Sourced: The Coffee Podcast

In this conversation, Chris Kornman and Juli Burden discuss the exciting developments in coffee research and education in Hawaii, focusing on innovative processing techniques, the importance of coffee germplasm, and the role of soil science and water conservation in coffee farming. They also explore the unique relationship between cacao and coffee, the diversity of Hawaiian coffee, and the future...

In this episode, Joshua Wismans, Richard Sandlin, and Isabella Vitaliano recount their trip to Ethiopia, exploring the complexities of the coffee supply chain, the importance of Fair Trade, and the healthcare challenges faced by coffee-growing communities. They discuss the role of Royal Coffee in supporting Ethiopian producers, the significance of building long-term relationships, and the impact o...

Freezing coffee has long been dismissed as outdated advice but is it actually wrong? In this episode, Chris and Isabella share findings from a six-month research project published in  Roast magazine exploring whether freezing roasted coffee slows staling. Comparing room-temperature storage with two frozen methods across washed and natural coffees, the study found that while nothing replaces fresh...

The Crown's Director of Education sits down with Luke Waite, founder of Pomello Coffee Consulting and author of The Owner's Manual: A Guide to Sustaining a Coffee Roaster to discuss the challenges of writing for a niche coffee audience, the unique needs of a coffee roasting business, and the nuanced, sometimes vulnerable state of trying to be better than "good enough."

In this episode I wanted to zoom in and get a little bit personal. Although the scale is not massive the impact is immeasurable. Talking with Mayra, our co-worker at Royal, paints a picture of how coffee is so interpersonal and is driven by its ability to connect people to one another.  In her hometown of Santa Elena in Honduras, Mayra has created economic change by exporting her community's coffe...

In part two of the series, Charlie, Chris, and Spencer explore topics such as risk in coffee purchasing, the pendulum swing in experimental coffee, who is driving demand for investment in unique flavors, whether coffee hybrids could be the next wave, defining co-ferments, the potential for co-ferments to take over the world, and more!

In this 2-part series, Charlie, Chris and Spencer go back in time to explore the turning point of sourcing and demand in late aughts till present day. They chat about 'good and right' coffee, government intervention, barista competitions, regrets in coffee buying and more. Stay tuned for the next episode on risk and experimentation in coffee buying.   

In this episode, Spencer Ford, Junior Trader, and Alex Mason, VP of Trading Activity, take a deep dive into the market volatility of the past six months. They cover topics such as backwardation, the record number of exports from Brazil, Vietnam's impact on the coffee market, and where all the coffee is. They also offer advice on the best plan of action given the current situation. 

Curious about what happens on an origin trip with importers and roasters? In this episode, we bring you exclusive insights from Richard about his recent trip to Honduras with Laurel Wirth and a team of coffee roasters. Tune in to learn more about two cutting-edge producing groups they visited: COMSA and Catracha.  Music credit: Joshua Wismans

Have you been working in the coffee industry for a while and have the skillset and experience to work on your terms? In this episode, we sit down with the extensively experienced Sandra Loofbourrow and discuss her background and how she got into this niche area of the industry, the options as a coffee freelancer/consultant, the keys to success, trials and tribulations, how to establish yourself an...

In this episode, we sit down with Katie Carguilo, Coffee Manager at Counter Culture Coffee & Board Member at World Coffee Research. Learn about her experience and growth as a coffee professional, her perspective on the intersection of business in coffee and sustainability, and her advice for new coffee businesses looking to incorporate more sustainable practices. 

In this episode, Chris Kornman, Doris Garrido, and Isabella Vitaliano discuss AI roaster technology already on the market, its pros and cons, the further division between craft and mass-produced coffee, and the potential for AI to replace human roasters

In this episode from the trading desk, Junior Trader, Spencer Ford, and Vice President of Trading, Alex Mason, give a quick recap of the causes of the volatility in the "C" market for the last half of 2023. They discuss the disequilibrium in the market, aggressive pricing for centrals, Brazil heat damage, and changes in the tenderable grade.

