The Coffee Show with Kirk Pearson

Yoshua Tanu is an icon in the Indonesian Coffee Industry. A former Indonesian Barista Champion and co founder of Common Grounds Coffee, he has founded a new venture that changes the game. Jago Coffee is a mobile cafe that operates using karts. Mobile karts are very common in Indonesia for selling food and other goods. Jago Coffee have for the first time introduced mobile cafes to Jakarta using refrigerated smart bikes that take coffee to where customers are. Using both nimble bikes that can weave through Jakarta's notoriously congested roads and combining them with smart technology that can alert an operator where customers are, Jago has been able to rapidly expand and now have 1500 carts operating in Jakarta (a city of 28 million people). Jago Coffee is also very affordable, offering coffee for under $1 USD. Yoshua explains the challenges of entrepreneurship in coffee as well as his vision for Jago in the future. Like this podcast? Leave a review or even share to some friends! Sharing helps us grow so that we can go to more places and share more stories around the world.

Recently it was announced that the system coffee quality graders (Q graders) have been using to score coffees for decades will radically change, causing fury throughout the industry. In this podcast Kirk questions the CEO of the Specialty Coffee Association on how the new system works, why it is changing and how it will be implemented.The scale of the change has been hard to comprehend for Q graders and many coffee producers. Some have said they won't recognise the new system, while others have welcomed the change as it reflects a changing coffee industry. Which pages of the new system should cuppers use? Should cuppings be managed on an app from now on? Kirk and Yannis discuss this at the World of Coffee in Jakarta. Like this podcast? Leave a review or even share to some friends! Sharing helps us grow so that we can go to more places and share more stories around the world.

Hidenori Izaki — 2014 World Barista Champion and one of the most influential voices in specialty coffee — joins Kirk to explore the evolving landscape of coffee. From the shifting dynamics of global competitions to how baristas can stay sharp, Hide offers rare insight. They also dive deep into the intersection of AI and coffee, and how the industry can better connect with everyday consumers without losing its soul.A must-listen for anyone passionate about the future of coffee.

In this episode, we sit down with Gabriel Agrelli, Product Development Director at Daterra Coffee, one of Brazil’s most innovative farms. Gabriel shares firsthand insights into how the ongoing drought is reshaping coffee production, what it means for farmers on the ground, and how Daterra is responding with cutting-edge agricultural practices and long-term sustainability strategies. From climate resilience to future-ready coffee varieties, this is a conversation every coffee professional and enthusiast should hear.

In this deeply personal episode, Brewing Champion Carlos Escobar shares the story behind the cup — one rooted in sacrifice, injustice, and unshakable purpose. Growing up on a coffee farm in Colombia, Carlos witnessed firsthand the harsh reality of an industry that undervalues its producers. His father stopped growing coffee — not because of poor farming, but because farmers have been undervalued for too long.Now, Carlos is using his voice, skill, and platform to advocate for change. We dive into his journey from farm to world stage, the broken systems behind your daily brew, and how we can all be part of something better.

World Brewers Cup Head JudgeEver wondered what it takes to impress the Head Judge of the World Brewers Cup? In this episode, we sit down with Brydon Price — certified sensory expert, coffee professional, and Head Judge at the global stage — to uncover the behind-the-scenes details of scoring, what separates a good brew from a great one, and how competitors can stand out.From technique to taste, Brydon shares insights that will change the way you brew and appreciate coffee. Whether you’re a barista, competitor, or just a coffee nerd.

In this episode of The Coffee Show with Kirk Pearson, we sit down with Dave Makin — founder of Axil Coffee Roasters, Australian Barista Champion, and one of the key figures behind Melbourne’s specialty coffee movement.From starting out as a barista to building one of Australia’s most recognized coffee brands, Dave shares the untold story behind Axil’s rise. We dive deep into the challenges of scaling a roasting business, staying true to quality at volume, and what it really takes to lead in a fiercely competitive market.Whether you’re a café owner, aspiring roaster, or simply love coffee, this episode is packed with raw insights, hard truths, and lessons from one of the industry’s best.

In this episode, we delve into the world of Orlando Marzo, the Italian-born, Melbourne-based mixologist who clinched the title of Diageo World Class Global Bartender of the Year in 2018. From his beginnings in Italy to honing his craft in London’s vibrant cocktail scene, and eventually leading the bar at Melbourne’s acclaimed Lûmé restaurant, Orlando’s journey is a testament to innovation, precision, and passion in the beverage industry. We explore how Orlando’s emphasis on sustainability, education, and collaboration has not only elevated his cocktails but also offers invaluable insights for the coffee industry. Discover how principles from high-end mixology can inspire coffee professionals to rethink flavor development, customer engagement, and sustainable practices.

What does it take to build a café that captures the internet’s attention and the city’s heart?In this episode of The Coffee Show with Kirk, we sit down with the founders of Osoi, one of Melbourne’s most talked-about new cafés. They break down the strategy, creativity, and chaos behind going viral — and share the lessons they’ve learned along the way.From building brand identity to managing overwhelming crowds, this is a must-listen for anyone in hospitality, marketing, or just curious how a small café became a social media sensation.

From the cupping table to global coffee competitions, our guest today has seen it all. Ross Quail isn’t just a name in the Australian coffee scene—he’s a legend. Former World Barista Championship judge, trainer, green buyer, and consultant, Ross has helped shape how we taste, talk about, and serve specialty coffee today.In this episode of The Coffee Show with Kirk, Ross drops truth bombs about the myths we’ve been sold, how ‘big coffee’ really works, and what the future of specialty could look like if we’re brave enough to change the narrative.