EP 1433 Lee Safar - Coffee Industry Consolidation - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 3rd episode of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar.

This is a solo series, i.e., Lee Safar with no guests, to discuss the changes that have been happening at Map It Forward in 2025 and what exciting changes will continue to evolve over the coming 12 months.

Another focus of this series will be a status update of how we're viewing the coffee crisis and how we're advising our clients as the evolution continues.

None of the information in this series should be taken as advice for your business.

In this episode, Lee discusses the ongoing consolidation in the coffee industry, spotlighting the merger of Keurig Dr. Pepper and JDE Peet's into the new Global Coffee Co.

She explains how this shifts power dynamics, favoring mega-corporations at the expense of smaller businesses.

The episode is part of a series analyzing the 2025 coffee crisis and includes insights on how to adapt and survive in these challenging times.

Lee also emphasizes the importance of building strong business relationships and adapting to market changes to thrive amidst the consolidation.

Tune in to understand the current state of the coffee industry and learn practical strategies for the future.

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EP 1432 Lee Safar - Coffee Price Volatility - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 2nd episode of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar.

This is a solo series, i.e., Lee Safar with no guests, to discuss the changes that have been happening at Map It Forward in 2025 and what exciting changes will continue to evolve over the coming 12 months.

Another focus of this series will be a status update of how we're viewing the coffee crisis and how we're advising our clients as the evolution continues.

None of the information in this series should be taken as advice for your business.

In this episode of 'The Daily Coffee Pro' by Map It Forward, Lee delves into the evolving coffee crisis, particularly focusing on the fluctuations in coffee prices.

Lee explains the roles of the futures market, speculators, and certified stocks in affecting coffee prices, and highlights the impact of tariffs and adverse weather conditions in Brazil.

This is the second episode in a five-part series that explores the multifaceted nature of the coffee crisis and its implications for the industry.

Stay tuned for the next episode on consolidation in the coffee sector.

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EP 1431 Lee Safar - Let's Talk About What's Going on in Coffee - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the first episode of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar.

This is a solo series, i.e., Lee Safar with no guests, to discuss the changes that have been happening at Map It Forward in 2025 and what exciting changes will continue to evolve over the coming 12 months.

Another focus of this series will be a status update of how we're viewing the coffee crisis and how we're advising our clients as the evolution continues.

None of the information in this series should be taken as advice for your business.

In this episode, Lee discusses the upcoming introduction of advertising on the Map It Forward podcast in 2026, differentiating it from sponsorships by focusing on B2B advertising aligned with Map It Forward's values.

Lee also addresses the current phase of the 'Coffee Crisis' affecting the coffee industry, including rising coffee prices, supply chain issues, labor shortages, and logistical challenges.

The series aims to offer insights and advice for coffee businesses and professionals navigating these turbulent times.

Additional topics include Map It Forward’s recent expansions and new multilingual capabilities, and ways the audience can support the podcast through Patreon, YouTube Premium, and sharing the content.

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EP 1430 Reza Kosar - Q Graders, Cuppers, and Technology - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with 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. This series, originally aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast a month earlier, follows the same series flow as our conversation with Ian Fretheim.

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

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 1429 Reza Kosar - The CVA Won't Fix Anything In Coffee - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with 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. This series, originally aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast a month earlier, follows the same series flow as our conversation with Ian Fretheim.

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

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 1428 Reza Kosar - Quality, Hype, and Coffee Competitions - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with 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. This series, originally aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast a month earlier, follows the same series flow as our conversation with Ian Fretheim.

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 1427 Reza Kosar - How Do We Define Quality? - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with 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. This series, originally aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast a month earlier, follows the same series flow as our conversation with Ian Fretheim.

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

In this episode of the podcasts 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 1426 Reza Kosar - Tools for Assessing Coffee Quality - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

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. This series, originally aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast a month earlier, follows the same series flow as our conversation with Ian Fretheim.

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 1425 Ian Fretheim - Q Graders, Cuppers, and Technology - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 5th of a five-part series featuring Ian Fretheim, Director of Sensory Analysis at US-based coffee importer, Cafe Imports, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Map It Forward Founder Lee Safar.

In this series, Lee and Ian will explore the question, "What is Quality in the Coffee Industry?".

In this final episode of the series, Lee and Ian take a deep dive into the nuanced world of sensory science and specialty coffee.

