Sweet and Salty News

Raffi Hovsepian

Staff Writer, Features

As a Staff Writer for Features at Sweet and Salty News, Raffi Hovsepian investigates the intersection of kitchen culture, food policy, and travel. His writing dives deep into agricultural economics, food systems, and coffee and tea sourcing to connect readers with the global foodways behind their daily meals. By combining culinary anthropology with investigative reporting, Raffi highlights the compelling stories of the communities, fields, and supply chains that sustain our tables.

Expertise

Food Systems and Supply ChainsCulinary AnthropologyAgricultural EconomicsCoffee and Tea SourcingGlobal FoodwaysInvestigative Reporting

Coverage Areas

Kitchen Culture
Travel & Taste
The Daily Grind
Food Policy

Latest Articles

A lively and diverse crowd enjoying authentic Singaporean street food at a bustling hawker centre, illuminated by warm evening lights.
Travel & Taste

What is Singapore's Hawker Culture and Why Did it Earn UNESCO Status?

On December 16, Singapore's vibrant hawker culture was officially added to the Unesco list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity .

Sep 7, 2026 · 3 min read

Close-up of premium instant coffee dissolving in a mug, highlighting the luxury and convenience of the craft coffee experience.
The Daily Grind

Premium instant coffee market trends: Convenience meets craft

A single serving of Sightglass Instant Coffee, the La Magdalena, Tolima variety, can cost $17.

Sep 1, 2026 · 2 min read

Panoramic view of the Athens Acropolis from a rooftop bar during a vibrant sunset, with people enjoying drinks.
Travel & Taste

Athens Rooftop Bars for Sunset Views

With 24 rooftop restaurants in Athens demanding advance bookings, choosing the ideal spot for a sunset cocktail can feel less like a vacation and more like a research project.

Aug 31, 2026 · 4 min read

A young child from Generation Alpha excitedly interacts with a modern, appealing family meal, signaling a shift in culinary preferences at the dinner table.
Kitchen Culture

Gen Alpha's Tastes Reshaping Family Meals

By 2029, Generation Alpha's spending power is projected to reach a staggering $5.

Aug 26, 2026 · 6 min read

A steaming cup of Arabica coffee with a backdrop of a sun-drenched coffee plantation, highlighting the bean's journey from origin to brew.
The Daily Grind

Arabica Coffee: Origins, Flavor Profiles, and Brewing Choices

Despite accounting for around 60% of the world's coffee production, the delicate, fruity notes of a high-quality Coffea arabica bean can be scorched away by a common automatic drip machine.

Aug 24, 2026 · 6 min read

A diverse group of people enjoying a communal meal together outdoors, highlighting connection and shared joy.
Kitchen Culture

What Is Global Communal Dining and Why Does Its Cultural Significance Matter?

Eating with others isn't just a pleasant pastime.

Aug 20, 2026 · 3 min read

A lively outdoor food festival with diverse attendees enjoying local food from stalls under twinkling lights, highlighting community and culinary celebration.
Travel & Taste

Culinary Tourism Growth Offers Local Economic Upside, Festival Fever

The global culinary tourism market is projected to reach over $4.

Aug 5, 2026 · 5 min read

Interior of a modern coffee shop with comfortable seating, plants, and soft lighting, designed for relaxation and work.
The Daily Grind

New coffee and tea shops with relaxation spaces emerge

In Santa Monica, Goodboy Bob operates less like a traditional cafe and more like a hybrid workspace, serving in-house roasted coffee alongside flatbreads in an environment designed for lingering.

Aug 1, 2026 · 3 min read

Sunlit English vineyard with a cellar door building, symbolizing the positive economic impact of the WineGB tax break.
The Food Trade

WineGB cellar door tax break could boost Britain's rural economy by 2026

English and Welsh wine producers could save up to £150,000 each under a proposed tax relief scheme, directly reinvesting excise duty back into vineyards.

Jul 21, 2026 · 7 min read

A close-up of a futuristic espresso machine creating a perfect shot of coffee using ultrasonic technology, highlighting innovation in brewing.
The Daily Grind

How Ultrasonic Espresso Technology Works for Your Coffee

The ultrasonic espresso was indistinguishable from traditionally brewed espresso in blind taste-testing experiments, challenging long-held assumptions about coffee extraction.

Jul 20, 2026 · 3 min read

A split image showing a colorful traditional market stall with fermented foods contrasted with a sterile laboratory where scientists analyze food samples for pathogens.
Kitchen Culture

Fermented Foods: Ancient Tradition, Modern Health Risks

In 2026, investigations reveal that traditional fermented foods in parts of Africa and Asia, often consumed for their perceived health benefits, frequently contain dangerous pathogens such as E.

Jul 19, 2026 · 4 min read

A vibrant and massive soccer stadium filled with cheering fans during the World Cup 2026 final, highlighting the grand scale and excitement of the event.
The Daily Grind

World Cup 2026: High Costs, Varied Local Impact

A front-row seat for the 2026 World Cup final fetched an astonishing $32,970, reports the New York Times .

Jun 29, 2026 · 2 min read

A beautifully arranged kitchen showcasing discounted appliances and cookware, with subtle sale tags indicating ongoing savings.
Kitchen Culture

Prime Day kitchen deals still active, offering shoppers continued savings

Days after Amazon's 2026 Prime Day officially concluded on June 27, a Vitamix Ascent X3 remained 42% off, according to bonappetit .

Jun 28, 2026 · 2 min read

A variety of easy and delicious appetizers artfully arranged on a table, perfect for effortless entertaining and hosting.
The Test Kitchen

Redefining Easy Appetizers for Truly Effortless Hosting

On June 26, 2026, a local news segment touted 'easy' egg appetizers for summer.

Jun 27, 2026 · 2 min read

A visually appealing spread of Castelvetrano, Kalamata, and Manzanilla olives on a rustic table, showcasing their distinct colors and textures.
The Test Kitchen

Learn About Castelvetrano, Kalamata, and Manzanilla Olive Types

Castelvetrano olives, once a niche Italian delicacy, have surged 30% in U.

Jun 26, 2026 · 3 min read

A colorful assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables displayed attractively, representing healthy snack trends for 2026.
Travel & Taste

Healthy Snack Trends and Insights for 2026

Fresh produce and fresh-forward products dominated the 2026 Good Housekeeping Snack Awards.

Jun 23, 2026 · 2 min read

A close-up of a hand opening a box containing three small bags of rare Yemen Al-Khanshali Estate coffee from Presta Coffee Roasters.
The Daily Grind

Presta Coffee Roasters Releases Rare Yemen Al-Khanshali Estate Coffees

For $95, coffee enthusiasts can purchase a box set of three 4oz bags of Presta Coffee Roasters' new Yemen roast, part of a total allocation of only 50 pounds, according to Tucson Foodie .

Jun 20, 2026 · 2 min read

A refreshing summer meal featuring a chilled shrimp and mango noodle soup with peanut dipping sauce, surrounded by other light dishes on an outdoor table.
The Test Kitchen

Easy Chilled Dinners & Cold Soups for Summer

This summer, a "soup" might arrive at your table packed with shrimp, rice noodles, and mango, served with peanut dipping sauce.

Jun 20, 2026 · 3 min read

Baristas compete intensely on stage at the 2026 US Barista Championship semi-finalist selection event in Denver.
The Daily Grind

2026 US Barista Championship Semi-Finalists Emerge from Denver Competition

After two intense days in Denver, 12 of the nation's top baristas have already been eliminated from the 2026 US Barista Championship.

Jun 20, 2026 · 3 min read

Golden-brown, crispy tuna patties sizzling in a cast-iron skillet, showcasing their delicious texture and appealing color.
The Test Kitchen

Make Crispy Tuna Patties in Just 15 Minutes

Imagine a homemade dinner, complete with golden-brown, crispy patties, hitting your table just 15 minutes after you start cooking.

Jun 20, 2026 · 3 min read