EP 874 David Zabinsky and Valeria Garcia - Unexpected Challenges Launching in Dubai - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar

This is the 4th of a 5-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with David Zabinsky and Valeria Garcia, owners of the Kurasu UAE franchise.

In this series, David and Valeria help us understand the process they went through bringing a globally recognised franchise from Kyoto, Japan, to Dubai and the wider UAE.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee, David, and Valeria delve into issues such as customs complications, merchandise delays, and the impact of the coffee crisis on the industry.

The conversation also touches upon the matcha craze, the importance of water filtration for quality coffee, and the broader implications for the coffee trade.

Don't miss this insightful discussion on the hurdles of starting a coffee business in a new market.

EP 873 David Zabinsky and Valeria Garcia - Launching the First Kurasu in Dubai - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar

This is the 3rd of a 5-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with David Zabinsky and Valeria Garcia, owners of the Kurasu UAE franchise.

In this series, David and Valeria help us understand the process they went through bringing a globally recognised franchise from Kyoto, Japan, to Dubai and the wider UAE.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee, David, and Valeria discuss the challenges, the unexpected viral success, and the emotional and physical toll of opening their first store.

Learn about their experience of building a dedicated team and the importance of being hands-on owners.

Join us for insights into the hard work and rewarding moments that come with bringing a beloved coffee brand to the UAE.

EP 872 David Zabinsky and Valeria Garcia - Preparing To Launch a Coffee Franchise in Dubai - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar

This is the 2nd of a 5-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with David Zabinsky and Valeria Garcia, owners of the Kurasu UAE franchise.

In this series, David and Valeria help us understand the process they went through bringing a globally recognised franchise from Kyoto, Japan, to Dubai and the wider UAE.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee, David and Valeria discuss the critical steps of team building, including hiring criteria focused on experience, confidence, and a genuine appreciation for the Kurasu brand.

The conversation also explores the challenges of finding the right location in a competitive market like Dubai, the unique aspects of the Dar Wasl area, and Kurasu's distinct culture of minimalistic and high-quality customer experience.

Additionally, David and Valeria share their personal experiences, fears, and inspirations in bringing Kurasu to Dubai.

For more insights and details, watch the full episode.

EP 871 David Zabinsky and Valeria Garcia - Bringing a Global Coffee Brand to Dubai - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar

This is the first of a 5-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with David Zabinsky and Valeria Garcia, owners of the Kurasu UAE franchise.

In this series, David and Valeria help us understand the process they went through bringing a globally recognised franchise from Kyoto, Japan, to Dubai and the wider UAE.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee, Valeria, and David discuss how their admiration for the Japanese coffee brand Kurasu led to their venture of bringing it to Dubai.

From discovering Kurasu on YouTube to making the first contact with the founder Yozo Otsuki, and eventually visiting Kyoto to solidify their partnership, David and Valeria share their journey in detail.

Topics include the saturated coffee market in Dubai, the couple's background, and their steps in opening the Kurasu franchise in the UAE.

Stay tuned to learn the intricacies of navigating a new coffee business in a competitive environment.

EP 870 Reza Kosar - The Future Technology of Coffee - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar

This is the 5th of a 5-part series with Reza Kosar, Co-Founder/Managing Partner of Slick Coffee Co. in Oman, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward.

In the final episode of this podcast series, Lee and Reza explore the future of the coffee industry and impact of advancing technology on roles like baristas, Q graders, and cuppers.

They also touch on the emergence of brands like Luckin in the U.S. market and how social media could redefine coffee quality.

With insights on technology, industry trends, and business advice, this episode offers a comprehensive look at what's ahead for coffee professionals.

EP 869 Reza Kosar - The CVA Isn't Solving Problems - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar

This is the 4th of a 5-part series with Reza Kosar, Co-Founder/Managing Partner of Slick Coffee Co. in Oman, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward.

In this episode of the podcast, Lee and Reza delve into the complexities of quality assessment in the coffee industry.

They critically analyze the new Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) and its impact on the industry, questioning whether it resolves issues relating to centralized power, inequality, and the focus on the consumer side over producers.

The conversation also touches on sensory science, the disparity in pay within the coffee supply chain, and the challenges posed by dynamic perceptions of quality.

Tune in to explore these pressing issues and their implications for coffee producers and industry professionals.

EP 868 Reza Kosar - Coffee Competition and Coffee Quality - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar

This is the 3rd of a 5-part series with Reza Kosar, Co-Founder/Managing Partner of Slick Coffee Co. in Oman, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward.

In this series, host Lee Safar and Reza (originally from Iran) explore what quality is in coffee.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Reza discuss the intricacies and impact of coffee competitions on the industry.

They delve into how these competitions influence perceptions of quality, the limitations and challenges they introduce, and the bias that can occur during judging.

The conversation also touches on the broader implications for baristas, the significance of these events within the industry, and why some professionals dedicate their resources to competitions.

Additionally, the episode explores the controversial aspects surrounding the business side of these competitions and their actual benefit to the coffee community.

Join us for an insightful discussion about the dynamic world of coffee competitions.

