PODCAST · arts
IT’S JUST COFFEE!
by Ben Bicknell & Rohan Cooke
Whether you’re a world barista champion brewing a $150 rare coffee from the hills of Panama, or you’re stirring a spoon of instant coffee in boiling water, at the end of the day, It’s Just Coffee! It’s Just Coffee! is a podcast for all those coffee lovers out there and we're endeavouring on a journey to find the perfect cup. Not only will we be talking to the world’s best coffee makers and roasters, we’re going to be talking to athletes, comedians, celebrities and anyone that just loves a great cup of coffee. The coffee community around the world is engaged and passionate (sometimes to a fault), and we want to explore some of the biggest debates that happen across the Internet, and in the local cafe around the corner from you. Questions like: • Which country has the best coffee in the world? • Should it be
Episodes
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What Makes a Great Café in 2026? | COFFEE BREAK!
Can a faster coffee machine make your café feel more human? Following their deep dive into matcha, Rohan and Jai Lott sit back down for a Coffee Break on where cafés are heading. They get into automation, pre-batched espresso and why getting your head up from behind the machine might be the best...
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Can Matcha Save the Australian Café? | JAI LOTT!
Jai Lott was the man behind iconic US coffee brands Bluestone Lane and Blank Street. Now he’s changed course, moving back home to Australia to start a matcha business! Join us as we discuss his incredible career, why he decided to make the switch, and what we should expect from his latest…
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Roasting Advice That Actually Changes Your Coffee | COFFEE BREAK!
What actually helps you become a better coffee roaster? We asked experienced people across the coffee world for the one skill, tool or habit that made the biggest difference. Rohan and Ben unpack their answers: tracking time through a roast, measuring bean colour, matching the roast to the way a...
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An Astrophysicist Explains Your Coffee Grinder | JONATHAN GAGNÉ!
Do bigger burrs make better coffee? Are flat burrs cleaner than conical burrs? And why can two grinds that look the same brew completely differently? Astrophysicist and Coffee Ad Astra author Jonathan Gagné joins Rohan and Ben to unpack what grinders actually do to coffee. They get into particle...
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Our Coffee Highlights of 2026 | International Coffee Day
In the past year of coffee: What are our favourite coffees, cafes, podcast episodes, and coffee culture moments? We also unpack our mixed experiences with pre-batched vs fresh espressos, and discuss the fermentation process by Lohas Beans that challenged us on what fermentation can be! If you're...
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The Book Every Café Owner Should Read Before Expanding | COLIN HARMON!
What do you know about growing a coffee business? Not much? Well Colin Harmon knows a bit, in fact he’s written another book about it! The 3fe Founder shares a taste of the stories and lessons you’ll find in his book: like the scoop mix-up that wiped out a cafe's profit, why he turned down a...
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James Hoffmann’s Cappuccino Index - Is Australia Really Winning? | COFFEE BREAK!
An Australian barista can earn enough for a cappuccino in about 10 minutes. In India, James Hoffmann’s Cappuccino Index puts it at nearly three hours. But what do those numbers actually tell us about the people making our coffee? Rohan and Ben dig into the price of a cup, barista wages and the...
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Why a Busy Café Can Still Lose Money | ERICA ESCALANTE!
A queue out the door doesn’t mean there’s money in the bank. Café consultant Erica Escalante joins Rohan and Ben to unpack why busy cafés can still struggle to pay the bills, and what owners can actually do about it. From pricing your menu and selling more retail coffee to getting your team…
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How a World Barista Champion Prepares Milk for Coffee | 3 Methods with ANTHONY DOUGLAS!
What if the secret to a better milk coffee was changing the milk itself? World Barista Champion Anthony Douglas is back to show us how freezing, freeze-drying and blending can turn an everyday ingredient into something that tastes like melted ice cream. We break down three ways to level up your...
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World Champ Anthony Douglas, Won't Call his Bar a Cafe | HOMEBODY UNION!
