Hosted by brothers Dave (Founder of Rosso Coffee Roasters) and Cole (2x Canadian Barista Champion, 3rd in the World), Buy the Drip takes you into the heart of the coffee world. From the latest industry news to inspiring stories and expert insights, each episode serves a rich blend of knowledge and passion. With experience training the last two World Barista Champions, Dave and Cole are your go-to experts for both the craft and business of coffee. Whether you’re a coffee lover, barista, entrepreneur, or dreamer, this podcast offers something special for you.
In this episode, we sit down with Wilford Lamastus Jr, the fourth generation of Lamastus Family Estates, a 3 x Panamanian Brewers Cup Champion and founder of Sisu Coffee StudiosThis conversation takes us through the in's and out's of a legacy family business that dates back more than 100 years and is focused on quality and raising the bar for specialty coffee and Geisha coffeeWhat does it mean to be the fourth generation, and be amongst the energy as his son, the fifth generation of this family legacy grows up under his visionA fascinating conversation for anyone interested in coffee business, coffee production and establishing a foundational business that will outlive any of us individuals.If you ever come to visit Panama, a trip to Lamastus Family Estates is a must - they have a tourism department and will happily take you around the farm and to experience Panama GeishaForward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year: https://www.forward.coffeeThis conversation was recorded on February 24th, 2026 in Panama City, PanamaIf you'd like to watch a feature film on Lamastus Family Estates - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GANe9UzVUYCole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from the Wilford and Panamanian producers you see in this video seriesFORWARD COFFEE, since 2019Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year: https://www.forward.coffeeROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS, since 2007Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffee; www.rossocoffeeroasters.comFollow on INSTAGRAMFollow Wilford Lamastus Jr: www.instagram.com/wilfordlFollow Lamastus Family: www.instagram.com/lamastusfamilyestatesStay updated with the latest: www.instagram.com/buythedrip.coffeeFollow Forward Coffee: www.instagram.com/fwdcoffeeFollow Dave: www.instagram.com/crosbyandcoffeeFollow Cole: www.instagram.com/torodeo
Celebrated globally as a visionary in specialty coffee production, Hunter Tedman is designing coffee farms in a way that is breaking the historical norms in our industry - an architect of advanced agricultural systems to grow incredible coffees.Hunter was born and raised in Boquete, Panama, and grew up in a multi-generational coffee family, with his father playing a role in the foundations of the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama as well as the early days of the story of Geisha. Hunter has seen the rise, the fall and the rise again of Panama Geisha and now, other VarietalsToday, Hunter is focused on producing the best Geisha in the World at his farms Black Moon and newly acquired Umbra, as well as Hacienda Barbara, a group of farms that he operates and manages. Not only is he investing in Geisha, however, Hunter has a garden of coffee varietals that he cherished, studies and examines, one of which, Chiroso, has become the most celebrated and awarded Varietal in Panama in recent years at the Best of PanamaThis conversation unlocks a whole new perspective to coffee production, laying out the blueprint for designing a coffee farm, whether you're in Panama or anywhere in the World. If you're working in agriculture, as a roaster, or a barista, I promise you you'll learn something new from the mind of Hunter Tedman.Listen for his definition of "terroir" as it's one of the most fascinating we've come across in these dialogues.This conversation was recorded on March 12th, 2026 in Boquete, PanamaCole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from the Hunter and Panamanian producers you see in this video seriesIf you enjoy the conversation with Hunter, I highly suggest you listen to this conversation with his neighbour at Black Moon, Price Peterson regarding the story of Geisha - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_BiWlrMrKk&tFORWARD COFFEE, since 2019Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year: https://www.forward.coffeeROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS, since 2007Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffee; www.rossocoffeeroasters.comFollow on INSTAGRAMFollow Hunter Tedman: www.instagram.com/huntertedmancoffeeFollow Black Moon Farm: www.instagram.com/blackmoonfarmpanamaFollow Umbra Farm: www.instagram.com/umbrafarmpanamaFollow Hacienda Barbara: www.instagram.com/haciendabarbaracoffeeStay updated with the latest: www.instagram.com/buythedrip.coffeeFollow Forward Coffee: www.instagram.com/fwdcoffeeFollow Dave: www.instagram.com/crosbyandcoffeeFollow Cole: www.instagram.com/torodeo
