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PODCAST

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality

World Coffee Portal

A forward-thinking interview series examining the business of progressive coffee culture. The 5THWAVE Podcast is hosted by Jeffrey Young, Editor-in-Chief of 5THWAVE magazine and Founder of Allegra Group. Each episode features inspiring stories, business lessons, and thought leadership from the entrepreneurs and industry experts blazing trails to success across the world of coffee. The podcast will delve into the detail of achieving operational excellence, get to grips with green coffee sourcing

business food

All Episodes

36:23

The case for reusable packaging

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/10/05

Single-use packaging remains one of the biggest sustainability challenges facing the coffee industry. An estimated 300 to 500 billion single-use coffee cups are produced globally each year, alongside the millions of roaster bags, takeaway food containers and other packaging used across the coffee supply chain.So in this episode, we explore some of the latest reusable packaging solutions emerging across the industry, and what it takes to make reuse work in practice.How do you create a

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32:44

The French art of coffee – a conversation with...

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/09/28

In today's episode, we catch up with David Flynn, President and Co-founder of the iconic Belleville Brûlerie in Paris.Founded in 2013, Belleville is a leading name in France's specialty coffee scene, known for its exceptional coffees and distinctive bleu de travail worker's jackets – a celebration of French craftsmanship and artisan tradition.In this conversation, David shares why France is becoming an increasingly interesting market for specialty coffee, and how the country's deep-rooted

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47:43

Raising the bar: a conversation with Patrik Rolf,...

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/09/18

In today’s episode, we're catching up with Patrik Rolf, Founder and CEO of Copenhagen-based April Coffee Roasters and its sister project, SP Coffee Shop.Founded in 2016, April is a super-premium specialty roastery and brewing equipment company, while SP Coffee takes a wider range of coffees from April’s partner farmers and offers a more accessible coffee shop experience.In this conversation, Patrik discusses the power of community and slow growth, his relentless focus on quality, and how

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36:30

How technology is changing coffee

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/09/11

In today’s episode, we’re exploring how technology and AI is transforming coffee operations, and the importance of creating connected tech ecosystems.What are the commercial benefits of connected equipment and Internet of Things (IOTs)? How can data and telemetry help coffee businesses improve efficiency and reduce waste? And what role will AI play in shaping the future of coffee consumption?We’ll hear from Scott Martin, Founder, Unity Coffee, Jochen Bauer, Head of Product Management

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33:47

If not now, when? Coffee’s path to a sustainable future

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/08/21

Coffee is facing a defining moment. Climate change, environmental degradation and growing pressure across the value chain are creating unprecedented risks for the future of our industry. Addressing these challenges will require collaboration and action from every corner of the coffee community. So in this episode, we’re exploring what sustainability really means for coffee and what needs to change to secure the future of the industry. We'll hear from Vanúsia Nogueira, International Coffee

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42:08

People, purpose and product – a conversation with...

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/08/14

In today’s episode, we're speaking with Helen Russell, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Californian specialty coffee business Equator Coffees.With more than 30 years in the coffee industry, Helen has been at the forefront of the US specialty coffee movement and launched Equator Coffees with her business and life partner Brooke McDonnell in 1995. What began as a small garage roastery in the Bay Area has grown into a thriving business with 12 retail locations and a successful wholesale

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41:26

Understanding consumer behaviour

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/08/03

In today’s episode, we’re exploring how coffee businesses can better understand their customers – from purchasing behaviour and evolving preferences to anticipating future trends and demand.How can coffee operator gather meaningful feedback and information on their customers purchase decisions? How do you turn that information into actionable insight? And for growing businesses, what are the ways to stay close to your guests and retain brand loyalty as you scale?We’ll speak with Jonathan

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46:27

Innovation, community and consumer trends –...

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/07/24

In today’s episode, we’re bringing you some highlights from the live conversations recorded at The Amsterdam Coffee Festival earlier this year – exploring the innovation and consumer trends shaping the European coffee market and beyond.First up we unpack how Gen Z and younger consumers are reshaping expectations and driving demand for wellness, authenticity and in-store experience. With Ilya Aksamentov, The Miners, Bryan Serwatka, Minor Figures, and Kendra Kroon & Amijé van der Laan,

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16:06

Spotlight on Slow Coffee Festival in Bucharest

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/07/17

In today’s episode, we speak with Afshin Roshanian, co-founder of Romania’s Slow Coffee Festival.Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Slow Coffee Festival has become one of Eastern Europe’s flagship specialty coffee events, bringing together the people behind the region’s thriving coffee community. In this conversation, we explore the extraordinary rise of Romania as Europe’s fastest-growing coffee market. We also discuss how Slow Coffee Festival has evolved from a consumer-focused event

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46:30

The importance of Good & Proper Tea

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/07/10

Today we’re diving into the exciting world of tea innovation with Emilie Holmes, Founder of Good & Proper Tea.Historically a challenging category for coffee operators, tea has seen a real surge in recent years, largely driven by the meteoric rise of matcha and growing consumer demand for wellness and iced formats.In this conversation, we explore the latest trends in tea innovation, from cold brews and concentrates to premium teas like hojicha, maojian and sencha. Emilie also shares why

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23:43

A conversation with World Barista Champion Jack Simpson

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/06/12

In today’s episode, we catch up with Jack Simpson of Axil Coffee Roasters in Melbourne and the reigning World Barista Champion.After taking the Australian Barista Championship title three years in a row, Jack claimed the world crown in Milan in November, 2025.In this conversation, Jack reflects on the experience of winning on the biggest coffee stage in the world, the pressure and opportunities that followed, and what comes next. We also discuss sustainability in coffee, and why, for Jack,

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39:47

Learnings from Dutch coffee pioneers Menno Simons and...

