Bitter or Better? The Rise and Future of Coffee

At the end of January, the Robert Mondavi Institute hosted Coffee Unfiltered: Thinking Outside the Cup, where coffee industry experts spoke to the coffee-curious about coffee’s origins, history and perception over the decades, and offered their predictions for the future. While pondering what could be next for coffee, what was clear above all was the deep connection coffee enthusiasts have with this beloved beverage, not only as a drink, but as a culture.

Tracing Wine to Its Ancient Roots with Arpa Boghozian

Long before Napa, Bordeaux, or Tuscany became synonymous with great wine, people cultivated grapes and fermented wine.

At a recent Sips and Bites event, UC Davis Ph.D. candidate Arpa Boghozian guided guests through that deeper history. The tasting explored four ancient wine cultures, Lebanon, Greece, Georgia, and Armenia, pairing each wine with the traditions and techniques that shaped it.

What Makes a Wine Distinctive?

This February, the Robert Mondavi Institute's Sips and Bites series welcomed two professors from UC Davis's Department of Viticulture and Enology. 

Dr. Andrew Waterhouse is a professor emeritus, holder of an honorary doctorate from the University of Bordeaux, and an ISI Highly Cited Researcher. Dr. Liang Chen is a newly appointed assistant professor whose résumé includes work at E. & J. Gallo Winery and the analysis of wines that traveled to the International Space Station.

Lessons on How Food Builds Community from UC Davis 

When we think about what connects us as humans, food inevitably rises to the top. But at UC Davis, a Terra Madre Americas panel revealed something deeper. Food isn't just what brings us together; it's a foundation for healthy communities and meaningful social transformation.

Moderated by Colin Dixon, director of the UC Davis Student Farm, the discussion brought together scholars and practitioners to explore food's role in building resilient communities. 

UC Davis Health Cooking Demos for Cancer Recovery and Prevention

At Terra Madre Americas in September 2025, two UC Davis Health cooking demonstrations featuring chefs and registered dietitians proved that eating well during cancer recovery or for prevention doesn't mean sacrificing flavor. 

From Tuscan white bean soup to fiesta-spiced chicken with pluot salsa, these recipes show how nutritious meals can be both delicious and healing.

Climate, Culture, and the Future of Wine & Beer

What happens to your favorite wine or beer when the climate that shaped it starts to change?

That question was at the heart of Sips of Change, a dynamic panel at Terra Madre Americas, where UC Davis scientists and an Argentine winemaker came together to talk adaptation, tradition, and what fermented beverages might look like in the decades ahead.