"Specialty Coffee is a coffee produced on one farm, by one obsessive compulsive coffee farmer" Price Peterson is celebrated as one of the most influential figures in the Special Coffee Industry - having re-discovered Geisha on his family farm, Hacienda La EsmeraldaFor more than half a century, the Peterson family has shaped the country's coffee industry through Hacienda La Esmeralda - earning international recognition, changing how the world values coffee and helping establish Panama as one of the most sought-after coffee originsHear about the early days of the SCAA and SCAP, a few of the many boards / committees which Price participated as a key member in the early days in their founding years.In this conversation you can expect to hear:- The early days of Hacienda La Esmeralda and how the has farm evolved- The re-discovery and rise of Geisha- What people misunderstand about producing world-class coffee- How the Peterson family approaches quality, experimentation, and the future.- Price's perspective on where Panama coffee is headed over the next decade.Whether you're a producer, roaster, competitor, or simply fascinated by the people behind the coffees we all admire, this episode offers a rare look inside one of specialty coffee's most influential figuresPS, Happy 90th Birthday to Price, who celebrated in Boquete on July 5th, 2026This conversation was recorded on March 10th, 2026 at Hacienda La EsmeraldaListen as Cole and Price sit down for an intimate conversation in his office and discuss the long road of Panama Geisha.Cole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from the Peterson Family and Panamanian producers you see in these videos.. If you enjoy the conversation with Price, I highly suggest you listen to this conversation with his youngest son Daniel - https://youtu.be/mnBGjmXNCw8FORWARD COFFEE, since 2019Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year: https://www.forward.coffeeROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS, since 2007Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffee; www.rossocoffeeroasters.comFollow on INSTAGRAMFollow Hacienda La Esmeralda: www.instagram.com/haciendalaesmeralda Stay updated with the latest: www.instagram.com/buythedrip.coffeeFollow Forward Coffee: www.instagram.com/fwdcoffeeFollow Dave: www.instagram.com/crosbyandcoffeeFollow Cole: www.instagram.com/torodeo
Finca Nuguo is fresh off of winning the 2026 World Brewers Cup Championship by Nas Jaafar of MalaysiaPocho Gallardo has a cult following for the way he meticulously produces his globally celebrated Panama Geisha - winning the Best of Panama and numerous global competitions, many times over.Listen as Cole and Pocho sit down under the coffee trees at Nuguo and talk about the journey, the dedication and the patience to create such a celebrated coffee.Cole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from Pocho and Panamanian producers you see in these videos.. FORWARD COFFEE, since 2019Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year: https://www.forward.coffeeROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS, since 2007Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffee; www.rossocoffeeroasters.comFollow on INSTAGRAMFollow Nuguo: www.instagram.com/pochogallardo Stay updated with the latest: www.instagram.com/buythedrip.coffeeFollow Forward Coffee: www.instagram.com/fwdcoffeeFollow Dave: www.instagram.com/crosbyandcoffee Follow Cole: www.instagram.com/torodeo
Celebrated for their incredible coffees around the World, Janson Coffee is one of the most sought after brands producing Panama Geisha.Kai spends months of the year traveling to far corners for exhibitions, special events and to work with roasters, baristas and competitors. One of the leaders in collaboration and innovation when it comes to the approach for coffeeOne of two coffees from Panama that has ever won the World Barista Championship, working with celebrated barista, Boram Um in 2023.Janson is a Panama Geisha that you'll see on the menu of top roasters and coffee shops, in the hands of the most talented professionals, as it's a coffee that's layered, unique and complex. One to be celebrated and consumed with intention.Cole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from Kai Janson and Panamanian producers you see in these videos.. Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year ROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS , since 2007 Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffeeFollow on INSTAGRAMFollow Janson Stay updated with the latest Buy The Drip Follow Forward Coffee Follow Dave Follow Cole
One of the most fascinating visions for coffee production, Franz Zeimetz is taking a different approach to Panamanian coffee production, trucking coffee cherry in refrigerated transport from Chiriqui in Western Panama to Panama City 6 hours away. A celebrated brewer in the world of craft beer in Panama, Franz found himself fascinated by coffee and decided to expand his horizons by taking his beer brewing expertise into the world of Panama GeishaHis coffee is celebrated around the world, winning the World Brewers Cup in 2024 with Martin Wolfl, and placing amongst the top in the Best of Panama Cole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from Franz and Panamanian producers you see in these videos.. Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year ROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS , since 2007 Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffeeFollow on INSTAGRAMFollow Franz Follow Lost OriginStay updated with the latest Buy The Drip Follow Forward Coffee Follow Dave Follow Cole
In this episode, we sit down with Wilford Lamastus, a founding member of the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (celebrating it's 30th year this year) and many many time winner of the Best of Panama competition Wilford is known around the world as being amongst the best Geisha producers, with presence of his coffee in markets all around the globe. Constantly pushing elevation and innovation in the production of his coffees, Wilford is an icon when it comes to quality. If you ever come to visit Panama, a trip to Lamastus Family Estates is a must - they have a tourism department and will happily take you around the farm and to experience Panama Geisha Cole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from Bambito and Panamanian producers you see in these videos.. Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year ROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS , since 2007 Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffeeFollow on INSTAGRAMFollow Bambito Stay updated with the latest Buy The Drip Follow Forward Coffee Follow Dave Follow Cole
Since 1945 coffee has been grown and cultivated at Bambito Estate. Four generations of coffee production and living off the land.One of the most beautiful family coffee operations in Panama, with some incredible accolades in the Best of Panama to show for it. Bambito Estate is a coffee celebrated around the world and one that goes far beyond the cup. Cole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from Bambito and Panamanian producers you see in these videos.. Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year ROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS , since 2007Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffeeFollow on INSTAGRAMFollow Bambito Stay updated with the latest Buy The Drip Follow Forward Coffee Follow Dave Follow Cole
In this episode, we sit down with Jamison Savage, one of the most influential figures in modern specialty coffee - the founder of Savage Coffee and the visionary behind Finca Deborah and Iris Estate in Volcan, Panama. Jamison has helped redefine what is possible in coffee production through experimentation, precision, and relentless pursuit of quality. The most celebrated and decorated coffee producer when it comes to the World Coffee Championships, Jamison has had his coffee utilized by three different World Barista Champions in the last ten years. Known globally for producing some of the world’s most sought-after Geisha coffees, Jamison has become synonymous with innovation in fermentation, drying techniques, and flavour development. This conversation goes far beyond trophies and price tags. Cole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from Jamison and Panamanian producers you see in these videos.. Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year ROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS , since 2007 Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffee Follow on INSTAGRAM Follow Jamison Follow Savage Coffee Stay updated with the latest: Buy The Drip Follow Forward Coffee Follow Dave Follow Cole
One of the top minds and contributors to Panamanian coffee is Roger Pitti, the general manager of Altieri Coffee , National Judge and the treasurer of the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama. In this conversation we walk through the task of operating a top-in-the-world coffee farm, with a full integrated model that includes a roastery, coffee shop and one of the most gorgeous views you'll ever see from a coffee shop experience, plus two manual production coffee farms; Mimas Estate and Pipims Estate. This is the only conversation where Cole wears a black shirt. Cole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from Altieri and Panamanian producers you see in these videos.. Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year ROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS , since 2007 Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffee Follow on INSTAGRAM Follow Roger Follow Altieri Coffee Stay updated with the latest Follow Forward Coffee Follow Dave Follow Cole
Victoria Koyner is the fourth generation of Kotowa Farms , which started in 1913 by Alexander Duncan MacIntyre, a Canadian who had found his way to the tropical landscapes of Boquete, Panama. Kotowa focuses on producing some of the best Geisha you'll ever taste, over a wide portfolio of coffee farms as well as other specialty agricultural products, such as cacao and tea. Victoria did her studies in Oregon, focusing on the business and production in the world of wine - in this conversation, we make many comparisons and contrasts between the world of coffee and the world of wine. Cole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from Kotowa and Panamanian producers you see in these videos.. Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year. ROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS , since 2007 Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffee. Follow on INSTAGRAM Follow Victoria Stay updated with the latest: Buy The Drip Follow Forward Coffee Follow Dave Follow Cole
One of the first conversations we had in the Panama Producer series, Graciano and Cole go into a deep discussion of terroir, topography and the beauty of Panama. Are you interested in accessing Graciano Geisha and other specialty coffee Varietals? Cole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from Graciano and Panamanian producers you see in these videos. Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year. ROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS , since 2007 Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffee. Follow on INSTAGRAM Follow Graciano Stay updated with the latest: Buy The Drip Follow Forward Coffee Follow Dave Follow Cole
Cole sits down with Karin de la Rosa, the visionary coffee producer at the helm of Mount Totumas . The Geisha from Mount Totumas has been used to win the World Brewers Cup Championship , the Best of Panama and numerous top awards in the Best of Panama. In this conversation, you'll hear the story of how Karin fell into the World of coffee and quickly became a globally renowned coffee producer. FORWARD COFFEE Find access to a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals. Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year: ROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS , since 2007 Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. We roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try our world-class coffees: Follow us on INSTAGRAM Stay updated with the latest: Buy The Drip Follow Forward Coffee Follow Dave Follow Cole
Cole sits down with Daniel Peterson to pull back the curtain on a legacy that redefined specialty coffee. In a historic turn of events, Hacienda La Esmeralda accomplished what many thought impossible: a clean sweep of the podium at the 2025 Best of Panama , taking first place in the Geisha Washed, Geisha Natural, and Varietal categories.This conversation goes far beyond the awards. Daniel recounts the "accidental" survival of the Geisha variety during a devastating fungus outbreak in 1999, an event that paved the way for the 2004 discovery that shocked the industry. They discuss the "uncharted territory" of the $30,204 per kilo price point and what it actually feels like to produce a coffee that commands $1,000 per cup. FORWARD COFFEE Find access to a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals. Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year ROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS , since 2007 Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. We roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try our world-class coffees Follow us on INSTAGRAM Stay updated with the latest Follow Forward Coffee Follow Dave Follow Cole
The Reality of Coffee Media, Competitions, and the Industry | Kirk Pearson Coffee competitions, coffee media, and the online coffee world often look polished from the outside. But behind the scenes, the reality is far more complicated. In this episode of Buy The Drip , we sit down with Kirk Pearson to talk about the evolution of specialty coffee media, the role competitions play in shaping the industry, and what it actually takes to build platforms that help push coffee forward. Kirk shares his journey through coffee from competing and working in cafes to helping create some of the most widely followed coffee content and discussions online. We talk about what works, what doesn’t, and how conversations around coffee are changing as more voices enter the industry. The discussion also dives into the tension between education, entertainment, and authenticity in coffee media, and why storytelling matters just as much as technical knowledge. Along the way we explore: • How coffee media and YouTube changed the industry • The role competitions play in shaping careers and ideas • Why transparency and honest conversation matter in coffee • What it takes to build platforms that people actually trust • The future of specialty coffee storytelling This episode is a look behind the curtain of coffee culture — from competitions and cafés to the media that connects the whole industry. If you enjoy conversations about the people shaping coffee, subscribe and follow Buy The Drip for more episodes.
