Issue 18 introduces an exciting new content structure that takes as its thematic centre a long-form essay ‘On Coffee and Criticism’ by the incredible Noa Berger—a social scientist working on coffee consumption. The idea of critique, in its many forms, guides our newest release. From pieces that explore the role criticism plays in our everyday lives and how we can turn it into constructive fuel for improvement, to a critical exploration of how we define ‘premium’ in paying farmers a decent price for their work, to how Modernist writers Virginia Woolf and T. S. Eliot used coffee as a literary device to explore the fabric of consciousness. What’s in Standart Issue 18? 'Critique gains value when accompanied by action.' So says Noa Berger in this issue's long-form treatment on the subject of critique in specialty coffee. And so, in the name of action, this issue we've turned our sights to the role of criticism in coffee. Noa surveys in detail the state of critique in specialty coffee, and what approaching the idea of critique through the lens of coffee can tell us about the evolution of criticism and critics in general. Look out for wisdom from James Hoffmann, Scott Rao, Ashley Rodriguez, Michelle Johnson, Matter Perger, Oliver Strand, and more! Gwilym Davies delivers the second article in his series debunking some common coffee myths. Read about how Coffee is not a bean, Arabica coffee is not from Arabia, and Robusta is not a species. Ashley Rodriguez takes a critical look at the way we conceive of and—more importantly—price green coffee, and experts weigh in. Consultant and champion barista Erika Vonie speaks to us about how to deal with criticism, what makes for useful criticism, and how to effectively critique the industry she loves. More on the theme of the importance of self-reflection and criticism, we speak to a barista turned psychotherapist about the relationship between criticism and attachment, why people like what they like, and how to deal with one's inner critic for better mental health. On a lighter side, we ask coffee creative and activist Umeko Motoyoshi what’s pissing her off (and she pulls no punches), we task a coffee lover with visiting New York cafés and providing critical reviews of their bathrooms, and finally, Essayist Kalika Sands explores the literary function coffee plays in the works of T. S. Eliot and Virginia Woolf. We have an absolutely stonking harvest of sterling stuff in store for you this issue. Put a brew on, settle into a cosy spot, and have a flip through!

Standart issue 14 covers a diverse range of subjects that aim bridge the gap between baristas and industry professionals, coffee nuts and enthusiasts, and those who simply enjoy spending time in coffee shops. Chapter: Coffee Whet your appetite with some hot, fresh, fragrant … tea! As part of our series comparing coffee and tea, we take a look at the distant climes where tea starts its journey. We then shift the focus back to coffee, with an origin trip to Tanzania, a milk experiment brought to you by the folks at Barista Hustle, and an essay reporting on the new alternative pricing tool that we hope will have a huge impact on how we sustainably price green coffee. Chapter: People Chock-a-block with creative content, including an interview with World Brewers Cup champion Emi Fukahori, an essay on hot to combine your work and your coffee addiction by Jenn Chen, a short story out of Brazil detailing a nightmarish day in the life of a professional coffee taster who loses his palate, and much more. Chapter: World An interview with marketing guru and coffee geek Brian Gaffney; When we sat down with him in New York, we were fascinated by his thoughts on coffee, and we think you will be too. We follow that with a look at the importance of branding in specialty coffee, and how to make sure yours is on point. We then jet over to Moscow for a beautifully traced essay on the peculiar history of coffee in the Russian capital, and end it all with an article on late-night coffee cocktails.

Standart issue 12 is here, bringing you more in-depth coverage of coffee, design, and the people behind it all. We’re all about asking the big questions and trying to find the answers over coffee, so we invite you to join us and our talented host of writers and artists for a fresh batch of articles and stories. In this issue, we take you from the genome of coffee right to the very edges of the cosmos, with pit stops at the foundation of democracy, post-conflict Colombia, and the white sands of Hawaiian beaches. Coffee The Coffee chapter looks at the future of sustainable coffee breeding, and what sustainability means for the supply chain. Our origin profile takes us to Hawaii, and the good folks at Barista Hustle invite you to test out brewing coffee while stood on one foot (no, seriously, try it!). People Our People chapter features an interview with Market Lane Coffee’s Fleur Studd and, fittingly, an article about the successes of exceptional women in the coffee industry. We round it out with a short story about interruptions during shift work and the first-known translation of a Brazilian poem about the intricacies of the coffee supply chain. World Finally, our World chapter takes us from a languid contemplation of the Athenian coffee and food scene to an exploration of the arts of tasseography and font design before delving into Colombia’s return to coffee after a lamentable detour into cocaine.

Our goal has always been to offer you an exceptional experience through meaningful content and solid design. Standart Issue 11 proudly accomplishes this with our latest collection of works inspired by the culture and humans of coffee. Inside Chapter: Coffee 'It’s a risky if not foolish clash to stage within the pages of a coffee aficionados magazine. Even as I write this I can almost hear the readership majority affirming, ‘there is no competition!’ That's right, we went there. Coffee vs. Tea! Inside Chapter: People 'Customers would immediately ask the same question to the nearest white male barista and get the same answer...If I took the order, they'll ask the barista serving them if I gave them the right order.' She’s a Lady is a harrowing, challenging, and absolutely necessary read that exposes the very real gendered divisions among female baristas working in American Specialty Coffee. Inside Chapter: World 'One night, in a very new and very green café, a jungle grew from the oranges waiting to be juiced and the fashionably cut palm leaves...' The coffee bedtime story you didn't know you've been wanting and waiting for. Trust us, it's a little bit of imaginative magic that will transport you far away to a place of surrealism.

Standart Issue 10 opens by captivating our imaginations with the mysterious origins of gesha coffee and challenging our perceptions of Brazil by covering issues of climate, environment, and mechanization. Matters of humanity also receive careful attention as we discuss appropriate activism and the place the social sciences hold in the coffee industry. Among these more complex articles are interviews with Coffee Master David Donde, KEXP Seattle DJ Cheryl Waters, an intriguing photo essay, and a must-have guide to the fabulous cafes of Tokyo. Chapter Coffee. "Aside from it’s unique ‘ flavour sensation’ gesha is remarkable because no one knows where it really came from. It’s the mystery of the coffee world." We cover the criticism Brazilian coffee faces, examine Colombia's past, and investigate the mysterious origins of gesha. Chapter People. "Good coffee isn’t going to rescue a mediocre operation." David Donde, founder of Truth Coffee Roasters shares this and other philosophies in Meet Your Barista. We conclude the chapter by discussing activism and defining between direct and performative methods. Chapter World. "The worst part about my job is that there’s so much music and I can never listen to it all." Coffee pairs well with so many things and music is one of them. In Meet Your Guest we interview Cheryl Waters, DJ for KEXP Seattle. From the American west coast, we take you to Tokyo where we share some of the best coffee this amazing city has to offer.

In Standart Issue 9, Erin invites you to join her as she shares NYC’s longstanding obsession with consuming coffee in record breaking amounts. Erin Meister is a longtime coffee professional and journalist who just published her first book, New York City Coffee: A Caffeinated History. Chapter Coffee. Issue 9 begins with a simple question, “what even is a latte?” However, the answer is a bit more complex as we examine the growing trend of rainbow lattes, discuss the material coffee from an academic perspective, explore the region of Myanmar, and ponder the origins and meaning of “specialty coffee” Chapter People. After getting the chance to hang out with 2016 US Barista Champion Lem Butler at the London Coffee Festival, we knew we had to get a conversation down in print. A man that’s had his mind picked about coffee competitions by everyone in the biz, we settled into talk on music, vibes, family, and what’s next for Lem. Chapter World. Aside from quality offerings and genuine hospitality, there are also more subtle factors that make up the appeal of a coffee shop. We talk architecture, color palettes, lighting, and seating with Lea Mičudová and Michal Mačuda of BONBON, a top-of-the-game architecture firm in the Czech Republic.