Royal Coffee's Director of Business Development, Richard Sandlin, recently took a month-long trip to Japan, and in this episode, we get the tell-all. We delve into the coffee shop culture of Japan, roasting and processing trends, roaster size, tea vs. coffee culture, and more.

This week, we get the chance to sit down with Hanna Neuschwander, the Director of Strategy and Communication at World Coffee Research Center and Chris Kornman, the Director of Education at The Crown. Exploring the genetics of arabica coffee, genetically modified coffee plants, what quality means for farmers, the story of Ruiru 11 and more!  Download Royal's new cultivars poster here. Download WCR...

Sourcing and Placement Specialist, Charlie Habegger, and Trader & Digital Specialist, Amanda Amato, sit down with host Isabella in this episode to discuss the luxury coffee market. They explore the concept of coffee being 'anaerobic enough,' with 'anaerobic' serving as a placeholder for the various differentiations that the industry uses to market coffee. The discussion revolves around whether the...

In this episode, we have Junior Trader, Spencer Ford, Trading Assistants, Grace Torres, and Lab & Education Coordinator, Isabella Vitaliano, to discuss the basics of the C-market and dissecting some of the intricacies surrounding the topic. From C-market history and the variables that impact pricing to understanding buyers' and sellers' fixes, you will learn it all in this episode. This introducti...

 In this episode Isabella sits down with Trader and International Sales team leader, Peter Radosevich to talk about his recent 75-day trip to Asia. They discuss the specialty coffee markets in China, Taiwan, Myanmar, and Thailand. From production volume to roasting style to experimental processing Peter divulges industry insight on all these topics and more in this episode.

How to save money on shipping, you ask? Logistics costs can inflate the final price of your raw goods. Junior trader Caitlin McCarthy-Garcia and Creative Director/Outbound Shipping Specialist Evan Gilman give you the inside scoop on all of your logistics questions. Is it possible to do same-day shipping? How can you avoid extra fees? What is a BOL? How should you handle claims? Learn the answers t...

Lab and Education Coordinator, Isabella, sits down with Spencer and Amanda to dispel the myths surrounding direct trade. They discuss the true logistics of direct trade, how to facilitate a direct trade with an importer like Royal Coffee , and the implications of direct trade purchases in terms of having a stronger moral compass.

Join us in this insightful episode as Lab & Education Coordinator, Isabella, sits down with Kyle Engelman, the Director of Philanthropy from Ground for Health . Together, they discuss a crucial topic of the link between cervical cancer and coffee growing regions. Discover how Ground For Health's journey began, and gain a deeper understanding of the essential care they provide for women in these ar...

Curious about what entails a coffee origin trip? In this episode, Isabella sits down with Evan Gillman, Creative Director, to discuss his recent trip to Indonesia and Shanghai. They delve into production trends, the reclamation of Indonesian coffee culture, royal regional partnerships, and more.

In this episode, Isabella Vitaliano sits down with Chris Kornman as he delves into his long-awaited return to Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania after an 8-year hiatus. They will cover some of Royal's long-term partnerships in the region, weather impacts, emerging production trends, yield projections, and implications on the quality of the upcoming harvest. Check out East African green coffee beans her...

New to purchasing green coffee?  Junior Traders Spencer and Amanda from Royal Coffee give industry professionals insight into understanding coffee positions and industry lingo in this quick and informative 15-minute episode. Covering forward spreads, position release, advice for new buyers and buying vs booking both Spencer and Amanda have all the answers for you. If you are interested in purchasi...

In this episode, we have Natalia Mejia from Mastercol, a specialty coffee exporter based in Colombia, Amanda Amato, Junior trader and Colombia green coffee buyer from Royal Coffee, and Chris Kornman The Crown's Director of Education. They cover Colombia's new wave of coffee culture and Mastercol's cutting-edge experimentally processed green coffee lots. We hope you enjoy this episode.