Coffee Knowledge Hub

Andrew Tolley

Do you work in the coffee industry or want to work in the coffee industry? This podcast is about the business of coffee, for people who want to improve their coffee businesses, start a coffee business, or be better at their jobs.
Learn from industry leaders and experts from across the globe. Learn from the mistakes many have made before.
Hosted by Andrew Tolley and Tibor Varady, whose experiences traverse cafe startup, management, training, retail, roasting, and leading diverse teams. We have a combined industry experience of over 30 years. We have been successful competitors, we are both past Chairs of the Barista Guild of Europe (as it was then).

We are excited to help you navigate the dynamic world of coffee businesses.

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21 episodes
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Avg 56 min
English

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S1 · E41
Monday · 39 min
Why coffee training is never a waste of money Training and career development with Kathie Hilberg
Most cafés don’t have a coffee quality problem—they have a training problem. Kathie Hilberg breaks down what makes barista training effective, when roaster-led education is enough, and when a more advanced approach is needed to grow both people and performance. Andrew Tolley sits down with Kathie, a seasoned barista, educator, competition judge, and specialty coffee professional with 15 years of industry experience. Together, they explore the real return on investing in training. If you’ve ever wondered whether staff education is worth the cost, how to build confidence behind the bar, or why great coffee can still fall short without the right team, this conversation offers practical answers. Why training can improve quality, service speed, and customer confidence Where cafés can access training, from roasters and independent educators to online resources and in-house programs How to choose the right training format for your business What makes a great trainer Why foundational barista skills still matter in an age of automation How to train employees who don’t drink coffee Why clear SOPs and consistent training materials help teams perform better How reliability, curiosity, and a willingness to learn can support career growth Kathie also shares her own career journey—from competing as a barista and Brewers Cup competitor to judging, leading with the BGA and SCA, educating coffee professionals, and moving into specialty tea with Spirit Tea. Her story offers valuable insight for anyone considering their next step in coffee, hospitality, sales, or education.For café owners, trainers, and baristas who want to build stronger teams and better coffee programs, this episode is a practical look at how skills, systems, and people work together. Where to find Kathie: Instagram: @kaffeinehilberg @Totally dissolved podcast (spotify, apple etc) Find more insights from this show on the https://community.coffeeknowledgehub.com/
S1 · E40
August 26 · 45 min
What happened to balance in coffee with Peter Giuliano
On the surface, this is a niche topic about a single attribute in the sensory evaluation of coffee. In fact the removal of balance from sensory scoresheets underpins much of the updated conception of how coffee professionals can subjectively and objectively evaluate the sensory experience of coffee. If you're a cupper who is alarmed at the assertion that scoring coffee 80+ to make it specialty is subjective, rethinking balance could open a door to a new understanding. If you're a cupper who is upset that there is no longer an objective overall score for coffee, Peter argues that the subjective experience is a higher order experience, hard to quantify, but is still critical for the sensory evaluation of coffee. This conversation between Andrew Tolley and Peter Giuliano traces “balance” from its origins as a wine term, which Ted Lingle imported into coffee cupping in the 1980s as part of the *Coffee Cuppers Handbook*. We discuss its quiet removal from the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) system as a result of feedback from a survey of 1,600 cuppers through to its current, softer echo in World Coffee Championship “taste experience” scoring. This podcast episode of the Coffee Knowledge Hub Podcast covers: -history of balance as an attribute in coffee - with new and diverse tasting experiences — from traditional specialty coffees to trendy, innovative styles — how we can build standards for different environments - how we can bring different modalities into the tasting experience to better capture the overall perception of a coffee - how we can communicate with customers and serve balanced, consistent coffees