This episode continues our "World of Coffee" series where we explore countries across continents to discuss their coffee traditions, unique coffee drinks, and coffee industry. In this episode, we cover Africa as researched by our co-host, Luis. Stay tuned for more information and discussion regarding coffee in other parts of the world! Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-notes-links Follow us on Instagram: @coffee.break.pod...
Mar 04, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 43
We recently started a new series - which we're calling "World of Coffee" - where we explore countries across continents to discuss their coffee traditions, unique coffee drinks, and coffee industry. In this episode, we cover South America as a continuation of the Latin America segment which we kicked off in Episode 41. Stay tuned for more information and discussion regarding coffee in other parts of the world! Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coff...
Jan 07, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 42
We start a new series: "World of Coffee". In this series, we explore countries across continents to discuss their coffee traditions, unique coffee drinks, and coffee industry. In this episode, we cover Mexico and Central America which is part 1 of Latin America. Stay tuned for the remainder of Latin America and other continents! Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-notes-links Follow us on Instagram: @coffee.break.podcast E-...
Nov 20, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 41
In this episode, we visit a local coffee shop with a great mission (A 2nd Cup in Houston) , we introduce you to our new co-host, and he tells us about himself as well as his coffee journey. Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-notes-links Follow us on Instagram: @coffee.break.podcast E-mail us: coffeebreaktexas@gmail.com...
Oct 08, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 40
In this episode, we visit four popular chains that have a focus on coffee and also offer drive-thru options. We try a couple of their offerings to see which ones we like best! Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-notes-links Follow us on Instagram: @coffee.break.podcast E-mail us: coffeebreaktexas@gmail.com...
May 15, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 39
In this episode, we interview an independent coffee consultant and Instagram personality, Lily Quiros (@lilcoffeegeek), to discuss her perspective of specialty coffee and learn from her experience in the industry. Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-notes-links Follow us on Instagram: @coffee.break.podcast E-mail us: coffeebreaktexas@gmail.com...
Apr 10, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 38
In this episode, we interview a fellow home barista and Instagram personality, Richard Luciano (@nerd_meets_coffee), to discuss his journey in specialty coffee and social media. Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-notes-links Follow us on Instagram: @coffee.break.podcast E-mail us: coffeebreaktexas@gmail.com...
Mar 27, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 37
In this episode, we discuss various quick topics around specialty coffee like: 1) why we might pay more, 2) how to learn to brew different methods, 3) the impact of water for your coffee. and 4) how to taste more consciously. Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-notes-links Follow us on Instagram: @coffee.break.podcast E-mail us: coffeebreaktexas@gmail.com...
Mar 13, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 36
In this episode, we discuss some of the details to look for when buying specialty coffee such as: origin, altitude, varietal, process, etc. We also share a few tips on how to find great specialty coffee! Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-notes-links Follow us on Instagram: @coffee.break.podcast E-mail us: coffeebreaktexas@gmail.com...
Feb 27, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 35
In this episode, we discuss some of the gear you may need - if you don't already have it - to elevate your coffee game as you start brewing better coffee! Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-notes-links Follow us on Instagram: @coffee.break.podcast E-mail us: coffeebreaktexas@gmail.com...
Feb 13, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 34
In this episode, we start a new series that we're calling "Diving Into Specialty"! We'll learn what defines specialty coffee along with some examples, and we also touch on some terms that might sound like specialty coffee but don't quite cut it. Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-notes-links Follow us on Instagram: @coffee.break.podcast E-mail us: coffeebreaktexas@gmail.com...
Jan 29, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 33
In this episode, we discuss what are some of the new things or milestones that we would like to reach this year in terms of coffee. Christian shares his interest in starting coffee roasting while Jose shares about his interest in upgrading his espresso set-up; plus, a lot of other things that we'd like to accomplish this year. Give it a listen and let us know what YOUR coffee resolutions are! Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/epi...
Jan 15, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 32
In this episode, we share the coffee gadgets we have on our Christmas lists at three different price levels: affordable (roughly less than $50), mid-range (about $100 to $500), and then expensive (>$1000). We cover some of the pros and cons as well as potential uses. Give it a listen and let us know if you add any of these items to your own coffee Christmas list! Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-notes-links Follow us ...
Dec 18, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 31
In this episode, we try out a few coffee options offered at Dunkin' Donuts, Burger King, Whataburger, McDonald's, and Dutch Bros. Coffee. We compare the flavors of their black coffee offerings and also give a few sweeter options a try! Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-notes-links Follow us on Instagram: @coffee.break.podcast E-mail us: coffeebreaktexas@gmail.com...
Dec 04, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In this episode, we share a couple of modified affogato recipes for all of you to try during the upcoming holiday season. Christian made a low-fuss-yet-still-tasty version with Vietnamese coffee plus Cookies and Cream ice cream that doesn't require an espresso machine, and Jose made a festive and delicious version with homemade pecan sauce and baked pie crust garnish. Give these a try at home and let us know what you think! Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: ht...
Nov 20, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this episode, Jose goes over how he was able to get better coffee while traveling and he shares his tips to help the rest of us. We also cover some other apps/websites/resources for getting or finding better coffee while you're on the go! Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-notes-links Follow us on Instagram: @coffee.break.podcast E-mail us: coffeebreaktexas@gmail.com...
Nov 06, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In this episode, we chat with Dave, co-founder of Better Grounds. We discuss Better Grounds' mission, how Dave eventually got into founding the company, Jose's interest in roasting coffee, and a few other topics. Thanks so much to Dave for taking time out of his schedule to chat with us, and we hope you all enjoy the episode! Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-notes-links Follow us on Instagram: @coffee.break.podcast E-mai...
