IT’S JUST COFFEE!

Rohan and Ben hit Milan for HOST! one of the biggest hospitality expos in the world to take you inside the halls where coffee meets the global stage. From live-ranking espresso machines to next-gen grinders and limited-edition tech drops, the guys unpack the biggest moments, ideas, and innovations shaping the future of coffee. Ben also shares what it was like judging the World Brewers Cup, where 5...

From the farms of Panama to the labs shaping the next generation of coffee - this week’s Coffee Break dives into the science that could decide coffee’s future. The boys explore how researchers are fighting climate change with new coffee varieties, the wild economics of luxury Geishas fetching $628 a cup, and why Australia might be the next frontier for sustainable coffee farming. There’s talk of y...

As climate change, disease, and shifting generations reshape coffee production, Hanna Neuschwander from World Coffee Research (WCR) joins us to unpack how genetics, collaboration, and innovation are securing the future of coffee. From varietal trials across 18 countries to the race for climate-resilient plants, Hanna explains how research is helping farmers adapt - and why the next era of coffee d...

In today’s Coffee Break: We stress the importance of precision when grinding and extracting, DeLonghi have curiously reclassified their coffee machine in order to avoid tariffs, and a new product from South Korea has been released, offering real-time extraction analysis for professional and home brewing, but is it any good? Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everyt...

How far has the coffee industry come in the last couple of decades? A lot has changed since the 2000s; a quarter century in and the specialty coffee is almost unrecognisable. Simon Gautherin from the innovative mineral brand APAX Lab joins us to discuss some of the biggest innovations of the 21st century in coffee competition, and how the past might help predict the future of coffee… If you're new...

We dive into the Flair Wizard - a tool that lets you steam milk without an espresso machine (yep, you read that right). Plus, off the back of our chat with Morgan Eckroth, we unpack how they’ve turned social media into a strategic powerhouse. And of course, a few big industry updates: from new research on coffee species diversity to Starbucks’ 3D-printed store in Texas. Coffee Break is your weekly...

Morgan Eckroth, best known on the internet as @morgandrinkscoffee, is a popular content creator and US Barista Champion. They graced our studio today to give us the low down on signature drinks; Why are signature drinks everywhere? How do you design one that will hit? And what impact do signature drinks have on the industry as a whole?  A huge thank you to Morgan for joining the show! Make sure to...

What does it really take to judge a coffee competition? This week we unpack our chat with Hendri Kurniawan, the world coffee events rep who literally judges the judges. From calibration and comment checks to the huge personal costs of volunteering, we dive into what makes judging fair, objective, and supportive for competitors. We also riff on the risks of brewing $250 cups and $30,000/kg coffees,...

Ever wondered what really goes on behind the judge’s table at the World Barista Championship?  In this episode of It’s Just Coffee!, hosts Rohan Cooke and Ben Bicknell sit down with Hendri Kurniawan - Jakarta Coffee Week founder, trainer of judges, and World Coffee Championship judge - to unpack the fascinating (and sometimes controversial) world of competition judging. From the evolution of baris...

What happens when a World Barista Champion admits his biggest lessons came from failure? In this Coffee Break, Rohan and Ben break down their chat with Dale Harris - from crashing and burning on stage to finding community backstage, and why competitions can shape careers far beyond trophies. This week’s coffee NEWS headlines : Costa Coffee - Coca-Cola is set to sell the UK’s largest coffee chain,...

Dale Harris was the World Barista Champion of 2017. He joins us today to share his journey to the top… How did he get to competing on the world stage??  This episode is for anyone curious about the behind the scenes of some of the most competitive coffee competitions in the world. Whether you’ve competed before, would like to one day, or simply want to know more about the WBC, this episode is for...

So … what does it actually take to become a great coffee roaster? This week on Coffee Break, Rohan and Ben unpack their chat with roasting legend Anne Cooper (Equilibrium Master Roasters) - and it gets fiery. From why the industry desperately needs clearer roasting standards, to the myth of “espresso vs filter roasts”, to whether “minimal intervention roasting” is just a fairytale, nothing is off...