for different audiences Peter and Andrew close the episode by diving deeper into practical tips for cafes to deliver a balanced, consistent espresso to their customers. So definitely stick around until the end. And if you have read this far and just want to know what balance is: It was defined as the interaction of flavour, aftertaste, acidity, and mouthfeel. Where a higher scoring coffee had all the positive impressions that the cupper expected and none of these dominated or detracted from another in a negative way. The cupper would score it 6-10 based on their impression. Find the link to the podcast episode in our bio or listen to it on your favorite podcast platform. If you like the Coffee Knowledge Hub Podcast, please make sure to subscribe, comment, follow or leave a review. LINK
August 6 · 50 min
What is specialty coffee anyway? A conversation with Rob Stephen
Is the specialty coffee industry going through an identity crisis, or just growing pains. We zoom in and out on the industry at different parts of the value chain to better understand what is happening in the specialty coffee industry. Rob Stephen has a 30+ year career in coffee. He is co host of the Coffee Memo, CEO of Covoya Specialty NA, an SCA Board Director and past SCAA president amongst many other things. This conversation was candid and expresses our own views, not organisations we are affiliated with. It will give many coffee professionals something to think about. Green coffee identity (25 magazine, full report also available) Watch and chat on the coffeeknowledgehub.com
S1 · E39
July 15 · 58 min
Darleen Scherer: the brand strategist who helps you stand out from the crowd
Darleen Scherer has zoomed in on what makes businesses stand out from the crowd since her first job in advertising in the 90’s and through her coffee career that started in the early 2000’s. In this episode we discuss why you need to differentiate your business, how to identify what you makes you special and how to weave your brand identity throughout your business. Darleen Scherer has a career spanning 30 years across advertising, coffee and brand strategy. You can learn more from Darleen through her weekly Linked In newsletter, her website , substack and the coffee knowledge hub.
S1 · E36
June 19 · 56 min
Dale Harris: The World Barista Champion on the road to Ithaka - Part 2
Our original conversation with Dale went for over 2 hours and we didn't want to cut any of the good stuff, so here is part 2. Dale went into his sourcing policy, and decision framework for evaluating which coffees to buy. This is very different to what other competition winners do with their coffee sourcing in their roasting businesses. We continued to explore the bigger themes of translating what Ithaka is to his customers and how he is developing this. In reflecting on this episode and part 1 , the tension for Ithaka is also a long standing tension for the specialty coffee industry. How do we welcome coffee lovers into the specialty arena, where diversity of flavours, brewing methods, recipes, and service styles make discovery a closed door that can easily be opened, but still presents a barrier. This makes Dale's challenges more relevant and personal for anyone who is on the same path. https://ithaka.coffee/ Watch this on the coffee knowledge hub We read and reply to all comments across each channel
S1 · E35
June 12 · 56 min
Dale Harris: the World Barista Champion on the road to Ithaka - Part 1
Being the Wolrd Barista Champion and having 20 years of direct experience in the coffee industry is not a free pass to setting up and building a successful coffee business, but that is also the where the joy is. Dale Harris established Ithaka coffee in 2025 and he shares his experiences. We spoke for over 2 hours and have cut the recording into 2 parts. Part 1 shares the vision and describes Ithaka. Dale's embracing the complexity of coffee and wants his customers to come down the rabbit hole with him. He describes in detail his menu, the pros and cons of using a bean to cup machine and customer perceptions. This is a candid conversation and anyone who knows Dale will see his authentic self, for those who don't, you will see the depth of thought that goes into developing a business, how to build on existing skill sets and embrace learning and the challenges of filling skills and knowledge gaps to create a successful business. Also, if you enjoy this podcast - check out Ithaka coffee You can watch it on Spotify, the Coffee Knowledge Hub, and listen on Apple Podcasts. Insta
S1 · E34
May 22 · 48 min
Opportunities, a bit of luck and a lot tenacity: Peter Dore-Smith, Kaffeine
