IT’S JUST COFFEE!

What does ethical coffee buying look like in practice? This week’s Coffee Break aims to turn the complex concepts into actionable steps: What questions should you ask importers? How can you use living income reference prices? And what’s the go on marketing ethically sourced coffee without greenwashing? CHAPTERS ! 00:00 Introduction to Ethical Coffee 00:01:56 Meet Colleen Anunu & Her Work 00:02:44 Direct Trade vs Fairtrade Explained 00:05:24 Why Transparency in Coffee Pricing Matters 00:08:17 Certifications, Trust, and Verifying Claims 00:10:09 Tools for Understanding Coffee Prices 00:13:11 The History and Ethics of Coffee Trade 00:16:35 Coffee Market Update (Condesa) 00:18:41 Communicating Sustainability Without Greenwashing 00:21:11 Making Specialty Coffee More Accessible 00:23:51 Rethinking Coffee Menus & Customer Education 00:24:35 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

Ethical coffee buying, explained.  Fairtrade International veteran Colleen Anunu joins us to explain what ethical coffee buying actually means in the 2020s. *Hint - it’s more than just paying higher prices.  Whether you’re buying green beans or a takeaway flat white, it’s important to understand the complexities of coffee trade. We unpack the unbalanced risk distribution in the supply chain, threats facing smallholder farms, and the unpaid family labour that is often overlooked in coffee production. 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! Fairtrade International: https://www.instagram.com/fairtradeofficial/ Website: https://www.fairtrade.net/en/about/about-fairtrade-international.html  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! chapters 0:00 Intro 1:56 Coffee Preferences 9:48 Turning Point 22:36 Sustainability Reality 28:58 Producer Hardships 35:16 Pricing Limitations 45:35 Fairtrade Debate 54:48 Transparency Limits 1:03:29 Value Chain Issues 1:11:35 Industry Advice 1:17:51 Final Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite being one of the most widely consumed coffees in the world, instant coffee still carries a bad reputation. And sure, some commercial options can taste like the bottom of an ashtray, but there are genuinely excellent instant coffees out there. We blind taste-tested seven instant coffees, ranging from low-grade to specialty. Join sensory expert and WBC judge Ben Bicknell as he guides us through a cupping session and reveals what instant coffee can (and can’t) deliver. Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews , 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!  00:00 Instant Coffee vs Specialty - The Reality 00:47 Why Specialty Instant Is Getting Attention 02:25 Blind Taste Test - Can Instant Actually Be Good? 11:35 The Reveal - What Were We Drinking? 16:18 Takeaways - Has Instant Coffee Improved? 18:16 Coffee Market Update (Condesa Report) 20:30 Could Cafés Start Serving Instant? 21:43 Pricing - Is It Actually Worth It? 24:04 Instant as an Espresso Alternative 27:14 Who Is This Actually For? 30:13 Final Thoughts - Where This Could Go 33:34 Coffee News - Trade + Blue Bottle 37:09 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can instant coffee be just as good, (if not better) than espresso? Hugh Kelly seems to think so! The three time Australian Barista Champion and longtime Head of Coffee at Ona joined us to discuss the ways instant coffee can be used to uplift the industry as a whole - making coffee more accessible, consistent, and dare I say tasty…! Plus stay tuned for Hugh’s expert tips on how to make a banging cup of instant. 00:00 Trailer 01:00 The Big Question: Is Coffee Becoming Too Complicated? 01:56 Introducing Hugh Kelly (ONA Coffee) 02:16 Espresso vs Filter - What Coffee Pros Actually Drink 06:20 Instant Coffee: The Most Consumed Coffee in the World 12:21 How Instant Coffee Is Actually Made 15:52 The Real Limits of Instant Coffee 25:30 Blind Tasting: 7 Instant Coffees 30:51 Can Instant Replace Espresso in Milk Drinks? 33:36 The Café Industry Problem: Too Many Coffee Shops 43:00 The Future of Coffee Convenience 52:00 Final Thoughts - Making Coffee Easier 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! Hugh Kelly: https://www.instagram.com/hugh_t_kelly/ Ona Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/onacoffee/ 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

