Adventures In Coffee

Adventures In Coffee

Jools Walker, Scott Bentley, James Harper

Adventures in Coffee is a BBC / NPR-style show where we take you around the world to hear surprising stories about your cup of coffee. We never get too geeky, you're guaranteed a laugh every episode and you'll never see your cup of coffee the same way again. Join us on our Adventures in Coffee!Adventures in Coffee is a collaboration between Scott Bentley, founder of award-winning magazine Caffeine, Jools Walker, best selling cycling author, and James Harper, creator of critically acclaimed documentary podcast Filter Stories.

The Last Pour - Thanks and Goodbye!

The Last Pour - Thanks and Goodbye!

It’s with a heavy heart that we - Jools, James, and Scott - have decided to bring The Adventures in Coffee podcast to an end. It’s been a wonderful four seasons! In this final epsiode, we have a conversation about the high points in making this podcast and share lots and lots of thanks.Thank you for listening and coming on the journey with us!If you want to follow us on our solo adventures, check out the links below:JoolsInstagram - https://bit.ly/39VRGewWebsite - https://bit.ly/3Jw2DXLNewslette

Feb 7, 2023 • 13:59

Jools and Scott’s Coffee Cocktail Celebration

Jools and Scott’s Coffee Cocktail Celebration

Dear Listeners, How can this be the last episode of Series 4? We cannot believe the diversity and range of Series 4 and we owe so much of it to your fantastic input. Not to mention the lovely James, Jack, and Mijon! Thank you listeners and thanks guys! We are so grateful that we decided to celebrate the season and gift you with a deep dive into making the most delicious coffee cocktail that you’ve ever had! Recipes included! How is this possible? We reached out to two coffee cocktail mixologist

Dec 13, 2022 • 38:32

Women’s Underappreciated Role on Coffee Farms

Women’s Underappreciated Role on Coffee Farms

When you picture a coffee farmer, who do you have in mind? For many people, it will be Juan Valdez, the symbol of Colombia’s National Federation of Coffee Growers, with his thick moustache, sack of beans and trusty donkey.But women play a crucial role on coffee farms which often gets overlooked. This week, Jools is diving into the responsibilities they take on, some of the struggles they face and how we can hope to overcome them.She will speak to three women about their stories and experiences:

Nov 29, 2022 • 30:50

Ethiopia's Gift to the World

Ethiopia's Gift to the World

In Ethiopia, the birthplace of Arabica coffee, Ethiopians spend hours roasting and brewing coffee in their living rooms. But, have you ever heard of the Ethiopian coffee ceremony? If not, you are not alone. Get ready, dear listeners, because James is going to take you, Scott, and Jools out of your regular coffee routine to see how coffee can be drunk quite differently. First, we travel to Italy as James roasts coffee beans with his family’s long-time friend and family helper, a lovely Ethiopian

Nov 15, 2022 • 38:20

How To Reduce Your Coffee Waste

How To Reduce Your Coffee Waste

Our morning cup of coffee creates a lot of waste, ever wondered what to do with it all? If so, then this episode is for you. Join Scott as he examines three areas of coffee waste and talks to some very clever people about how to reduce our impact on the environment.The Grounds - Soil scientist Linda J Brewer speaks with Scott about whether it’s a good idea or not to use our spent grounds in the garden.The Packaging - Scott rummages through his compost bin, and speaks to Ollie Sears of North Star

Nov 1, 2022 • 29:04

Opening a Coffee Shop: Fantasy vs Reality

Opening a Coffee Shop: Fantasy vs Reality

The exquisite latte art. The warm, smiling baristas. The deep, inviting armchairs… If you’ve ever taken a look around your favourite cafe and thought ‘What a wonderful place to spend a day, maybe I should open somewhere like this’, you’re not alone. But is this fantasyland?With guest co-host Chris Deferio (Keys to the Shop Podcast), we dive into the three key aspects of running a coffee shop, to help you better understand the realities behind the dream. The Money - Chris speaks to Michael Idov,