In this 34th episode we're sitting down with someone who we have wanted to sit down with since before we started this podcast. Peter Dore-Smith, the founder of Kaffeine in London, has built one of the most recognised specialty cafes in the world. Over the next hour or so we're going to cover what it actually takes to run a great cafe — not in theory, but in practice. We'll get into the vision and hospitality philosophy that has defined Kaffeine since day one, the brand and marketing work that keeps it in people's minds, and the operational and financial discipline that keeps it viable. These are the essential blocks for building a business that outlasts trends and remains visible while the competitive landscape evolves. Peter has always been incredibly generous in sharing his knowledge. If you work in or run your own cafe, or you are thinking about starting one, grab a pen and paper because the masterclass is bout to begin. https://kaffeine.co.uk/ Instagram kaffeine.london https://coffeeknowledgehub.com/
S1 · E34
April 1 · 1 hr
Breaking out of the ‘Specialty coffee’ status quo: Diana Johnston Ledezma Roastersaurus
Diana Johnston Ledezma doesn’t fit into neat boxes and neither does her highly original coffee brand - Roastersaurus. It is easy to follow trends - we see it, we like it, we do it. But there are always other ways to achieve the same end goal and there are advantages to doing this. Brands and products are building emotional connections and communicating intrinsic and extrinsic attributes of the product. In this case - specialty coffee. Roastersaurus is an example of how breaking out of the status quo gives a strategic advantage. Namely - it is original - which attracts a new and specific audience, while also being familiar to ‘specialty coffee’ consumers. The concept differentiates Diana’s coffee and brand from an ever more crowded field. Learn more about Roastersaurus and the lessons that can be applied to other coffee brands to help them communicate specialty coffee to increase sales and build long lasting relationships with your customers. Links: Roastersaurus is a category finalist for best coffee packaging in The London Coffee Festival Awards 2026, Vote by 8 April 2026 https://invt.io/1wxbs18346l www.roastersaurus.com Example of lore (coffee info) page: Basha Bekele: Raptor Quickfang Lore | Roastersaurus Instagram: roastersaurus
March 2 · 48 min
Blueprint for a thriving specialty coffee industry: Mihai Panfil, Origo Coffee
Andrew and Tibor caught up with the super-impressive Mihai Panfil, founder of Origo Coffee — one of Romania's most influential specialty coffee businesses, spanning two cafes, a roastery, and the experimental coffee brand - BrewZeus . He's also the driving force behind the Coffee East Coffee Festival, which brings together over 60 roasters and 30,000 visitors each year in Bucharest. Few people have a better view of where Romanian coffee has been, and where it's going. Some highlights - From 0 to over 400 specialty cafes in 12 years Cultivating a specialty industry Backtracking from automation in favour of the customer experience. There are lessons here for a global audience: 1. leadership and vision are needed for developing the industry 2. Continuous evolution and experimentation are requisites as the market and different forces shift Origo Coffee Linked IN Coffee East coffee festival Brew Zeus takeaways Mihai Panfil founded Origo Coffee Roasters, a leading specialty coffee business in Romania. The Romanian coffee market was initially dominated by Italian-style cafes with limited options for specialty coffee. Mihai's experience at the World Barista Championship inspired him to create a unique coffee experience in Romania. The first Origo cafe focused on customer interaction and education about specialty coffee. COVID-19 shifted consumer behavior towards home coffee consumption and increased demand for quality coffee. The Coffee East Festival was created to celebrate and connect the coffee community in Romania and Eastern Europe. Mihai emphasizes the importance of collaboration and competition in developing the specialty coffee market. The coffee industry in Romania has seen significant growth, with over 400 coffee shops in Bucharest alone. Mihai believes that the future of coffee consumption may lean more towards home brewing. The success of coffee shops now relies heavily on unique concepts and customer experience. keywords: Mihai Panfil, Origo Coffee Roasters, Romanian coffee culture, specialty coffee, Coffee East Festival, coffee industry challenges, COVID-19 impact, coffee roasting, coffee sourcing, coffee community
S1 · E32
January 30 · 1 hr 28 min
Water for coffee for cafes and operators with Maxwell Dashwood
