

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

Aug 6, 2025 • 22min
10 Second Lattes? + The $1 Coffee That Could Change Lives | COFFEE BREAK!
Today we break down Tuesday’s episode with Chris Maybury: Should we be jumping on the automation train? And what automated coffee machines are worth your buck?
Plus, Street Smart Hospitality is raising funds for homelessness through their annual coffee-led campaign, CafeSmart. More details about the CafeSmart event available soon. In the meantime, check out https://www.instagram.com/streetsmarthospo/ to learn more.
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/
Thank you for listening, love ya!
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Aug 4, 2025 • 1h 1min
Espresso on Tap: Creating the Café of the Future | CHRIS MAYBURY!
We’re joined by Chris Maybury, the mastermind behind the fully automated cafe - Beta Coffee.
Chris discusses his vision for his Sydney based cafe, including his groundbreaking pre-batched espresso and automated milk steaming. Despite all this automation, Chris is an advocate for building connections between customer and barista, arguing that automation may just be the key to better hospitality. So, can pre-batched espresso really stand up to fresh espresso - and if it can, what does that mean for the future of the coffee industry..?
All this is and more on today’s ep! Big thanks to Chris 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! Hosted by the wonderful @goldenbrown.coffee and @benbicknell.
Explore Beta Coffee here: https://www.instagram.com/beta_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/
Thanks for listening!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 30, 2025 • 21min
La Marzocco Collabs Ranked + Are We Wasting Good Coffee at Home? | COFFEE BREAK!
We’re answering your questions! What would we be doing if we weren't working in coffee…are we wasting single origin beans on home machines…and should you get your cafe staff sensory trained?? Plus! We discuss the most overrated trends in coffee right now, and share our thoughts on some of La Marzocco’s luxury brand collaborations.
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/
Thank you for listening, love ya!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 28, 2025 • 1h 10min
‘The Future of Coffee Report’, From the Legacy Brand La Marzocco | ANITA 'JETS' LANGLANDS!
Today we are joined by La Marzocco’s Head of Marketing, Anita (Jets) Langlands!
With over 20 years experience in the industry, Jets has a unique and in depth understanding of marketing in the coffee world. She’s been tasked with carrying on the legacy of La Marzocco, while also carving out the future of the brand - piece of cake! We discuss everything from luxury brand collaborations to marketing for the next gen. Plus! We break down La Marzocco’s most recent ‘Future of Coffee’ report, tackling topics such as late night coffee trends, the quality loop, and the predicted changes in consumer preferences.
Thank-you to Jets for a fantastic conversation!
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!
Explore La Marzocco Australia here: https://www.instagram.com/lamarzoccoau/
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/
Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 23, 2025 • 30min
Specialty Coffee Has a New Definition | COFFEE BREAK!
On today’s Coffee Break: a recent study has found that dairy milk pairs best with coffee, so what does this mean for alt milks? And Trump's new tariffs on Brazilian goods are set to alter the US coffee market dynamics, how will this impact the rest of the world? Plus! We digest Tuesday’s heavy chat about Q grading, summing up all you need to know.
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.
Physicochemical properties and sensory attributes of nut-based milk coffee: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-07554-w#Sec17
How will Trump’s tariffs impact the global coffee industry?: https://perfectdailygrind.com/2025/04/how-us-tariffs-will-impact-global-coffee-industry/
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/
Thank you for listening, love ya!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 21, 2025 • 1h 13min
Coffee Grading Just Changed Forever - Explained by a Q Grader | BEN BICKNELL!
Let’s dive into the coffee Q grading system! Ben Bicknell, our chief coffee grader, breaks down the complicated guidelines - allowing everyone (yes even those coffee novices) to get a better understanding of how Q grading actually works. Join us for an informative episode and come away with some killer knowledge that will blow your coffee friends out of the water!
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/
Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 16, 2025 • 28min
Flat White Origins, Freshness Wars & The $6 Coffee | COFFEE BREAK!
We’re discussing home-brewed coffee vs cafe coffee; What do hospo venues have to do in order to compete with the rising army of home baristas? Plus, we talk coffee freshness, Japanese coffee culture, and supermarket beans. Also, what should you look for when hiring cafe staff in this ever-changing coffee landscape? And finally, is the debate over whether Australia or New Zealand invented the Flat White over?
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/
Thank you for listening, love ya!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 14, 2025 • 1h 16min
How Coffee Supreme Conquered NZ, Australia & Japan | ANDREW LOW!
Today we’re joined by none other than Coffee Supreme CEO, Andrew Low! We’re asking the big questions… Like how did Coffee Supreme grow from a small New Zealand coffee brand to a multinational company with locations across NZ, Australia, and Japan? We discuss Andew’s
‘people-first’ approach, how to lead like a CEO, and what his experience has taught him about expanding a business overseas. This is one of our best conversations yet, you don’t want to miss it!
Massive thank you to Andrew 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!
Explore Coffee Supreme here: https://coffeesupreme.com/
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/
Thanks for listening!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 9, 2025 • 20min
Geneva’s Coffee Champs & Japan’s Coffee Icon | COFFEE BREAK!
Time for a Coffee Break!
We reflect on our chat with Samurai Shin and his unique journey from snowboarder to latte artist. Plus, it’s time to unpack the results from the 2025 World Coffee Championships in Geneva… this year was one for the books. And finally: What coffee tool won the People’s Choice award for its ability to steam multiple milks? Tune in to find out!
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/
Thank you for listening, love ya!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 7, 2025 • 51min
What It Takes to Become a World Latte Art Champion | SAMURAI SHIN!
Today we’re joined by latte art champion Shinsaku Fukayama, also known as Samurai Shin!
We discuss his journey from Japan to Melbourne, moving to Australia with limited English and even more limited coffee knowledge. Shin tells his story, working his way up in the Melbournian ranks, only to return to Japan nearly a decade later to begin his very own coffee business. So what does it take to build a career in coffee… and where is the coffee better: Tokyo or Fitzroy!?
Tune in for all this and more! Big thanks to Shin 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!
Explore Shinsaku Fukayama here: https://www.instagram.com/shinsaku_samurai/
Barista Map: https://www.instagram.com/shinsaku_samurai/
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/
Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices