In today’s Coffee Break We discuss the rising coffee prices in the US, with a particular upswing in the value of cold brew. We also explore the potential of anaerobic fermentation to improve unripe coffee cherries, and mull over the impact of short-form content in the coffee industry; how do we continue to have deep conversations online when content is becoming more and more bit-sized? Plus, Oli from Condesa CoLab jumps in with a quick coffee market forecast, giving us the inside scoop on what’s happening at origin and beyond. Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (eek), hospitality stories and gate kept coffee secrets. Want more coffee content?  IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Proudly sponsored by -   Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/   Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/  Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/  Thank you for listening, love ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered if social media plays a role in the success of a coffee business? Does every cafe need an online presence? How do you connect with audiences as a small business? Rohan Cooke, (host and social media expert) answers all of this and more, diving into the nuances of social media in the coffee industry, and speaking from his personal experience as the face of Golden Brown Coffee.  If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee! Explore Pizza Shop Media here: pizzashopmedia.com Contact Sensory Agenda here: ben@sensoryagenda.com Want more coffee content?  IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Proudly sponsored by  Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/   Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/  Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The team is back together! Fresh off the plane from Milan adventures, the team reflects on a huge week at the World Barista Championship and what it really takes to keep learning, innovating, and competing at the highest level. From anaerobic fermentation turning unripe cherries into gold, to Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood’s water filtration system that’s changing how we think about quality at home. Ben and Rohan unpack the difference between innovation and refinement, the hidden realities of judging and coaching competitors, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with being the one who gives the scores to competitors. Plus, a market update from Oli at Condesa Co.Lab, bringing you the latest trends in the Market.  Want more coffee content?  IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Proudly sponsored by -   Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/   Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/  Thank you for listening, love ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood has authored multiple books on coffee, as well as many academic papers. He’s the founder of Colonna Coffee in the UK, and works across a number of coffee development and research projects.  In today’s episode we focus on the evolving landscape of learning and innovation in coffee. We ask the big questions: When should coffee businesses chase new trends, and when is it best to double down on nailing the basics? Maxwell also breaks down the myths (and marketing) around “specialty” coffee versus commercial, greenwashing, and what real sustainability in the industry looks like. If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee! Check out Maxwell here: https://maxwelldashwood.com/ Want more coffee content?  IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Proudly sponsored by  Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/   Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/  Thanks for listening!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sustainability Isn’t a Badge ... It’s a Verb! This week on Coffee Break, Ben and Producer Liam unpack their chat with Ninna from Reground and Dion from Single O, diving deep into what real sustainability looks like in the coffee industry.From composting your grinds to having tougher conversations with suppliers, how do you move beyond certifications and start taking action ? ... being “green” isn’t just a box to tick, it’s a mindset. Market update from Condesa Co.Lab on Colombia’s bumper harvest, this weeks news has a surprising twist in the Kona coffee fraud case, and why 30% of your roaster’s emissions might be coming from the bin! Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (eek), hospitality stories and gate kept coffee secrets. Want more coffee content? IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Proudly sponsored by - Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Thank you for listening, love ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when coffee’s biggest waste problem becomes its biggest opportunity? Across cafés, roasteries, and homes, millions of coffee pucks hit landfill every day - but two Australian pioneers are proving that sustainability doesn’t have to be boring, expensive, or impossible through collaboration. In this episode, Ben sits down with Dion Cohen (Single O) and Ninna Larsen (Reground) to unpack how their “Give a Puck” campaign is set to divert 85 million coffee pucks from landfill in Sydney alone - and why this could reshape how the entire coffee industry thinks about waste. They share the wins, challenges, and realities of going green in a global industry that’s still catching up - from rethinking single-use cups existence to creating circular supply chains that actually work for our future. If you’re new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet - but we’ll always remind ourselves at the end of the day, It’s Just Coffee! Explore Reground here: https://www.reground.com.au Check out Single O: https://www.singleo.com.au Want more coffee content? IT’S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Proudly sponsored by: Eco Barista – https://www.ecobarista.com.au Apax Lab – https://www.apaxlab.com Thanks for listening! love yah ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Ben stands in Milan with the newly crowned 2025 World Barista Champion Jack Simpson from Axil Coffee Roasters. After eight years of training the final three almost coming to a breaking point - Jack reflects on the people, emotions, and responsibility that shaped his world-title win. From early mornings at Axil to visiting producers like Jonathan Gascara in Colombia, Jack shares how one moment on stage can ripple all the way back to origin. They unpack what it takes to compete at the highest level, the power of teamwork, and why every barista has a duty to tell the stories behind the cup. Plus, the gear talk you’ve been waiting for - from the wave machine to the vibrating table, and how these tools are already changing café workflows. Straight off the stage with the Aussie Champ, It’s a grounded, emotional, and inspiring chat about purpose, craft, and the future of coffee. Want more coffee content? IT’S JUST COFFEE - https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Proudly sponsored by: Eco Barista - https://www.ecobarista.com.au/ Apax Lab - https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab (C-Price Forecast ) - https://condesacolab.com.au/ Thanks for watching and congrats Jack you absolute star ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rohan and Ben hit Milan for HOST! one of the biggest hospitality expos in the world to take you inside the halls where coffee meets the global stage. From live-ranking espresso machines to next-gen grinders and limited-edition tech drops, the guys unpack the biggest moments, ideas, and innovations shaping the future of coffee. Ben also shares what it was like judging the World Brewers Cup, where 53 competitors from 53 countries went head to head for the world title. We talk why specialty coffee still feels like a niche inside hospitality, what brands are getting right (and wrong) at the show, and the products that turned heads on the floor - including Mahlkonig's new Xenia and Victoria Arduino’s collector machine. Plus - the trends that could define the next year of coffee tech, and why events like HOST might be more important than ever for connecting the global community. If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day 'It's Just Coffee!' Want more coffee content? IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Proudly sponsored by Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/ Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the farms of Panama to the labs shaping the next generation of coffee - this week’s Coffee Break dives into the science that could decide coffee’s future. The boys explore how researchers are fighting climate change with new coffee varieties, the wild economics of luxury Geishas fetching $628 a cup, and why Australia might be the next frontier for sustainable coffee farming. There’s talk of young farmers, genetics, and even the idea that music might help your plants grow. Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community -everything from on-the-fly barista tips and honest café talk to the unfiltered stories shaping coffee culture. Want more coffee content? IT’S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Get in touch: hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com Proudly sponsored by: 🌱 Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/ 🧪 Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ 🌏 Condesa Co Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/ Thank you for listening, love ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As climate change, disease, and shifting generations reshape coffee production, Hanna Neuschwander from World Coffee Research (WCR) joins us to unpack how genetics, collaboration, and innovation are securing the future of coffee. From varietal trials across 18 countries to the race for climate-resilient plants, Hanna explains how research is helping farmers adapt - and why the next era of coffee depends on what we do today. ... If you care about the future of coffee, this one’s essential listening. Follow us for more honest, curious coffee conversations ⁨@itsjustcoffeepodcast⁩  💚 Support World Coffee Research or learn more at worldcoffeeresearch.org If you’re new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet but we’ll always remind ourselves at the end of the day IT'S JUST COFFEE! Explore World Coffee Research and Hanna's work here: https://worldcoffeeresearch.org Want more coffee content? IT’S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepodutm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Want to get in touch? hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com Proudly sponsored by: 💚 Eco Barista ⚗️ Apax Lab Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s Coffee Break: We stress the importance of precision when grinding and extracting, DeLonghi have curiously reclassified their coffee machine in order to avoid tariffs, and a new product from South Korea has been released, offering real-time extraction analysis for professional and home brewing, but is it any good? Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (eek), hospitality stories and gate kept coffee secrets. Want more coffee content?  IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Proudly sponsored by -   Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/   Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/  Thank you for listening, love ya!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How far has the coffee industry come in the last couple of decades? A lot has changed since the 2000s; a quarter century in and the specialty coffee is almost unrecognisable. Simon Gautherin from the innovative mineral brand APAX Lab joins us to discuss some of the biggest innovations of the 21st century in coffee competition, and how the past might help predict the future of coffee… If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee! Explore APAX Lab here: https://www.instagram.com/apaxlab/ Want more coffee content?  IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Proudly sponsored by  Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/   Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/  Thanks for listening!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We dive into the Flair Wizard - a tool that lets you steam milk without an espresso machine (yep, you read that right). Plus, off the back of our chat with Morgan Eckroth, we unpack how they’ve turned social media into a strategic powerhouse. And of course, a few big industry updates: from new research on coffee species diversity to Starbucks’ 3D-printed store in Texas. Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Expect on-the-fly barista tips, brutally honest café takes (eek), hospitality stories, and those little gate-kept secrets you won’t hear anywhere else. Want more coffee content? IT’S JUST COFFEE Get in touch: hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com Proudly sponsored by: Eco Barista Apax Lab Condesa Co.Lab Thank you for listening love ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Morgan Eckroth, best known on the internet as @morgandrinkscoffee, is a popular content creator and US Barista Champion. They graced our studio today to give us the low down on signature drinks; Why are signature drinks everywhere? How do you design one that will hit? And what impact do signature drinks have on the industry as a whole?  A huge thank you to Morgan for joining the show! Make sure to check out their socials linked below.  If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee! Explore @morgandrinkscoffee here: https://www.instagram.com/morgandrinkscoffee/ Want more coffee content?  IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Proudly sponsored by  Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/   Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/  Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it really take to judge a coffee competition? This week we unpack our chat with Hendri Kurniawan, the world coffee events rep who literally judges the judges. From calibration and comment checks to the huge personal costs of volunteering, we dive into what makes judging fair, objective, and supportive for competitors. We also riff on the risks of brewing $250 cups and $30,000/kg coffees, new approaches like pre-batched espresso, and why customer trust is everything when it comes to high-end brews. Plus - market insights from Oli, the latest on regenerative agriculture certifications, the problem with microplastics in takeaway cups, and a left-field detour into… cockroach milk?! Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on-the-fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered takes on the industry, hospitality stories, and those little gate-kept secrets you don’t hear anywhere else. ☕ Want more coffee content? IT’S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod 📩 Get in touch: hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com Proudly sponsored by Eco Barista → https://www.ecobarista.com.au/ Apax Lab → https://apaxlab.com/ Coffee Forecast from Oli at Condesa Co.Lab → https://condesacolab.com.au/ Thanks for listening — love ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered what really goes on behind the judge’s table at the World Barista Championship?  In this episode of It’s Just Coffee!, hosts Rohan Cooke and Ben Bicknell sit down with Hendri Kurniawan - Jakarta Coffee Week founder, trainer of judges, and World Coffee Championship judge - to unpack the fascinating (and sometimes controversial) world of competition judging. From the evolution of barista competitions to the myths around expensive coffees, Hendri and Ben share what it takes to be a fair, consistent, and credible judge. They dive into: The core skills every judge needs - sensory training, calibration, and integrity above all else  How score sheets, rules, and regulations shape competition outcomes Hot takes on cold brew, co-fermented coffees, and whether coffee competitions are really “acting contests” The huge impact competitions have had on innovation and specialty coffee culture worldwide A heartfelt shoutout to the volunteers who make every competition possible Whether you’re a competitor, a barista, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes world of coffee competitions, this conversation offers insider knowledge, bold opinions, and plenty of inspiration. Follow Hendri Kernawan: @phatuncle   https://www.instagram.com/phatuncle/ Jakarta Coffee Week: @jktcoffeeweek  https://www.instagram.com/jktcoffeeweek/  If you’re new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It’s Just Coffee! Want more coffee content?  Jakarta Coffee Week: IT’S JUST COFFEE:  https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Proudly sponsored by: Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/  Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/  Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a World Barista Champion admits his biggest lessons came from failure? In this Coffee Break, Rohan and Ben break down their chat with Dale Harris - from crashing and burning on stage to finding community backstage, and why competitions can shape careers far beyond trophies. This week’s coffee NEWS headlines : Costa Coffee - Coca-Cola is set to sell the UK’s largest coffee chain, just seven years after its £3.9B buyout. Asking price: £2B. Starbucks - New CEO shifts focus back to human connection while leaning on drive-throughs for growth. Coffee Market - Brazil’s dry weather sparks concern for the 2026 crop. ICE certified stocks drop to 670k bags, pushing blend components higher. Competitions, community, and the changing face of coffee culture - all in one COFFEE BREAK!! Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on-the-fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered café reviews (eek), hospitality stories, and gate-kept coffee secrets. Want more coffee content? IT’S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com Proudly sponsored by: Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/ Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab – Coffee Forecast: https://condesacolab.com/ Thank you for listening, love ya! ❤️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dale Harris was the World Barista Champion of 2017. He joins us today to share his journey to the top… How did he get to competing on the world stage??  This episode is for anyone curious about the behind the scenes of some of the most competitive coffee competitions in the world. Whether you’ve competed before, would like to one day, or simply want to know more about the WBC, this episode is for you.  If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee! Explore Dale Harris here: https://www.instagram.com/acousticcoffee/ Industry shout out: @coffeefuturesfund@recuerdos.atl Want more coffee content?  IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Proudly sponsored by  Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/   Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/  Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So … what does it actually take to become a great coffee roaster? This week on Coffee Break, Rohan and Ben unpack their chat with roasting legend Anne Cooper (Equilibrium Master Roasters) - and it gets fiery. From why the industry desperately needs clearer roasting standards, to the myth of “espresso vs filter roasts”, to whether “minimal intervention roasting” is just a fairytale, nothing is off the table. We also dive into: - UC Davis’ new research on universal roast colour standards - Dark roast redemption - yes, good dark roasts do exist - Why coffee bag labels might be alienating your customers - And whether the industry needs more open debates to stop gatekeeping knowledge It’s roasting, reimagined - and it might just change how you look at your next bag of beans. Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community - roasting debates, barista tips, hospitality horror stories, and the industry secrets no one else shares. More coffee content → https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Get in touch → hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com Proudly sponsored by: Eco Barista → https://www.ecobarista.com.au/ Apax Lab → https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab → https://condesacolab.com.au/ Thanks for listening - love ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coffee roasting… an art or a science? Master roastress & coffee consultant Anne Cooper joins us in the studio to share her extensive coffee roasting knowledge. We address roasting myths and misconceptions, the endless pursuit of perfection, and the Three Golden Rules of coffee roasting. We also discuss the impact of automation and new technologies like the Typhoon Roaster.  If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee! Explore Anne Cooper here: https://www.instagram.com/roastresscoops/ Want more coffee content?  IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236 Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Proudly sponsored by  Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/   Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/  Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices