In this episode of the Cupping Table, David Paparelli sits down with Emily McIntyre, co-founder of Swift Coffee Sourcing, to discuss the professional evolution of specialty coffee importing. Drawing on two decades of experience, Emily provides a factual account of the operational challenges inherent in the trade, including the closure of her previous venture, Catalyst Trade, after hitting a "ceiling" in managing a highly complex business model. She explains the personal and financial risks of global sourcing and the lessons learned from navigating business transitions in a volatile market.Emily explains what it is like working on the ground in Ethiopia and talks about transparency issues like “flavor matching,” which can occur when market demand for a specific region exceeds its physical production capacity. The conversation clarifies the essential role of the importer as a financial and logistical buffer, noting that the work is often defined more by risk management and finance than the simple transmission of coffee.Looking toward the future, Emily outlines her "80/20" business strategy, which balances a stable foundation of value-priced coffees with a smaller selection of highly traceable, single-producer lots. She also discusses the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve business logic, forecast accuracy, and sourcing details. Finally, the interview examines the new SCA Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) standards and talks about how shifting toward more subjective valuation methods may influence the long-standing power dynamics between global buyers and producers.

Forget what you know about traditional coffee farming. At World of Coffee Dubai, David Paparelli (M-Cultivo) sits down with Kai Janson to discuss the "elevated" future of specialty coffee. While many producers are stuck in "tribal scarcity," Kai is pushing Janson Coffee into a new era of abundance through radical experimentation. We dive deep into Waved technology, a controversial method using low electromagnetic energy to reshape flavor profiles and even "reclaim" past crops, and why Kai believes drying is the most overlooked part of the fermentation cycle. If you want to see the frontier of Panamanian Geisha and the future of luxury coffee science, you don't want to miss this episode.

Join us on the Cupping Table as we sit down with UAE National Barista Champion Frederick Ruben to uncover the fascinating journey of one of the industry's most innovative minds . In this episode, Ruben reveals the harrowing story of how he was scammed into moving to Dubai and how he climbed from a cafeteria worker to a world-class coffee specialist at Benchmark Coffee . We dive deep into the "Milk Momentum Index" (MMI), exploring Ruben’s groundbreaking techniques for pairing specific fermentation levels with custom-blended and freeze-distilled milks to create the perfect cup . Whether you're a home barista looking for the "secret" to sweeter milk or a coffee professional interested in the futuristic "Omakase" coffee culture of the UAE, this interview offers a masterclass in intentionality and innovation

In this special episode recorded live in Dubai, we sit down with two legends of the US coffee-growing scene: the late Jay Ruskey (Frinj Coffee, California) and Kraig Lee (Kona Farm Direct, Hawaii).From the first 47 "test" plants in Santa Barbara to breaking price records in Kona, Jay and Kraig share the evolution of an industry many thought could never exist. They dive deep into the technical marvels of high-latitude farming, the importance of genetic sequencing for the Geisha variety, and how they are building a resilient community of over 70 farmers in California alone.This conversation is a tribute to Jay Ruskey’s infectious vision and the incredible legacy he and his wife Kristen leave behind in the world of specialty coffee.

In this episode of the Cupping Table podcast, David Paparelli sits down with Ben Carlson, co-founder of Long Miles, to discuss their 15-year journey of investing in Burundi coffee communities. Ben shares the harrowing reality of producing coffee in East Africa, from fighting off bandits armed with spears to navigating a coup d'etat while attempting to export specialty lots. They dive deep into the "potato defect" mystery, explaining how Long Miles bypassed traditional chemical solutions by launching a "Coffee Kids Camp" that has collected over 28 million Antestia bugs to date. Ben also unveils the future of the company as they expand into Kenya and Uganda, seeking out the "holy grail" of coffee terroir in the Rwenzori Mountains. Finally, they discuss the upcoming Long Miles Burundi private auction, which features 23 unique micro-lots that showcase the distinct flavors of 14 different hills.

In this panel discussion, David Paparelli, CEO of M-Cultivo, sits down with Rachel Peterson of Hacienda La Esmeralda and Jeferson Santos of Daterra Coffee to explore how their estates have fundamentally reshaped the global specialty coffee industry. The conversation delves into the evolution of private coffee auctions, moving from simple price discovery to sophisticated platforms for brand storytelling and international community building. Rachel reflects on the 20-year legacy of Panama Geisha and the importance of meticulous, "gentle" processing to preserve terroir, while Jeferson discusses Daterra's mission to elevate the reputation of Brazilian coffee from a bulk commodity to a complex luxury product through intensive scientific research and collaborative "Growers' Exchanges". Together, they highlight how a shared commitment to quality and transparency is driving the next generation of high-altitude coffee production.

In this episode of The Cupping Table, David Paparelli sits down with Roland Glew, the green coffee buyer at Ozone Coffee, to explore the intricate realities of global coffee sourcing. Roland shares deep insights from his travels to origins like Peru, Malawi, and Costa Rica, emphasizing how infrastructure and individual expertise can make or break the quality of a harvest and the reputation of a country. The conversation moves beyond the "coffee hunter" myth to discuss the strategic core of direct trade: building resilient, long-term partnerships that prioritize honesty and transparency over immediate wins. From managing risk like an investment portfolio to navigating the shifting niche markets of specialty coffee, Roland provides an authentic, expert look at the evolving landscape of the coffee industry.

In this episode of the Cupping Table podcast, David Paparelli sits down with Kenneth Barigye, the founder of Mountain Harvest and Chairman of the Uganda chapter of AFCA. Kenneth shares his unique journey of entering the coffee industry in 2017—tasting his very first cup of coffee only after founding his company—with a mission to challenge the global perception of Ugandan coffee quality. The conversation dives deep into the transition of Mountain Harvest from a non-profit project to a self-sustaining social impact business that prioritizes financial viability alongside farmer empowerment. Kenneth also discusses the critical role of the upcoming Taste of Harvest auctions in fostering price discovery and providing a global stage for Africa’s most exceptional coffees.

In this special episode of The Cupping Table, M-Cultivo co-founder David Paparelli breaks down the "nuts and bolts" of the 2026 coffee auction season, specifically focusing on the unique hybrid format of the Dubai Coffee Auction. Following a record-breaking year in 2025 where coffee reached prices of $30,000 per kilo, David explains how the platform connects a global network of producers from regions like Panama, Yemen, and the United States with buyers through a two-round bidding process. He details how participants can navigate the transition from an open bidding period to a high-stakes "bidding war" involving a live auctioneer, while emphasizing that auctions serve as vital tools for price discovery, brand building, and fostering long-term relationships between producers and roasters.

In this episode of The Cupping Table, David Paparelli sits down with José "Pocho" Gallardo, the visionary engineer behind the world-renowned Finca Nuguo in Panama. Pocho shares his unique perspective on what it takes to master high-altitude Geisha, detailing how his background in engineering informs his approach to coffee. They discuss the "magic" of the Panamanian coffee community, where mentorship and the sharing of knowledge across generations have created a global standard for excellence. Pocho also opens up about the challenges of sustainable farming, the debate between plant stress and "happy" trees, and why he believes specialty coffee must be a full sensorial experience that offers more than just a beverage, but a connection to the land and the culture.