This episode explores how science and technology influence coffee tasting, the role of human experience in sensory analysis, and the ethical implications in the coffee industry.

Lee shares her own background in sensory science and critiques the commercialization of sensory expert training.

The conversation also touches on the evolution of sensory machines and the importance of 'by humans, for humans' in maintaining the essence of specialty coffee.

Plus, insights on technology's limitations and potential in preserving human-centered coffee experiences. Don't miss this thoughtful conclusion to an engaging series!

EP 1424 Ian Fretheim - The CVA Won't Fix Anything In Coffee - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 4th of a five-part series featuring Ian Fretheim, Director of Sensory Analysis at US-based coffee importer, Cafe Imports, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Map It Forward Founder Lee Safar.

In this series, Lee and Ian will explore the question, "What is Quality in the Coffee Industry?".

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Ian discuss the concept of quality in the coffee industry, emphasizing the challenges with defining 'distinctive attributes' and the limitations of the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) in resolving transparency issues.

Ian criticizes the CVA for potentially increasing opacity rather than clarity and argues that it fails to address fundamental issues around quality and cupping forms.

Tune in to understand why the industry might not benefit from the CVA and how true transparency can be achieved.

EP 1423 Ian Fretheim - Quality, Hype, and Coffee Competitions - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 3rd of a five-part series featuring Ian Fretheim, Director of Sensory Analysis at US-based coffee importer, Cafe Imports, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Map It Forward Founder Lee Safar.

In this series, Lee and Ian will explore the question, "What is Quality in the Coffee Industry?".

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Ian discuss the role of coffee competitions in the industry and their relationship to coffee quality.

They delve into the recent Best of Panama auction, where a coffee scored 98 points and sold for $30,200 per kilo.

The conversation touches on the impact of such high prices on the market, the potential for bias in judging, and the pros and cons of these competitions for producers and the industry at large.

They also explore whether the hype around competition-winning coffees detracts from broader industry issues, such as sustainable pricing for farmers.

EP 1422 Ian Fretheim - How Do We Define Quality? - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 2nd of a five-part series featuring Ian Fretheim, Director of Sensory Analysis at US-based coffee importer, Cafe Imports, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Map It Forward Founder Lee Safar.

In this series, Lee and Ian will explore the question, "What is Quality in the Coffee Industry?".

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Ian deep into the concept of quality in the coffee industry.

They explore how quality is defined, the subjective versus objective nature of sensory science, and the implications for the coffee industry.

They also discuss the role of industry norms, quality standards, and the influence of human biases in sensory evaluation.

Join the conversation and discover why defining quality in coffee is more complex than it seems.

EP 1421 Ian Fretheim - Tools for Assessing Coffee Quality - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the first of a five-part series featuring Ian Fretheim, Director of Sensory Analysis at US-based coffee importer, Cafe Imports, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Map It Forward Founder Lee Safar.

In this series, Lee and Ian will explore the question, "What is Quality in the Coffee Industry?".

In this episode of the series, Lee and Ian discuss the tools used to assess coffee quality, including cupping forms, gadgets, and the essential role of people.

Ian shares insights from his extensive experience at Cafe Imports and highlights the industry's broader issues of defining and measuring coffee quality.

This episode also covers a discussion about the current state and effectiveness of the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) in the specialty coffee industry.

Ian critiques the CVA for being inadequate in its claims and emphasizes the distinction between specialty coffee professionals and food technologists.

EP 1420 Nora Burkey - The Future of Coffee and Development - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 5th of a five-part series featuring Nora Burkey, Executive Director of the US-based Nonprofit, The Chain Collaborative, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Map It Forward Founder Lee Safar.

Throughout this series, Lee and Nora attempt to answer the question, "Will the Development Sector in Coffee Survive?" and explore all the layers that come with it.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Nora discuss the complex issues surrounding the coffee development sector, including the impact of reducing development funds and the potential future of the coffee industry.

They touch on topics like migration, economic disparity, and the challenges and hopes of running a nonprofit organization in the current volatile climate.

Additionally, the episode introduces an upcoming mastermind group for aspiring coffee business owners.

Tune in for an insightful conversation about the future of coffee and its interconnected sectors.

