JOIN THE VALOR COFFEE COMMUNITY – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://community.valor.coffee/invitation?code=E3A29B

Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!

In this episode, we dive deep into the great debate: conical vs. flat burr grinders. We share our experiences with different grinders, like the Mazzer Robur S and the Mahlkönig E80 Supreme, testing their performance with the same coffee and recipe to highlight how grind size distribution, fines, and body influence espresso quality. We also explore the physics of coffee grinding, the role of overheating in flat burr grinders, and the fascinating difference between brittle and pliable coffee particles. Your mileage may vary, but we've got some new opinions on which direction might be best for our cafes...

*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*

Huge thanks to our partner Third Wave Water for sponsoring this episode! TWW enhances our brews by getting our water perfect for our coffee. Use code VALOR at checkout for 15% off your purchase! https://thirdwavewater.com

We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Mahlkonig, Anfim and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr

Want to get your business in front of more people? We partnered with Local Eyes Growth to grow our business through SEO and the results have been incredible. Want to do the same? Visit localeyesgrowth.com/valor to get 50% off website services and 20% SEO services!

Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop

Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/valorcoffee16

Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!

Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]

Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____

Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel:  https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley:  https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account:  https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777

00:00 - Intro
01:57 - Let's take it to the lab baby
02:44 - What's the difference?
03:52 - One Coffee - 2 (or 3) Grinders
04:10 - What made us want to try out a conical grinder for espresso?
04:51 - Mazzy Shot #1
05:43 - Unimodal vs Bimodal Grind Size Distrubution (The heck is that?)
07:04 - Now for the POD
13:59 - Let's talk about temperature stability
17:43 - Stand up bit frome Riles
18:19 - S Tier pivot from Ethan
24:31 - Wanna hear something crazy?
36:32 - Lets answer some Q's
44:22 - Different types of stress on the BEAN
47:18 - Holiday Garb

JOIN THE VALOR COFFEE COMMUNITY – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://community.valor.coffee/invitation?code=E3A29B

Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!

We’ve all dreamed of starting a cafe, but what if we told you that growing a coffee catering business could be a smarter move in 2025? In this episode, we break down why coffee catering might be the future of specialty coffee businesses and how it can be a high-margin, low-overhead operation compared to running a cafe. We share our real-world experiences, from optimizing the coffee cart setup with new tools to scaling systems for events. Plus, we drink two wild coffees.

*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*

Huge thanks to our partner Third Wave Water for sponsoring this episode! TWW enhances our brews by getting our water perfect for our coffee. Use code VALOR at checkout for 15% off your purchase! https://thirdwavewater.com

We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Mahlkonig, Anfim and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr

Want to get your business in front of more people? We partnered with Local Eyes Growth to grow our business through SEO and the results have been incredible. Want to do the same? Visit localeyesgrowth.com/valor to get 50% off website services and 20% SEO services!

Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop

Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/valorcoffee16

Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!

Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]

Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____

Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel:  https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley:  https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account:  https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777

00:00:00 - Start
00:01:28 - Bring the Bean in
00:03:17 - 3 Year Anniversary of the Program, how has it changed our lives?
00:08:36 - Coffee, today!
00:15:18 - Q&A Baby
00:16:10 - First Q (comment below if you know the reference)
00:20:54 - Q2
00:21:45 - Q number 3
00:27:01 - Espresso Grinder UPDATE
00:27:48 - Addressing the ELEPHANT in the room
00:33:20 - Carts vs Cafes
00:40:46 - Breakdown of Catering numbers
00:46:10 - Simple cart first impressions
00:53:04 - How do we simplify load in and load out?

JOIN THE VALOR COFFEE COMMUNITY – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://community.valor.coffee/invitation?code=E3A29B

Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!

