EPISODE · Aug 20, 2025 · 28 MIN
EP 1423 Ian Fretheim - Quality, Hype, and Coffee Competitions - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar
from The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by MAP IT FORWARD · host Lee Safar
If you love what we do, become a premium YouTube Subscriber or join our Patreon: • https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward• https://www.youtube.com/mapitforwardCheck out our on-demand workshops here: • https://mapitforward.coffee/workshopsConsider joining one of our Mastermind Groups here:• https://mapitforward.coffee/groupcoachingJoin our mailing list:• https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••This is the 3rd of a five-part series featuring Ian Fretheim, Director of Sensory Analysis at US-based coffee importer, Cafe Imports, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Map It Forward Founder Lee Safar.In this series, Lee and Ian will explore the question, "What is Quality in the Coffee Industry?".This series is a companion series to the series with Reza Kosar, owner of Slick Coffee Co. in Oman, where we explore the identical 5 from the perspective of a highly trained sensory professional and CoE judge based in the Middle East. You can find details of the first episode of that series here: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/middleeastpodcast/daily-coffee-pro-866The titles of the 5 episodes of this series are:1. Tools for Assessing Coffee Quality - https://youtu.be/G_SFo_SzjZE2. How Do We Define Quality? - https://youtu.be/YDyEBIKQs3k3. Quality, Hype, and Coffee Competitions - https://youtu.be/otdzLhL2e984. The CVA Won't Fix Anything In Coffee - https://youtu.be/AUe6fZd7oc05. Q Graders, Cuppers, and Technology - https://youtu.be/wxPWDHv9UwMIn this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Ian discuss the role of coffee competitions in the industry and their relationship to coffee quality.They delve into the recent Best of Panama auction, where a coffee scored 98 points and sold for $30,200 per kilo. The conversation touches on the impact of such high prices on the market, the potential for bias in judging, and the pros and cons of these competitions for producers and the industry at large. They also explore whether the hype around competition-winning coffees detracts from broader industry issues such as sustainable pricing for farmers.Connect with Ian Fretheim and Cafe Imports here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-fretheim-31628323/https://www.cafeimports.com/north-america/sensory-analysis/coffeerose••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Connect with Map It Forward here: Website | Instagram | Mailing list💡Support this podcast on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward📽 Watch the podcast on Youtube: https://bit.ly/3ouyFYW🎙 Check out the audio version of our podcast here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify🧐 Find out more about Map It Forward Mastermind Groups here: https://mapitforward.coffee/groupcoachingLooking for a business advisor for your established coffee business or startup? Email us here:📧 email: [email protected]
What this episode covers
If you love what we do, become a premium YouTube Subscriber or join our Patreon: • https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward • https://www.youtube.com/mapitforward Check out our on-demand workshops here: • https://mapitforward.coffee/workshops Consider joining one of our Mastermind Groups here: • https://mapitforward.coffee/groupcoaching Join our mailing list: • https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglist •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• This is the 3rd of a five-part series featuring Ian Fretheim, Director of Sensory Analysis at US-based coffee importer, Cafe Imports, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Map It Forward Founder Lee Safar. In this series, Lee and Ian will explore the question, "What is Quality in the Coffee Industry?". This series is a companion series to the series with Reza Kosar, owner of Slick Coffee Co. in Oman, where we explore the identical 5 from the perspective of a highly trained sensory professional and CoE judge based in the Middle East. You can find details of the first episode of that series here: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/middleeastpodcast/daily-coffee-pro-866 The titles of the 5 episodes of this series are: 1. Tools for Assessing Coffee Quality - https://youtu.be/G_SFo_SzjZE 2. How Do We Define Quality? - https://youtu.be/YDyEBIKQs3k 3. Quality, Hype, and Coffee Competitions - https://youtu.be/otdzLhL2e98 4. The CVA Won't Fix Anything In Coffee - https://youtu.be/AUe6fZd7oc0 5. Q Graders, Cuppers, and Technology - https://youtu.be/wxPWDHv9UwM In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Ian discuss the role of coffee competitions in the industry and their relationship to coffee quality. They delve into the recent Best of Panama auction, where a coffee scored 98 points and sold for $30,200 per kilo. The conversation touches on the impact of such high prices on the market, the potential for bias in judging, and the pros and cons of these competitions for producers and the industry at large. They also explore whether the hype around competition-winning coffees detracts from broader industry issues such as sustainable pricing for farmers. Connect with Ian Fretheim and Cafe Imports here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-fretheim-31628323/ https://www.cafeimports.com/north-america/sensory-analysis/coffeerose •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast Host: Lee Safar https://www.mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee https://www.instagram.com/leesafar
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EP 1423 Ian Fretheim - Quality, Hype, and Coffee Competitions - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar
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