IT’S JUST COFFEE!

Episodet

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  Is Melbourne Coffee "Undrinkable"? | COFFEE BREAK! 22.07.2026 28min

  Melbourne is famous for having some of the best coffee in the world - but is that reputation built on quality or just really good marketing? A fiery opinion piece has taken aim at Melbourne’s coffee culture, calling Australian coffee bitter, burnt and overpriced while arguing that Italy’s cheaper, simpler espresso culture does it better. So, is this a fair reality check? or a badly researched takedown of an entire industry? Melbourne café owner and coffee professional Dan Dick joins us to unpack the article’s biggest claims. We compare Australian specialty coffee with traditional Italian espresso, break down what it actually costs to serve a cup of coffee and ask why cafés and baristas continue to be targeted in conversations about rising prices. Plus, Condesa Co.Lab joins us with the weekly coffee market report. 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 gatekept coffee secrets. CHAPTERS 00:00 Melbourne Coffee Under Attack01:27 Welcome to Coffee Break01:59 Dan Dick Reacts02:30 Australia vs Italy07:10 Is a $6 Coffee a Rip-Off?11:32 Why the Media Targets Coffee14:37 Condesa Co.Lab Market Report17:16 What a Cup of Coffee Really Costs21:08 The Impact on Baristas24:14 Opinion vs Accuracy27:12 Standing Up for Australian Coffee Find Dan Dick here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielpeterdick/Paperboy: https://www.instagram.com/paperboy.surreyhills/ Want more coffee content? IT’S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com with your questions, comments or hot takes. Proudly sponsored by: Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Are Cafés Still a Good Business in 2026? | DAN DICK! 20.07.2026 1h

  Why has Dan Dick stepped back from the cafe industry? After over a decade of operating successful Melbourne venues Nigel and then PaperBoy, Dan has called it quits. Our conversation was had in the midst of handing the reins over to new operators; an equally emotional and practical decision that has catapulted Dan into a new chapter of his career. We discussed the problems facing cafe owners today… and why it has become so much harder to run a profitable cafe. 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! Dan Dick: https://www.instagram.com/danielpeterdick/  CHAPTERS 00:00 Why Running a Café Is Harder Than Ever 01:48 Why Dan Is Leaving the Café Industry 05:17 Are There Too Many Cafés? 10:40 How to Open a Successful Café in 2026 14:12 When Should You Sell Your Café? 18:31 Are There Too Many Coffee Roasters? 20:04 Why Direct-to-Consumer Coffee Is Growing 25:43 Why Dan Didn’t Build a Roastery 31:44 How to Sell Coffee Online 35:40 Why Co-Fermented Coffee Is Selling 42:19 Should Your Café Start Roasting? 47:35 The Mistakes That Nearly Broke the Business 49:30 A Public Holiday Café Meltdown 52:55 Wages, Coffee Prices and Café Closures 57:27 What’s Next for Born and Raised Want more coffee content?  IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=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: Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/  Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/   Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  What the World’s Best Brewers Are Doing Differently | COFFEE BREAK! 15.07.2026 32min

  Fresh from the 2026 World Brewers Cup in Brussels, Ben breaks down the coffees, brewers and techniques used by the competition’s top six finalists. We look at how World Champion Nas Jaafar, Australia’s Simon Gautherin and the rest of the finalists approached their routines, from the rise of hybrid brewers and fast-flow filter papers to shorter ratios, lower temperatures and coarser grind sizes. Plus, we unpack Bavis Kwong’s wild “sandwich extraction”, Simon’s two-coffee brewing method, the continued dominance of Panama Geisha and whether these competition techniques can actually improve the coffee you brew at home! 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 gatekept coffee secrets. CHAPTERS 00:00 Back From Brussels02:04 The Top Six Brewers06:24 Is Brewers Cup More Accessible?09:38 Hybrid Brewers Take Over11:05 Modern Filter Coffee13:53 Is Percolation Dead?14:42 Fast Filter Papers15:03 Panama Geisha Dominates18:25 Natural vs Washed Coffee21:48 The Sandwich Extraction24:43 Simon’s Two-Coffee Brew26:10 What Home Brewers Can Use28:20 Are These the World’s Best Coffees?30:13 The Future of Pour-Over 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: Marco Beverage Systems:https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/ Apax Lab:https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab:https://condesacolab.com.au/ Riverina Fresh:https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  The World’s Best Coffee Roaster Says Ultra-Light Roasts Are a Flex | BENJAMIN BRASSART! 13.07.2026 45min