Coffee roasting… an art or a science? Master roastress & coffee consultant Anne Cooper joins us in the studio to share her extensive coffee roasting knowledge. We address roasting myths and misconceptions, the endless pursuit of perfection, and the Three Golden Rules of coffee roasting. We also discuss the impact of automation and new technologies like the Typhoon Roaster.  If you're new here (wel...

It’s a Sensory Analysis Masterclass!   Want to know exactly what happens in your mouth when you taste coffee? We interviewed co-host, Q-Grader, and sensory expert Ben Bicknell to get the low down on sensory analysis; Where do tasting notes come from? … And how does aroma impact flavour?  We discuss practical exercises to help you better identify taste intensities, and explain concepts such as the...

So you’re a roaster wondering: seasonal blends, omni roasts, or naturals - where do you stand? Well … start by listening to this Coffee Break! In this episode, the crew unpack their recent chat with Klaus Thomsen of Coffee Collective, diving into some of the big roasting debates: Should roasters only serve seasonal blends, or is consistency king? Are omni roasts just lazy - or a practical solution...

What makes a roastery truly stand out - is it the coffee itself, the transparency behind it, or the trust customers place in the brand? For many, navigating the roasting world feels like chasing moving targets. Today we’re joined by Klaus Thomsen, World Barista Champion (2006) and co-founder of Coffee Collective. From humble beginnings in a garage, Klaus and his team now run 8 shops, a bakery, and...

On today’s show: A Geisha coffee smashes records, we explore why freezing your beans might be worth it, and debate workflow innovations like the EK grinder and WDT. Plus, we discuss the surprising impact of La Cimbali and Eversys on DeLonghi’s profits. Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (ee...

Picture this: you’re a café owner, or dreaming of opening one, and it’s time to choose the coffee you’ll serve. But where do you even start? With endless choice, and a fickle market, designing a coffee menu can be daunting. That’s why we’ve got Jack Simpson in the studio! A three-time Australian Barista Champion and sales rep for the renowned Axil Coffee, you could say he knows a thing or two abou...

On today’s show: Philz Coffee has been sold for a record price… will other chains follow suit? Plus! We discuss the coffee raves popping up over the city, and explore coffee sourcing at different scales.  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 sec...

So you’re green coffee sourcing, where do you begin?? Well… start by listening to this episode! Today we’re joined by Katie Cargulio, an expert in green coffee sourcing. She’s a U.S Barista Champion, sensory expert, and leader at one of the most respected roasters in the U.S, Counter Culture Coffee. We’ll explore the myriad of ways one can choose to source coffee, weighing up the choices that can...

Today we break down Tuesday’s episode with Chris Maybury: Should we be jumping on the automation train? And what automated coffee machines are worth your buck?  Plus, Street Smart Hospitality is raising funds for homelessness through their annual coffee-led campaign, CafeSmart. More details about the CafeSmart event available soon. In the meantime, check out https://www.instagram.com/streetsmartho...

We’re joined by Chris Maybury, the mastermind behind the fully automated cafe - Beta Coffee.  Chris discusses his vision for his Sydney based cafe, including his groundbreaking pre-batched espresso and automated milk steaming. Despite all this automation, Chris is an advocate for building connections between customer and barista, arguing that automation may just be the key to better hospitality. S...

We’re answering your questions! What would we be doing if we weren't working in coffee…are we wasting single origin beans on home machines…and should you get your cafe staff sensory trained?? Plus! We discuss the most overrated trends in coffee right now, and share our thoughts on some of La Marzocco’s luxury brand collaborations.  Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community...

Today we are joined by La Marzocco’s Head of Marketing, Anita (Jets) Langlands!  With over 20 years experience in the industry, Jets has a unique and in depth understanding of marketing in the coffee world. She’s been tasked with carrying on the legacy of La Marzocco, while also carving out the future of the brand - piece of cake!  We discuss everything from luxury brand collaborations to marketin...

On today’s Coffee Break: a recent study has found that dairy milk pairs best with coffee, so what does this mean for alt milks? And Trump's new tariffs on Brazilian goods are set to alter the US coffee market dynamics, how will this impact the rest of the world? Plus! We digest Tuesday’s heavy chat about Q grading, summing up all you need to know.    Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into t...