It’s Coffee Break time! On today’s show: Our thoughts on coffee machine automation - should we stick to the manual ways, or embrace modern machinery? Kirk shares a bonus hot take from the Rumble boys (sorry in advance to Melbourne’s baristas), Rohan cracks into the mail bag to reveal some juicy letters from listeners (from VR to ice machines), and we pose the big question; Is coffee trying too hard to be like wine?? Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything f...
Oct 30, 2024•30 min•Ep. 48
Hi!! Today we are joined by the Directors of Rumble Coffee Roasters, Joe Molloy and Matt Hampton. The boys have a candid chat about the coffee industry. Matt and Joe take a well-rounded approach to wholesale roasting - with a commitment to the planet (b-corp certified baby), and building strong relationships with coffee farmers. We discuss the underside of the wholesale coffee market, rapidly changing roastery landscapes, the disappearance of cash, the culture of off book pay, and 3rd crack coff...
Oct 28, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 47
Hey friend! On today’s Coffee Break: What’s up with wrapping coffee in nitrogen? Kirk recalls getting bitten by a jack russell, there are foxes carrying rats in the streets (cute or pest?) and we reveal the holy trinity of HSP sauces. Plus, we reflect on Tuesday's chat with Nick Percy, Liam has a new anime fixation, and there's talk of coffee mineral seasoning… Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe ...
Oct 25, 2024•28 min•Ep. 46
Yeyo, Nick Percy joins the pod today to talk sustainability and coffee! Nick's got the eco game down as the Sustainability Manager for Minor DKL Food Group, Nomad Coffee and Veneziano Coffee Roasters. We discuss his day to day operations - bin diving, meeting strangers in parks to bury compost and the (as of yet unofficial) take a Kirk to work day. In breaking news, coffee concrete has been shortlisted for a National Research Impact Award, with the design giving coffee grounds a ‘double shot’ at...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 45
Helloo, join us for a Coffee Break! On today’s show: The shred is back. Rohan and Kirk talk fitness, crossfit, and futsal. We can’t not bring up the new Legend of Zelda (absolutely crushing it!) and Rohan comes to terms with his new celebrity status!? Plus, Liam ponders the domino effect from a changing work environment. What are you missing when you work from home, and how do we incentivise people to come back into cafes (if you do it well, people come). Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop...
Oct 16, 2024•32 min•Ep. 44
On today’s show: Cafe’s are struggling to stay afloat as people don’t return to the office. We discuss the pros and cons of WFH…is the answer really in your apartment? Plus, what's the future of coffee in Melbourne, the EU delays new regulation impacting coffee farmers, and some dude claims coffee slows ageing (sort of). Also!! Rohan reveals his new idea (the cost of living coffee), and small businesses are under threat from coffee chains! One last thing…How do we MMCGA - Make Melbourne Coffee G...
Oct 14, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 43
Don’t miss this Coffee Break! Filled with GOLDEN advice from the man behind Golden Brown Coffee, Rohan’s serving insider tips on launching your own social media channel. Also, Kirk is on the rebrand following the launch of his new instagram page @Kirkthebarista - the man’s got more eras than Taylor Swift! Plus, we have an Artisti Breakdown following Tuesday's episode - let’s just say, we can’t get enough of these guys. And in a shocking twist…Kirk reveals some surprising DNA results. Have we bee...
Oct 09, 2024•27 min•Ep. 42
The Roast Masters of Coffs Harbour: Sticky Date Pudding, Mice, and 15 Years of Artisti Coffee. Hello! Today we’re sitting down with the absolute *icons* behind Artisti Coffee Roasters—Luke Floyd and Jimmy Evans. So what’s it like running a regional coffee roastery? Us city slickers wouldn’t understand! —Think 15 years of building a coffee empire, travelling Aus while running a business, and navigating the balance between regional community vibes and the online hustle (side note: how did Artisti’...
Oct 07, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 41
In this Coffee Break, Rohan and Kirk dive into their latest conversation with Abigail Forsyth, the Founder of KeepCup, to unpack some of the episode’s best moments. The boys chat about everything from Abigail’s eco-conscious approach to running a business, to the Star Wars, Metallica, and Lord of the Rings connections she and Kirk bonded over. The convo takes a turn as the boys unpack the struggle of trusting big corporations that claim to be eco-friendly—especially with scandals like Redcycle p...
Oct 02, 2024•32 min•Ep. 40
Ever wondered who started the reusable coffee cup revolution? We’re chatting with none other than Abigail Forsyth, the Co-Founder and Managing Director of KeepCup. In 2007, after introducing reusable soup mugs at her café, Abi and her brother decided to create their own reusable coffee cup. The now-iconic KeepCup is found in over 75 countries, diverting millions of disposable cups from landfill every day. In today’s episode, Abi schools Rohan and Kirk on the environmental impact of single-use cu...