Coffee competitions are what the industry sees. The lights. The routines. The trophies. But the real work happens long before anyone steps on stage. In this episode, Cole sits down with Andrea Tan the first Singapore Brewers Cup Champion, green coffee buyer, judge, and World Coffee Events Representative. They unpack what it actually takes to run fair, meaningful competitions around the world. Andrea shares her path from waiting tables to standing on the world stage, and how competition shaped her perspective not just as a competitor, but as a judge and now a WCE Rep. We talk about responsibility, empathy, and the weight of writing a full scoresheet when someone’s poured months of work into 15 minutes. Beyond competitions, the conversation expands into green coffee buying, trust, and what she learned from recent time spent in Ethiopia from shifting cup profiles to infrastructure changes and the evolution of transparency in origin markets. This episode isn’t just about competition rules. It’s about: • What fairness actually looks like in practice • The role of feedback in shaping careers • How reps support national bodies around the world • The changing landscape of Ethiopian coffee • Why empathy and people skills matter as much as technical knowledge It’s a conversation about contributing to coffee beyond the spotlight and about building systems people can trust. If you care about competitions, green buying, or the long game of this industry, this one goes deeper than the stage. Subscribe and follow along for more conversations like this on Buy The Drip.
Most of us obsess over beans, brew methods, and grinders… but ignore the one thing that actually touches our lips. The cup. In this episode, we sit down with Johnny Loh, the engineer and founder behind ICOSA Brewhouse, to talk about how vessel design can completely change the way coffee tastes. Johnny didn’t start in coffee. In fact, he didn’t even drink it when he began designing cups. His background in engineering and sensory design led him to ask a simple question: if wine and whiskey have purpose-built glassware, why doesn’t specialty coffee? We break down how shape, surface area, aeration, and geometry influence aroma release, temperature retention, and flavor perception. Johnny shares the experiments, the skepticism, and the real-world results from cafés, competitions, and high-end hospitality environments. We also explore: • Why traditional mugs might be limiting premium coffee • How “pattern interrupts” elevate the customer experience • The psychology of value and perception in hospitality • Whether certain coffees deserve their own dedicated vessel shapes • What the future of coffee service could look like This conversation isn’t about gimmicks. It’s about intentional design, sensory science, and creating experiences that match the quality of the coffee itself.
We sit down with the two-time Filipino National Barista Champion and the mind behind the Better Vessel. Michael’s journey started in his family’s rope business and evolved into building one of the Philippines’ most respected coffee operations, working with brands like McDonald’s and 7-Eleven along the way. We talk about the risk that changed everything.... importing just two containers of coffee when most people thought it was crazy. How that decision helped shape one of the country’s most iconic roasteries. Michael shares how experimenting with Liberica and hybrid varieties pushed flavor in new directions, and how competition sharpened both his palate and his business instincts. We also get into • The evolution of Filipino coffee production • Why local storytelling matters more than ever • How competition fuels innovation • Regenerative farming techniques changing coffee at origin • The thinking behind the Better Vessel and improving espresso consistency Michael has represented the Philippines on the world stage, reaching two World Barista Championship semi-finals and earning Best Espresso in the first round of the 2026 WBC using the Better Vessel.
We sit down with 2024 World Barista Champion Mikael Jasin and writer Tigger Chaturabul to talk about Mikael’s first book, Bloom . The conversation covers how the book came together, why Mikael chose to tell his story now, and what it was like working with a writer to put years of competition, pressure, and personal growth into words. They talk openly about burnout, expectations, money, food, and what life actually looks like behind the scenes of a world title. Bloom isn’t a traditional coffee book. It’s a reflection on process, identity, and learning how to live alongside ambition rather than constantly chasing the next result. If you’re interested in competition coffee, creative work, or the realities that come after winning, this episode offers an honest look at all of it.
Water is the foundation of coffee, but what if it could be optimized far beyond minerals and filtration? In this episode, we sit down with Gary, the founder of Waved, a technology originally developed for the marine industry that is now being used in specialty coffee cafes, processing experiments at origin, and on the World Barista Championship stage. Gary breaks down how ultra low frequency electromagnetic waves interact with water, why top competitors are experimenting with it, and what happens when this technology is applied to espresso, brewing water, milk, juice, and coffee processing. We also talk openly about skepticism, limits, and why research and validation matter just as much as innovation. This conversation explores how ideas from outside coffee are influencing flavor, texture, and shelf life, and what the future of coffee technology could look like from farm to cup. Topics covered • How Waved technology works in simple terms • Why water matters more than most people think • Use in cafes, competitions, and at origin • Flavor, texture, and shelf life changes • Skepticism, validation, and research • The future of technology in coffee
