Black Plus Coffee

In this episode, we unpack the specialty coffee scenes in South Africa’s two major cities: Cape Town and Joburg. From café culture and lifestyle to geography, we explore what these two cities share and what makes them completely different.Is there a difference in taste, pace or culture? And how does where you live shape your coffee experience?This conversation is just the beginning of a deeper exploration into South Africa’s growing specialty coffee movement.Enjoy the episode and don't forget to give us a follow on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Nine years behind the bar, one cafè and endless passion. Sharon Muto shares her coffee journey and motivation...In this episode, we sat down with Sharon Muto, who's a Café Manager at Rosetta Roastery in Cape Town, to explore her journey into the world of coffee, the passion that drives her, and the mindset that has helped her remain rooted in one space for nine years—in an industry where many move on in search of something new.We talk about growth, favourite coffees, and the realities of staying committed to the craft. Whether you’re a barista, café owner, or simply a coffee lover, this conversation offers honest insight and fresh inspiration from behind the bar. Share the episode, comment and tell people about it.

In this conversation, we unpack the contrast between what the coffee industry looks like from the outside vs. what it actually feels like from the inside. Personal experiences, lessons, and honest reflections all come together in this open conversation about the real world of specialty coffee.Enjoy the episode ☕.

Welcome to our new short segment called Percolating Thoughts. In this short and brief, unfiltered conversation we discovered something about Moses, how he dislikes fermented coffees... So shocking!!! Join us as we have this weekly 10 minutes or so, short, unbiased and venting conversations! Check us out on Instagram and follow us.

In this episode, we're joined by Sinjon Wicks, who shares his insights on all things SCASA. We start by getting to know Sinjon and his role within the organization, and what SCASA is all about and the vision for the term. Enjoy the episode and Subscribe on your favorite app, don't forget to rate our podcast as well.

Ever wondered how to turn a coffee shop into a thriving community hub? Join us and Leroy in this part two, as he spills the beans on his journey since 2017—navigating financial hurdles, trust issues with staff, and brewing lasting customer relationships. In this second part of our conversation, Leroy dives deeper into the art of crafting a welcoming space that goes beyond transactions to foster community, education, and social responsibility. It's an engaging deep-dive filled with real-world lessons and the secret sauce behind a people-driven coffee business.Love these insights? Share this episode with your friends and help spread the word as we continue the conversation from part one. Tune in, get inspired, and see how every cup of coffee can create a ripple of change in your community!

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Mikael Jasin, the current World Barista Champion. Mikael shares his personal growth journey, including his experience of taking a break from competitions and how it helped him evolve. He discusses the challenges baristas face, from emotional to financial struggles, and highlights the importance of community support. Mikael also shares his advocacy for mental health awareness, offering practical steps he's taken himself. Plus, we ask the question on everyone's mind: what does it take to win a World Barista Championship? Don't miss Mikael's insightful response!

In this episode, we sit down with Mikael Jasin, the current World Barista Champion from Indonesia, to discuss the importance of mental health in the coffee industry. Mikael shares his incredible journey as a barista beginning in Melbourne to Indonesia, shedding light on the vibrant and evolving coffee culture in his home country. Mikael also opens up about his personal experiences with burnout, the role of therapy in his recovery, and the importance of creating supportive environments in the coffee industry. From practical tips for mental health maintenance to actionable ideas for industry reform, Mikael provides invaluable insights for coffee professionals at all levels. Subscribe to the podcast and follow us on Instagram @blackpluscoffee. Thanks for listening and supporting the podcast.

Ready to brew your passion? Join our conversation with Leroy Kgopa, co-founder of Home of the Bean. Leroy shares his incredible journey from passion to profit, revealing what it takes to bring your coffee shop dreams to life. From sourcing the perfect beans to creating that cozy vibe customers crave, we'll spill all the insider secrets on launching and running a successful café. Whether you're a coffee aficionado or just curious about the process, this episode is packed with invaluable tips and unfiltered stories that will inspire you. Get to know Leroy on a personal level as he recounts the beginnings of Home of the Bean – how his love for coffee transformed into a thriving business that celebrates community and craftsmanship. Don't miss out on this conversation filled with insights, laughter, and a hearty dose of coffee culture. There's still part two!

In this episode, we're buzzing with excitement as we discuss the Coffee, Culture and Conversation event hosted by Home of the Bean! We're sharing our highlights and takeaways from the event, plus catching you up on what's new with us (BPC). And to top it all off, we have a special treat for you - three short interviews with attendees from the event! (Sorry about the background noise, but we promise it's worth it). Enjoy the episode ☕☕

Join us as we delve into the world of coffee labeling and explore what all those terms really mean. From processing methods to flavor profiles, we're breaking down the essentials to help you elevate your coffee game. In this episode, we'll decode: - Processing methods: What's behind the scenes? - Altitude: How high is too high? - Variety: What's in a name? - Flavor profile: Uncovering the tasting notes - Producer/Farm: Meet the makers behind your brew. Grab a cup of your favorite coffee and tune in for an informative and entertaining episode.

In this episode, we sit down with Romero, the founder of BrewBetter, to learn more about his journey and the story behind BrewBetter. As a South African company, BrewBetter is dedicated to making high-quality equipment accessible to everyone. They specialize in providing specialty coffee tools that are not only affordable but also hard to find locally. Be sure to check them out by visiting their website www.brewbetter.co.za, to learn more about their products and services.

In this episode, we talk about prevailing subcultures within the coffee industry. Are specialty coffee shops and the industry as a whole, inclusive, and accessible for everyone else outside this niche market? Is the coffee industry as a whole progressive and welcoming of those who don't classify themselves as fellow coffee snobs and enthusiasts? What's the rhetoric of the Specialty Coffee scene? We share our views and opinions about how we have experienced this and try to answer some of these burning questions asked above. Enjoy the episode ☕. Check out Magic Mind, at www.magicmind.com/bpc20. Our discount code is BPC20.

In this episode, we have a conversation with Michael Sachar from M2Bio Sciences about CBD-infused coffee. Maybe you're wondering what CBD is? How is it infused in coffee? Is cannabis a health risk? Is it even legal to use cannabis? These are some of the questions we explore in this episode, do check it out to learn more. Enjoy the episode and don't forget to leave a rating. We love Coffee, We drink Coffee and we are BlackPlusCoffee.

In this episode, we have a conversation with the current National Cup Tasters Champ Retha van Rhijn. Retha will competing in Athens for the World Cup Tasters Championship representing SA! We learn more about Retha and her journey in Coffee. Want to know what coffee tasting is about and Cup tasters competition? This is the episode for you. Support Retha all the way and enjoy the episode.

In this episode, we have a conversation with the current South African Barista Champ Stevo Kühn. He will be representing SA in the World Barista Championships in Greece, in a few week's time during June 2023. We get to know Stevo better and discuss his preparation for the upcoming competition. Do you want to know what it takes to be a barista champ? "FAIL!" In Stevo's words. Enjoy the episode and support Stevo all the way. We love Coffee, We drink Coffee. We are BlackPlusCoffee

In this episode, we have a conversation with Jason Zeeman who is the founder of the Specialty Coffee Expo. We get to know him and also more about the Expo. What can you expect from this year's line up and competitions happening. This is a great opportunity to meet and taste of the best Specialty Coffee scene of South Africa has got to offer. It will take place from the 26th to the 28th of May 2023 in Fourways Mall, Johannesburg. Get yourself tickets on their website https://www.theexperience.co.za/events/specialty-coffee-expo and check their Instagram for more info. Follow us on Instagram @blackpluscoffee and enjoy the episode!

In this episode, we continue with our conversation with Nicole and José Fernandez from Sabores. We talk about factors that affect coffee prices and why should consumers pay a premium amount for coffee. Does Colombia produce any robusta coffee? Lastly, what can both roasters and consumers expect from these Colombian beans? Please share the episode and enjoy every minute of it. Follow us on Instagram and check out Sabores as well. We love coffee, we drink coffee and we are Black Plus Coffee!!

In this episode, we are in conversation with Nicole and José Fernandez from Sabores. They recently managed to import some tremendous green coffee beans from Colombia, which have exciting varieties and fermentation processes. Have you ever heard of Culturing? Or Hydro-Natural-Honey? Colombia has some of the best coffees in the world and this is a good way to learn more about them. What's more amazing, is that there's part 2!!! Enjoy and share it! Visit www.sabores.co.za to view full offering.

In this episode, we recap on our experience at the South African National Coffee Championships, which took place recently. We talk about the barista, latte art and cup tasters competitions. Be on the lookout for these incredible champs at the world stage in Greece! Enjoy the episode and share it with friends.

In this episode, we are joined by Shawn Cloete. He's part of the newly elected board members of SCASA. We talk about everything related to SCASA. What is SCASA? How is Specialty Coffee governed and standardized to ensure quality levels? How can we as the public, support our Baristas better, as they compete in the World or National competitions? How can the Specialty Coffee scene in South Africa be sustainable? Enjoy the episode and don't forget to subscribe

In our first episode of the year, we talk about our highlights for 2022 and what we are looking forward to in 2023. We give an update about what we are currently busy with as individuals in coffee space and what we aim to do in this new year. Do enjoy the episode 😃

In this episode, we talk about the importance of Coffee Education. Is there a need for people to be educated about coffee? How is coffee education related to our mission as BlackPlusCoffee? How can consumers be better equipped with coffee knowledge? In case you missed it, we have an exciting announcement at the end, tune in to find out what it is all about. Check out our Instagram page and hit us with a follow.

In this episode, we continue our conversation on Race & Coffee with Winston Thomas Douglas. What does inclusivity look like in Specialty Coffee? Is culture of importance in who can access coffee? And how can we address issues well to reconcile and build a coffee scene that celebrates our uniqueness as South Africans? We also talk briefly about Winston and Leigh's venture on starting Cedar Coffee Roasters, and their plans to make Specialty coffee inclusive and accessible to all as their business grows. 

In this episode, we have a conversation on Race and Coffee focusing on the South African Specialty coffee industry. Does race play a role in who consumes coffee and who benefits from our beloved beverage? Is privilege even a thing to be talked about in coffee?  We are joined in conversation by the current and three-time SA Barista Champ Winston Thomas Douglas, as he helps us navigate and understand the role of race within the coffee industry, based on his expertise and experience within the Specialty coffee scene. Winston will be representing South Africa in the upcoming World Barista Championships 2022 in Melbourne, Australia this upcoming month. Click on the link below to support him https://gogetfunding.com/get-the-sa-champ-to-the-world-barista-championships-in-melbourne/

In this episode, we review some of the coffee we have had in the past few months and years. We talk about the excitement and disappointments of brewing those coffees. Does freshness, roast date and pricing, matter when buying coffee beans? This is our unbiased review and was dependent on how we brewed those coffees. We hope this review can be useful for all and it's only part one, there's more to come. Enjoy the episode! Follow us on Instagram, https://instagram.com/blackpluscoffee?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= and email us at [email protected]. 

In this episode, we speak with Marcus Tlhomelang.  Marcus is a barista and trainer at Bean There Coffee Company. He recently won the 2021 South African Barista of the Year award hosted by Coffee Magazine. We talk about what it means to be a barista and how the South African Specialty coffee industry is evolving in education. Hope you'll enjoy the episode! 

In this episode, we have a conversation with José and Nicole Fernandez, from Sabores. José and Nicole are the first exclusive Colombian coffee importers in South Africa, focusing on specialty Colombian green coffee beans. Ever wonder how your coffee gets to your favourite Roastery, the process it takes, the people behind the scenes and the role of a green bean coffee importer? Then this is the episode you should listen to, enjoy! Sabores plays a pivotal role in the South African specialty coffee community and have consistently brought incredible Colombian green beans over the years. Do visit their website and find out more about their current offerings www.sabores.co.za. Find us on linktr.ee/blackpluscoffee and Instagram is https://instagram.com/blackpluscoffee?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

In this episode, we continued our conversation with the current Aeropress Champ Brandon Smith. This time we are talking about the World Aeropress Competition (WAC) 2021, happening in Australia and his preparation for the competition. Enjoy the episode ☕ We apologise for the echo in the background.

Have you ever wondered what coffee processing is all about? Maybe you have bought a bag of coffee from your favourite coffee company and it is written natural or washed process, what does that mean? In this episode, we talk briefly about coffee processing methods and how it has evolved. We also talk about the 'newly elevated' processing methods i.e Anaerobic and Carbonic Macerated coffees amongst others. Try a new coffee processing method, and enjoy the show!

In this episode, we recap on 2021 with regards to coffee. We go through memory lane and talk about our highlights of the year. Our highs and lows of starting a coffee podcast, the incredible guests we've had on the show, coffees we've sniffed, slurped and drank, brewing devices and techniques we've explored. We also spill some beans on what's next in the upcoming year! WE LOVE COFFEE. WE DRINK COFFEE. WE ARE BLACKPLUSCOFFEE 

In this episode, we are joined by the South African Aeropress Champion of 2021, Brandon Smith! Brandon shares with us his passion for coffee and his future endeavours. What does it take to be an Aeropress Champ? How technical is the competition? In fact, what’s an Aeropress? Enjoy the episode and treat yourself to a great cup of coffee!

Our conversation about A Shot In The Dark (ASITD) competition hosted by The Coffee Magazine (SA) continues in this episode, as we interview the winner of the ASITD 2021 Frederik Dreyer from GeGrond Coffee. In this episode, we sat down with Frederik to talk about GeGrond and them winning the national roasting competition, and what it means for them and the coffee landscape in South Africa. Do enjoy the episode and treat yourself to a great cup of coffee!  Check GeGrond Coffee on www.gegrond.co.za

In this episode, we talk with Rory Lambson from Black Sheep Coffee Company. Rory was top 3 in the recent South African national coffee roasting competition, called A Shot in the Dark 2021, hosted by The Coffee Magazine. In this episode, we get to know more about Rory and the competition, and what he did differently to land himself in the top spot. Do enjoy the episode and we hope you'll learn more about the South African specialty coffee scene! (Apologies for the minor interruptions in the interview 😉).