Rohan and Ben unpack the slippery hiring process, sharing tips that make staff acquisition simple! Plus we break down the golden rules for getting hired (and not getting fired) as a barista. Also, gym bros’ prayers are answered… Creatine and protein coffee has hit the market. We unpack the trend of adding supplements to coffee, does your business need to jump on 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. 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

Becoming a barista sounds simple enough… but how do you actually get your foot in the door, and once you're in, how can you turn coffee into a sustainable career?  Today we’re joined by Founder of Melbourne Coffee Academy, Charles Skadiang. With over 20 years experience, and a specialised understanding of the role of the barista, Charles tells all; sharing invaluable insight about how to make it in the coffee industry as a barista and beyond.  00:00 Intro 01:21 Charles Skadiang Joins the Podcast 02:53 Getting Started in Coffee 04:44 Why Melbourne Coffee Academy Exists 07:17 Barista Training & Courses 11:20 Roles Behind the Coffee Bar 13:06 Career Paths in Coffee 16:32 Can You Make Money in Coffee? 21:33 Skills Every Barista Needs 25:39 Automation & the Modern Barista 28:31 Master Barista Certification 36:32 Running a High-Volume Café 43:33 Building a Long-Term Coffee Career Big thanks to Charles for joining the show!  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! Charles Skadiang: https://www.instagram.com/charlesskadiang/  Melbourne Coffee Academy: https://www.instagram.com/melbcoffeeacademy/ https://www.melbournecoffeeacademy.com.au/ 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

There’s some spicy discourse surrounding the viral Top 10 Cafes TikTok! Plus we unpack the controversial 10-year-old beans released by Passenger Coffee, and Dunkin’s 48-ounce bucket of iced coffee that’s currently taking over the internet. Also, what does it entail to join La Marzocco’s recently launched True Artisan Club? All this and more on this week’s Coffee Break!  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/ 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

Learn how to become a coffee entrepreneur from the absolute best!  Laila Ghambari is a US Barista Champion, owner of Guilder Coffee Company, and runs her own coffee consulting business. She joins us to discuss the myriad of ways in which someone can step into coffee business ownership… there’s more options than just opening a cafe! Plus, she shares what it’s really like being a CEO and a mum at the same time. 00:00 – Why “cool cafés” often lose money 00:21 – Meet LAILA GHAMBARI! (Barista Champion → business owner) 02:18 – The reality of owning a café (not what you think) 05:20 – Buy vs build: the smartest way to start 10:52 – The lowest-risk way to test a coffee business 12:10 – Are you actually ready to own a café? 16:52 – The mindset shift: barista → owner 18:25 – Why business skills matter more than coffee skills 21:02 – Early mistakes & learning profitability fast 24:17 – The truth about hype vs profitable cafés 27:50 – Building networks & learning from others 31:41 – Funding your café (loans, family, partnerships) 35:13 – Why you should avoid giving away ownership 43:36 – Motherhood, leadership & running a business 55:52 – Final advice: just start (and figure it out) Fantastic conversation, thank-you so much for joining the show Laila. 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! Laila Ghambari: https://www.instagram.com/lailaghambari/  Guilder Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/guildercoffee/ 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

Simple tips from a Brewers Champion that will improve your filter coffee immediately! We also discuss the outcomes of investing in quality coffee rather than equipment, and the significance of consistent water quality in brewing preparation.  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

Tom Hutchins is a three time Brewers Cup Champion, and the Head of Coffee Training at Code Black Coffee in Melbourne… So who better to spill the secrets of advanced filter brewing! Tom’s seasoned experience lends a hand to anyone who wants to brew better coffee, from home baristas just getting into filter, to cafe owners wanting to maintain fresh batches.  Plus, stay tuned for Tom’s $1K brewing setup that will change your life (or at least your coffee).  Thank-you Tom for your time and generous insight, it's a must listen.  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! Tom Hutchins: https://www.instagram.com/tomrhutchins/ Code Black Coffee: https://codeblackcoffee.com.au/ 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/   Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/ Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices