preventing customers from stopping by.
Like most moms, Cassie Grutz’s day starts before the sun comes up. Every morning, she loads up her two kids, Carson and Ceecee, and heads to two different schools.
But after the drop-offs, she doesn’t get to sit down and have a cup of coffee. She drives nearly an hour in traffic to make coffee for her customers.
Mike Castellucci
Grutz owns the Sugar Cube Coffee Shop at 44th and Wadsworth in Wheatridge. Originally a dental hygienist, she bought the shack during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“No one wanted to see me during that time, that’s for sure,” she said.
That’s when she decided to work at something where people wanted to see her, and who would smile because they felt it.
The coffee shop started out decades ago as a Fotomat, then the check-in hut for a putt-putt course. Grutz has employees, but they usually take separate shifts since the shop is only a few feet wide.
Denver7
Grutz knows Wadsworth is filled to the brim with coffee shops, but if people stop, they’ll come back. She roasts her own beans, and she feels her coffee is the best.
“If they miss our entrance, which they’ve changed since construction started, they immediately see Dutch Brothers coffee, and then there’s no reason for them to turn around,” Grutz said.
In an update, the City of Wheat Ridge said the Wadsworth Improvement Project, which began in November 2021, remains on schedule and should be completed in spring 2026.
City of Wheat Ridge
It can be overwhelming owning a business, roasting your own beans, and serving customers, but Grutz feels joy from it all. It’s just that she has to close at 11:30 a.m. because she’s a mom, and she has Carson and CeeCee to pick up from school.
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Fall is in full swing, and you know what that means: cozy sweaters, pumpkin everything, and K-Pop comebacks heating up the charts. It’s the season of crunchy leaves and caffeine-fueled study sessions, all set to the soundtrack of your favorite idols. Ever wondered what would happen if those two obsessions (autumn coffee and K-Pop) collided? Here’s the tea (or rather, coffee): six fall coffee drinks that carry the same energy as your ultimate bias!
1. P1Harmony’s Maple Harmony Latte
Picture a latte that brings together a symphony of flavors as smoothly as P1Harmony harmonizes on stage. The Maple Harmony Latte is all about balance: a warm maple syrup base mixed with velvety steamed milk and a shot of espresso for that energizing kick. It’s topped with a light cinnamon sprinkle, adding a subtle spice that keeps things interesting (just like P1Harmony’s genre-blending tracks). One sip and it all comes together in perfect harmony!
It mirrors the group’s vibe of combining edgy rap verses with honeyed vocals. You get the cozy fall feeling of maple (think weekend pancake brunch with friends), amped up by an unexpected cinnamon zing. The result? A latte that feels comforting yet dynamic, echoing P1Harmony’s cool confidence.
The Treasure Chestnut Latte channels ATEEZ’s swashbuckling spirit with a rich espresso base, creamy chestnut praline syrup, and a touch of sea salt caramel. It’s basically a treasure chest of flavors: nutty sweetness, buttery caramel depth, and a hint of salt that might remind you of an ocean breeze on a crisp day. Dramatic? Sure. But if you’re an ATINY, you already know this group never does anything half-hearted!
This latte has layers, much like ATEEZ’s concept albums that unfold an epic story. One moment you taste the toasty chestnut (cozy like a campfire on deck), and the next comes that salty caramel note, a little surprise, like finding secret treasure at the bottom of your cup. There’s not even an ATINY bit of boredom here. It’s bold, energizing, and a little wild, just the way ATEEZ makes us feel with their performances.
Leave it to NCT 127 to turn a classic on its head. The Cherry Bomb Mocha starts as a familiar mocha (espresso, chocolate, cozy vibes), but then boom! It drops in a shot of black cherry syrup and even a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper. (Yes, you read that right.) This unexpected combo creates an explosive flavor burst, a nod to NCT 127’s knack for bold, out-of-the-box hits. It’s sweet, it’s spicy, it keeps you guessing with every sip. Sound familiar, NCTzens?
The first taste gives you that rich, chocolatey comfort (like the warm feeling you get hearing the opening notes of ‘Touch’), followed by a tangy cherry note. Just when you think you have it figured out, a subtle heat tingles on your tongue, not enough to burn, but enough to wake you up! Honestly, it’s a rollercoaster in a mug, much like NCT 127’s dynamic range.