EP 867 Reza Kosar - Defining Quality in the Coffee Industry - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast Lee Safar

This is the 2nd of a 5-part series with Reza Kosar, Co-Founder/Managing Partner of Slick Coffee Co. in Oman, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward.

In this series, host Lee Safar and Reza (originally from Iran) explore what quality is in coffee.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Reza explore the complex topic of defining quality in the coffee industry.

The discussion delves into the various perspectives scientific, philosophical, and psychological on what constitutes quality.

Reza shares insights on the struggles at Origin, the importance of recognizing the broader context of quality, and how cultural and personal biases come into play.

They also touch on the necessity of multiple quality systems for different stakeholders in the coffee supply chain.

Don't miss this compelling conversation as they unpack the intricate layers of quality in coffee.

EP 866 Reza Kosar - The Tools That Assess Coffee's Quality - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the first of a 5-part series with Reza Kosar, Co-Founder/Managing Partner of Slick Coffee Co. in Oman, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward.

In this series, host Lee Safar and Reza (originally from Iran) explore what quality is in coffee.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Reza delve into the topic of quality in the coffee industry.

In this episode, they discuss the various tools and methodologies used to assess coffee quality, from physical attributes to sensory evaluations.

They also explore the subjective nature of quality and the challenges faced by coffee professionals in different regions.

Learn about the importance of education and the role of human perception in defining coffee quality.

EP 865 Saeed Al Blooshi - Trends in UAE Cafes - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the 5th of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast, with Saeed Al Blooshi, the Emirati founder of El Matador Coffee Roasters and Lama Cafe, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

In this series, host Lee Safar and Saeed explore the insights of what it is to build a coffee business in the UAE.

In this final episode of the podcast series, Lee Safar and Saeed discuss the impact of trends on the coffee industry in the UAE, highlighting how social media-driven trends like hot chocolate, matcha, and Labubu toys can significantly boost business.

Saeed shares insights on the challenges and opportunities in the evolving coffee market, and they explore future trends like infused coffees and cold brew.

Subscribe to the podcast to hear inspiring stories from values-driven entrepreneurs in the Middle East.

EP 864 Saeed Al Blooshi - Owners and Staff in the UAE - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the 4th of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast, with Saeed Al Blooshi, the Emirati founder of El Matador Coffee Roasters and Lama Cafe, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

In this series, host Lee Safar and Saeed explore the insights of what it is to build a coffee business in the UAE.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Saeed discuss the disconnect between coffee shop owners and their staff in the UAE.

Saeed shares stories about successful staff development, including the inspiring journey of Jerry from cleaner to barista.

They also touch upon the importance of communication, vision, and investment in employee growth.

Additionally, they discuss the unique staffing and cultural challenges in the UAE coffee industry and how fostering a good team culture can transform a business.

The episode wraps up with a sneak peek into the final episode of this series, focusing on the role of trends in the coffee industry.

EP 863 Saeed Al Blooshi - Business Owners and the Coffee Supply Chain - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the 3rd of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast, with Saeed Al Blooshi, the Emirati founder of El Matador Coffee Roasters and Lama Cafe, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

In this series, host Lee Safar and Saeed explore the insights of what it is to build a coffee business in the UAE.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Saeed discuss the challenges faced by cafe owners in the UAE's coffee industry.

They explore the lack of involvement from owners in their businesses, issues arising from poor supply chain understanding, and the impact of inconsistent sourcing decisions.

The episode highlights the importance of understanding the coffee supply chain, building strong relationships with suppliers, and involving staff in the business for long-term success.

Tune in to learn more about the complexities of managing a coffee business in the UAE.

EP 862 Saeed Al Blooshi - The UAE and the Coffee Crisis - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the 2nd of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast, with Saeed Al Blooshi, the Emirati founder of El Matador Coffee Roasters and Lama Cafe, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

In this series, host Lee Safar and Saeed explore the insights of what it is to build a coffee business in the UAE.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Saeed discuss the coffee crisis in the UAE.

They explore the booming demand for quality coffee and the intense competition in the market.

Saeed shares insights on starting and growing a coffee business, the importance of clear identity and long-term vision, and the challenges around staffing and green coffee supply.

This episode is part of a five-part series focusing on building a successful coffee business in the UAE.

EP 861 Saeed Al Blooshi - Changes in the UAE Coffee Industry - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the first of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast, with Saeed Al Blooshi, the Emirati founder of El Matador Coffee Roasters and Lama Cafe, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

In this series, host Lee Safar and Saeed explore the insights of what it is to build a coffee business in the UAE.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Saeed discuss the evolution of the coffee industry in the UAE, emphasizing the shift from commercial to specialty coffee cultures, the rise of local roasters, and the increasing consumer knowledge and expectations.

Saeed shares his journey, from starting with a small coffee roasting setup to operating successful cafes and a roastery.

They also set the stage for future episodes in the series by hinting at upcoming discussions on the coffee crisis in the UAE.

Join us for an insightful look into the craft of coffee and the challenges of building a coffee business in the UAE.