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/06/05

Today, we’re bringing you two standout conversations recorded live on the 5THWAVE stage at The Amsterdam Coffee Festival 2026.First up, we're joined by Menno Simons, Founder of Bocca Coffee and a pioneer of the Dutch specialty coffee scene. In this thought-provoking conversation, Menno reflects on 25 years of Bocca, the evolution and longevity of specialty coffee, and why even the most established brands must continue to adapt and innovate.We then speak with Paul Sharo, Founder of Man Met

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49:02

What’s next for France’s burgeoning specialty coffee...

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/05/29

In today’s episode, we’re bringing you highlights from a series of live conversations recorded at Le Paris Café Festival earlier this year, exploring the future of France’s burgeoning specialty coffee market.In the first conversation we speak Sandra Bouckenooghe, La Marzocco France, Christophe Servell, Terres De Café and Julie Duval at Oatly France, to discuss the evolution of the French coffee market and the shift towards more structured business models.We then take a deep dive into the

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41:22

The future of beverage innovation

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/05/15

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the fast-moving world of beverage innovation.Everyone wants to know what the next big beverage trend will be – the next iced matcha, mushroom latte or ube cold foam moment. But true beverage innovation is more than chasing trends. It’s about understanding what consumers value, recognising emerging opportunities, and delivering products in ways that feel relevant, distinctive and authentic to your brand.So in this episode, we’re asking – how can

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27:40

What to watch at The London Coffee Festival 2026

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/05/06

This year’s London Coffee Festival is fast approaching – once again bringing together thousands of coffee professionals and enthusiasts for four days of conversation, innovation, and endless tastings in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic coffee cities.Since launching in 2011, the festival has become far more than a celebration of coffee culture. It’s a key moment for the industry to connect, spotlight innovation, and stay ahead of the trends shaping coffee’s future.In this episode

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31:34

Embedding green practices into your business – a...

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/04/28

In today’s episode, we're speaking with Lisa Lawson, founder of Scotland’s Dear Green Coffee Roasters.Lisa started in the coffee industry working alongside Toby Smith in the early days of creating Toby’s Estate in Sydney, and went on to launch Dear Green in Glasgow in 2011, with a mission to bring sustainably sourced coffees to her local community. Since then, Dear Green has become a cornerstone of the Scottish specialty coffee scene – not only producing the Glasgow Coffee Festival, but

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32:34

Where coffee meets fashion – a conversation with...

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/04/10

In today’s episode, we’re exploring the rise of coffee shop concepts within boutique retail spaces, and speaking with Marcus Sanders, Vice President of Global Food and Beverage at luxury fashion brand Coach.While best known for its designer handbags, Coach launched The Coach Coffee Shop in 2024 as a way to expand the brand beyond traditional retail. The concept has since grown to more than 20 locations globally and is set for rapid expansion.In this conversation, we unpack the strategic

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27:54

An unlikely journey – a conversation with Trish...

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/04/02

In today’s episode, we're speaking with Trish Rothgeb, founder of Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters in San Francisco.With over 30 years in the coffee industry, Trish was a true pioneer of the West Coast specialty coffee movement in the early 2000s and is widely credited with popularising the term “Third Wave Coffee.”In this conversation, we explore the evolution of specialty coffee culture and the major shifts in consumer behaviour over the last two decades. Trish also shares why she believes

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25:18

The impact of deforestation on coffee production

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/03/24

In today’s episode we’re exploring how climate change and deforestation are impacting global coffee production, with Dr. Aaron Davis, Senior Research Leader for Crops & Global Change at The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew.Aaron has spent more than three decades researching coffee species and is a leading voice on climate resilience and future-proofing global coffee production. In this thought-provoking conversation, Aaron unpacks coffee farming’s complex relationship with deforestation and

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37:24

Standing out from the crowd – a conversation with...

5THWAVE - The Business of Coffee and Hospitality ·

2026/03/13

In today’s episode, we're speaking Gabriel Shohet, Co-founder of of UK coffee trailblazer Black Sheep Coffee.Founded in 2013 with friend and business partner Eirik Holth, Black Sheep had a bold vision: to champion specialty-grade robusta at a time when the industry was almost entirely focused on arabica. Since then, the brand has achieved remarkable success, scaling to over 130 outlets across five markets and capturing the attention of a new generation of coffee drinkers along the way. In

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