We all saw this coming, right? TWICE and pumpkin spice are a match made in fall heaven. The Twice Spice Latte gives the basic PSL a glow-up, doubling down on everything cozy. Think two shots of espresso for extra pep (because TWICE always brings the energy), a generous pump of pumpkin spice syrup, and a pump of maple syrup. Top it off with whipped cream and a dusting of nutmeg and cinnamon, and you’ve got a drink as irresistible as a TWICE chorus that you just can’t get out of your head.
The blend of pumpkin and maple creates a sweet medley that’s vibrant but not overwhelming, kind of like TWICE’s mix of nine distinct personalities in one group. Whether you’re strolling through the park, crunching leaves underfoot, or rearranging your photo card book in your room, a Twice Spice Latte in hand makes it that much sweeter!
IVE might be one of the newer groups on the scene, but they’ve already proven they’re trendsetters, and their inspired drink is no exception. The Dive Into Fall Latte starts with a smooth toffee nut base (sweet and nutty, just like IVE’s charming yet polished style) and adds a surprise hint of crisp green apple syrup. It’s an elegant caramel-toffee latte at first sip, but then you catch that subtle apple tang on the finish, keeping it fresh and interesting.
You get the rich, buttery toffee warmth up front (cue the luxurious vibes of ‘After Like’), followed by a playful fruity note that says “Hey, we’re young, we’re having fun” (hello, ‘Love Dive’ energy). Like an IVE stage outfit: perfectly put together with a touch of whimsy. It’s sophisticated yet youthful, basically an edible form of their on-stage confidence!
When LE SSERAFIM said, “I’m fearless,” they meant it, and this fall drink takes that attitude straight to the taste buds. The Fearless Chai Latte isn’t your average cozy chai. It’s got a double espresso shot (for that don’t-mess-with-me strength) blended with spiced chai tea and a swirl of mocha, because why not break a few rules? This latte packs a punch: aromatic cardamom and ginger from the chai, robust coffee depth, and a sultry chocolate finish. It’s the kind of drink that stands tall and unapologetic about being extra. Fear not, it’s supposed to be intense!
From the first sip, you get hit with spicy-sweet chai flavor, bold and intriguing, much like LE SSERAFIM’s bold tracks that keep you on your toes. Then comes the smooth espresso bitterness, grounding you like the group’s confident vocals over an edgy beat. Finally, a whisper of chocolate lingers at the end, a reward for those fearless enough to try this unique blend. It’s indulgent? Sure. Empowering? Definitely. Dare to sip it, and you just might feel as courageous as the music that inspired it.
K-Pop and coffee turn out to be a perfect fall combo, even if only in our imaginations. And honestly, a little daydreaming is what being a fan is all about, right? Which drink do you want to try the most? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments below or over on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook! 🐝
The autumn season isn’t complete without a warm drink. This is when the caffeine-addicted girlies (like us) come out of hiding! There are so many options for autumn-flavored coffee drinks, and we’re trying to taste them all before the season transitions into winter. Since we’re fangirls, we have to bring our favorite pop girls into the mix. If Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, and more of your faves had their own fall-flavored coffee drinks, what would they taste like?
Chappell Roan’s Classic Hot Latte
A Chappell Roan-inspired coffee drink wouldn’t make sense without her song ‘Coffee.’ We’re assigning Chappell a classic latte with her choice of seasonal syrups – pumpkin spice, brown sugar, marshmallow, apple crisp, or cinnamon. If it were up to us, we’d choose brown sugar and apple crisp for the peak fall-flavored coffee!
What are your favorite flavors to add to a classic latte?
Winter vibes are coming early this year! One of Reneé Rapp’s most popular tracks, ‘Snow Angel,’ is inspiring this next coffee drink – the Peppermint Mocha. Just like Reneé, the Peppermint Mocha is a lovable drink to all! It gives a bit of a kick and makes you come back for more year after year. We wish peppermint were available to add to our coffee drinks all year round – Starbucks & Dunkin’, can you hear us!?