Sep 25, 2022•58 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In this episode, we celebrate one year of sharing our coffee experiences, interviewing coffee experts, and presenting a variety of coffee-related information. We also cover our own personal learnings within the subject of podcasting and share our plans for future episodes/seasons. If you have ideas for topics you would like to hear in the future, now is a good time to share them in the comments or on our Instagram! Visit our website: http://coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www....
Sep 11, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In this episode, we answer a question from a friend and regular listener of the show regarding decaf coffee. We cover some of the processes for making decaf coffee beans, share our own experiences with drinking decaf coffee, and also share some tasting notes from a couple of decaf coffee options from local roasters in Houston. Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-notes-links Follow us on Instagram: @coffee.break.podcast E-ma...
Aug 28, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 25
In this episode, Jose sits down with Juan Welchez; a Honduran coffee producer and the face behind the account @thecuppingfarmer in Instagram. In this second part of the interview, Juan and Jose discuss: Experimenting with new fermentation methods Logistics and potential issues while doing this Getting into tasting/grading coffee and the benefits of this as a producer Benefits of events like the Cup of Excellence How has the specialty coffee/consumer preferences grown in the US and has even reach...
Aug 14, 2022•54 min•Season 1Ep. 24
In this episode, Jose sits down with Juan Welchez; a Honduran coffee producer and the face behind the account @thecuppingfarmer in Instagram. In this first part of the interview, Juan and Jose discuss: The history and logistics of their coffee business and working with family The challenges of dealing with social media His recent trip to South Korea to present on the coffee market The challenges of establishing relationships with specialty coffee buyers The different types of varietals they work...
Jul 31, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this episode, we make the Iced Cane Sugar Latte and Caffè Shakerato that we covered in the previous episode - and Jose also makes one additional drink: an Espresso Martini! We cover the recipes and also provide our comments on the drinks as we make them. You'll get to hear some ASMR elements too! Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-notes-links Follow us on Instagram: @coffee.break.podcast E-mail us: coffeebreaktexas@gmai...
Jul 17, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In this episode, we cover four coffee drinks that we consider delicious options for beating the summer heat. From an Italian Caffè Shakerato to Vietnamese Iced Coffee to Iced Cane Sugar Latte, we cover several options that almost everyone can enjoy this summer. They're all simple to prepare too! Check it out and let us know if these sound like tasty options for your own summer endeavors. Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Links from our episode: https://www.coffeebreakpod.com/episode-...
Jul 03, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 21
This is the eighth and final episode of our Espresso for Beginners series, and it is one of our favorites because we get to hear from one of our friends in Italy, Carlo, who covers espresso as well as the local coffee culture. One striking element that we covered is the difference between American coffee culture today (strongly influenced by Starbucks) vs coffee culture in Italy (which was an early muse for Starbucks) - it's a bit different from what Starbucks envisioned early on. Tune in and le...
Jun 19, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 20
A Brief History of Espresso: This is the seventh episode of our Espresso for Beginners series. In this episode, we share a little bit of the history of espresso - based on our own research as well as research by others before us. We touch on the very early history of coffee in general, and then dive deeper into the latest "waves" around coffee/espresso. As part of that research, we cover the strong ties between Italy and espresso so we also share part of an interview with one of Christian's frie...
Jun 05, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Gadgets and Accessories: This is the sixth episode of our Espresso for Beginners series. We share with you our favorite gadgets that we've acquired (or hoarded?) over the years that help the process of making espresso a bit easier. We also share what we have and why we have it or not have it. The purpose of the gadgets in this episode is to help make your workflow easier. Since this is Espresso for Beginners, we want to keep it simple and just focus on the ease of making espresso. The gadgets we...
May 22, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Milk for Your Espresso: This is the fifth episode of our Espresso for Beginners series. We dig into the basics of steaming milk so that you can recreate your favorite espresso drinks at home. We cover the process for steaming milk and some pointers we've learned along the way. We don't delve into latte art because we feel that is a more advanced topic. We also discuss alternative milks and the challenges behind steaming them. Our next episode will cover some nice to have but non-essential gadget...
May 08, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 17
The Process (Part 2): This is the fourth episode of our Espresso for Beginners series. We (after much discussion) finally get to pulling an espresso shot and some of the steps that would happen after you do that. We review shot timing, weighing, tasting, etc. Our next episode will cover the aspect of steaming milk so that you can begin creating your favorite espresso based drinks at home too! Visit our website: http:///coffeebreakpod.com Follow us on Instagram: @coffee.break.podcast E-mail us: c...
Apr 24, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 16
The Process (Part 1): This is the third episode of our Espresso for Beginners series. We review the first few aspects of pulling your first shot. We discuss selecting beans, grind sizes, water, distribution, tamping, etc. All those steps leading you to actually pulling a shot But, as always, we got lost in conversation and we weren't able to get to the point of actually pulling your shot. So... for the sake of brevity, our next episode (Part 2) will cover the remainder of the process including a...
Apr 10, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Gearing Up for Espresso: This is the second episode of our Espresso for Beginners series. We discuss (and somewhat disagree) on some suggestions for getting your espresso game started. We cover some machine and grinder suggestions and considerations that you should think of before spending your hard-earned money. Our next episode in this series will cover getting started with pulling your first shot once you've purchassed your espresso gear! Visit our website: coffeebreakpod.com Follow us on Ins...
Mar 27, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 14