We know that you can only do the right thing by your coffee by ensuring that the water you use to brew it is the best it can be. The topic made waves in the industry in large parts thanks to Maxwell Dashwood and Dr Christopher H Hendon’s book Water for Coffee published in 2015. Now they have brought out edition 2, which is essentially a rewrite of the first edition. We spoke to Maxwell to learn how we can apply the updated science and technology as best practices for businesses serving coffee. We cover a lot of topics including: Why water for espresso should be different to water for filter How to optimise water for different brew methods What to avoid for cafe operators You can buy the book at these respected online retailers: UK: https://maxwelldashwood.com/ Europe: www.contributor.coffee Switzerland https://www.mylittlecup.ch/products/the-physics-of-filter-coffee-jonathan-gagne-livre-sur-la-science-du-cafe-filtre-copy Canada: eightounce USA: https://www.scottrao.com/products/water-for-coffee
#31
Dec 20, 2025 · 38 min
Crafting the world barista champtionships
From being an 'immigrant' who wanted to shed the stereotype by doing something really American to being told later in life that she was 'too American, this is a world competition', Cindy Ludviksen has the shaped the World Barista Championships to be the leading global coffee competition. It has profoundly changed countless lives over its 25 year history and given the barista profession credibility. This interview highlights how Cindy stepped up as a volunteer, shaking off prejudices about her identity to transform an obscure 'sideline' event at trade shows, into a global phenomenon. This is a case study in leadership, without the authority of an official position and as a minority and a woman. We learn about the early days of the WBCs and how it evolved to become the professional body it is today. We also get insights into Cindy's aspirations for the future of the WBCs. For anyone in the coffee industry who has been touched by these competitions, this is essential listening. You can also comment and watch HERE Find out more about Cindy through Specialty Coffee Assocation and her Linked In
S1 · E30
Dec 4, 2025 · 1 hr 21 min
A career in coffee for a life long coffee geek
What does a coffee career look like when you’re a curious lifelong coffee geek? Meet Ramin N - sales director at Intelligentsia coffee - who shares a ton of insights, knowledge and experience from his 30 year journey in coffee. He has been a barista, cafe owner, trainer, technician, sales manager, sales director and a kind of general manager of a co-roasting business with a foray into retail. We cover a lot of ground in this conversation We wanted to better understand how sales works in a medium sized specialty roaster. This is valuable for anyone working in sales or who wants to work in sales to know what skills and experience are valuable in this role. We talked about the evolution of Intelligentsia coffee from the early days of specialty coffee in the US to today. We learned how they are adapting to new trends in the market and also how they are seeing these trends reflected in sales. The key take-away for us was that continuous curiosity and an entrepreneurial mindset - that takes ownership or has a strong sense of agency, will position you well in the industry for your career development and also for managing some of the more challenging times that life throws at us.
S1 · E29
Nov 10, 2025 · 32 min
Bloom: coffee as an agent of change with Tigger Chaturabul and Mikael Jasin
A biography, lessons in mastery, deep insights into the world of coffee and competitions - this interview with the author of Bloom, Tigger Chaturabul and her subject, World Barista Champion 2024 - Mikael Jasin, has something for everyone. Bloom is a compelling story, and we highly recommend it because it will inspire you to achieve your goals, giving you practical advice on how to do it. You will also be inspired knowing that you can reach amazing heights while being authentic to yourself, and vulnerable. Bloom celebrates how a niche craft like coffee-making can be a lens for bigger conversations about purpose, impact,and intentional living. In this episode we discuss how the book came to be, and Mikael shares some advice that will give you a small taste of what you will find in the highly readable pages of Bloom. Video for this episode will be posted on another channel soon. You can learn more about the book here: Contributor for international retail: https://contributor.coffee/products/bloom Tokopedia for Indonesia: https://t.ly/PqFM6 Wholesale enquiries: Asia: info@afterhoursbooks.com UK: s.dunienville@goldhawkinternational.com International: tigger@contributor.coffee
Oct 24, 2025 · 50 min
Ep. 28 Special Guests Cafe: 1 year later
In this conversation, Paul Ross reflects on the first year of operating Special Guests Cafe, discussing the emotional highs and lows of opening day, the challenges of navigating a competitive market, and the importance of building a strong team culture. He shares insights on financial management, the impact of recognition and awards, and the necessity of educating customers about coffee. Paul emphasizes the value of hiring experts and managing cash flow while also highlighting the importance of self-compassion in the face of business challenges. Looking ahead, he is optimisitic about growth and the potential for Special Guests Cafe. Chapters 00:00 Reflecting on the First Year of Special Guests Cafe 04:01 Navigating the Challenges of a Competitive Market 08:30 The Importance of Team Dynamics and Personal Involvement 13:02 Financial Insights: Projections vs. Reality 16:27 Staying Ahead in a Competitive Landscape 19:20 Designing a Coffee Bar: Lessons Learned 21:16 Recognition and Awards: Balancing Expectations 22:37 The Coffee Experience: Flat Whites vs. Specialty Brews 27:34 Building a Knowledgeable Team for High-End Coffee 32:50 Integrating Roasting and Cafe Operations 34:54 Navigating the Coffee Business Landscape 36:42 The Balancing Act of Business and Personal Life 38:42 Growth Strategies and Future Aspirations 41:53 Reflections on Stress and Decision-Making 44:19 Building Relationships and Seeking Advice 46:52 The Reality of the Coffee Industry 47:20 Reflections from Andrew and Tibor
S1 · E27
Oct 10, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
Ep 27. Elevating coffee and the people behind it
Today, we're exploring an extraordinary coffee journey that spans two continents and bridges farm to cup in the most direct way possible. Our guests are the sister duo behind a unique family venture: Veruschka and Cliff, founders of Elevate Coffee in Cochabamba, Bolivia, and Vanessa and Yann, who run Muyu Coffee here in Ticino, Switzerland. Together, they've built something rare in the coffee world—a fully integrated supply chain driven by values, not just profit. Bolivia produces less than 0.5% of the world's coffee. It's landlocked, mountainous, and faces high production costs that make competing on price nearly impossible. But what Bolivian coffee lacks in volume, it makes up for in quality. Elevate works directly with these producers. They are buying coffee and exporting it to their sister company, as well as roasting and serving it in their hometown of Cochabamba. It's a model built on passion, family, and a commitment to elevating—pun intended—the voices and work of Bolivian coffee farmers, leveraging direct and close relationships at every link in the value chain. This is a unique business model, but there are universal messages for others interested in starting coffee businesses. Fundamentally clarity, vision and values that are authentic to you, are most important in starting and running your own business. Write your own story, don't copy the story of others. This is our first podcast where we are interviewing 3 people and across 2 continents. But it is also the first business I am aware of that has this specific model of ownership and structure. So, we are going to learn more about the business, how and why it was founded, what are the pros and cons of working directly with producers and selling their coffee across 2 distinct markets, how do you promote the value of the coffee in these different markets and what are the opportunities for the future. Muyu coffee Elevate coffee
S1 · E26
Aug 7, 2025 · 41 min
Matcha: It's not rock'n roll
In this episode of the Coffee Knowledge Hub Podcast, hosts Tibor and Andrew delve into the rising popularity of matcha within the coffee culture. They discuss the operational challenges of introducing matcha to coffee menus, the balance between specialty coffee and alternative drinks, and the health trends driving consumer preferences. The conversation also touches on bar design, customer experience, and the potential for automation in beverage preparation. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the importance of understanding customer needs and the evolving landscape of beverage trends. Takeaways Matcha is becoming a significant trend in coffee culture. Operational challenges exist when introducing matcha to menus. Balancing specialty coffee with alternative drinks is crucial. Health trends are influencing consumer preferences for beverages. Bar and menu design should enhance customer experience with new drinks. The preparation of matcha can impact its taste and quality. Quality sourcing of matcha is essential for business success. Understanding customer demographics can guide beverage offerings. Automation may play a role in the future of beverage preparation. Creating unique experiences can differentiate cafes in a competitive market. Chapters 00:00 The Rise of Matcha in Coffee Culture 02:35 Film Industry and Matcha's Popularity 05:24 Operational Challenges of Introducing Matcha 07:49 Balancing Specialty Coffee and Alternative Drinks 10:38 Health Trends and Matcha's Market Position 13:06 Whisking Matcha: Tradition vs. Convenience 15:44 Introducing Matcha to Your Menu 17:22 Quality and Pricing of Matcha Drinks 22:13 The Price Perception of Coffee vs. Matcha 23:43 The Rise of Health and Wellness Trends 26:53 Aligning Brand Values with New Offerings 32:27 Innovating Cafe Bar Design for Diverse Drinks 36:09 Understanding Customer Preferences and Market Trends 40:27 The Future of Automation in Coffee Shops