  Ultra-light roasting might have pushed coffee forward, but has it now become more about flexing than flavour? Benjamin Brassart has just been crowned the 2026 World Coffee Roasting Champion, becoming the first Belgian to win the title, on home soil and in his first appearance at the World Championships. In this episode, Benjamin takes us behind the scenes of one of coffee’s least understood competitions. We unpack how competitors assess unfamiliar green coffees, build a three-coffee blend, create a roast plan and predict what judges will taste in the final cup. We also explore what everyday roasters can take from competition, including how to identify vegetal, woody and baked flavours, why cupping is a roaster’s most important skill, and how different machines shape the final result. Plus, Benjamin shares how he launched Boo Coffee Roasters, what it’s really like working on a fluid-bed roaster and why the perfect profile means nothing if you cannot taste what needs to change. CHAPTERS 00:00 Roasting Championships 01:47 Meet Benjamin Brassart 05:14 Starting Boo Coffee 07:41 Fluid-Bed Roasting 10:50 How the Competition Works 14:17 APAX LAB 15:10 Skills Every Roaster Needs 19:35 Fixing Problem Coffees 20:44 Roasting Defects 24:20 Lessons from Competition 29:00 Are Ultra-Light Roasts Dead? 31:05 Building a Winning Blend 35:40 Advice for New Roasters 38:05 Roasting Automation 41:05 Riverina Fresh 41:45 Benjamin’s Hot Take 43:05 The Person Behind the Win Find Benjamin here: Instagram: @benj.brassat Find Boo Coffee Roasters: Instagram: @boocoffeeroasters Website: boocoffeeroasters.com APAX LAB: @apaxlab apaxlab.com RIVERINA FRESH: @riverinafresh riverinafresh.com.au Want more coffee content? IT’S JUST COFFEE: linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com with your questions, hot takes or guest suggestions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  How To Taste Espresso Like A WBC Judge | COFFEE BREAK! 08.07.2026 1h 18min

  Tasting espresso is one of the most important skills in coffee, but it is also one of the least clearly taught. In this episode, we break down how espresso is evaluated using the World Barista Championship sensory framework. Ben Bicknell, World Barista Championship judge and Q Grader Instructor, explains how to assess sweetness, acidity, bitterness, flavour, body, texture, finish and balance, while separating personal preference from actual quality. Then we put the framework into practice by tasting four very different coffees and scoring them in real time. A practical episode for baristas, roasters, competitors, café owners and coffee drinkers who want to taste espresso with more structure, clarity and confidence. Because “I like it” is a preference. Knowing why it works is a skill. CHAPTERS 00:00 — Learning How To Taste Espresso 03:27 — Why Espresso Tasting Matters 09:01 — Quality vs Preference 13:07 — Building A Shared Coffee Language 20:21 — The WBC Espresso Scoresheet 24:16 — Flavour Notes vs Accuracy 28:28 — Body, Texture And Finish 30:44 — How Espresso Gets Scored 37:55 — Ben’s Espresso Tasting Framework 39:28 — Tasting Coffee One 47:53 — Tasting Coffee Two 54:06 — Tasting Coffee Three 59:56 — Tasting Coffee Four 1:06:06 — What The Scores Mean 1:10:21 — Using Feedback To Improve Coffee 1:14:56 — Final Takeaways Want more coffee content?  IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=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: Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/  Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/   Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  The 2nd Best Brewer in the World Says You’re Extracting Too Much | SIMON GAUTHERIN & CARLOS ESCOBAR! 06.07.2026 1h 9min

  What does it take to become the second-best brewer in the world? Fresh from the World Brewers Cup stage in Brussels, Australian Brewers Cup Champion Simon Gautherin joins us alongside coach Carlos Escobar to unpack the routine, strategy and tiny details behind their world runner-up finish. Simon and Carlos take us inside one of coffee’s most technical competitions: the compulsory round that can decide a championship, the enormous logistics behind bringing coffee and equipment across continents, and the clarity-focused routine that earned them perfect tasting note accuracy from every judge. 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! CHAPTERS 00:00 World Brewers Cup 01:21 Coming Second 05:49 What Wins 11:45 Clarity 16:05 Competition Logistics 18:14 Café Clarity 29:38 APAX LAB 37:45 Brew Better 41:50 Riverina Fresh 44:03 Coffee Freshness 53:02 What’s Next 58:03 Underrated or Overrated 01:01:03 Hot Takes 01:07:19 Future of Brewers Cup Find Simon here:@simon_gautherin APAX LAB: @apaxlab https://apaxlab.com/ Find Carlos here: @carlos.esco.bar Differente Coffee: @differentecoffee 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: Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/ APAX LAB: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/ Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  The Crema Debate: Does Your Coffee Taste Better Without It? | COFFEE BREAK! 01.07.2026 20min

  To crema or not to crema, that is the question. We run a taste-test to reveal the impact crema has on espresso’s taste, and you might be surprised by the results! Plus we explore tools designed to extract a ‘naked espresso’, like the crema separator and Squeaky’s ‘Esplorer Cup’.  00:00 Should We Remove Crema? 01:25 The History of Crema 05:48 Stirring vs Removing Crema 08:31 Coffee Market Report 11:15 Taste Test: Does Removing Crema Improve Espresso? 16:13 The Verdict & Final Thoughts 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&ltsid=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
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  World Barista Champion Explains the Perfect Espresso | RAUL RODAS! 29.06.2026 1h 4min

  This week we're joined by World Barista Champion Raul Rodas for a conversation about what actually makes great coffee! We chat about dialling in espresso, building your palate, why better equipment doesn't always mean better coffee, and the realities of coffee production today. Join us for a practical, thoughtful conversation packed with insights for baristas, coffee professionals, and anyone who wants to better understand what's in their cup. 00:00 Are We in the Golden Age of Coffee? 01:24 Meet Raul Rodas 02:13 How a World Champion Drinks Coffee 05:26 Winning the World Barista Championship 07:59 Lessons From a Career in Coffee 10:32 Why Isn't Espresso Better? 16:23 How to Dial In Coffee Better 23:06 Sponsor Break 24:08 Espresso Recipes & Brew Temperature 26:23 Building Better Sensory Skills 34:09 The Reality of Coffee Production 46:35 The Future of Coffee Careers 49:15 Promoting Coffee Origins 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! Find Raul Here: https://www.instagram.com/raulitobarista/ Want more coffee content?  IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=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
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  The SCA Just Created a 'Master of Specialty Coffee' | COFFEE BREAK! 24.06.2026 19min

  Specialty coffee has a new title …  Master of Specialty Coffee. The SCA has just announced a new accreditation for people at the very pointy end of the industry. To even apply, you need every SCA Skills Diploma, a Q Grader certification, years of experience, professional recommendations… and that is only the front door. So what is it actually trying to do? Why is coffee chasing its own Masters of Wine moment? Is this certification genuinely intended to elevate the industry without creating barriers to entry? also get into the bigger question: who gets to become a recognised voice for specialty coffee, and does this create a better pathway for coffee professionals, or just another very expensive title? Plus, Condesa Co.Lab joins us with the weekly green coffee market report. 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. CHAPTERS 00:00 New Master of Specialty Coffee 01:18 Who can apply? 03:14 Does Ben want the title? 04:44 The exams explained 07:22 What do Masters actually do? 09:25 Is it accessible for producing countries? 11:32 Where is the barista career pathway? 14:21 Condesa Co.Lab Market Report 16:30 Final thoughts on coffee’s new top title Want more coffee content?  IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=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: Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/  Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/   Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Make Filter Coffee Like a Champion | ELYSIA TAN! 22.06.2026 57min

  With the 2026 World Brewers Cup just around the corner, we wanted to ask: What should we (the non-competitors and regular coffee people) be paying attention to… and how can the competition inform our own coffee and business practices? Here to help answer these questions is multiple-time Singapore Brewers Cup Champion and two-time World Brewers Cup finalist, Elysia Tan! Along with her extensive competition insight, Elysia shares practical (and golden!) tips for improving brewing, such as using different filter papers to adjust mouthfeel and sweetness.                                    Tune in to discover just how magical the world of coffee brewing can be!  CHAPTERS! 00:00 Why Brewers Cup Matters 02:32 Falling for Filter Coffee 08:27 How Brewers Cup Works 12:27 What to Watch on Stage 14:52 Competition Ideas in Cafés 17:10 Blends, Flatbeds & Immersion 23:28 Building a Competition Routine 28:03 Better Café Filter Service 34:02 Sweetness, Body & Balance 39:03 What to Stop Obsessing Over 44:27 Better Brewing at Home 47:38 Filter Paper Changes Everything 49:30 Why the V60 Still Wins 52:44 Hot Take: Hospitality First 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! Find Elysia here: https://www.instagram.com/elysiaholmes/  World Coffee Championships: https://www.instagram.com/worldcoffeechampionships/  Want more coffee content?  IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=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: Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/  Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/   Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Taste-testing Viral Drink Recipes with a WBC Judge | COFFEE BREAK! 17.06.2026 20min

  3 viral coffee recipes, 1 esteemed WBC Judge. Ben Bicknell put his well-honed sensory skills to the test, judging the “fridge cigarette", “Limoncello espresso”, and “espresso bomb”.  How do these drinks stack up against the palette of a guy who judges coffee for a living? Which trends are pointing to a genuine demand in the industry, and which are full of air? Tune in to find out! 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&ltsid=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: Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/  Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/   Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Coffee Science vs Coffee Myths | CHRIS H. HENDON! 12.06.2026 1h 23min

  Coffee people love science … but only when it agrees with them. In this episode, we sit down with Christopher H. Hendon, computational chemist, Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oregon, co-author of Water for Coffee, and one of the most recognisable voices in modern coffee science! We talk about what makes good science, why the coffee industry is so vulnerable to pseudoscience, and how professionals can better separate useful evidence from confident noise. Chris breaks down everything from freezing coffee beans and the Ross Droplet Technique to water chemistry, coffee extraction, cold brew, co-ferments, climate change, and why one experiment rarely proves what people think it proves. This one is for the coffee nerds, the science-curious, and anyone who has ever heard a coffee claim online and thought: “Wait… is that actually true?” 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 everything Chris here: Insta @chhendon https://pages.uoregon.edu/chendon/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-71526-5?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3 CHAPTERS 00:00 Coffee Science vs Coffee Myths 03:29 Meet Chris Hendon 05:21 Why Coffee Gets Science Wrong 13:00 Freezing Coffee Beans Explained 14:39 Ross Droplet Technique Explained 17:39 Better Coffee Experiments 21:24 James Hoffmann’s Long Black Theory 29:00 How to Spot Bad Coffee Science 36:46 Can Science Fix Bad Coffee? 41:32 Why Water Chemistry Matters 44:46 Water for Coffee 2 49:33 Why Coffee Tastes Different Everywhere 55:13 The Future of Coffee Education 01:03:33 Coffee Processing and Climate Change 01:08:40 Is Cold Brew Actually Bad? 01:10:02 Rethinking Coffee Equipment 01:12:47 One Coffee Belief to Challenge Want more coffee content? IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=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: Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/ Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/ Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  We React to North America’s Specialty Coffee Report | COFFEE BREAK! 10.06.2026 21min

  For the first time, specialty coffee has overtaken traditional coffee consumption in the U.S. We unpack this year’s Specialty Coffee Report, including the key trends behind the shift, where people are drinking coffee, who's driving growth, and what drinks are gaining the most momentum. Plus! – How can you apply these findings to your place in the industry?!  00:00 – The 2026 Specialty Coffee Report 03:00 – Specialty Coffee Takes the Lead 06:10 – America’s Espresso Boom 09:15 – Cold Coffee All Year Round 11:10 – Who’s Driving Coffee Growth? 12:20 – The Flavours Consumers Love 16:20 – The Rise of Home Brewing 17:30 – What Coffee Businesses Should Know 18:50 – Coffee Market Update 21:00 – Final Thoughts 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&ltsid=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: Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/  Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/   Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Testing James Hoffmann’s Insane Americano Recipe | COFFEE BREAK! 08.06.2026 24min

  James Hoffmann claims that adding steamed water to your long black creates a better drink… so we put his theory to the test. In today’s Coffee Break we conduct a blind tasting to compare steamed water, boiler water, and water from a kettle. Our very own WBC judge decides–groundbreaking or gimmicky!? CHAPTERS ! 00:00 James Hoffmann’s Steamed Water Americano Theory 01:03 Why Long Blacks and Americanos Are So Inconsistent 02:35 Why Espresso Machine Water Could Be the Problem 03:52 Making the First Steamed Water Long Black 06:34 Blind Taste Test: Boiler Water vs Kettle vs Steamed Water 09:52 First Taste Test Results 10:52 Round Two: Retesting the Theory 12:38 Final Verdict on Steamed Water Coffee 15:12 The Bigger Problem With Long Blacks in Cafes 17:23 Does Crema Make Coffee Taste Worse? 19:14 The Problem With Macchiatos, Long Macs and Magics 21:39 Should Cafe Menus Be Simpler? 23:39 Final Thoughts: Is the Hack Worth It? 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. James Hoffmann’s Theory: https://youtu.be/0HdzJz_evNw?si=rXDB4i12iRb7Klrg  Want more coffee content?  IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=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: Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/  Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/   Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Café Red Flags We Notice In The First 30 Seconds | COFFEE BREAK! 03.06.2026 25min

  You never get a second chance to make a first impression. That’s why we’re analysing the first 30 seconds of stepping into a cafe: What immediately sets the tone? What are the biggest greenflags… and redflags? We discuss the importance of soundscapes, coffee menus, and staff demeanor, telling you what to look for, and for cafe owners, what mistakes you might be making before the customer has even ordered.  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&ltsid=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: Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/  Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/   Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  What Great Coffee Education Actually Looks Like | w DYLAN SIEMENS of CAFE IMPORTS 01.06.2026 43min

