IT’S JUST COFFEE!

Ben Bicknell & Rohan Cooke
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Jan 30, 2025 • 17min

Coffee, Alzheimer’s & Family Grief | COFFEE BREAK!

Let us COFFEE BREAK.Off the back of our episode with Scott Rao, we have a lot to say about his blunt, no-nonsense approach to coffee. Rohan and Kirk discuss Rao’s ability to read roasting data, as well as the importance of the ‘rate of rise’ curve and the critical ‘flick’ post-crack. We also take a moment to get personal. How have certain health struggles impacted our lives and the lives of our families? It’s a reminder to enjoy life's small moments, including that first sip of a good cup of coffee.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.Love our content?Watch Tuesday’s full episode and all other past eps on YouTube or find them in your podcast feed - and follow us @itsjustcoffee on Instagram!Want more of Rohan and Kirk? (duh) Rohan Cooke - @goldenbrown.coffeeInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/goldenbrown.coffee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Kirk Pearson - @kirkthebaristaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/kirkthebarista?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Project Zero Coffee - @projectzero.coffee Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/projectzero.coffee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Plus!! Get your hands on some quality beans for home brewing at Golden Brown Coffee.  Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments.Proudly sponsored by Eco Barista! Find them: @ecobaristaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/eco_barista?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==  Website:https://www.ecobarista.com.au/ Thankyou for listening, love ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 27, 2025 • 1h 7min

The man who wrote the book on coffee roasting | SCOTT RAO RETURNS!

Today we welcome Scott Rao to the podcast!! Scott is one of the world's most recognised and influential coffee roasters and consultants. He’s had a wild journey: Growing up disliking coffee, opening his first cafe in Massachusetts in 1999 (a story filled with challenges and controversy), and pioneering the cafe scene in NZ and Canada. Now Scott is focused on pushing the coffee industry forward through his writing, consulting work, and development of new roasting technologies. In Today’s Show: We discuss the challenges of roasting in small towns, the benefits of decaf, and the emergence of air roasters. We also dive into the nuances of coffee fermentation, and Scott shares his complicated history with barrel fermenting. In Coffee News: A recent study in the US has shown that drinking coffee in the morning can lower the chance of heart disease. Specifically, the study found that people who drink coffee are 31% less likely to develop heart disease compared to those who don't. Plus!! Our hot takes ignite thought-provoking discussions. We explore the art of roasting, the role of the barista, and the unspoken hierarchy of drink orders. 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!Thank-you so much to Scott for such a rich discussion, come back anytime!Find Scott at - @whereisscottraoInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/whereisscottrao?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Website: https://www.scottrao.com/ Where to find us:Rohan Cooke - @goldenbrown.coffeeInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/goldenbrown.coffee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Kirk Pearson - @kirkthebaristaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/kirkthebarista?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Proudly sponsored by Eco Barista! Find them: @ecobaristaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/eco_barista?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==  Website:https://www.ecobarista.com.au/ Want more coffee content? Follow us on instagram @itsjustcoffee or browse all of our content here.Love you for listening! Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 22, 2025 • 18min

AI & Coffee Roasting: A Double Edged Sword | COFFEE BREAK!

It’s time for a COFFEE BREAK yooo!How can AI help to roast coffee beans? What kind of impact will AI have on artisanal experiences? Why is Japan overtaking Melbourne as the global mecca of coffee? These are some of the questions running through our mind after our incredible chat with Matt Perger. And…stick around for the most important question of all - Who has better meat pies, Australia or New Zealand??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.Love our content?Watch Tuesday’s full episode and all other past eps on YouTube or find them in your podcast feed - and follow us @itsjustcoffee on Instagram!Want more of Rohan and Kirk? (duh) Rohan Cooke - @goldenbrown.coffeeInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/goldenbrown.coffee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Kirk Pearson - @kirkthebaristaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/kirkthebarista?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Project Zero Coffee - @projectzero.coffee Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/projectzero.coffee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Plus!! Get your hands on some quality beans for home brewing at Golden Brown Coffee.  Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments.Proudly sponsored by Eco Barista! Find them: @ecobaristaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/eco_barista?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==  Website:https://www.ecobarista.com.au/ Thankyou for listening, love ya!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 20, 2025 • 1h 14min

AI Essentials for Baristas: From Learning to Leading | MATT PERGER!

Matt Perger, a two-time world champion barista and founder of Barista Hustle, joins to explore the impact of AI on the coffee industry. He discusses how AI is optimizing logistics and automating coffee shops, while also debunking myths around rising coffee prices. As a self-proclaimed techno-optimist, Matt shares insights on the balance between innovation and maintaining artisanal roots. The conversation even touches on a potential new coffee capital rivaling Melbourne and the importance of fair compensation for producers in an evolving market.
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Jan 15, 2025 • 29min

The Cheapest Way To Make Top-Tier Coffee | COFFEE BREAK!

3,2,1, BREAK. What is the cheapest way to serve elite coffee at home? What do we predict for the future of decaf? How do you make your barista competition routine stand out? We’re serving up hot takes and sharing our cafe brunch favorites. 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.Love our content?Watch Tuesday’s full episode and all other past eps on YouTube or find them in your podcast feed - and follow us @itsjustcoffee on Instagram!Want more of Rohan and Kirk? (duh) Rohan Cooke - @goldenbrown.coffeeInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/goldenbrown.coffee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Kirk Pearson - @kirkthebaristaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/kirkthebarista?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Project Zero Coffee - @projectzero.coffee Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/projectzero.coffee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Plus!! Get your hands on some quality beans for home brewing at Golden Brown Coffee.  Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments.Proudly sponsored by Eco Barista! Find them: @ecobaristaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/eco_barista?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 13, 2025 • 1h 3min

WHAT WILL BE THE 2025 COFFEE TRENDS | SHOCKING DNA RESULTS!

