Buy the Drip - Coffee and Business

In this episode, we sit down with Jack Simpson, the 2025 World Barista Champion! We explore the full journey behind his rise to the top of competitive coffee.Jack talks about how he first got into specialty coffee, the moment he left his carpentry apprenticeship to chase a new passion, and the long/sometimes difficult road that eventually brought him to the WBC stage. We get into what changed for him mentally and emotionally over the years, how judging and coaching shaped his approach, and what it was like to compete at the highest level three years in a row.We also dig into the training, the preparation, the tools, and the tiny adjustments that helped him keep improving. Jack opens up about the emotional side of competition, the impact of traveling to origin, and how relationships with producers shaped the routine that ultimately won him the title. This is one of the most honest and personal conversations we have had on the podcast, and a look at what it really takes to become World Barista Champion!

Dave and Cole finally catching up after one of the wildest WBC seasons we’ve ever been part of.We break down our six-week training camp in Japan, what it was like coaching Hiroki Ito toward the 2025 World Barista Championship and all the chaos along the way.... language barriers, roasting puzzles, gear challenges, and even a hospital scare just days before the finals in Milan.We also talk about Cole tasting the world’s most expensive coffee!! How it was processed, what it tasted like, and whether it actually lived up to the record-breaking price.From strategy and stress to breakthrough moments and big lessons come follow along!

In this episode, we sit down with Ben Put seven-time Canadian Barista Champion and co-founder of Monogram Coffee , to talk about what it really takes to stay at the top of the game for more than 15 years.We go back to the beginning...when Ben first discovered coffee through a newspaper article on latte art, long before competition stages and national titles. From those early experiments to building Monogram from a 400-square-foot pop-up into one of Canada’s most respected coffee brands, Ben shares the lessons, challenges, and philosophies that shaped his journey.We also dive deep into his role roasting for Best of Panama, how his approach to competition has evolved, and why he believes the future of barista championships depends on creativity, mentorship, and pushing coffee culture forward.It’s a conversation about craft, competition, and what keeps one of coffee’s most consistent champions inspired year after year.👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Buy The Drip!💌 Join a Global Audience with BUY THE DRIP WEEKLYGet our personal coffee insights, brewing tips, and behind-the-scenes content delivered straight to your inbox every week...https://buythedrip.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Cole sits down with Tamiru Tadesse founder of Alo Coffee, to trace his remarkable path from studying electrical engineering to becoming one of Ethiopia’s most influential coffee producers. Tamiru recently made global headlines by hosting Alo Coffee’s first-ever auction, where he shattered records with a historic $1,739 per kilo sale and an average price of $625 per kilo setting a new benchmark for Ethiopian coffee on the world stage.Tamiru shares...- His path into coffee and the origins of Alo Coffee- How Ethiopia moved beyond the commodity exchange system- The challenges and triumphs of running an international auction- Why altitude and variety matter for quality- His vision for the future of Ethiopian coffee and "luxury coffee"📌 Connect with Alo Coffee: alo-coffee.com👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes!💌 Join a Global Audience with BUY THE DRIP WEEKLYGet our personal coffee insights, brewing tips, and behind-the-scenes content delivered straight to your inbox every week...https://buythedrip.beehiiv.com/subscribe

we sit down with Juan Diaz — Director of Nowhere Coffee based in Medellín, Colombia to unpack his incredible journey into the world of specialty coffee.Juan went from being a nursing student and line cook in Gainesville, Florida, to building a global coffee sourcing network that connects roasters, producers, and baristas across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. We dive into...☕ How a chance encounter at a coffee cupping changed his life🌎 The evolution of Nowhere Coffee from a Gainesville cafe to a worldwide sourcing powerhouse💡 Why his “no-bullshit” approach to coffee sourcing sets him apart🤝 The real meaning of direct trade, transparency, and working with “quality people”🏍️ His passion for motorcycles, travel, and how that ties into his coffee journey🏆 Lessons from competing on the national barista stage in both the U.S. and ColombiaIf you’re a coffee professional, aspiring entrepreneur, or just curious about what it takes to change the game in specialty coffee, this conversation is packed with insight, honesty, and inspiration.👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Guess The Drip!💌 Join a Global Audience with BUY THE DRIP WEEKLYGet our personal coffee insights, brewing tips, and behind-the-scenes content delivered straight to your inbox every week...https://buythedrip.beehiiv.com/subscribe