Join us in conversation with food writer Matt Rodbard, the founding editor of the James‑Beard‑award‑winning TASTE and host of 'This Is TASTE' podcast. In this episode, we explore the overlap between specialty coffee and food culture, the growth of Michigan’s coffee scene, and why the way we roast and drink coffee matters.

Rodbard explains how he fell in love with coffee while reporting on under‑appreciated industries and describes visiting Ethiopian washing stations with Intelligentsia co‑founder Jeff Watts—an experience that changed his understanding of specialty coffee.

Matt Rodbard – Founder and editor of TASTE, co‑author of Koreatown and Food IQ, and host of This Is TASTE

Learn more at mattrodbard.com listen to Matt's Podcast, 'This Is TASTE'

00:00 Introduction

01:02 Michigan’s Growing Coffee Scene

03:04 Why Traverse City?

03:33 Specialty Coffee Meets Food Culture

04:15 Matt’s Coffee Journey07:11 Roasting for Origin

10:03 Customer Expectations & Education

12:57 Defining Specialty Coffee

15:21 Specialty Coffee’s Impact on Food Culture

18:56 Café Food

23:33 Coffee as an Ingredient

26:11 Trends & Home Brewing

29:16 Price, Inflation & Farmers

32:58 Inclusivity vs. Elitism

35:32 Northern Michigan Coffee Community

39:01 Matt’s Favorite Chain

41:31 Matt's Favorite Roasters

49:01 Origins & Flavor Preferences

54:50 First Coffee Memories

55:47 Visiting Origin

56:45 Outro