IT’S JUST COFFEE!

Ben Bicknell & Rohan Cooke

Whether you’re a world barista champion brewing a $150 rare coffee from the hills of Panama, or you’re stirring a spoon of instant coffee in boiling water, at the end of the day, It’s Just Coffee! It’s Just Coffee! is a podcast for all those coffee lovers out there and we're endeavouring on a journey to find the perfect cup. Not only will we be talking to the world’s best coffee makers and roasters, we’re going to be talking to athletes, comedians, celebrities and anyone that just loves a great cup of coffee. The coffee community around the world is engaged and passionate (sometimes to a fault), and we want to explore some of the biggest debates that happen across the Internet, and in the local cafe around the corner from you. Questions like: • Which country has the best coffee in the world? • Should it be illegal to mix milk in black coffee? • Is Starbucks actually coffee? We’ll dive into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day, that It’s Just Coffee!

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Finally, a Young Barista’s Point of View | EMILY MAKES COFFEE!

    Being a barista in 2026 means more than dialling in espresso.Dialing in from Canada, we’re joined by seasoned barista first, social media personality second - Emily Makes Coffee. With 40,000 followers, millions of views, and a lot of very honest takes about life behind the bar, Emily has become a refreshing voice in the coffee conversation.  From burnout to opportunity, we explore what the job really demands today - and what needs to change for coffee careers to become truly sustainable in and out of the cafe. FIND her @emily.makes.coffeehttps://emilymakescoffee.ca/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 02:48 Being a Barista in 2026 09:16 The Skills Customers Don’t See 13:27 Burnout, Wages & Career Sustainability 18:10 Content Creation, Authenticity & Representation 29:31 New Opportunities for Baristas 38:20 Safety, Boundaries & Difficult Customers 46:14 What Makes a Great Barista 52:38 Great Customers, Bad Habits & Pet Peeves 1:00:12 What Makes a Great Café to Work In 1:02:58 Advice for Young Baristas 1:05:31 Hospo Horror Stories 1:11:13 Hot Takes + Final Shoutout 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: 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

    1hr 18min
  2. 15 APR

    Designing Coffee Gear People Actually Use | DOM SYMONS from Subminimal!

    What does it actually take to turn a coffee idea into a real product?In this episode, we sit down with Dominic Symons, Founder of Subminimal and designer behind tools like the NanoFoamer and Subscale. We unpack what separates genuinely useful coffee equipment from the endless stream of gadgets hitting the market.From identifying real problems behind the bar to prototyping, manufacturing, patents, and raising over $1.5M through Kickstarter, Dominic shares what most people misunderstand about launching a product, and why simplicity is often the hardest design challenge.We also explore copycat culture, protecting ideas, and why many concepts should never make it past the sketch phase.If you’ve ever wondered how coffee tools actually come to life, 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! https://subminimal.com @subminimal Products mentionedNanoFoamerNanoFoamer PROSubscaleFlick WDT Tool CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:24 Meet Dominic Symons (Subminimal) 02:04 Raising $1.5M on Kickstarter 03:01 Is Kickstarter Still Worth It? 04:33 Product Development Reality Check 09:15 Why Milk Frothing Needed Innovation 12:35 From Side Project to Global Product 14:09 What Makes a Great Coffee Tool? 15:41 Copycats, Patents & Protecting Ideas 18:22 Product Ideas That Didn’t Make It 23:25 How to Start Designing a Product 26:36 Finding Manufacturers & Production 28:08 Real Cost of Launching a Product 32:11 Filming the Kickstarter Campaign 34:17 Coffee Market Update 36:16 Brands Pushing Innovation 37:11 Coffee Trends That Might Be Overhyped 39:09 Where to Find Subminimal 40:01 Outro 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: 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

    41 min
  3. 13 APR

    Processing Coffee Like Beer?! | Edwin Noreña of CAMPO HERMOSO

    Edwin Noreña is a fourth-generation farmer and coffee innovator, leading Finca Campo Hermoso in Colombia. The farm is known for its experimental coffees, with Edwin himself developing a co-fermentation technique inspired by the craft beer industry. We caught him at MICE2026 to talk “co-fermented” vs “infused” coffee, as well as hops in coffee processing, and the complications that come with bringing co-ferments into the mainstream.  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! Campo Hermoso: https://www.instagram.com/campohermoso_coffeefarms/  CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction & Why Experimental Coffee is Trending 02:30 Campo Hermoso & The R&D Approach to Coffee 05:10 Co-Fermented vs Infused Coffee Explained 06:45 Multi-Stage Fermentation & Using Hops 10:40 Fermentation Science (Yeast, Anaerobic, Lactic) 12:00 Adding Value at Origin 14:00 Extreme Flavours & Market Trends 18:00 Quality vs Co-Fermented Coffee Debate 21:30 Consistency Challenges in Experimental Processing 25:30 Can Big Brands Scale Co-Fermented Coffee? 27:45 Future of Coffee Innovation 29:00 Final Thoughts & Where to Find Edwin’s 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: 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

    31 min
  4. 8 APR

    Why Young People Aren’t Drinking Specialty Coffee (Next-Gen) | HANY EZZAT!

    Hany Ezzat is the Founder of Ni Wares–creating science backed cups for coffee competitions and elevated everyday use. He also just won the Next-Gen Talent Award at MICE2026. We caught up with him at the expo to talk about what the win meant to him, as well as his recent (and controversial) use of the xBloom in a filter competition, why he thinks young people aren't as engaged in specialty coffee, and the importance of multisensory design. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 01:55 Who is Hany Ezzat? 03:40 Starting Ni Wares 06:05 Designing competition cups 08:50 The science of taste perception 11:45 Multisensory coffee experiences 14:20 Using xBloom in competition 17:05 Innovation vs tradition in coffee 19:40 Why young people disengage from specialty 22:10 The future of coffee tools 24:40 Advice for competitors & creators 26:45 Final thoughts 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! Hany Ezzat: https://www.instagram.com/barista_hany/ Ni Wares: https://ni-wares.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: 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

    27 min
  5. 7 APR

    How To Scale A Business Without Losing Soul | Nolan Hirte of PROUD MARY COFFEE!

    If anyone truly lives for coffee, it’s Nolan Hirte. Founder of the wildly successful Proud Mary Coffee, Nolan’s passion for coffee bleeds out into every aspect of his business, making Proud Mary an iconic name across Australia and the U.S.  We spoke to him at MICE26 about Proud Mary’s journey scaling to the U.S, as well as mood-based coffee labelling, barriers for young people entering the industry, and the Honduran producer who won the Cup of Excellence using a recipe from ChatGPT! CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro & Nolan Hirte 02:08 Coffee Journey & Passion 04:09 Creating a Coffee Experience 06:20 Why Storytelling Matters 08:05 Making Specialty Coffee Accessible 10:26 Sponsor: Marco MilkPal 11:07 Expensive Coffee Debate 12:44 Attracting New Coffee Drinkers 15:00 Simplifying Coffee Communication 18:22 Hospitality & Customer Experience 21:31 Building Team Culture 29:36 Future of Coffee & Technology 37:33 New Ideas & Coffee Experiences 41:53 Industry Shoutout & Outro 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! Nolan Hirte: https://www.instagram.com/nolan.hirte/  Proud Mary Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/proudmarycoffee/  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: 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

    46 min
  6. 1 APR

    Neon Milk and Electric Lime - Inside Dak’s Unique Coffee Menu | DAK COFFEE!

    From Canada to Amsterdam; Dak’s Founders Veronique and Louis give us the low-down on starting a business abroad. Operating as a coffee-only retail concept, Dak's physical shop acts more as a tasting space rather than a traditional cafe. They play with in experimental processing methods - think hibiscus cultured wash - and lean in to evocative and flavour driven branding. Tune in for a fantastic conversation with the founders who are doing it differently! 00:00 Intro 01:12 About DAK Coffee 03:48 Coffee Range Explained 06:05 Experimental Coffees 10:56 Choosing Coffees for Customers 14:22 Working With Producers 18:57 Explaining Processing 19:54 Coffee Market Update 21:12 What Is Coffee? 22:20 Testing New Coffees 27:05 Fermentation Basics 31:40 Team Perspective 35:15 Where to Buy DAK 36:00 Outro 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! Dak Coffee: https://www.dakcoffeeroasters.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dakcoffeeroasters/  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: 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

    37 min
  7. 30 MAR

    #13 Best Cafe in the World After 6 Months?! | BETA COFFEE w CHRIS MAYBURY!

    Chris Maybury’s cafe ranked #13 in the World! So how did he do it?? Beta Coffee is one of the more experimental coffee shops out there at the moment, pushing the envelope with automation and pre-batched espresso. We spoke to Chris at MICE2026 about Beta Coffee: The role of automation, his recent system challenges, and the importance of mindful and authentic service.  00:00 Intro & guest 00:46 The experimental café concept 03:02 Ranked #13 in the world 04:37 Pre-batched espresso explained 09:00 Results, challenges & taste test 14:51 Automation, speed & cost savings 21:58 Lessons, mistakes & hospitality 29:01 Costs, financials & future plans 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! Chris Maybury: https://www.instagram.com/mayburyc/  Beta Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/beta_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: 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

    43 min

About

Whether you’re a world barista champion brewing a $150 rare coffee from the hills of Panama, or you’re stirring a spoon of instant coffee in boiling water, at the end of the day, It’s Just Coffee! It’s Just Coffee! is a podcast for all those coffee lovers out there and we're endeavouring on a journey to find the perfect cup. Not only will we be talking to the world’s best coffee makers and roasters, we’re going to be talking to athletes, comedians, celebrities and anyone that just loves a great cup of coffee. The coffee community around the world is engaged and passionate (sometimes to a fault), and we want to explore some of the biggest debates that happen across the Internet, and in the local cafe around the corner from you. Questions like: • Which country has the best coffee in the world? • Should it be illegal to mix milk in black coffee? • Is Starbucks actually coffee? We’ll dive into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day, that It’s Just Coffee!

You Might Also Like