EP 1419 Nora Burkey - Myths and Realities of Coffee Development Sector - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 4th of a five-part series featuring Nora Burkey, Executive Director of the US-based Nonprofit, The Chain Collaborative, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Map It Forward Founder Lee Safar.

Throughout this series, Lee and Nora attempt to answer the question, "Will the Development Sector in Coffee Survive?" and explore all the layers that come with it.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Nora discuss the misconceptions surrounding the development sector within the coffee industry.

The discussion addresses issues such as corruption in nonprofits, the real impact of corporate social responsibility, and the need for fair compensation for coffee farmers.

They also explore the limited understanding businesses have about the actual contributions and roles of nonprofits and the essential need to invest in agriculture broadly.

The episode provides an in-depth look at the challenges facing the sector and calls for a more nuanced approach to development work.

EP 1418 Nora Burkey - How Money Flows in the Coffee Development Sector - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 3rd of a five-part series featuring Nora Burkey, Executive Director of the US-based Nonprofit, The Chain Collaborative, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Map It Forward Founder Lee Safar.

Throughout this series, Lee and Nora attempt to answer the question, "Will the Development Sector in Coffee Survive?" and explore all the layers that come with it.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Nora delve into the intricate dynamics of the development sector within the coffee industry.

They discuss the significant impact of USAID funding cuts, the disparities in compensation between the nonprofit and corporate sectors, and how these challenges affect coffee farmers.

The conversation also explores the broader implications of global trade, capitalism, and the resilience of farmers.

Stay tuned for valuable insights on whether the development sector can survive in the volatile coffee industry of 2025.

EP 1417 Nora Burkey - Do We Need Development Work In Coffee? - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 2nd of a five-part series featuring Nora Burkey, Executive Director of the US-based Nonprofit, The Chain Collaborative, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Map It Forward Founder Lee Safar.

Throughout this series, Lee and Nora attempt to answer the question, "Will the Development Sector in Coffee Survive?" and explore all the layers that come with it.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Nora explore the concept of 'poverty smoothing' activities carried out by nonprofits and discuss whether these efforts are changing the capitalist structures impacting coffee communities.

The conversation touches upon the efficacy of the development sector, the challenges of capitalism in the coffee industry, and how to evaluate the performance and trustworthiness of nonprofits.

Join us for an enlightening discussion on the sustainability and future of the coffee industry.

EP 1416 Nora Burkey - The Evolution of Development in Coffee - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the first of a five-part series featuring Nora Burkey, Executive Director of the US-based Nonprofit, The Chain Collaborative, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Map It Forward Founder Lee Safar.

Throughout this series, Lee and Nora attempt to answer the question, "Will the Development Sector in Coffee Survive?" and explore all the layers that come with it.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Nora explore the historical context and evolution of non-profits, certifications, and the role of government and corporate control in shaping the industry.

The conversation dives deep into whether the coffee sector's current structure necessitates the involvement of non-profits and NGOs and scrutinizes their impact on coffee producers and communities.

Tune in for an insightful discussion about the complexities and challenges facing the global coffee sector.

EP 1415 Brendan Adams - Is the future of coffee guaranteed? - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 5th of a five-part series featuring Brendan Adams, Founder of the Canada-based green trading company Semilla Coffee, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward.

In this series, host Lee Safar and Brendan explore whether the idea to "make coffee better" is a realistic endeavour in today's coffee industry.

In the final episode of this thought-provoking series, Lee and Brendan discuss the impact of pricing crises, tariffs, and climate change on small coffee producers and roasters.

The conversation highlights the urgent need for structural change, collective action, and innovative approaches to ensure the sustainability and growth of the coffee industry.

Tune in for an eye-opening discussion that could reshape your perspective on the coffee supply chain.

EP 1414 Brendan Adams - The Truth About Origin - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 4th of a five-part series featuring Brendan Adams, Founder of the Canada-based green trading company Semilla Coffee, on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward.

In this series, host Lee Safar and Brendan explore whether the idea to "make coffee better" is a realistic endeavour in today's coffee industry.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Brendan discuss the complexities and diverse realities of coffee trade and origin.

They delve into the misconceptions about Colombian coffee, the importance of visiting coffee origins, and understanding the true experiences of coffee producers.

Adams shares insights on how conventional markets and specialty coffee markets operate differently, and the significant impact of local economies and traditional practices on coffee trade.

Don't miss out on this eye-opening conversation about the truths behind your cup of coffee.