IT’S JUST COFFEE!

Despite being one of the most widely consumed coffees in the world, instant coffee still carries a bad reputation. And sure, some commercial options can taste like the bottom of an ashtray, but there are genuinely excellent instant coffees out there.

We blind taste-tested seven instant coffees, ranging from low-grade to specialty. Join sensory expert and WBC judge Ben Bicknell as he guides us through a cupping session and reveals what instant coffee can (and can’t) deliver.

Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews , hospitality stories and gate kept coffee secrets.

Want more coffee content? 

IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236

Want to get in touch? Hit us up at [email protected] for any questions or comments.

Proudly sponsored by:

Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/ 

Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/

Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/ 

Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/

Thanks for listening! 

00:00 Instant Coffee vs Specialty - The Reality

00:47 Why Specialty Instant Is Getting Attention

02:25 Blind Taste Test - Can Instant Actually Be Good?

11:35 The Reveal - What Were We Drinking?

16:18 Takeaways - Has Instant Coffee Improved?

18:16 Coffee Market Update (Condesa Report)

20:30 Could Cafés Start Serving Instant?

21:43 Pricing - Is It Actually Worth It?

24:04 Instant as an Espresso Alternative

27:14 Who Is This Actually For?

30:13 Final Thoughts - Where This Could Go

33:34 Coffee News - Trade + Blue Bottle

37:09 Outro

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Can instant coffee be just as good, (if not better) than espresso? Hugh Kelly seems to think so!
The three time Australian Barista Champion and longtime Head of Coffee at Ona joined us to discuss the ways instant coffee can be used to uplift the industry as a whole - making coffee more accessible, consistent, and dare I say tasty…!

Plus stay tuned for Hugh’s expert tips on how to make a banging cup of instant.

00:00 Trailer
01:00 The Big Question: Is Coffee Becoming Too Complicated?
01:56 Introducing Hugh Kelly (ONA Coffee)
02:16 Espresso vs Filter - What Coffee Pros Actually Drink
06:20 Instant Coffee: The Most Consumed Coffee in the World
12:21 How Instant Coffee Is Actually Made
15:52 The Real Limits of Instant Coffee
25:30 Blind Tasting: 7 Instant Coffees
30:51 Can Instant Replace Espresso in Milk Drinks?
33:36 The Café Industry Problem: Too Many Coffee Shops
43:00 The Future of Coffee Convenience
52:00 Final Thoughts - Making Coffee Easier

If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee!

Hugh Kelly: https://www.instagram.com/hugh_t_kelly/

Ona Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/onacoffee/

Want more coffee content?

IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236

Want to get in touch? Hit us up at [email protected] for any questions or comments.

Proudly sponsored by:

Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/

Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/

Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/

Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/

Thanks for listening!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rohan and Ben unpack the slippery hiring process, sharing tips that make staff acquisition simple! Plus we break down the golden rules for getting hired (and not getting fired) as a barista. Also, gym bros’ prayers are answered… Creatine and protein coffee has hit the market. We unpack the trend of adding supplements to coffee, does your business need to jump on it? 

Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (eek), hospitality stories and gate kept coffee secrets.

Want more coffee content? 

IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236

Want to get in touch? Hit us up at [email protected] for any questions or comments.

Proudly sponsored by:

Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/ 

Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/ 

 Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/

Thanks for listening! 

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Becoming a barista sounds simple enough… but how do you actually get your foot in the door, and once you're in, how can you turn coffee into a sustainable career? 

Today we’re joined by Founder of Melbourne Coffee Academy, Charles Skadiang. With over 20 years experience, and a specialised understanding of the role of the barista, Charles tells all; sharing invaluable insight about how to make it in the coffee industry as a barista and beyond. 

00:00 Intro
01:21 Charles Skadiang Joins the Podcast
02:53 Getting Started in Coffee
04:44 Why Melbourne Coffee Academy Exists
07:17 Barista Training & Courses
11:20 Roles Behind the Coffee Bar
13:06 Career Paths in Coffee
16:32 Can You Make Money in Coffee?
21:33 Skills Every Barista Needs
25:39 Automation & the Modern Barista
28:31 Master Barista Certification
36:32 Running a High-Volume Café
43:33 Building a Long-Term Coffee Career

Big thanks to Charles for joining the show! 

If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee!

Charles Skadiang: https://www.instagram.com/charlesskadiang/ 

Melbourne Coffee Academy: https://www.instagram.com/melbcoffeeacademy/

https://www.melbournecoffeeacademy.com.au/

Want more coffee content? 

IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236

Want to get in touch? Hit us up at [email protected] for any questions or comments.

Proudly sponsored by:

Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/ 

Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/

Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/ 

Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/

Thanks for listening!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s some spicy discourse surrounding the viral Top 10 Cafes TikTok! Plus we unpack the controversial 10-year-old beans released by Passenger Coffee, and Dunkin’s 48-ounce bucket of iced coffee that’s currently taking over the internet. Also, what does it entail to join La Marzocco’s recently launched True Artisan Club? All this and more on this week’s Coffee Break! 

Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (eek), hospitality stories and gate kept coffee secrets.

Want more coffee content? 

IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236

Want to get in touch? Hit us up at [email protected] for any questions or comments.

Proudly sponsored by 

Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/  

Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/ 

 Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/

Thanks for listening!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices