Buy the Drip - Coffee and Business

In this compelling episode of Buy the Drip, hosts David Crosby and Cole Torode dig into the real reasons behind the closure of Forward Coffee. They explore the highs and lows of running a green coffee importing business, from the struggles of cash flow to the complexities of direct trade and the often misunderstood pricing pyramid. Cole reflects on the critical role relationships play in sourcing high-quality coffee and how transparency can both help and hinder business operations.

Listeners will hear about some of Forward’s proudest achievements, including hitting revenue milestones and the unique marketing impact of the Forward Lottery. Cole also shares the heartfelt reactions from clients and team members when the decision was made to close the company.

Cole reveals what’s next for him and hints at the future of Forward Coffee, with plans to return to the coffee industry in an exciting new capacity. If you're curious about the behind-the-scenes challenges of the coffee business and what's next, this episode offers valuable insights.

Listen to the inspiring Elysia Tan, a three-time Singaporean Brewers Cup champion and co-founder of Home Ground Coffee Roasters, as she explores how she’s transforming the home brewing scene in Singapore.

Elysia opens up about her journey into the coffee world, her passion for creating a welcoming space for coffee lovers, and how education is key to building an engaged community of home brewers.

The conversation dives deep into the challenges of coffee competitions, where Elysia emphasizes that success is often shaped by preparation, not just the results.

Tune in for insights on the expanding specialty coffee market, the comforting and evolving process of home brewing, and why being authentic and trusting oneself are essential in the competitive landscape.

Elysia also shares her future plans for growing Home Ground Coffee Roasters e-commerce business and reminds us of the importance of enjoying the process while pursuing long-term success in coffee.

In this episode of Buy The Drip, host David Crosby and co-host Cole Torode welcome Nelson Phu, the 2024 Canadian Barista Champion, to share his inspiring journey into specialty coffee.

Nelson opens up about his path from Rosso Coffee Roasters in 2015 to becoming a national champion, the intense world of barista competitions, and the surprising parallels between coffee and fine dining.

The trio explores the critical role of storytelling in coffee, how competitions challenge baristas beyond just making great coffee, and the importance of community in the evolving coffee industry.

Nelson provides valuable insights into how fine dining informs coffee service, the importance of practicing routines for competition success, and trusting the process.

He also emphasizes personal growth, innovation, and sharing knowledge as essential for the future of coffee.

The episode wraps up with Nelson's ambitions for the World Barista Championship and his vision for pushing the coffee industry forward.

Support the Pod:

Hunter Tedman, fourth-generation coffee farmer and president of the Best of Panama (BOP) competition, delves into the competitive landscape of the coffee industry.

He addresses the controversy surrounding infused coffees and the rigorous rules and regulations that govern the competition.

Hunter explains how farmers submit their coffee, the criteria for taste and processing, and the importance of maintaining transparency and preserving the integrity of Panama Geisha coffees.

He also shares his journey through sustainable farming at his farms, including the soil food web approach, and discusses the unique terroir of the Boquete region. Hunter emphasizes the value of educating consumers about the efforts and challenges faced by coffee producers.

Support the Pod:

In this special episode of Buy the Drip, we’re flipping the script. While we’re usually the ones asking the questions, this time, we’re the ones in the hot seat. Recorded in late January during our time in Romania, we sat down with Bogdan and Calin from Meron Coffee to chat about our experiences in the coffee world. Check out SUBEXTRAS by Meron on YouTube.

We dive into a range of topics that go beyond just competition. We explore the evolution of coffee culture in Canada and Romania, the art of roasting, and our journey with Rosso Coffee Roasters.

You'll hear about our early days in the specialty coffee scene, our passion for creating consistent, high-quality coffee, and the challenges we've faced along the way. We also discuss how coffee can bring people together, creating a sense of community and family, and the importance of innovation in the industry.

Tune in to hear our story from a different perspective!

Kyle Ramage joins Buy The Drip Podcast. Listen to the compelling conversation with Kyle Ramage, former United States Barista Champion and co-owner of Black & White Coffee Roasters.

Kyle takes us through his fascinating journey in the coffee industry, starting with how he got involved in the specialty coffee scene, his experience participating in the World Barista Championship, and his role in a documentary about barista competitions.

He opens up about the challenges and rewards of starting his own coffee shop and roastery, providing invaluable advice for aspiring coffee shop owners.

Kyle shares insights into the growth and scaling of Black & White Coffee Roasters, discussing the operational challenges of running a roastery and the crucial need for building efficient systems. He also addresses the controversy surrounding the Best of Panama competition and the innovative processing techniques that are reshaping the specialty coffee landscape.

To wrap up, Kyle talks about the exciting opening of a new store in an airport.

This episode is packed with unique insights and valuable lessons from the specialty coffee world, making it a must-listen for anyone passionate about coffee and entrepreneurship.