S1 · E25
Jul 16, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
Opportunity in Adversity: Navigating Coffee Farming Challenges with Alejandro Gil Rivera
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Alejandro Gil Rivera, who inherited a coffee farm under challenging circumstances. With no prior experience, Alejandro has embarked on a journey to transform his farm into a thriving business. Discover how he leverages his project management skills to innovate and adapt, tackling issues like climate change, price volatility, and the complexities of the coffee market. Alejandro's story is a testament to resilience and the power of learning, offering valuable lessons for anyone facing adversity. Tune in to explore the intersection of tradition and technology in modern coffee farming. Follow Alejandro Coffee knowledge hub ⁠Bella Vista coffee farm⁠ Linked IN Stay in touch: Coffee Knowledge Hub Coffee Knowledge Hub Instagram Linked In
S1 · E24
Jun 25, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Table reservations for cafes with Daniel Greenberg
In this episode of the coffee knowledge hub podcast, Tibor and Andrew speak to the co-founder of Lunjoe, Daniel Greenberg. Daniel discusses how Lunjoe (Lun-joe), a table reservation platform for coffee shops can help to optimise space and increase revenue for cafe owners. It also gives assurance to customers they will have a table, even in a crowded and bustling cafe. He shares insights into the app's development journey, business model, user experience, and the challenges faced by coffee shops in a competitive market. The conversation also explores growth strategies, membership programs, and the impact of the app on cafe culture. As usual, Tibor and Andrew have a follow up chat about the conversation after saying good bye to Daniel. So stay tuned for the analysis at the end. Takeaways Lunjoe aims to help coffee shops increase profitability by optimizing sit-in trade. The app allows cafe customers to reserve tables, ensuring availability for meetings and social gatherings. We interroagate the app's business model to understand implications for cafe margins User experience is prioritised, with a focus on minimising friction in the reservation process. The app offers a free trial of 50 reservations to encourage adoption among cafes. Lunjoe is designed to enhance customer experience while supporting local coffee shops. Feedback from users and cafe owners is crucial for continuous improvement of the app. The app includes features like waitlists and notifications to enhance user engagement. Daniel emphasizes the importance of providing value to coffee shop owners to ensure long-term success. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Lungo: A New Coffee Experience 06:11 Understanding the App's Functionality 11:28 From Idea to Execution: Building the Team 14:15 Growth Strategies and Future Plans 16:33 Customer Engagement and Loyalty Programs 19:09 Navigating Cafe Culture and User Behavior 21:50 Technical Aspects and Payment Processing 23:38 Future Developments and Features 26:29 Conclusion and Call to Action 33:24 The Value of Meeting Spaces Outside the Office 33:46 Engaging with Coffee Shop Owners 33:54 Pricing Strategies for Coffee Shop Reservations 35:17 Delivering Value to Coffee Shop Owners 37:02 Understanding Average Transaction Value (ATV) 38:34 The Concept of Selling Unused Capacity 40:05 Challenges of Reservations in Coffee Shops 41:58 The Pros and Cons of Reservations 43:43 Onboarding and Daily Operations for Coffee Shops 45:10 The Importance of Feedback and Iteration 56:18 Reflections 56:25 The Flow of Conversation 56:44 Challenges in Cafe Management 57:42 The Role of Technology in Cafes 58:08 Evolving Cafe Culture 59:00 User Journeys in Cafes 01:00:10 Customer Training and Adoption 01:01:02 Competing with Co-Working Spaces 01:01:54 Creating Unique Cafe Experiences 01:03:25 Behavioral Adaptation in Cafe Culture 01:03:58 The Impact of Technology on Cafe Dynamics 01:04:20 Revenue Models for Cafes 01:05:34 The Future of