No matcha. No hot chocolate. No signature drinks. So what happens when a World Barista Champion opens a space entirely dedicated to coffee? Anthony Douglas is back, and he’s opening a coffee bar with a very clear rule: coffee comes first. The 2022 World Barista Champion’s new Melbourne space,...
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Thurman Wise Takes On Coffee in Good Spirits | COFFEE BREAK!
In our latest episode, bartender and beverage innovation specialist Thurman Wise taught us what coffee professionals can learn from the cocktail world. Now we’re putting those lessons to the test. Thurman is back for a competition-style collaboration loosely inspired by the World Coffee in Good...
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The Bartender’s Guide to Better Coffee Drinks | THURMAN WISE!
Signature coffee drinks are everywhere. But are they actually balanced, or are cafés piling on syrups, foams, layers and garnishes until the coffee disappears? Thurman Wise is a bartender, beverage innovation specialist and Product Director at MEASURED Guide. He’s also gone viral travelling the...
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Are Cafes Still Our Third Place? | COFFEE BREAK!
re cafes still the place where community happens, or have laptops, rising costs and grab-and-go culture completely changed the role they play? Rohan Cooke and Ben Bicknell unpack the idea of the “third place”, the space between home and work where people can gather, connect and feel like they...
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Italy Called the Police Over His €2 Espresso | FRANCESCO SANAPO!
Would you call the police over a €2 espresso? It actually happened to Francesco Sanapo. Francesco is a three-time Italian Barista Champion and the co-founder of Ditta Artigianale, the specialty coffee group challenging tradition from inside one of the most tradition-bound coffee cultures in the...
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Deep-diving Gen Z Coffee Culture | COFFEE BREAK!
We discuss if Gen Z is actually ‘too anxious’ for cafés, why matcha and iced signatures are exploding, and how specialty shops can embrace customisation without selling their soul. Plus: book raves, barista phobia memes, and two unapologetic uncs trying (and failing) to speak fluent Gen Z. Also,...
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Reimagining the Role of the Barista | ALICIA FENG!
Today we're joined by the incredible Alicia Feng. She owns Calēre in Fitzroy, co-founded Chiaki in Collingwood, which just won Age Good Food Guide's Cafe of the Year, and now runs Atelier Enso in Carlton, which has been described as a boundary pushing cafe - even Broadsheet posed the question, is...
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The Hidden Levers Every Cafe Owner Should Know | COFFEE BREAK!
Why does one cafe boom while another goes bust? We asked some of the top cafe operators (Hugh Kelly, Beta Coffee, Onyx Coffee Lab, and Carlos Escobar) to reveal the hidden levers that quietly make or break a business. Join us as we unpack some of the biggest silent killers of cafes, and share the...
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Is It Even Specialty Coffee Anymore? | ROHAN COOKE & BEN BICKNELL!
What actually makes coffee “specialty”? Is it an 80+ cup score? A traceable farm? The flavour, the barista, the ethics, the hospitality, or is it all just vibes? In this episode, Rohan and Ben open one enormous can of worms and ask whether “specialty coffee” still means what we think it means.…
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Your Cafe Has More to Sell | COFFEE BREAK!
How can cafes generate additional revenue beyond selling coffee? We discuss leveraging existing assets like knowledge and physical space to offer products, educational workshops and events. Plus we outline the importance of curating retail that feels authentic and relevant to your business.…
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Ultrasonic Espresso - A New Way to Brew Coffee | FRANCISCO TRUJILLO!
Can you make espresso with room-temperature water and sound waves? Dr Francisco Trujillo and his team at UNSW have developed an entirely new brewing process that uses ultrasound to produce espresso-strength coffee in under three minutes, while using around one-quarter of the energy of a…
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Flat vs Conical Burrs - Which Grinder Is Right for You? | COFFEE BREAK!
