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. 39M AGO

    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
  2. 2D AGO

    #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
  3. Making Ethical Coffee Buying Easy | COFFEE BREAK!

    MAR 25

    Making Ethical Coffee Buying Easy | COFFEE BREAK!

    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<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

    25 min
  4. MAR 24

    We Keep Getting Ethical Coffee Buying Wrong | with FAIRTRADE’S Colleen Anunu!

    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<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! 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

    1h 19m
  5. Expensive vs Cheap Instant Coffee with a World Barista Judge | COFFEE BREAK!

    MAR 18

    Expensive vs Cheap Instant Coffee with a World Barista Judge | COFFEE BREAK!

    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<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!  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

    38 min
  6. MAR 16

    How Specialty Coffee Is Reinventing Instant Coffee | Hugh Kelly (Ona)

    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<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

    53 min
  7. Become a Barista in 2026 | w Melbourne Coffee Academy Founder CHARLES SKADIANG!

    MAR 9

    Become a Barista in 2026 | w Melbourne Coffee Academy Founder CHARLES SKADIANG!

    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<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

    1h 5m
4
out of 5
7 Ratings

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!

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