

IT’S JUST COFFEE!
Ben Bicknell & Rohan Cooke
Whether you’re a world barista champion brewing a $150 rarecoffee from the hills of Panama, or you’re stirring a spoon ofinstant coffee in boiling water, at the end of the day, It’s JustCoffee!It’s Just Coffee! is a podcast for all those coffee lovers out thereand we're endeavouring on a journey to find the perfect cup.Not only will we be talking to the world’s best coffee makersand 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 andpassionate (sometimes to a fault), and we want to exploresome 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 illegal to mix milk in black coffee?• Is Starbucks actually coffee?We’ll dive into some of the best coffee conversations on theinternet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of theday, that It’s Just Coffee!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 29, 2026 • 27min
Why “Consistency” Is a Lie in Coffee | FREDERICK BEJO of ARCHERS!
Archers is a Green Coffee Trader, Roastery, and certified SCA and CQI Coffee Academy located in the UAE, co-founded by Brewers Cup Champion Frederick Bejo.
Frederick joins us to discuss the challenges and opportunities in Dubai’s coffee market, drawing on his own experience coming from the Philippines to take up business in the UAE. We also make some calls about the industry in 2026… cold fermentation … trending drying methods…? Tune in for all this and more!
This is another episode recorded at World of Coffee Dubai 2026. Huge thanks to WOC and Frederick Bejo for making this episode possible!
If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee!
World of Coffee Dubai: https://www.instagram.com/worldofcoffeedubai/
Frederick Bejo: https://www.instagram.com/frederick_bejo/
Archers: https://www.instagram.com/archers.ae/
Want more coffee content?
IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236
Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments.
Proudly sponsored by
Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/
Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 27, 2026 • 30min
The Man Who Bought the Most Expensive Coffee in The World | JULITH COFFEE w SERKAN SAĞSÖZ!
Julith is a roastery, brew lounge, concept store and social space located in Dubai, founded by Turkish Barista Champion Serkan Sağsöz.
In 2025, Serkan bought the 20kg lot of Geisha Washed Best of Panama winner ‘Nido 7’ for a record price of over $900,000 AUD. Described as ‘otherworldly’, Nido 7 is available to try at Julith for the low low price of $1500 per shot. We were lucky enough to meet with Serkan in Dubai, and taste the coffee that’s shaken up the industry. Join us for our chat - and be prepared to step into another league when it comes to coffee.
This is just the beginning of a series of content recorded at World of Coffee Dubai 2026. Thank you to the WOC for making this episode possible, and thank you to Serkan for joining the show!
If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee!
World of Coffee Dubai: https://www.instagram.com/worldofcoffeedubai/
Serkan Sağsöz: https://www.instagram.com/serkan.sagsoz/
Julith Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/julith.coffee/
Want more coffee content?
IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236
Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments.
Proudly sponsored by
Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/
Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/
Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/
Thanks for listening!
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Jan 23, 2026 • 23min
James Hoffmann Answers Your Questions | COFFEE BREAK!
James Hoffmann, coffee professional and author known for clear education and reviews, answers listener questions and shares career stories. He discusses content creation sustainability, burnout and rediscovering passion. Conversations touch on tasting skills, leadership in cafes, ethics of independent reviews, and the expanding Cup of Excellence.

Jan 21, 2026 • 1h 31min
JAMES HOFFMANN | Being a Weird Coffee Person!
James Hoffmann is a World Barista Champion, founder of Square Mile Coffee Roasters, author of The World Atlas of Coffee and a beloved voice of the coffee industry. We were blessed to pick his brains on cafe culture, home brewing, the economics of specialty coffee, the future of the industry, the responsibilities that come with his level of influence, and so much more. Plus, you know we hooked you up with some uniquely James Hoffmann recommendations, this guy lives and breathes coffee so you know they’re good.
Tune in for a fantastic episode, big thank-you to James for joining our humble pod, much love!
If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee!
Check out James Hoffman here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimseven/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jameshoffmann
Want more coffee content?
IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236
Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments.
Proudly sponsored by
Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/
Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/
Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/
Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 14, 2026 • 21min
Joining the mile high club of podcasting | COFFEE BREAK!
We are debriefing after our chat with Reza from Slick Coffee in Oman, exploring the longstanding history of coffee in the Middle East and the rise of specialty culture in Dubai, Saudi, and beyond. We discuss high-end home setups, wild flavour preferences, and Slick’s clever packaging that introduces specialty coffee to new drinkers…plus plenty of coffee gear drama, World of Coffee Dubai plans, and a live voicemail to Ben’s parents.
Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (eek), hospitality stories and gate kept coffee secrets.
Want more coffee content?
IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236
Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments.
Proudly sponsored by
Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/
Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/
Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/
Thanks for listening!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 12, 2026 • 56min
Introducing Specialty Coffee to New Regions | SLICK COFFEE’S - REZA KOSAR!
Reza Kosar is the co-founder of Slick Coffee in Muscat, Oman. He’s a certified Q grader and instructor, a Cup of Excellence judge, and a self-described ‘full sensory nerd’. In today’s episode, we discuss the unique challenges and opportunities that come with working in specialty coffee in the Middle East. Reza shares his approach to sourcing, roasting, and sharing - touching on the significance of packaging and branding.
Through Reza’s story you’ll gain an understanding of how specialty coffee grows, adapts, and sometimes goes wrong in new regions. Thank-you for sharing your journey Reza!
If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee!
Check out Reza: https://www.instagram.com/rezakosar_
Slick Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/slickcoffeeco
Want more coffee content?
IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236
Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments.
Proudly sponsored by
Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/
Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/
Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/
Thanks for listening!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 7, 2026 • 24min
Career Paths for Baristas | COFFEE BREAK!
We break down the concept of the ‘three-year career crisis’ (discussing career paths for baristas beyond the machine), and explain why a clean workflow might just be your biggest competitive advantage as a cafe owner. We also dive into the low-risk ways to start a café (pop-ups, shared spaces, equity deals), and the real costs of running a business that nobody tells you about, eek!
Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (eek), hospitality stories and gate kept coffee secrets.
Want more coffee content?
IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236
Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments.
Proudly sponsored by
Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/
Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/
Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/
Thanks for listening!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 5, 2026 • 1h 13min
Pouring 14,000 cups of latte art in 7 weeks | CALEB CHA !
How did one man go from never having worked in coffee to winning the World Latte Art Championship only two years later?!
Caleb Cha has had an incredible journey from Seoul, South Korea to Melbourne. His dedication to latte art has earned him global recognition, pushing the limitations of latte art with colour and design. In 2023 he opened his own venue, Tone Coffee Roasters, and now has two locations across Melbourne.
If you’re serious about getting better at coffee, competitions, or running a cafe, and you want to know the real work that goes on behind the scenes, this podcast episode is very much for you.
Thanks for joining us Caleb!
If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee!
Check out Caleb: https://www.instagram.com/calebtiger
Tone Coffee Roasters: https://www.instagram.com/tonecoffee_melb
Want more coffee content?
IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236
Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments.
Proudly sponsored by
Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/
Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/
Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/
Thanks for listening!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 31, 2025 • 37min
How to start the year as a coffee person | COFFEE BREAK!
Coffee pros Ben Bicknell and Rohan Cooke spill the tea on how to have the best start to the year in coffee…From cooking tips, dining experiences, and advice for cafe owners. Plus, a call-out to the roasters, now's the time to reflect on your supplier relationships and align your purchasing choices with your values. There’s a little something for everyone this Coffee Break!
Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (eek), hospitality stories and gate kept coffee secrets.
Want more coffee content?
IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236
Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments.
Proudly sponsored by
Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/
Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/
Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/
Thanks for listening!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 29, 2025 • 1h 3min
OUR 2026 INDUSTRY PREDICTIONS | And a look back on the year that was!
What will the coffee industry look like in 2026?
Join us as we speculate on the year ahead, and look back on the one just passed. We predict market trends, (some guesses are more educated than others..), coffee innovations, and supply chain changes. And how did those predictions we made at the start of 2025 turn out?
Was there a wave of cafe closures? Did matcha popularity increase? What’s the current home market looking like?!
SO many questions - join us for some answers and a lot of speculation!
Here’s to a fabulous 2026 - Happy New Year!
If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee!
Want more coffee content?
IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236
Want to get in touch? Hit us up at hello@itsjustcoffeepod.com for any questions or comments.
Proudly sponsored by
Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/
Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/
Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/
Thanks for listening!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