Cafe Reservations Find out more: Daniel Greenberg is the co-founder of Lunjoe, the patent-pending platform that helps coffee shops become more profitable by offering reservations at select tables. Lunjoe has been crucial in helping coffee shops with a lot of laptop users. Recently, Daniel graduated from Brown University with a degree in Behavioral Decision Sciences and a data fluency certificate. If you would like to join Lunjoe, feel free to reach out to daniel@lunjoe.com LinkedIn TikTok Lunjoe’s website: lunjoe.com Download “Lunjoe” On the Apple App Store (Android Coming Soon) See how it works: Coffee Island case study Keywords Lunjoe, coffee shop reservations, cafe culture, business model, user experience, growth strategies, loyalty programs, payment processing, cafe operations, startup journey
May 5, 2025 · 48 min
The packaging waste management minefield with Micah Sherer
Roasted coffee packaging options are a minefield of misinformation, imperfect solutions and over-engineering. Our guest in this episode is Micah Sherer, co-founder of Skylark Coffee in Brighton UK. Micah spent 2 years researching and looking for the best solution available for Skylark, with one clear objective - remove plastic from the packaging. Micah discusses the purpose of packaging, the full life-cycle of different packaging types - foil lined, 'recylable' LDPE type 4, compostible and paper. He describes the solution that Skylark is now using (14 micron layer of Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), or PVAL on paper) and its pros and cons. Micah is not selling this solution and his honesty in describing its pros and cons is refreshing. There is a lot to learn from this episode for roasters, cafe operators and really anyone who takes the waste management of the coffee they are buying into consideration when buying coffee. If you're interested in finding better packaging solutions for the specialty coffee industry, let us know via the poll below. The conversation emphasizes the need for transparency and consumer awareness in the coffee industry regarding packaging choices and sustainability efforts.takeaways Packaging is crucial for transporting coffee and communicating brand values. Freshness in coffee is affected by packaging materials and methods. Plastic is prevalent in coffee packaging, but alternatives are being explored. Sustainability in coffee packaging involves trade-offs and challenges. Consumer perception plays a significant role in packaging choices. Innovative packaging solutions can reduce environmental impact. Education on recycling and composting is essential for consumers. The coffee industry must address the issue of waste management. Transparency in packaging claims is necessary to combat greenwashing. Sustainable practices can enhance customer loyalty and brand reputation. Links: Micah's blog on why they switched to the new packaging Our previous interview on sustainability reporting
S2 · E20
Apr 22, 2025 · 53 min
The coffee futures fund with Akshat Khandelwal
Akshat is the founder of Coffee Futures Fund, a new initiative supporting early-stage coffee shop owners with capital, mentorship, and a trusted peer network. Akshat has a background in brand storytelling and business strategy, he brings over a decade of experience as an operator, investor, and advisor to global growth-stage companies. He has supported founders in raising over $20 million in capital, building scalable systems, and aligning purpose with growth. He’s also the founder of the Coffee Owners Roundtable, a global peer community he launched during the pandemic to give coffee shop owners a space to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other. The Coffee Futures Fund mission is to flip the industry’s survival rate, and help more coffee founders thrive, together. In this interview we dig into how the fund is being set-up, the criteria for applying, the benefits of being selected and some of the challenges. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Coffee Futures Fund 05:54 The Genesis of Coffee Futures Fund 11:53 Understanding the Fund Structure 18:14 Investment and Revenue Sharing Model 23:50 Selection Criteria for Coffee Shops 29:50 Long-term Vision and Impact of the Fund 41:35 Understanding Revenue Sharing and Its Implications 43:46 Evaluating the Cost vs. Investment Perspective 45:52 The Importance of Revenue Growth for Sustainability 49:00 Flexibility in Investment Amounts and Revenue Shares 52:04 Mentorship Structure and Its Impact on Business Growth 56:56 Aligning Interests: The Investor and Cafe Relationship 01:00:04 The Role of Environment in Business Performance 01:03:02 Final Thoughts on the Coffee Futures Fund Model

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