Sep 30, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 39
Grab your cup, it’s Coffee Break time! Join Rohan, Kirk, and Liam as they break down this week’s episode with Mark Crotti from Breakfast Shirts. Sunglasses, Suits, wads of cash, and the unexpected new guest appearance from Business Kirk. How refreshing it is to have a hustler like Mark making waves with his social media presence, music tours, and fundraising endeavours. Oh, and let’s not forget the new found fear of ever getting on his bad side with his 'little black book!' PLUS WE GOT YOUR MAIL...
Sep 25, 2024•26 min•Ep. 38
Mark Crotti is in the building! Mark Crotti is a singer, songwriter and lover of breakfast. He began the clothing brand Breakfast Shirts in 2017 after searching for outrageous prints to wear while eating poached eggs. Breakfast Shirts are making ugly cool— their garish designs support small businesses, cafes, and the arts across Australia. Mark shares his small business journey; everything from content creation, his top cafes, and inviting Abbie Chatfield out to breakfast. We discuss the Breakfa...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 37
Time to put the feet up! Take a Coffee Break with Rohan, Kirk and Liam. This Week: Our ultimate plane movies, crying in the cinema, Rohan’s overdue dentist visit and the Chinese Coffee Industry. Also! We’re fresh from chatting with Caleb Holstein and keen to discuss the relationship between growers and green buyers. One last thing!! Should iced lattes be priced the same price as hot coffee? The boys reveal their favorite alternative milks and deepdive into the psychology behind drinking soy milk...
Sep 18, 2024•27 min•Ep. 36
Caleb Holstein, Co-Founder and CEO of Greensquare, began his coffee startup to help people buy and manage beans. We had the pleasure of hearing his journey - from being raised by hippies on the Central Coast, to roastery consulting and falling in love with Excel spreadsheets - you’ll find that the path of an entrepreneur is never straight! But first! A real life heist has taken place at Rohan’s shop, and the thieves left behind a calling card… Plus, Project Zero Coffee gets a paw review from an ...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 35
You deserve a Coffee Break! Join Kirk and Rohan as they chat about all things coffee. In this episode, we dive into Jade's experience competing in some of the toughest years of the Australian Barista Championships. Plus, we’re exploring what happens when coffee becomes an essential, not a luxury. We talk about integrity in the industry, and Kirk has some big news... he's opening a new café! Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tip...
Sep 11, 2024•30 min•Ep. 34
Hey! Today we’re talking to the wonderful Jade Jennings. Jade is a championship barista, coffee trainer, and all-round legend. Her journey began in 2005 when she transitioned from disability care to part-time work at Hudsons Coffee. Since then, she’s earned the titles of 2016/2017 Southern Barista Champion and runner-up in the 2016 Australian Barista Championships—all while raising a young family, which she describes as “like having two full-time jobs.” So, how does she do it?? We discuss her ex...
Sep 09, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 33
Take a Coffee Break with us! Kirk is joined by Sonam Sherpa, co-founder of Golden Brown Coffee. The boys unpack this week’s episode with Anthony Douglas - praising his calm, humble and kind approach to life. Plus we’re asking the big questions… is Italian food overrated? We’re talking ravioli vs xiaolongbao, curry vs pizza, lanzhou beef noodle soup and halal snack packs - hope you’re not hungry! Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barist...
Sep 04, 2024•24 min•Ep. 32
Hey! Joining us today, World Barista Champion Anthony Douglas! Anthony - who originally trained as a baker - became interested in coffee while making the odd brew at his restaurant job. He fell in love with the process, completely altering his path to become a barista. Fast forward to 2022 and he’s winning the World Barista Championship... Not bad! We’re chatting about his incredible journey to the championships. Andy takes a mindful approach to coffee (and life in general), working with a mind ...
Sep 02, 2024•58 min•Ep. 31
Grab your brew, we’re going on a Coffee Break. Rohan and Kirk are back to spill the beans on their blind espresso machine tasting with none other than the queen of food critique, Dani Valent. They dive into the surprising results (trust us, you won’t believe it!), share the watery details of the setup, and chat about why they’re fired up to bring more exciting content like this to the show. With Producer Liam out of the picture, Sam steps in behind the desk for this one—fingers crossed nothing g...
Aug 28, 2024•34 min•Ep. 30
Tools down, we’re having a Coffee Break. Ever sipped a coffee and wondered, "What are these flavours supposed to be?". Tasting notes can be elusive for many reasons, let’s discuss why! Plus, Kirk and Liam take a closer look at co-fermentation—how it enhances flavour, its impact on coffee competitions, and whether we're moving towards artificially flavoured beans. Kirk also updates us on ‘Project Zero Coffee’ and explains why he’s changed his approach to operations. Coffee Break is your weekly in...
Aug 21, 2024•24 min•Ep. 28
Few people understand coffee like Mark. Today, we're joined by the iconic Mark Dundon, founder and co-owner of Seven Seeds Coffee Roasters. Since the early 2000s, Mark has been pushing the boundaries of specialty coffee. His ventures - including the legendary ST. ALi and Brother Baba Budan - have set the pace for cafes in Melbourne, establishing Mark as patriarch of the caffeine scene. In this episode, we discuss everything from fermentation processes to ferrari driving green buyers. Mark reflec...
Aug 19, 2024•56 min•Ep. 27
Grab your brew, we’re going on a Coffee Break. So, seasoning water with minerals… gamechanger or gimmick? Kirk and Liam are behind the mics today for an honest review of APAX LAB’s mineral concentrates. We also explore the dominance of espresso culture in Australia, and discuss how a shift to filter coffee could save time and money. Plus, Kirk has a surprising beef with a coffee meme page? Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips...
Aug 14, 2024•16 min•Ep. 27
Hello! This morning we are joined by the Water Wizard, Simon Gautherin. Did you know that water minerals can drastically change the flavour of coffee? Well Simon does. Simon is the mastermind behind APAX LAB’s water mineral concentrates. After 6 years of research, he describes water minerals as the ‘seasoning’ of coffee; just a few drops adds depth and flavour to any brew. On today’s show we discuss water composition - how playing with mineral ratios can bring brightness, creaminess or floral no...
Aug 12, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 25
You deserve a Coffee Break! (not much a fika can’t fix). Join us behind the scenes of It’s Just Coffee! for a casual conversation with Rohan, Kirk and Liam. We have a lot of thoughts following Tuesday’s conversation with Sam Keck. His unique business model and holistic approach has Rohan and Kirk considering their ‘why’ when it comes to the coffee industry. Plus, we get into the nitty gritty with mechanical coffee drying, coffee scoring and carbonic maceration (huh?). Coffee Break is your weekly...
Aug 07, 2024•27 min•Ep. 24
Hiya! Join us this morning as we chat with legendary Commonfolk Co-founder, Sam Keck. Commonfolk Coffee is a roasting and brewing company with locations in Frankston, Mornington and South Yarra. More than just a cafe, Commonfolk have created ‘ The Cup That Counts’ initiative, purchasing a coffee farm in the Ugandan highlands to ensure all their coffee is ethically sourced. Sam discusses the importance of partnership with coffee producers, as well as the risks of deregulated trade. Since 2013, Co...
Aug 05, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 23
Hey, it’s time for a Coffee Break! Join Kirk and Liam for an insightful conversation about their unique position in the coffee industry. As we experience a cost of living crisis, food and beverages have become the new luxury. Consumer spending has fallen, but many people still seem to find a little leftover for cash for their daily coffee - why? Community, connection, rituals. Kirk and Liam discuss the importance of spreading the wealth amongst the coffee industry, as well as spreading the knowl...
Jul 31, 2024•17 min•Ep. 22
Yello, Dan Dick is back! Dan has a finger in every coffee flavoured pie, with his own roastery as well as 5 locations of cafe ‘Nigel.’ So how does Dan juggle being both retailer and supplier - well quite seamlessly actually! And he’s got some golden advice for cafe owners. In today’s show, we touch on everything from hospitality during the recession to the joys of working behind a coffee machine. Dan reveals the time he was WUI (working under the influence) and Kirk has an extra hot take on Melb...
Jul 29, 2024•54 min•Ep. 21
Brotha ehhh. Take a coffee break with us! A very unscripted conversation with Rohan, Kirk and Liam. This week: Independent coffee shops are facing an uncertain future. Kirk - with his economics degree in hand (brag) - discusses the risk of coffee chains monopolising the industry. . But first, Rohan dunks on fantasy trilogies, explains why he wants to drink straight from the Yarra River, and debates whether he could cop an uppercut from Mike Tyson. Plus, we answer your burning questions; Should y...
Jul 24, 2024•30 min•Ep. 20
Good morning! Today we are cracking into coffee… made by celebrities. From Patrick Mahomes to Emma Chamberlain, it seems many A-listers are peddling specialty beans and canned concoctions. Rohan and Kirk (yes Kirk is back!) dive into what it means for the future of coffee - plus, the most important question - does it taste any good? Also, Rohan hits Kirk with some revealing rapid fire questions… and the boys reminisce on their past of the hard stuff (jager bombs and vodka redbulls). In coffee ne...
Jul 22, 2024•58 min•Ep. 19
It’s Coffee Break time! Join us for an ‘off’ mic conversation with Rohan, Katie and Liam. No guests, no scripts, just vibes. This week: We’re talking everything from Victor Vu’s latte art to BBQ shapes and avo. Plus Rohan was roasted at MICE, and we have some thoughts following our main show. And a callout to the latte artists - if you can free pour the Golden Brown logo, give us a shout! Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips,...
Jul 17, 2024•18 min•Ep. 18