We can’t talk about our favorite pop girls without mentioning Sabrina Carpenter! She’s the princess of pop, and her new album, Man’s Best Friend, gave us endless ideas for a caffeinated fall drink. We’re steering away from the obvious choice, ‘Espresso,’ and giving some more seasonal spice with ‘Go Go Juice.’ We need something with a lot of caffeine. Cold brew it is! Instead of opting for a classic pumpkin spice cold brew that we all know and love, we’re elevating it with pumpkin spice cold foam and pumpkin sprinkles. Too much is never enough!
Daniela, Megan, Lara, Yoonchae, Manon, and Sophia, it’s your turn! We’re calling upon our ‘Gnarly’ dancers for this next fall-inspired drink. “Boba tea, gnarly!” It’s coffee-flavored boba, duh! To add a bit more spice to it, we’re adding popping pumpkin lychee or keeping it simple with classic brown sugar tapicoa pearls. This is definitely the sweet treat of our dreams and hopefully KATSEYE‘s too.
Charli knew what she was doing when she released ‘Apple.’ Although brat came out just in time for summer last year, we think it’s coming around again for the fall season. Naturally, we’d be making a Caramel Apple Iced Coffee inspired by Charli xcx’s popular song. If you’re no longer in the mood for iced coffee, make this sweet and fruity drink warm with some freshly sliced green apples on the side – the more apples, the better!
When Doja Cat said she wanted to “paint the town red,” we may have taken it too literally. We’re painting our favorite coffee mugs red with a Cranberry White Mocha. If you’re in the mood for a coffee drink that isn’t cold brew or a classic pour-over, but also has a bit of a tart flavor, then this mocha is definitely for you. To complement the fall season and the new flavors, add some fresh cranberry syrup or crushed cranberries, which will also give it that red coloring. Top it with a sprig of rosemary and whipped cream for that cozy look!
Which of these pop-girl-inspired fall coffee drinks are you making at home? We want to know! Drop a comment or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and send pics of your delicious drinks!
Coffee prices are spiking as new tariffs take hold and consumers turn more cautious. Kelly O’Grady sat down with the founder of Gregorys Coffee, a New York-based roastery, as coffee chains across the country confront the true price of your daily brew.
Starbucks baristas stand on stage, March 20, 2019, during an annual shareholders meeting in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
SEATTLE, Wash. — Seattle based coffee giant Starbucks is closing more locations as part of their nationwide reduction. A conference call took place this morning which announced the permanent layoff of 369 workers in Washington beginning on December 5th.
The company announced in September that they planned to close around 1% of their locations.
Dry weather and production woes continue to brew higher coffee costs
Coffee prices have remained high amid concerns of dry weather in Brazil, a major coffee-producing country. That’s making your daily cup of coffee more expensive, whether you’re brewing it at home or buying a coffee at a café. Statistics Canada data shows Canadians paid 27.9% more for their coffee at a grocery store in August compared with a year earlier.
Robert Carter, president of the Coffee Association of Canada, said the surge in coffee prices is a continuation of what roasters and cafés saw last year. “The commodity side is still fluctuating, and the production side, we’re still seeing limited production challenges out of various countries such as Colombia and Brazil,” he said.
Carter said cafés and coffee bean roasters were already struggling with rising operational costs, such as with packaging and labour, and now coffee bean prices are adding to their challenges. “The cost of goods, which coffee would fall into, has definitely seen an increase … within the double digits,” he said.
Tariffs and supply pressures squeeze smaller coffee roasters
Coffee prices are also seeing added price pressures from tariffs, even as Canada dropped its counter-tariffs in September.
Von Massow suspects price fluctuations are likely hurting smaller roasters in Canada more than larger players who buy directly from producers. Small-scale coffee roasters typically buy coffee beans from brokers who aggregate supply from farmers and coffee-producing countries. “The smaller roasters are going to get squeezed, everyone gets squeezed, as costs go up because we as consumers are resistant to price increases and they don’t want to see volume go down,” he said.
Von Massow said it will be more difficult for smaller roasters to pass down costs to their customers. “They’ve always differentiated not on price, but on product,” he said of smaller roasters. “But the greater the price disparity is, the less their demand will be.”