Episodes You Might Enjoy

21. Mikael Jasin Journey to Becoming World Barista Champion

7. Aerospace Engineer to World Brewers Cup Champion with Matt Winton

Curious about the world of coffee subscriptions and how they operate? In this episode of Buy the Drip, host David Crosby sits down with Suneal Pabari, co-founder of The Roasters Pack and Leaderboard Coffee. Suneal shares his fascinating journey in the coffee industry and the challenges he faced along the way.

Suneal talks about starting The Roasters Pack, a coffee subscription service that delivers three unique coffees from different roasters each month. He opens up about the initial struggles with time management and logistics while running the business solo, and how he overcame these challenges.

The conversation also covers the large surge in home brewing and the significant increase in subscribers during 2020, and how Suneal managed the sudden growth. Suneal and his co-founder then took this opportunity to create Leaderboard, a worldwide coffee tasting competition that combines fun and education. He shares insights into how this competition not only educates participants but also builds a vibrant coffee community.

Additionally, Suneal discusses the importance of adapting to market changes, leveraging social media for business growth, and the future plans for The Roasters Pack and Leaderboard Coffee. He also reflects on the personal satisfaction and growth that come from building a successful coffee business.

Check out this insightful conversation with Suneal, filled with valuable lessons about starting a coffee business, as well as the personal and professional growth that comes with it.

Connect with Suneal

Connect with David

Episodes You Might Enjoy

21. Mikael Jasin Journey to Becoming World Barista Champion

12. Designing Fermentation with Lucia Solis

9. Barista to Green Coffee Buyer with Freda Yuan

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in the world of coffee roasting?

In this episode, Paul Stephens, Head Roaster of Rosso Coffee Roasters, takes us on his incredible journey from tasting his first espresso in Spain to becoming the roaster for the 2023 and 2024 World Barista Champions. Paul shares fascinating insights into the roasting process, from the crucial moments of temperature control, first crack, and development time to the innovative use of technology like roasting software and color tracking to ensure consistency and quality.

He also reveals the critical role sorting machines play in removing defects from both green and roasted coffee.

Join Paul and David as they dive into the importance of consistency in roasting for barista competitions and the unique partnership between baristas and roasters.

Discover how technology, including software like Cropster and precise probes, enhances the roasting process. Plus, Paul gives us a sneak peek into exciting upcoming projects, such as the installation of a new silo and the arrival of exceptional coffees from Guatemala and Colombia.

Beyond the roastery, Paul shares his personal passions for cooking and gardening, offering a glimpse into how he recharges and finds inspiration outside of work.

Don’t miss this chance to get an insider’s view of the art and science of coffee roasting.

Connect with David

⁠⁠Instagram⁠

Connect with Rosso Coffee Roasters

Instagram

Episodes You Might Enjoy

18. ⁠⁠Boram Um - The World Barista Champion⁠⁠

9. ⁠⁠Barista to Green Buyer with Freda Yuan⁠⁠

12. ⁠⁠Designing Fermentation with Luica Solis

Mikael Jasin shares his incredible journey from his introduction into the coffee industry as a dishwasher to becoming the World Barista Champion in 2024, ten years later. He discusses his entry into specialty coffee, the challenges he faced, and the importance of mindset and mental resilience. Mikael highlights the evolving Indonesian coffee industry and the significant role of competition in advancing baristas' careers. He emphasizes the need for baristas to take risks and participate in competitions to learn and grow, and how his use of Indonesian coffee in competitions has helped put Indonesian coffee on the map.

Mikael also delves into the evolution of the barista competition in Indonesia and its impact on the local coffee industry. He shares his experience of feeling burnt out, the process of finding a new theme for his competition routine, and the importance of detachment and mindfulness in his training. Visualization played a key role in his preparation, helping him create a winning mindset. Looking ahead, he discusses his plans to use his platform to amplify the messages of others in the coffee industry.

Connect with Miki

Instagram

Connect with David

Instagram

Connect with Cole

Instagram

Episodes You Might Enjoy

18. Boram Um - The World Barista Champion

9. Barista to Green Buyer with Freda Yuan

12.  Designing Fermentation with Luica Solis

Episode 20: Cole Torode - Brewing Tips, World Brewers Cup, and Brotherly Love

Welcome back to Buy the Drip! In this episode, host David Crosby sits down with his brother, 2023 Canadian Brewers Cup Champion Cole Torode. They dive deep into Cole's journey through the Brewers Cup, discussing his unique brewing techniques and the experience of competing on the world stage.

Highlights:

Join us for an engaging conversation packed with brewing tips, behind-the-scenes stories, and a deep dive into the art and science of coffee. Enjoy the brotherly banter as David and Cole share laughs, memories, and their passion for coffee.

Connect with David

Instagram

Connect with Cole

Instagram

Episodes You Might Enjoy

18. Boram Um - The World Barista Champion

9. Barista to Green Buyer with Freda Yuan

12. Designing Fermentation with Luica Solis