It’s predictions week!What will the coffee industry look like in 2025? Rohan, Kirk and Liam theorise everything from coffee prices, greenbuying, cafe trends, coffee apparatus, and the resurgence of a certain menu item…Plus, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… is Kirk actually Italian? Rohan shares Kirk’s DNA live on the show. To say we’re shocked is an understatement. 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!Where to find us:Rohan Cooke - @goldenbrown.coffeeInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/goldenbrown.coffee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Kirk Pearson - @kirkthebaristaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/kirkthebarista?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Want more coffee content? Follow us on instagram @itsjustcoffee or browse all of our content here.Proudly sponsored by Eco Barista! Find them: @ecobaristaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/eco_barista?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==  Website:https://www.ecobarista.com.au/ Love you for listening! Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 8, 2025 • 23min

Rising Prices & AI Takeover | COFFEE BREAK!

COFFEE BREAK less gooo. On today’s show: Will humans be obsolete in the industry’s future…What do we look for when ordering coffee… And what do climbing coffee prices mean for Melbourne’s cafe scene?? Hope you all are having a wonderful start to the new year. We are so happy to be kicking off 2025 with you!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.Love our content?Watch Tuesday’s full episode and all other past eps on YouTube or find them in your podcast feed - and follow us @itsjustcoffee on Instagram!Want more of Rohan and Kirk? (duh) Rohan Cooke - @goldenbrown.coffeeInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/goldenbrown.coffee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Kirk Pearson - @kirkthebaristaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/kirkthebarista?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Project Zero Coffee - @projectzero.coffee Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/projectzero.coffee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Plus!! Get your hands on some quality beans for home brewing at Golden Brown Coffee.  Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments.Thankyou for listening, love ya!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 6, 2025 • 1h 11min

Brewing Market Lane’s Success | FLEUR STUDD!

Good Morning!Today we are talking to the wonderful Fleur Studd!Fleur is one of the most influential women in the coffee scene, founding Market Lane Coffee and Melbourne Coffee Merchants. Her story starts in the U.K, finding a passion for coffee before moving back to Australia in 2008 to start her own roastery. Her keen eye for detail, distinctive style and focussed approach has made Market Lane one of the most recognisable brands in Australia.  In this episode, we dive into the decaf sugarcane method, explore Market Lane’s workplace culture, and chat about Fleur’s major influences—including her father, the cheese legend Will Studd. We also debate what the next decade holds for the coffee industry. Plus, don’t miss Fleur’s epic bolognese recipe and her must-have cheeses!In coffee news: Starbucks records a $5.8m loss as Australians cut back on costly lattes by brewing at home.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!Thank you to Fleur for joining the show, your work is inspiring!Find Fleur Studd at - @marketlaneInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/marketlane?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Melbourne Coffee Merchants: @melbcoffeemerch Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/melbcoffeemerch?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Where to find us:Rohan Cooke - @goldenbrown.coffeeInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/goldenbrown.coffee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Kirk Pearson - @kirkthebaristaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/kirkthebarista?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Want more coffee content? Follow us on instagram @itsjustcoffee or browse all of our content here.Love you for listening! Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 1, 2025 • 30min

Kick Off 2025 - Master Your New Coffee Gear! | COFFEE BREAK!

Start 2025 with a COFFEE BREAK!Hi guys, welcome to 2025. Don’t know what to do with that coffee machine that you got for Christmas? Maybe you received a new coffee tool… We’re talking about machines and accessories; how to set up, dial in and brew hard! Plus, we have some thoughts on the upcoming MICE.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.Love our content?Watch Tuesday’s full episode and all other past eps on YouTube or find them in your podcast feed - and follow us @itsjustcoffee on Instagram!Want more of Rohan and Kirk? (duh) Rohan Cooke - @goldenbrown.coffeeInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/goldenbrown.coffee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Kirk Pearson - @kirkthebaristaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/kirkthebarista?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Project Zero Coffee - @projectzero.coffee Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/projectzero.coffee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Plus!! Get your hands on some quality beans for home brewing at Golden Brown Coffee.  Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments.Thankyou for listening, love ya!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 30, 2024 • 1h 12min

HAPPY NEW YEAR! | 2024 Reflections and 2025 Forecasts

Hi guys!It’s New Years Eve and we’re wrapping up 2024 in style! On today’s show: Rohan and Kirk are joined by Sonam, Katie and Liam to reflect on the year that was. We’re talking about our favourite drinks, best podcast moments, lessons learned, and craziest guests! Plus, we’re dishing out some bold predictions for 2025 and a bit of trend forecasting for the upcoming year of coffee. We hope you’ve loved having us in your ears this year, we’ve certainly loved talking to you. Can’t wait for what 2025 will bring, we’ve got a lot planned, so we’ll see you there!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!Where to find us:Rohan Cooke - @goldenbrown.coffeeInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/goldenbrown.coffee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Kirk Pearson - @kirkthebaristaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/kirkthebarista?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Want more coffee content? Follow us on instagram @itsjustcoffee or browse all of our content here.Love you for listening! Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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