What does it really take to judge a coffee competition?

This week we unpack our chat with Hendri Kurniawan, the world coffee events rep who literally judges the judges. From calibration and comment checks to the huge personal costs of volunteering, we dive into what makes judging fair, objective, and supportive for competitors.

We also riff on the risks of brewing $250 cups and $30,000/kg coffees, new approaches like pre-batched espresso, and why customer trust is everything when it comes to high-end brews. Plus - market insights from Oli, the latest on regenerative agriculture certifications, the problem with microplastics in takeaway cups, and a left-field detour into… cockroach milk?!

Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on-the-fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered takes on the industry, hospitality stories, and those little gate-kept secrets you don’t hear anywhere else.

☕ Want more coffee content?

IT’S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod

📩 Get in touch: [email protected]

Proudly sponsored by

Eco Barista → https://www.ecobarista.com.au/

Apax Lab → https://apaxlab.com/

Coffee Forecast from Oli at Condesa Co.Lab → https://condesacolab.com.au/

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