Your grinder could be making a bigger difference to your coffee than you think. This week we are getting granular. Literally. We’re breaking down coffee grinder burrs, what they actually do and why choosing between flat and conical can completely change what ends up in your cup. Why do conical...
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How Onyx Built the #1 Coffee Shop in the World | ANDREA ALLEN!
Onyx Coffee Lab was just voted the best coffee shop in the world! Not in New York, Copenhagen or Melbourne. In Arkansas. Andrea Allen and her husband Jon opened Onyx in 2012 with a wildly ambitious idea: one day, they would serve the best coffee in the world. At the time, success meant paying the...
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The World’s Best Barista Plays Espresso Smash or Pass | COFFEE BREAK!
Does better espresso require more gear, or just better puck prep? Reigning World Barista Champion Jack Simpson is back. This time, we’re skipping the victory-lap interview and putting the world champ to work. Jack reveals the most common mistake he sees baristas make, why distribution is king and...
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Why Patricia Waited 15 Years to Open Café #2 | PATRICIA COFFEE!
For 15 years, Patricia Coffee has done less than almost everyone else and made it mean more. Standing room only. Black, white or filter. No sprawling menu, no kitchen and no trying to be everything to everyone. Somehow, that tiny Melbourne laneway shop became one of the city’s most iconic cafés....
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Is Melbourne Coffee "Undrinkable"? | COFFEE BREAK!
Melbourne is famous for having some of the best coffee in the world - but is that reputation built on quality or just really good marketing? A fiery opinion piece has taken aim at Melbourne’s coffee culture, calling Australian coffee bitter, burnt and overpriced while arguing that Italy’s…
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Are Cafés Still a Good Business in 2026? | DAN DICK!
Why has Dan Dick stepped back from the cafe industry? After over a decade of operating successful Melbourne venues Nigel and then PaperBoy, Dan has called it quits. Our conversation was had in the midst of handing the reins over to new operators; an equally emotional and practical decision that…
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What the World’s Best Brewers Are Doing Differently | COFFEE BREAK!
Fresh from the 2026 World Brewers Cup in Brussels, Ben breaks down the coffees, brewers and techniques used by the competition’s top six finalists. We look at how World Champion Nas Jaafar, Australia’s Simon Gautherin and the rest of the finalists approached their routines, from the rise of…
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The World’s Best Coffee Roaster Says Ultra-Light Roasts Are a Flex | BENJAMIN BRASSART!
Ultra-light roasting might have pushed coffee forward, but has it now become more about flexing than flavour? Benjamin Brassart has just been crowned the 2026 World Coffee Roasting Champion, becoming the first Belgian to win the title, on home soil and in his first appearance at the World...
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How To Taste Espresso Like A WBC Judge | COFFEE BREAK!
Tasting espresso is one of the most important skills in coffee, but it is also one of the least clearly taught. In this episode, we break down how espresso is evaluated using the World Barista Championship sensory framework. Ben Bicknell, World Barista Championship judge and Q Grader Instructor,...
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The 2nd Best Brewer in the World Says You’re Extracting Too Much | SIMON GAUTHERIN & CARLOS ESCOBAR!
What does it take to become the second-best brewer in the world? Fresh from the World Brewers Cup stage in Brussels, Australian Brewers Cup Champion Simon Gautherin joins us alongside coach Carlos Escobar to unpack the routine, strategy and tiny details behind their world runner-up finish. Simon...
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The Crema Debate: Does Your Coffee Taste Better Without It? | COFFEE BREAK!
To crema or not to crema, that is the question. We run a taste-test to reveal the impact crema has on espresso’s taste, and you might be surprised by the results! Plus we explore tools designed to extract a ‘naked espresso’, like the crema separator and Squeaky’s ‘Esplorer Cup’. 00:00 Should We...
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World Barista Champion Explains the Perfect Espresso | RAUL RODAS!
This week we're joined by World Barista Champion Raul Rodas for a conversation about what actually makes great coffee! We chat about dialling in espresso, building your palate, why better equipment doesn't always mean better coffee, and the realities of coffee production today. Join us for a...
