Taste of Place

In this episode of Taste of Place, host Trey Malone sits down with Chand Harlow of Wonderbird Spirits to explore how a Mississippi distillery is redefining what gin can be. From local rice and native botanicals to a rare koji fermentation process, the conversation reveals how Wonderbird is using craft, science, and a strong sense of place to create something truly original. Chand shares the journe...

In this episode, host Trey Malone, a seasoned coffee industry expert, delves into the science behind cold brew. Discover how factors like grind size and extraction yield influence the smooth, rich flavor with less acidity. Trey reveals the secrets brewers use to craft the perfect cup, whether you’re a casual drinker or a coffee connoisseur. Explore key insights such as the seven variables of coffe...

In this episode, host Trey Malone dives into the world of coffee innovation with Corey Waldron, the mastermind behind the revolutionary Modbar system. Corey shares his journey from a college dropout roasting coffee in his apartment to creating an espresso experience that transforms how we engage with our favorite drink. Discover how Modbar's soda fountain-inspired design invites customers to p...

In this powerful episode, host Trey Malone delves into the extraordinary journey of Arthur Karuletwa, a survivor of Rwanda’s genocide who transformed his life and community through the power of coffee. Arthur shares how he turned a simple cash crop into a tool for healing and reconciliation, bridging ethnic divides and fostering trust in a nation scarred by trauma. His story is one of resilience,...

In this episode, Trey sits down with John, a true pioneer who’s punched through barriers in both craft brewing and beverage manufacturing. You’ll discover how one college kid’s accidental brew obsession turned into a career that revolutionized brand-building, product innovation, and team leadership in beer. John shares never-before-told tales of scaling from tiny startup breweries to industry game...

In this episode, host Trey Malone sits down with Propaganda, a celebrated recording artist and spoken word poet, to explore the profound connections between coffee, justice, and art. Propaganda shares his journey from hip-hop icon to coffee innovator, revealing how his passion for music and poetry led him to create Terraform—a brand that embodies a vision of building a more livable world. Through...

Host Trey Malone talks with Zach Erickson from Key City Brewing, who reveals how creativity and craft beer have transformed Vicksburg into a vibrant community hub. Discover the art of blending West Coast bitterness with East Coast smoothness, and how creative beer names like Death on Two Legs turn every sip into a story. This episode is perfect for craft enthusiasts and entrepreneurs alike, eager...

Join host Trey Malone in this engaging conversation with Viva Lenoir, a wine and whiskey expert, sensory educator, and passionate force behind Le Nez du Vin, Le Nez du Café, and Le Nez du Whisky. We delve deep into the concept of terroir, the artistry of tasting, and how beverages foster human connection across cultures and memories.

Host Trey Malone and guest John Britton of Treehouse Distillery and Brewing explore the intricate world of craft spirits, focusing on the art of distillation, the evolution of IPAs, and the importance of terroir in crafting beverages. They discuss the balance between authenticity and modern techniques in the industry, emphasizing the human connections fostered through shared experiences over drink...

In this episode of Taste of Place, host Trey Malone speaks with Conner Reeves and William Paden at Fertile Ground Beer Co. in Jackson, MS about the intricacies of craft beer brewing, focusing on Fertile Ground collaborative efforts, the origin story of the brewery, and the community's enthusiastic adoption of their beers. They delve into the brewing process, the importance of water chemistry,...

In this episode, host Tret Malone discovers how Austin Hille, a native of the Pacific Northwest, found his passion for specialty coffee in Jackson, Mississippi. Through his startup Beanline, he's revolutionizing access to local roasters and elevating Southern coffee culture—one subscription at a time. This episode highlights the power of regional craftsmanship, connecting communities through curat...

In this episode, Trey Malone and Harry Fontenoy delve into the world of specialty coffee, exploring its evolution from commodity coffee to the nuanced flavors of the third wave. Harry, the Vice President of Coffee Strategy and Culture at North Shore Specialty Coffee, shares insights on sourcing micro lots and the importance of building relationships with coffee producers. The conversation highligh...

In this episode of Taste of Place, Northshore's Trey Malone sits down with Wade Johnson and Alison Anderson, the mother-daughter duo behind Exploradora Coffee in Oxford, Mississippi. It's a conversation about sourcing exclusively from women-owned farms around the world, building connection in divided times, and why the best business partners might just be family. You'll hear about Hond...

In this episode of Taste of Place, Northshore's Trey Malone sits down with Chaz Lindsay, owner of Pulito Osteria and Rowan's in Jackson's Belhaven Town Center, to talk about the journey from rock star to restaurateur. From touring with the band The Weeks to running what has become the heart of Jackson's dining scene—a high-end Italian restaurant that makes all its own pasta and sou...

In this episode of Taste of Place, Northshore's Trey Malone sits down with Bartholomew Jones, founder of Cxffeeblack in North Memphis, to talk about the journey from White Haven apartments to the coffee forests of Ethiopia. From wanting to be a missionary or video game designer to running what Bart calls "a mix of the barber shop, a coffee nerd's dream, and a DJ set," it's a...

In this episode of Taste of Place, Northshore's Trey Malone sits down with one of his oldest friends in the coffee industry, affectionately known to all as "Bear" from Onyx Coffee Labs, to talk about the journey from San Diego to Northwest Arkansas. From burned-out barista to wholesale director, and from imposter syndrome to learning how to show himself the same kindness he naturally...

Join host Trey Malone as he sits down with the legendary Beachbum Berry at Latitude 29 in New Orleans' French Quarter for an unforgettable deep dive into the world of Tiki. Over glasses of the Hamilton Beachbum Berry Navy Grog blend, they explore the fascinating origins of Tiki culture—from Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt's (aka Don the Beachcomber) rum-running grandfather in Mandeville, Lou...

Join host Trey Malone for a captivating mixology lecture from the inaugural Jackson Coffee Fest. With 13 years in the specialty coffee industry, Trey takes you on an entertaining journey through the history of cocktails (an American invention!), the evolution of coffee culture, and the magic that happens when these two craft movements collide. Discover the fascinating origin stories behind bourbon...

Join host Trey Malone for an inspiring entrepreneurial journey with Richard Patrick and Austin Evans, the dynamic duo behind Cathead Distillery, Mississippi's first licensed distillery since Prohibition. Richard and Austin share how their college friendship at the University of Alabama led them to launch what would become Mississippi's premier craft distillery empire. Discover how two friends went...

Join host Trey Malone for an inspiring journey through the world of specialty coffee with Kyle Ramage, the 2017 US Barista Champion and co-founder of Black and White Coffee Roasters. In this heartfelt conversation, Kyle shares his remarkable path from a small Mississippi town to coffee competition glory, revealing the unexpected science behind his championship-winning technique of freezing coffee...

Join host Trey Malone for a deep dive into the world of rum with Ed Hamilton, the self-proclaimed "Prime Minister of Rum" and founder of Hamilton Rums. In this spirited conversation, Ed shares his journey from sailing the Caribbean and smuggling rum bottles to becoming one of the most respected importers in the industry. Discover the fascinating differences between molasses-based rums and sugarcan...

Join us for an extraordinary conversation with Dr. Hoby Wedler, a blind organic chemist and certified sensory analyst who experiences the world through flavor. Born without sight, Hoby has transformed what others might see as a limitation into his greatest strength, becoming a master of terroir and sensory storytelling. Discover how childhood soup-making sessions shaped his palate, why he believes...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jared Truby, co-founder of Cat & Cloud Coffee and a US Barista Champion. Discover how childhood memories with his grandfather sparked a passion that transformed specialty coffee. Jared reveals the philosophy behind Cat & Cloud's legendary customer service and explains why genuine human connection drives everything they do. From grinding beans at 3...

Get ready for a new podcast from Northshore Specialty Coffee, launching in August 2025!