However, some costs will be mitigated for these roasters as the impact of counter-tariffs start to wear off, von Massow said. Meanwhile, other costs are likely to be passed on to customers. “We’re seeing big companies start to announce some price increases as the shortages become more sustained,” he said.
Coffee chain Tim Hortons said it will increase the price of its coffee by an average of three cents per cup. “This is the first time in about three years that we’ve adjusted the price of coffee,” said Michael Oliveira, director of communications at Tim Hortons, in an email. “This is significantly below inflation and reflects our commitment to great value and everyday low prices for our guests.”
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The coffee market’s roller-coaster ride isn’t over yet
Speculation on coffee futures—a way of measuring commodity prices based on contracts for future delivery in a publicly-traded market—have also amplified price pressures. “The coffee market has been on a roller-coaster for the past year,” said Adam Pesce, president of Oakville, Ont.-headquartered Reunion Coffee Roasters, which sells wholesale and also runs a retail café in Toronto.
Reunion has had to increase prices over the past several months to match its rising costs, said Pesce. He said market speculators have been active and making a lot of money by holding a longer position on the commodity. Meanwhile, coffee roasters are buying as little as possible, hoping prices might come down. It has been “a very exhausting, very time-consuming year of watching the market,” compared with previous years when markets were more stable and less erratic, Pesce said.
Von Massow said coffee prices will continue to reflect the climate impacts of an individual year—with some annual yields better than others. “One thing that we can say definitively is that there’s going to be more variability in prices going forward,” he said.
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I was really annoyed when I realized that Nespresso sent me this brewer in black. Champagne problems, I know—but this brewer comes in so many delightful colors, from deep red and orange to pastel lavender and pink. It looks cute on your countertop with its little rounded figure and relatively short stature. The Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ can handle all Vertuo coffee pods. The pods are aluminum and can be recycled by ordering free recycling bags or taking them to a drop-off location. To brew, simply open the machine by twisting the lock on the lid, choose a capsule, and press the button. You can physically move the adjustable drip tray between two ladder-like rungs on the front of the machine. There’s also a companion app that gives you maintenance alerts, video walk-throughs, and easy pod reordering.
Closing and locking the machine, or pressing the coffee button while the machine is locked, will start a heating cycle that takes about 30 seconds. The machine automatically recognizes the capsule you insert, and it extracts brew size based on the capsule as well. For example, espresso capsules will brew 1.35 ounces, double espresso capsules brew 2.7 ounces, and coffee capsules brew 8 ounces. This is different from other machines where you select the capacity you want. In the app you can make minor tweaks, such as making espresso shots shorter or longer. You can press the coffee button to end brewing early (a very handy trick if you accidentally use a 6-ounce mug for an 8-ounce brew, which I may or may not have done.) The machine has a waste basket that’ll automatically collect spent capsules. I’m not a huge fan of Nespresso’s flavored coffee and espresso capsules, simply because I would rather make traditional coffee and then add any whimsical flavorings later to suit my tastes. But if you prefer your coffee with a side of caramel or gingerbread or almond or some other decadent altering, there are many flavored options for you.
With plain old coffee and espresso capsules, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the body and mouthfeel of the drinks. Technically, these espresso pods are not making espresso. But it’s a darn close espresso-like beverage, and you can get it without needing an entire separate machine with a tamping weight and a portafilter and a pressure gauge. And the coffee is on par or slightly better than other machines I’ve tried, with a nice acidic bite that isn’t too watered down. If convenience is what you seek, this do-it-all machine is worth a look.
I was sent the bundle that comes with an optional milk frother. I like having the option, but be aware that it will take up another wall outlet. But the Aeroccino was easy to use—pour in your milk of choice and press the button. It’ll heat and froth your milk automatically—it takes about a minute and it’s whisper-quiet. Every Nespresso capsule I’ve tried has featured a thick layer of crema, and having whipped, thick milk on top of it made my average cup of coffee a more elevated experience.
We often reach for coffee to kickstart our mornings, but your daily cup might be doing more than just waking you up. Emerging research1 suggests that coffee consumption is linked to higher levels of Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus, a beneficial gut bacterium that produces butyrate, a compound known to reduce inflammation and support a healthy digestive system.
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