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The SCA Just Created a 'Master of Specialty Coffee' | COFFEE BREAK!
Specialty coffee has a new title … Master of Specialty Coffee. The SCA has just announced a new accreditation for people at the very pointy end of the industry. To even apply, you need every SCA Skills Diploma, a Q Grader certification, years of experience, professional recommendations… and that…
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Make Filter Coffee Like a Champion | ELYSIA TAN!
With the 2026 World Brewers Cup just around the corner, we wanted to ask: What should we (the non-competitors and regular coffee people) be paying attention to… and how can the competition inform our own coffee and business practices? Here to help answer these questions is multiple-time Singapore...
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Taste-testing Viral Drink Recipes with a WBC Judge | COFFEE BREAK!
3 viral coffee recipes, 1 esteemed WBC Judge. Ben Bicknell put his well-honed sensory skills to the test, judging the “fridge cigarette", “Limoncello espresso”, and “espresso bomb”. How do these drinks stack up against the palette of a guy who judges coffee for a living? Which trends are pointing...
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Coffee Science vs Coffee Myths | CHRIS H. HENDON!
Coffee people love science … but only when it agrees with them. In this episode, we sit down with Christopher H. Hendon, computational chemist, Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oregon, co-author of Water for Coffee, and one of the most recognisable voices in modern coffee...
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We React to North America’s Specialty Coffee Report | COFFEE BREAK!
For the first time, specialty coffee has overtaken traditional coffee consumption in the U.S. We unpack this year’s Specialty Coffee Report, including the key trends behind the shift, where people are drinking coffee, who's driving growth, and what drinks are gaining the most momentum. Plus! –…
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Testing James Hoffmann’s Insane Americano Recipe | COFFEE BREAK!
James Hoffmann claims that adding steamed water to your long black creates a better drink… so we put his theory to the test. In today’s Coffee Break we conduct a blind tasting to compare steamed water, boiler water, and water from a kettle. Our very own WBC judge decides–groundbreaking or...
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Café Red Flags We Notice In The First 30 Seconds | COFFEE BREAK!
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. That’s why we’re analysing the first 30 seconds of stepping into a cafe: What immediately sets the tone? What are the biggest greenflags… and redflags? We discuss the importance of soundscapes, coffee menus, and staff demeanor, telling you...
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What Great Coffee Education Actually Looks Like | w DYLAN SIEMENS of CAFE IMPORTS
Hey baristas… how much do you know about your coffee’s journey before it reaches the cafe? Not much? Dylan Siemens is here to change all that. Dylan Siemens is the Head of Coffee Education at Cafe Imports in Minneapolis. He joins us to share his latest coffee education program, ED+U, designed to...
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What's Happening in Home Espresso Now | COFFEE BREAK!
More people are drinking coffee at home. For cafes, this doesn’t mean a loss of demand, but a shift in what consumers are demanding. Find out how your business can adapt to the needs of the current market; and if you’re a home barista, learn what you can reasonably expect in terms of beans,...
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How to Build a Strong Company Culture in Coffee | EQUATOR COFFEES!
Equator Coffees has done something quite remarkable in the coffee space. 32 years in, and they remain steadfast in their values: Female-owned, B corp certified and LGBTQ+ focused. Ben sat down with Co-Founder Helen Russell to discuss the practicalities of creating and maintaining a value-led...
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Coffee Is Changing, Whether You Like It or Not | COFFEE BREAK!
Ben’s back from San Francisco, Bangkok, Dubai, Thailand and chats about what he’s seeing: producing countries keeping the good stuff, new specialty hotspots, and why Australia might not get first pick of great coffee forever. Bottom line, the coffee industry is changing, and quickly. Tune in and...
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The Woman Who Defined Third-Wave Coffee | TRISH ROTHGEB!
You’ve heard the term “Third-Wave Coffee”... but did you know it was coined by our guest today, Trish Rothgeb! She’s the Founder of Wrecking Ball Coffee in San Fran, and has been working in the industry for 4 decades. Together we unpack the pivotal moments of coffee history that have shaped the...
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The Global Coffee Price is a Lie | Kenneth Barigye, Ugandan Agribusiness Expert
Kenneth Barigye is the Managing Director of Mountain Harvest Coffee, a business focused on supporting smallerholder farms across Uganda. In this episode he explores why there can’t be a “single” global coffee price due to the differentiating cost of production across markets, and advocates for a...
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Thailand’s Specialty is Flavour! | w Former SCA President Noon Nutrada K
Thailand is redefining specialty coffee through short supply chains, hyper-competitive café culture, inventive signature drinks, and farmers who cup their own coffee. To get the down-low on the emerging scene, Ben sat down with Noon Nutrada K, the former President of SCA Thailand. Together they...
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What We ACTUALLY Thought About Melbourne’s Most Innovative Cafés | COFFEE BREAK!
Let’s recap! What do the 5 most innovative cafes in Melbourne have in common–(and what can you steal for your own cafe!?). From service experiences to bar systems, drink creation and cross-industry inspiration: What makes these businesses not just successful, but industry-leading? Tune in to find...
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The Top 5 Most Innovative Cafes in Melbourne | CAFE TOUR!
From −85°C cups to the 15 second latte… We’ve found 5 cafes in Melbourne who are doing coffee differently! Join us as we cafe-hop between Aunty Pegs, Regulars, INBTWN, Axil Coffee, and Project Zero: Taste testing signature drinks, chatting to baristas, and taking a peek behind the bar to find out...
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The Power of HR in Coffee | w Eric J. Grimm
Eric J. Grimm has spent years specialising in Human Resources in the coffee industry. He was kind enough to join us on the podcast and share his extensive knowledge and experience. Eric explains how HR can support both employees and employers: He provides the playbook for difficult workplace...
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The Cafe with Intentionally Slow Service | w Gibrán Huerta of LONG PLAY!
Gibrán Huerta, otherwise known as ‘G’, is the owner of Long Play, a cafe and record bar located in San Diego. We spoke with him about his unique approach to hospitality: He doesn’t serve espresso and there’s no wifi. Just vibes, music, and slow-paced service. G is a pioneer of this new style,...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Whether you’re a world barista champion brewing a $150 rare
coffee from the hills of Panama, or you’re stirring a spoon of
instant coffee in boiling water, at the end of the day, It’s Just
Coffee!
It’s Just Coffee! is a podcast for all those coffee lovers out there
and we're endeavouring on a journey to find the perfect cup.
Not only will we be talking to the world’s best coffee makers
and roasters, we’re going to be talking to athletes, comedians,
celebrities and anyone that just loves a great cup of coffee.
The coffee community around the world is engaged and
passionate (sometimes to a fault), and we want to explore
some of the biggest debates that happen across the Internet,
and in the local cafe around the corner from you.
Questions like:
• Which country has the best coffee in the world?
• Should it be
HOSTED BY
Ben Bicknell & Rohan Cooke
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does IT’S JUST COFFEE! have?
IT’S JUST COFFEE! currently has 254 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is IT’S JUST COFFEE! about?
Whether you’re a world barista champion brewing a $150 rare coffee from the hills of Panama, or you’re stirring a spoon of instant coffee in boiling water, at the end of the day, It’s Just Coffee! It’s Just Coffee! is a podcast for all those coffee lovers out there and we're endeavouring on a...
How often does IT’S JUST COFFEE! release new episodes?
IT’S JUST COFFEE! publishes regularly with 254 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to IT’S JUST COFFEE!?
You can listen to IT’S JUST COFFEE! on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts IT’S JUST COFFEE!?
IT’S JUST COFFEE! is created and hosted by Ben Bicknell & Rohan Cooke.
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