Episodes
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Aston Utan is one of the founders of Common Grounds in Jakarta Indonesia.
Common Grounds are hugely responsible for the development of the Indonesian specialty coffee scene and Aston is their CEO.
In this episode Kirk and Aston discuss how the Indonesian coffee scene has grown to be one of the most vibrant in the world.
Aston and Kirk also discuss how technology will influence coffee service in the future and why customers prefer buying coffee from people rather than robots.
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Kai Janson is a world leading coffee producer from Panama operating Janson Family Estates.
Coffee from the Janson family is internationally applauded and used in competitions all over the world. In 2023 Janson Geisha was used by Boram Um to win the World Barista Championship, a first for the Janson family.
In this episode Kirk and Kai discuss what it is that makes coffee from Panama so special! Kai also spills the beans on what some call 'pana-drama,' a term that describes the friendly rivalry between coffee producers in Panama who many believe produce the worlds best coffee.
Securing this interview was a win for us at the Coffee Show and offers insight into some of the unspoken tales of Panamanian coffee. The highs, the lows, the beginning and the pana-drama!
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Missing episodes?
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Mikael Jasin is the reigning World Barista Champion, cafe owner and coffee exporter.
Mikael took the world by storm winning the World Barista Championship prioritising mindfulness and recounting the challenges he had to overcome to finally win, a great metaphor for life in general.
Above everything, Mikael is a proud Indonesian. Since winning the WBC he has been a powerful ambassador for his own country and greater Asia .
In this podcast Mikael and Kirk discuss how competition could improve, what Indonesian coffee farmers need to grow and a vision for the coffee industry in the future.
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Boram Um is the 2023 World Barista Champion, a coffee producer and contender for worlds most handsome barista!
In this podcast Kirk and Boram discuss the challenges of preparing for a world title run, how Boram prepared and how life changed for him after the win.
Boram and his family own Fazenda Um in Brazil from which he produced one of his world championship coffees.
Interestingly, Boram is an advocate for the new changes to the coffee scoring system under the Coffee Value Assessment, which is contrast of a lot of coffee personalties based in consuming countries. Do coffee farmers actually see this as a good thing?
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Daryanto Witarsa is a well known coffee entrepreneur in Indonesia who now works as high ranking government official overseeing food security.
Hosting the World of Coffee is now a competitive process and Yanto lobbied for years to make it happen. This year that dream was achieved with unprecedented success. The show was bustling and set a new standard.
In Yanto's new role, he oversees a project of national importance working in the government of newly elected Prabowo Subianto, as a director of food security. Prabowo as he is known to Indonesians, has prioritised nutrition for Indonesians as a key pillar for their economic goals which are ambitious.
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Jay Kim is the co-founder of the UFO dripper and growing personality in the specialty coffee space.
Jay's public profile has grown enormously in recent times for his inspiring social media posts and videos emphasising the importance of hospitality in coffee.
In this podcast Jay and Kirk talk at length about inequality in coffee and how drinking coffee is a privilege, not a right.
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Savina Giachgia is a runner up in the World Brewers Cup competition of 2023 and passionate advocate for sustainability in coffee.
In this discussion Kirk and Savina discuss why everyone should be more concerned about sustainability and what we risk if we don't pay attention.
Kirk also reflects on a recent farm visit in Indonesia and highlights why investing in farms is essential for the future of coffee production and maintaining financial viability of coffee farms.
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Jakarta's specialty coffee industry is booming! With more cafes opening than anyone can keep track of, Ombe Kofie has remained adored in a hyper competitive market.
Ombe coffee serve some of the best coffee in all of Indonesia (we can confirm that). We were lucky enough to record this podcast inside one of their venues.
Two of Ombe's leaders, Jordy and Herru join us to explain the origins of Ombe Coffee (founded by Jordie's father Jason). Why did they decide to open a cafe? How challenging was it? What is the coffee scene like in one of Asia's most populated cities? Jordie and Haru answer all in this podcast.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