  Hey baristas… how much do you know about your coffee’s journey before it reaches the cafe? Not much? Dylan Siemens is here to change all that.  Dylan Siemens is the Head of Coffee Education at Cafe Imports in Minneapolis. He joins us to share his latest coffee education program, ED+U, designed to bridge the gap between baristas and green coffee knowledge. Siemens also explains the value of extended training to reduce employee turnover, highlights the most effective modes for impactful education, and encourages all cafes and baristas to check out ED+U (fyi - it’s free!).  Learn all about it - tune in!  Huge thank-you to Dylan for joining the show! Find him at–https://www.instagram.com/pouraxial/  Cafe Imports: https://www.instagram.com/cafeimports/  Check out ED+U by Cafe Imports: https://edubycafeimports.thinkific.com/  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&ltsid=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: Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/  Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/   Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  What's Happening in Home Espresso Now | COFFEE BREAK! 27.05.2026 28min

  More people are drinking coffee at home. For cafes, this doesn’t mean a loss of demand, but a shift in what consumers are demanding. Find out how your business can adapt to the needs of the current market; and if you’re a home barista, learn what you can reasonably expect in terms of beans, education, and equipment in the era of home espresso. 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&ltsid=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: Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/  Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/   Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  How to Build a Strong Company Culture in Coffee | EQUATOR COFFEES! 25.05.2026 57min

  Equator Coffees has done something quite remarkable in the coffee space. 32 years in, and they remain steadfast in their values: Female-owned, B corp certified and LGBTQ+ focused. Ben sat down with Co-Founder Helen Russell to discuss the practicalities of creating and maintaining a value-led business… including non-negotiable staff benefits, transparency with customers, and Helen’s personal advice, ‘hire for kindness, teach coffee later!’. Helen also addresses the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles and the importance of supporting women-owned cooperatives.  00:00 Welcome & Introducing Helen Russell 01:23 The Story of Equator Coffees03:01 Building a Values-Led Coffee Business 08:59 Why Transparency Matters 15:36 Creating a Strong Company Culture 19:31 Balancing Values & Profitability 23:10 Turning Values Into Action 28:41 COVID, Grocery & Adapting the Business 35:14 Hospitality & Making Customers Feel Cared For 40:43 Women in Coffee Leadership 47:13 Creating an Equitable Workplace 51:03 Advice for Purpose-Driven Businesses 54:14 Hot Take: Coffee Should Cost More 55:23 Final Thoughts & Shout Outs Equator Coffees: https://www.instagram.com/equatorcoffees/  Helen Russell: https://www.instagram.com/equatorhelen/  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&ltsid=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: Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/  Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/  Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Coffee Is Changing, Whether You Like It or Not | COFFEE BREAK! 20.05.2026 39min

  Ben’s back from San Francisco, Bangkok, Dubai, Thailand and chats about what he’s seeing: producing countries keeping the good stuff, new specialty hotspots, and why Australia might not get first pick of great coffee forever. Bottom line, the coffee industry is changing, and quickly. Tune in and get up to date! 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&ltsid=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: Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/  Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/   Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  The Woman Who Defined Third-Wave Coffee | TRISH ROTHGEB! 18.05.2026 53min

  You’ve heard the term “Third-Wave Coffee”... but did you know it was coined by our guest today, Trish Rothgeb! She’s the Founder of Wrecking Ball Coffee in San Fran, and has been working in the industry for 4 decades. Together we unpack the pivotal moments of coffee history that have shaped the industry today (for better or for worse). Plus we explore the ways in which late third-wave coffee is failing us, and what we can do about it - with an emphasis on education and connection.  00:00 Introduction & Trish Rothgeb’s Coffee Legacy 01:20 The Origin of “Third Wave Coffee” 03:05 First, Second & Third Wave Explained 09:10 Community and the Evolution of Specialty Coffee 17:30 Building Community at Wrecking Ball Coffee 24:10 Meet People Where They Are 28:00 Roasting as Craft and Flavour Design 35:00 How to Become a Great Coffee Roaster 39:15 Mentorship and Sharing Knowledge 45:45 Hot Take: Why Coffee Quality Can Be Measured 50:50 Shout-Outs and Final Reflections 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! Find Trish here: https://www.instagram.com/trishrothgeb/  Wrecking Ball Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/wreckingballcoffee?/  Want more coffee content?  IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=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: Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/  Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/   Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices