EP 1439 Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera - Coffee Industry Consolidation - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

Welcome to the 4th episode of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Map It Forward founder, Lee Safar.

Returning to the podcast for the second time in 2025 are audience favourites, Felipe Croce from FAF Coffees in Brazil and Angel Barrera from Belco (in France), based in Colombia.

This series is a follow-up to the last time Felipe and Angel appeared on the podcast, at the beginning of 2025. At that time, the discussion was focused on the forces driving the coffee crisis and the expectations of the year ahead in coffee.

Now, as we head towards the final quarter of 2025, we revisit the topics we discussed in our last series, examining the realities of the state of the coffee supply chain and the status of the coffee crisis.

In this episode of this Map It Forward podcast, Lee, Felipe, and Angel delve into the ongoing consolidation within the industry and its impact on small and medium-sized businesses.

The conversation explores how market concentration affects producers, roasters, and traders, and highlights the opportunities for innovation and niche markets.

They also examine the role of mega-conglomerates like Keurig, Dr. Pepper, JDE Peet's, and Nestle.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of traceability, adaptability, and creative business models to compete against the giants.

Join us for an insightful and balanced conversation about the future of the volatile coffee market.

EP 1438 Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera - Challenges at Coffee Origin in 2025 - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

Welcome to the 3rd episode of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Map It Forward founder, Lee Safar.

Returning to the podcast for the second time in 2025 are audience favourites, Felipe Croce from FAF Coffees in Brazil and Angel Barrera from Belco (in France), based in Colombia.

This series is a follow-up to the last time Felipe and Angel appeared on the podcast, at the beginning of 2025. At that time, the discussion was focused on the forces driving the coffee crisis and the expectations of the year ahead in coffee.

Now, as we head towards the final quarter of 2025, we revisit the topics we discussed in our last series, examining the realities of the state of the coffee supply chain and the status of the coffee crisis.

In this episode of this Map It Forward podcast, Lee, Felipe, and Angel discuss the challenges facing coffee production in 2025, market volatility, and the shifts in consumer expectations.

Key topics include the impact of climate change on coffee farms, the shift towards Robusta production, the future of specialty coffee, and the importance of sustainable supply chains.

The episode provides insights into why purely specialty coffee businesses struggle and what needs to change for them to thrive in a volatile market.

Join the conversation on how the coffee industry needs to evolve to meet these new challenges and opportunities.

EP 1437 Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera - Volatility in Global Coffee 2025 - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

Welcome to the 2nd episode of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Map It Forward founder, Lee Safar.

Returning to the podcast for the second time in 2025 are audience favourites, Felipe Croce from FAF Coffees in Brazil and Angel Barrera from Belco (in France), based in Colombia.

This series is a follow-up to the last time Felipe and Angel appeared on the podcast, at the beginning of 2025. At that time, the discussion was focused on the forces driving the coffee crisis and the expectations of the year ahead in coffee.

Now, as we head towards the final quarter of 2025, we revisit the topics we discussed in our last series, examining the realities of the state of the coffee supply chain and the status of the coffee crisis.

In this episode of this Map It Forward podcast, Lee, Felipe, and Angel focus on the incredible market volatility experienced in 2025, driven by factors such as fluctuating market prices, currency exchange rates, and geopolitical tariffs.

They explore how volatility affects decision-making, client interactions, and stability within the industry.

Additionally, the conversation touches upon the influence of tariffs and logistical challenges in maintaining stable coffee supplies to global markets.

For more detailed insights, join us in this in-depth discussion.

EP 1436 Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera - 2025 Coffee Market So Far - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

Welcome to the first episode of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Map It Forward founder, Lee Safar.

Returning to the podcast for the second time in 2025 are audience favourites, Felipe Croce from FAF Coffees in Brazil and Angel Barrera from Belco (in France), based in Colombia.

This series is a follow-up to the last time Felipe and Angel appeared on the podcast, at the beginning of 2025. At that time, the discussion was focused on the forces driving the coffee crisis and the expectations of the year ahead in coffee.

Now, as we head towards the final quarter of 2025, we revisit the topics we discussed in our last series, examining the realities of the state of the coffee supply chain and the status of the coffee crisis.

In this episode of this Map It Forward podcast, host Lee Safar teams up with coffee industry experts Felipe Croce and Angel Barrera to discuss the unforeseen and unprecedented events that have unfolded in the global coffee market during 2025.

They delve into how East Africa and Colombia diverged from market expectations, the effects of government-set prices in Ethiopia, and the rapid consumption of East African coffee inventories.

They also touch on the growing need for multilingual support in the coffee industry podcast and announce exciting changes coming to Map It Forward in 2026, including the introduction of advertisements.

This episode sets the stage for understanding the new chaotic normal in coffee production and trade, and prepares listeners for a deeper exploration of the driving forces behind this volatility in subsequent episodes.

EP 1435 Lee Safar - What Can We Expect Next in Coffee? - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 5th 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 the final episode of a five-part series, Lee delves into the enduring coffee crisis. Lee identifies key signals such as corporate acquisitions and rising coffee prices, highlighting a growing separation within the coffee industry.

This episode forecasts a challenging future marked by consolidation, business closures, and evolving market dynamics.

Lee advises thinking ahead for 2026 business plans and underscores the importance of staying informed and supporting the coffee community during these turbulent times.

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EP 1434 Lee Safar - Coffee Supply Chains Are Reorganizing - The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Lee Safar

This is the 4th 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 complexities of the current coffee crisis, focusing on supply chain issues and the influence of geopolitics and tariffs.

Coffee producers are rethinking their strategies, shifting from specialty coffee to commercial markets. Tariffs imposed during the Trump administration are reshaping trade, particularly impacting major coffee producers like Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia.

Lee discusses the broader implications for both producers and consumers, emphasizing the long-term changes expected in coffee sourcing and pricing.

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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.