EP 860 Isabela Raposeiras - The Sins of the Past for Brazilian Coffee - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the 5th of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast, with 25-year coffee industry veteran Isabela Raposeiras from Coffee Lab in Brazil.

This series first aired on the Map It Forward Global Podcast in June 2025.

In this final episode of the series, Lee concludes an enlightening conversation with Isabela from Coffee Lab in Brazil.

They delve into the historical and ongoing issues of colonization and exploitation in the coffee industry, the significance of the Q grading system, and the importance of quality in ethical coffee production.

Isabela shares her personal journey and insights as a barista and Q grader, emphasizing the need for fair compensation for producers.

The episode wraps up with a discussion on the future of coffee quality metrics and a heartfelt closing message from Isabela.

EP 859 Isabela Raposeiras - Converting Brazilians to Specialty Coffee Drinkers - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This episode is brought to you by Raw Beverage Trading - Your hospitality supply chain partner. Connect at sale@rawcoffee.ae

This is the 4th of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast, with 25-year coffee industry veteran Isabela Raposeiras from Coffee Lab in Brazil.

This series first aired on the Map It Forward Global Podcast in June 2025.

In this series, Lee and Isabela explore the lesser-discussed aspects of Brazil as a coffee-producing country.

In this episode of the podcast, Lee and Isabela discuss the current state and future of the Brazilian coffee market.

They explore topics like the health benefits of coffee, the need for increased investment in Brazil’s coffee industry, the challenges in converting Brazilian consumers to specialty coffee, and the impact of Brazil's taxing policies on coffee businesses. Isabela also shares her insights into how associations like the SCA can better support the industry and the critical need for coffee education.

Additionally, the episode covers the importance of setting clear quality standards and the broader implications for the global coffee supply chain.

Don't miss this insightful conversation that touches on everything from business strategy to the social impacts of coffee production.

EP 858 Isabela Raposeiras - The Role Of Specialty Coffee In Brazil - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the 3rd of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast, with 25-year coffee industry veteran Isabela Raposeiras from Coffee Lab in Brazil.

This series first aired on the Map It Forward Global Podcast in June 2025.

In this series, Lee and Isabela explore the lesser-discussed aspects of Brazil as a coffee-producing country.

In this episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and Isabela discuss the significance of specialty coffee to the Brazilian economy, environment, and social well-being.

They discuss the need for consumer education, the challenges in shifting from staple to high-quality coffee, and the economic dynamics within the coffee industry.

Isabela provides insights into how specialty coffee is viewed in Brazil, both from producing and consuming perspectives, and emphasizes the importance of fostering relationships and educating consumers to drive the specialty coffee movement forward.

EP 857 Isabela Raposeiras - Brazil's Specialty Coffee Market - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the 2nd of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast, with 25-year coffee industry veteran Isabela Raposeiras from Coffee Lab in Brazil.

This series first aired on the Map It Forward Global Podcast in June 2025.

In this series, Lee and Isabela explore the lesser-discussed aspects of Brazil as a coffee-producing country.

In this episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and Isabela discuss the intricacies of Brazil's internal specialty coffee market, sharing stories about the challenges and successes of building fair and sustainable trade relationships with coffee producers.

Isabela talks about how paying fair prices and establishing long-term trust can positively impact producers and the coffee ecosystem.

The episode also sheds light on the importance of specialty coffee for Brazil's economy, the environment, and the social dignity of Brazilian coffee farmers.

EP 856 Isabela Raposeiras - Misconceptions About Brazil's Coffee Industry - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the first of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast, with 25-year coffee industry veteran Isabela Raposeiras from Coffee Lab in Brazil.

This series first aired on the Map It Forward Global Podcast in June 2025.

In this series, Lee and Isabela explore the lesser-discussed aspects of Brazil as a coffee-producing country.

In this episode of the podcast, Lee and Isabela explore insights on the complexities of the Brazilian coffee industry.

Isabela sheds light on misconceptions about Brazil as an origin country, the challenges faced by small coffee producers, and the importance of cupping and quality to make better decisions.

The discussion also touches on the exploitation of producers by traders and cooperatives, and how Isabela's journey in the coffee world began.

A must-watch for anyone wanting to delve deeper into the realities of coffee production in Brazil.

EP 855 Yozo Otsuki - Expanding Kurasu Globally - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the 5th of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with Yozo Otsuki from Kurasu.

In this series, we're exploring the journey that Yozo went on, starting, building, growing, and expanding Kurasu within Japan and around the world with a franchise model.

In this final episode of a five-part series, Lee and Yozo deep dive into the significance of maintaining integrity and values while expanding a global brand.

Yozo shares insights on the holistic approach that drives Kurasu, emphasizing customer experience, partner relationships, and the importance of staying true to one's core values.

They discuss the challenges and considerations of global growth, the impact of franchise models, and the complexities of integrating investors.

The episode concludes with reflections on past journeys and advice to future selves, encapsulating the essence of intentional business growth in the specialty coffee industry.

MIFME25 Yozo OtsukiLee Safar17 July 2025Lee Safar, Map It Forward, Map It Forward Middle East, Yozo Otsuki, kurasuComment