Articles by Sarah

About Sarah

Sarah Allen (she/her) is co-founder and editor of Barista Magazine, the international trade magazine for coffee professionals. A passionate advocate for baristas, quality, and the coffee community, Sarah has traveled widely to research stories, interact with readers, and present on a variety of topics affecting specialty coffee. She also loves animals, swimming, ice cream, and living in Portland, Oregon.

Out Now: The December 2023 + January 2024 Issue of Barista Magazine!

December 1, 2023 Sarah Comments Off

On the cusp of the new year, we’ve got café owners covered with advice on profiting from merch sales, distinguishing yourself with a signature coffee blend, and much more in the new issue! BY SARAH […]

Gianni Cassatini: Celebrating a Life in Coffee

November 28, 2023 Sarah Comments Off

We commemorate the life of longtime specialty-coffee promoter and passionate barista advocate, Gianni Cassatini. BY SARAH ALLENBARISTA MAGAZINE If it feels like Gianni Cassatini has been woven into the fabric of the specialty-coffee community—in the […]

Gabriela Wong champion of the Bartenders & Baristas Challenge holding a Costa Rican flag.

Costa Rica Wins Seventh Licor 43 Bartenders & Baristas Challenge

October 26, 2023 Sarah Comments Off

Nine national champions vied for the international title in Madrid, Spain, this month. BY SARAH ALLENBARISTA MAGAZINE Photos courtesy of Licor 43 Madrid, the city lauded as the most important in Spain for mixology, played […]

Feature Image for Plant-Based Cold Drink Challenge

$1,000 Prize for the Best Plant-Based Cold Coffee Drink

October 9, 2023 Sarah Comments Off

Your votes will determine the winning plant-based cold coffee drink, and the barista who created it will walk away with a cool $1,000! BY SARAH ALLENBARISTA MAGAZINE Photos courtesy of Pacific Foods The calendar might […]

Fresh as a Summer Breeze: Prickly Pear and Boysenberry

August 9, 2023 Sarah Comments Off

Add some va-voom to your seasonal menu with these two new, unique syrups from DaVinci Gourmet BY SARAH ALLENBARISTA MAGAZINE (Note: The following is a sponsored advertorial.) Summer is only at the halfway mark, and […]

Chill Skills: Cast Your Vote for Your Favorite Summer Sips in the Ghirardelli Cool Caramel Challenge!

June 26, 2023 Sarah Comments Off

To celebrate the sweet start of summer, we teamed up with Ghirardelli to bring you five original drink recipes in our Cool Caramel Challenge. BY SARAH ALLENBARISTA MAGAZINE Whether you’re reading on a café patio, […]

Expo 2023 parties and activities featured image

Parties, Gatherings, and Social Events During Expo in Portland

April 20, 2023 Sarah Comments Off

Every single party, gathering, discussion, and throwdown (that we know of) happening during this week’s Specialty Coffee Expo in Portland, Ore. COMPILED BY SARAH ALLENBARISTA MAGAZINE We all know that only part of the annual […]

Feature image for Chobani Oatmilk Barista Challenge

Chobani® Oatmilk Original Barista Edition Inspires Incredible Tea-Based Drinks Crafted by 6 Outstanding Coffee Professionals

April 10, 2023 Sarah Comments Off

We partnered with Chobani to bring you 6 original drink recipes—and you get to decide which drink is best! BY SARAH ALLENBARISTA MAGAZINE [Sponsored Content] One of the best kept secrets in the barista community is that […]

Unsweetened Chai Offers New Possibilities for Cafés

April 4, 2023 Sarah Comments Off

Customize orders to customers’ tastes and expand your menu with multiple chai drink recipes. BY SARAH ALLENBARISTA MAGAZINE Photos courtesy of Oregon ChaiBRANDED CONTENT Sasha Robinson is a barista—and a diabetic. Before she was diagnosed, […]

Ghirardelli Mocha Challenge to Reward $1,000 to Winner, $500 to 2nd, and More Based on Your Votes

September 26, 2022 Sarah Comments Off

To celebrate National Mocha Day, we partnered with Ghirardelli to bring you five original mocha recipes. BY SARAH ALLENBARISTA MAGAZINE Photos courtesy of Ghirardelli Chocolate We could drink mochas made with Ghirardelli Chocolate all day […]