In this episode, we sit down with Taylor and Charles from Third Wave Water to dive deep into one of the most overlooked aspects of specialty coffee—water. They break down how water composition impacts coffee extraction, flavor, and even equipment longevity. From understanding the science of minerals to practical advice for cafes and home brewers, this conversation is packed with knowledge that will transform the way you think about brewing. Whether you're an espresso enthusiast, a pour-over perfectionist, or a cafe owner looking to optimize your setup, this episode is for you.

*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*

Huge thanks to our partner Third Wave Water for sponsoring this episode! TWW enhances our brews by getting our water perfect for our coffee. Use code VALOR at checkout for 15% off your purchase! https://thirdwavewater.com

We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Mahlkonig, Anfim and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr

Want to get your business in front of more people? We partnered with Local Eyes Growth to grow our business through SEO and the results have been incredible. Want to do the same? Visit localeyesgrowth.com/valor to get 50% off website services and 20% SEO services!

Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop

Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/valorcoffee16

Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!

Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]

Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____

Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel:  https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley:  https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account:  https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777

00:00:00 - Intro
00:04:52 - Valor's jounrey in the WCU (Water Cinematic Universe)
00:09:01 - Let's define some terms in water
00:21:27 - What is scaling?
00:29:05 - How did Third Wave Water Start?
00:41:38 - Talk to me about profiles
00:49:58 - Osmosis
01:06:24 - Different water sources for different brewing methodfs in a Cafe?
01:12:13 - What's the best next step to improve your water?

JOIN THE VALOR COFFEE COMMUNITY – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://community.valor.coffee/invitation?code=E3A29B

Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!

In this oh-so-serious episode, we take on the ultimate challenge: tier-ranking every coffee drink we could think of! From the cappuccino and espresso to Japanese iced pour-over and espresso tonic, no drink is safe from our opinions. As we dive into what makes each drink shine (or flop), we also reflect on our own experiences with these beverages in specialty coffee shops.

*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*

Huge thanks to our partner Third Wave Water for sponsoring this episode! TWW enhances our brews by getting our water perfect for our coffee. Use code VALOR at checkout for 15% off your purchase! https://thirdwavewater.com

We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Mahlkonig, Anfim and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr

Want to get your business in front of more people? We partnered with Local Eyes Growth to grow our business through SEO and the results have been incredible. Want to do the same? Visit localeyesgrowth.com/valor to get 50% off website services and 20% SEO services!

Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop

Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/valorcoffee16

Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!

Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]

Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____

Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel:  https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley:  https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account:  https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777

00:00:00 - Intro
00:05:52 - Sport
00:08:44 - What are you guys making for Thanksgiving?
00:13:02 - Thankgiving food tier list
00:15:53 - TIERS FOR FEARS BABAY
00:18:10 - Origins of Tier list
00:18:35 - Drink #1
00:20:29 - Drink #2
00:22:27 - Drink #3
00:23:37 - Drink #4
00:25:16 - Drink #5
00:27:00 - Drink #6
00:29:07 - Dink #7
00:31:11 - Drink #8
00:32:36 - Drink #9
00:33:55 - Drink #10
00:35:55 - Drink #11
00:37:52 - Drink #12
00:39:29 - Drink #13
00:40:32 - Drink #14
00:43:10 - Drink #15
00:46:24 - Drink #16
00:47:32 - Drink #18
00:48:40 - Drink #19 (The results may shock you)
00:51:12 - Drink #20
00:52:26 - The FINAL boss
00:55:21 - Coffee of the day
00:58:30 - Real life numbers (the results may shock you frfr)

JOIN THE VALOR COFFEE COMMUNITY – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://community.valor.coffee/invitation?code=E3A29B

Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!

Opening a coffee shop likely means sacrificing the option of working with an interior designer. In this episode, we share practical tips and lessons learned from building out two cafes without the help of designers; from paint hacks and lighting choices to prioritizing resilient materials and creating Instagram-worthy moments, we break down the small design decisions that make a big impact. Plus, our thoughts on outfitting a merch area, and why not installing too many electrical outlets can save the vibe of your space.

*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*

Huge thanks to our partner Third Wave Water for sponsoring this episode! TWW enhances our brews by getting our water perfect for our coffee. Use code VALOR at checkout for 15% off your purchase! https://thirdwavewater.com

We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Mahlkonig, Anfim and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr

Want to get your business in front of more people? We partnered with Local Eyes Growth to grow our business through SEO and the results have been incredible. Want to do the same? Visit localeyesgrowth.com/valor to get 50% off website services and 20% SEO services!

Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop

Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/valorcoffee16

Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!

Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]

Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____

Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel:  https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley:  https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account:  https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777

JOIN THE VALOR COFFEE COMMUNITY – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://community.valor.coffee/invitation?code=E3A29B

Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!

In this episode, we break down the complex dynamics of growing a coffee business, from securing funding for a new cafe to deciding when to add staff as sales increase. We dive into a variety of listener questions from our Valor Coffee Community, offering insights on everything from approaching investors, using real estate agents for retail space, and creative ways to foster collaboration in the local coffee scene. Plus, we tackle holiday prep for small coffee shops, sharing tips for managing milk storage, handling holiday rushes, and keeping the team energized during the busiest season of the year. If you’re a coffee business owner or just curious about what goes into running a cafe, this episode is packed with valuable insights!

*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*

Huge thanks to our partner Third Wave Water for sponsoring this episode! TWW enhances our brews by getting our water perfect for our coffee. Use code VALOR at checkout for 15% off your purchase! https://thirdwavewater.com

We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Mahlkonig, Anfim and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr

Want to get your business in front of more people? We partnered with Local Eyes Growth to grow our business through SEO and the results have been incredible. Want to do the same? Visit localeyesgrowth.com/valor to get 50% off website services and 20% SEO services!

Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop

Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/valorcoffee16

Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!

Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]

Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____

Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel:  https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley:  https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account:  https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777

JOIN THE VALOR COFFEE COMMUNITY – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://community.valor.coffee/invitation?code=E3A29B

Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!

We just had a big moment at Valor Coffee: we changed our core values! In this episode, we talk about how and why we went from five to three core values, breaking down how we landed on these core pillars and what they mean to our team and company culture. We wanted to make values that are easy to remember, align with our mission, and keep us all moving in the same direction. We share how these new values emerged from what really makes Valor tick day-to-day and how we hope they’ll impact our team, customer experience, and growth. Join us for some deep dives, laughs, and behind-the-scenes insights into the heart of Valor. We hope this episode sparks ideas on how you approach values in your own business!

*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*

Huge thanks to our partner Third Wave Water for sponsoring this episode! TWW enhances our brews by getting our water perfect for our coffee. Use code VALOR at checkout for 15% off your purchase! https://thirdwavewater.com

We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Mahlkonig, Anfim and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr

Want to get your business in front of more people? We partnered with Local Eyes Growth to grow our business through SEO and the results have been incredible. Want to do the same? Visit localeyesgrowth.com/valor to get 50% off website services and 20% SEO services!

Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop

Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/@valor.coffee

Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!

Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]

Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____

Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel:  https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley:  https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account:  https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777

JOIN THE VALOR COFFEE COMMUNITY – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://community.valor.coffee/invitation?code=E3A29B

Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!

In this episode, we sit down with Savannah Grace Lyle (aka Savvi), Valor's GM in Dunwoody, for a Q&A filled with honest insights on team culture, leadership, and running a specialty coffee shop. Savvi and the team dig into how we strive to achieve dual excellence in coffee quality and hospitality—blending the best coffee with world-class service. The conversation covers the power of constructive feedback, creating a balanced and inclusive team environment, and the challenge of healthy boundaries in a close-knit workplace. We also touch on fostering camaraderie outside of work and how to navigate workplace boundaries to maintain professional relationships. For anyone in a leadership position or part of a growing team, this episode offers relatable and practical takeaways. Enjoy!

*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*

Huge thanks to our partner Third Wave Water for sponsoring this episode! TWW enhances our brews by getting our water perfect for our coffee. Use code VALOR at checkout for 15% off your purchase! https://thirdwavewater.com

We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Mahlkonig, Anfim and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr

Want to get your business in front of more people? We partnered with Local Eyes Growth to grow our business through SEO and the results have been incredible. Want to do the same? Visit localeyesgrowth.com/valor to get 50% off website services and 20% SEO services!

Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop

Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/valorcoffee16

Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!

Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]

Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____

Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel:  https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley:  https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account:  https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777

00:00 - Intro
05:08 - What's it like to buy a bag of coffee that isn't awesome
07:50 - Who is SAVVI?
11:05 - Jumping into the Q's
15:34 - How Does an Owner support a GM?
19:41 - How do you balance workload?
22:05 - What was it like going from your previous role to Head Coach?
24:08 - Health Checks w/the opposite gender
25:30 - Talkin bout the real real
31:03 - How to Appropriately and Professionally work with the opposite gender
41:25 - Q3 Baby

JOIN THE VALOR COFFEE COMMUNITY – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://community.valor.coffee/invitation?code=E3A29B

Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!

This ep we dive into carts, sharing lessons learned from years of catering experience. From undercharging and overcharging to dealing with equipment malfunctions, we've seen... a lot. Today we focus on three game-changing tips that will take your coffee cart to new heights, including topics from streamlining your menu to improving customer flow and charging appropriately for events. If you’re looking to up your mobile coffee game, this episode is packed with useful insights!

*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*

We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Lucca and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr

Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop

Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/valorcoffee16

Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!

Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]

Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____

Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel:  https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley:  https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account:  https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777

00:00 - Intro
02:09 - Good Morning! (Inside Joke)
02:45 - Good Morning (Take Two)
11:17 - Do We Use The Same Water for Drip and Espresso?
18:44 - Should I Start a Coffee Shop/Roastery While Keeping a full-time job?
27:40 - Let's Talk About Catering
30:05 - We only serve 8 oz or smaller  beverages
31:34 - SpLiT sHoTs
36:25 - How To Charge Enough
41:37 - Ess Eeee Ooo
47:22 - Bonus

JOIN THE VALOR COFFEE COMMUNITY – Courses, Exclusive Videos, PDFs, Spreadsheets and more: https://community.valor.coffee/invitation?code=E3A29B

Thanks for listening, following/subscribing, giving us a good review, and sharing with your friends on social media. It goes a long way!

In this episode, we dive into the third and final part of the story behind Valor. Join us as we discuss opening our first cafe, launching our roastery, and expanding to a second location, all while navigating challenges like the 2020 pandemic. From crazy Craigslist espresso machine finds to launching our first brick-and-mortar, we break down the journey, share lessons learned, and reflect on how our team and company have evolved. Whether you’re in the coffee business or just curious about what it takes to build a thriving cafe, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into making Valor what it is today.

*If you purchase something through one of our links, we may be entitled to a share of the sale*

We're partnered with Clive to bring you sweet deal at a discounted rate! Use Discount Code VALOR5 at checkout for 5% off Lucca and Eureka products!
Shop Clive products here: https://clivecoffee.com?sca_ref=5315485.6axWuRlcEr

Buy Valor Coffee: https://valor.coffee/shop

Watch on Youtube: https://youtube.com/valorcoffee16

Want to become a Wholesale Partner? Email us at [email protected] to set up an account!

Want us to review your coffee? Have a question you want to answer on the show? Send us an email to [email protected]

Follow the Valor Coffee Podcast on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valorcoffeepod
Follow Valor on Instagram: http://instagram.com/valor.coffee
____

Subscribe to Riley's YouTube Channel:  https://youtube.com/@rileywestbrook
Follow Riley:  https://instagram.com/rileywestbrook
Follow Ross: https://instagram.com/rosswalters
Follow Ethan's Parody Account:  https://instagram.com/ethanrivers777