Maybe you're trying to brew some amazing coffee at home, but you're not sure how to start and what to use. In this episode, we dive into home brewing, what is it all about and how do we find it. Does home brewing replace the cafè experience or not? Can one still have a great cup of coffee at home, that they normally have at their favorite coffee spot? Find out more on this episode... Check the link with visuals for some of the brewing devices, https://treescoffee.com/blog/2016/04/6-popular-methods-for-brewing-coffee-at-home/

Coffee is not caffeine, but caffeine is synonymous with coffee! Coffee is well known for its caffeine and some attribute caffeine as the only source and compound found in coffee, hence they are inseparable. But what actually is caffeine?Is Caffeine truly the only compound found in coffee? Perhaps you have been wondering about caffeine and its impact on ones health and if it's good enough for you to consume it. This episode is all about caffeine found in coffee, what a delight! Join us in this discussion with our guest Dean Floor, as he explains and brings clarity on this subject. If you want to get in touch, follow us on Instagram @BlackPlusCoffee Alternatively you can email us on [email protected]. 

What is coffee roasting all about? What role does it have in the final output of a green coffee seed being transformed into a coffee bean, which has its own character, full of flavours and aromas. In this episode, we talk about the basics of coffee roasting, a brief science in the art of roasting and we discuss roast levels i.e light, medium and dark roast. Enjoy the episode and share it with friends! If you want to get in contact, email us on [email protected] or send a DM on Instagram 😃.

Ever wonder what lies behind a cup of coffee? Are farmers treated and paid well enough, for their incredible produce and is it sustainable for communities growing these coffees? Like any other industry there's always a case for fair trade and sustainable way of doing things. Even with coffee, sustainability and fair-trade are necessary. Join us in this episode, as we have a conversation with Jonathan Robinson, from Bean There coffee company based in Johannesburg, we talk fair-trade and find out how is the coffee industry pushing for sustainable coffee in the livelihood of coffee farmers. We hope you'll enjoy the episode, do rate us and send feedback via a voice note or email us on [email protected], you can also dm us on Instagram (blackpluscoffee).

Ever wondered about the origin of coffee? Who thought it would be cool to roast, ground and brew it? What is the history of our beloved drink in Africa? How has the commercialization of coffee changed the landscape in how this beverage is now consumed? What are these Three Coffee Waves that some people seem to be referring to?  We have some answers to your incredible questions, enjoy this fourth episode and if you want to get in contact, send us a voice note or email us on [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also find us on Instagram, just search blackpluscoffee and the magic happen ;). 

What, 90 bucks for a cup of coffee??! What makes this Specialty Coffee "special"?  We use that term a lot, so what is Specialty Coffee and how is it priced? Are we getting scammed for money as "coffee is just coffee" or is it worth us paying for it? Is Specialty Coffee different? In this third episode, we talk about Specialty Coffee and there's more to come on this topic in future episodes, so do stay tuned. Enjoy this episode! If you have comments or questions, send them through via voice note or email us on; [email protected] or you can DM us on Instagram (blackpluscoffee).

South African government (department of agriculture, land reform and rural development) passed new regulations about what can be classified as coffee or coffee mixture, those regulations will take effect starting from 1st of November 2021, yes this year! So, in this second episode, we dive into the thick of things, a conversation about Ricoffy (an instant coffee brand, which is "SA's No.1 Coffee brand"). We talk about our experiences with it and spend some time figuring out what is coffee. They will be more conversations to come about coffee species, so tune in to future episodes, but in the mean time enjoy this second episode of our podcast! https://www.businessinsider.co.za/coffee-regulations-impact-chicory-mixtures-like-ricoffy-2019-9 https://www.businessinsider.co.za/nestle-says-ricoffy-can-stick-to-its-marketing-despite-new-rules-for-coffee-2020-11 https://www.businessinsider.co.za/new-sa-rules-dont-ban-bad-coffee-after-all-drops-caffeine-requirements-2020-10

Maybe you're wondering why should I listen to these guys? Or what is BlackPlusCoffee? Is it a political statement or a movement? In this episode we dive into what is BlackPlusCoffee and who are the people behind it. We talk nothing but coffee and reflect on our individual experiences, we talk about the passion for coffee, our backgrounds, and why are we into coffee also we spill the beans about what's next, oops!