Oct 18, 2022 • 34:10

The Oat Debate: Scott’s Milk Quest

The Oat Debate: Scott’s Milk Quest

Have you ever noticed that there always seems to be a new plant-based milk? For about 20 years, Scott’s wife Rachel has always been able to enjoy soy milk with her coffee while other plant-based milks have fallen in and out of favor.However, lately, soy milk seems to be disappearing and is being replaced by the “new kid in town”: oat. And, when Rachel asks questions in coffee shops about the move away from soy, she frequently gets told that she should not be drinking soy milk because its bad for

Oct 3, 2022 • 38:26

Jools’ Rocket Espresso Home Barista Journey

Jools’ Rocket Espresso Home Barista Journey

Jools' dream of owning an espresso machine has come true, but can she become a champion-level barista at home? The stars have aligned dear listeners! Jools has never been shy about the joy she feels when remembering past episodes 'Home Espresso - The God Shot In Your Kitchen' and 'The Beginner's Guide To Pouring Perfect Latte Art'. And, even before Adventures in Coffee, Jools has been dreaming of one day having an espresso machine at home. Thanks to our new sponsor, Rocket Espresso, Jools’ drea

Sep 20, 2022 • 30:21

Busting Coffee Myths: Round Two!

Busting Coffee Myths: Round Two!

We surveyed you. You asked us for myth-busting (again). So myth-busting you shall get! But, this time, we are not just busting up confusing coffee conundrums; we are introducing a framework (“Ah-Key!”) that will help you bust coffee myths (and all the other misinformation that you will encounter). Now, let’s get to kicking the nuts of those misleading myths.Did you perhaps have too many bevvies last Friday? Did someone offer you coffee to sober you up? If so, you may have indulged in a myth! Joo

Sep 6, 2022 • 36:23

The Lie of Direct Trade

The Lie of Direct Trade

Have you ever noticed your daily caffeine fix tastes that little bit sweeter when you know the coffee has been ethically sourced?The term “direct trade” has cropped up all over the place in specialty coffee in recent years and, on the face of it, would seem to imply just that.But what does “direct trade” actually mean? And has anyone — let alone coffee farmers — really benefited from it?In the final episode of series 3, James takes Scott and Jools on a journey into how coffee actually gets trade

Jul 12, 2022 • 39:42

Coffee’s Cutting Edge: Innovations at Origin

Coffee’s Cutting Edge: Innovations at Origin

Once upon a time, the simple pleasures of a homemade cup of coffee would have been limited to those in Ethiopia's cool, wet mountain forest regions. Today, a multi-billion dollar global industry means we can sip on an espresso virtually anywhere in the world. But what about coffee's future? Scott, Jools and James embark on a mission into the unknown to each reveal an element of the magical and evolving world of coffee growing. The team (or most of them…) savour a specially brewed coffee alongsid

Jun 28, 2022 • 31:47

The Rise and Fall of Jamaican Blue Mountain

The Rise and Fall of Jamaican Blue Mountain

Jools' investigation into this elusive coffee will leave your taste buds clamouring for the sweet and fruity notes of Blue Mountain Coffee… When was the last time you encountered Jamaican coffee in your favourite cafe? Chances are, unless you frequent the high-end establishments of Mayfair (or happen to be royalty), the answer may well be "never."In this special episode, Jools takes Scott on a poignant personal journey into the land of her paternal heritage while casting light on Jamaican coffee

Jun 15, 2022 • 40:01

Are Wine Making Techniques the Future of Coffee?

Are Wine Making Techniques the Future of Coffee?

Next time you set about making your morning coffee, take a moment to peruse the info on your bag of beans. What do you notice? The variety of beans? Flavour notes? Technical details on where the coffee was grown? They're not so different from the sort of blurb you might find on the back of a wine bottle in many ways. And that’s intentional. Specialty coffee has taken a lot from the world of wine. But could the increasing overlaps be a problem for coffee farmers — or even dangerous?In this episod

May 31, 2022 • 36:32

Scott's Home Roasting Adventure

Scott's Home Roasting Adventure

Can a secondhand popcorn popper really be used to roast delicious coffee…? The answer to that question may (or more likely, may not) surprise you!Scott falls back in love with an old hobby as he embarks on a mission to separate the bean from the chaff with the IKAWA Home Roasting System.On a personal journey of coffee-roasting discovery, Scott learns to find the sweet spot between first and second crack, and reveals just how much difference the way your beans are roasted makes to the flavour in

May 10, 2022 • 30:38

Help! What is caffeine doing to me?

Help! What is caffeine doing to me?

It’s every coffee drinker’s worst nightmare. You’ve rushed to that important morning meeting, but everything’s feeling a little hazy. You’re struggling to concentrate, and a nagging headache starts to creep in before you know it.Then it hits you — you haven’t had your daily caffeine fix!So what is it about this mysterious substance that can derail your whole day if you don’t have it? In a bid to find out, James conducts a cruel experiment with Scott and Jools, depriving them of coffee for 24 hou

Apr 26, 2022 • 44:25

Spotting Greenwashing In Coffee

Spotting Greenwashing In Coffee

Ever noticed how your “carbon neutral” coffee tickles the taste buds just that little bit more than your bog standard brew?From coffee producers to cafes, the industry is falling over itself to show us how much it cares about the future of our planet. But all is not always quite as it seems… So in this episode we’re delving into the murky world of “greenwashing.” What is it? What’s being done about it? And with so much else going on in the world, is it really that big of a deal?To help guide us

Apr 6, 2022 • 35:21

Bang for Buck When Buying Coffee Gear

Bang for Buck When Buying Coffee Gear

Dear listener, beware! When it comes to buying coffee-making gear, ‘upgrade-itis’ is real. And it’s been hitting the pockets of coffee lovers everywhere. Early symptoms include questioning whether to stick or twist, bewilderment at the range of choice, and uncertainty if spending those extra pounds on your kit can be tasted in your morning cup. But, dear listers, fear not — because help is at hand. In this episode, Jools figures out where that golden sweet spot is when buying grinders, espresso

Mar 22, 2022 • 31:45

The Dark Side of Coffee Roasting

The Dark Side of Coffee Roasting

Close your eyes, and imagine taking a sip of thick espresso. What flavours would you hope are dancing on your tongue? Dark chocolate? Caramel? How about lemon? What if the coffee is so acidic, you may as well be sucking on lemon juice? This acidity is often the result of roasting a coffee quite lightly, and specialty coffee loves this acidity. But the weird thing is specialty coffee isn't obsessed with acidity because they necessarily enjoy acidic flavours. It goes waaaaaay deeper. So deep in fa

Mar 8, 2022 • 33:15

Busting Coffee Myths

Busting Coffee Myths

Dear Listener... We asked what YOU wanted to hear when we returned, and we LISTENED... so we're kicking off Series Three by busting some coffee myths! The coffee world is absolutely filled with fables! Although we couldn't smash them all, the triple-threat of Scott, Jools and James take on the top three myths and separate the bean from the chaff to bring you the truth! Is the fridge the best place to store your coffee? Jools gets on the line to Samo Smrke - an actual Coffee Scientist - to find o

Feb 23, 2022 • 32:24

Coffee's Ticking Time Bomb

Coffee's Ticking Time Bomb

Sri Lankan coffee has delicious notes of chocolate and caramel. But it’s basically impossible to find, and we’re going to bet you’ve never drank it. But why is Sri Lankan coffee so hard to find? It shouldn’t be because Sri Lanka has the perfect climate to grow coffee, and was once one of the biggest coffee growing countries in the world. But Sri Lanka was the victim of an ecological ticking time bomb. And this bomb is still ticking, and is going to explode again. Producer man James takes Scott a

Feb 7, 2022 • 42:23

Wine Experts Teach Us Their Secrets

Wine Experts Teach Us Their Secrets

Picture this: you're at the supermarket, perusing the wine aisle (after checking out the coffee one, of course), trying to choose between a £8 Spanish Rioja and a £10 French Merlot. Sound familiar?! In this episode, we’re decanting the secrets of the wine world with Susie and Peter, creators of the Wine Blast podcast! Scott and Jools don’t know much about wine but realise their biggest questions about it are the same ones they get about coffee. I.e. is really expensive wine is worth it? How much

Jan 11, 2022 • 43:19

How to Buy Coffee, Better

How to Buy Coffee, Better

You’re at the supermarket and you’re looking at coffee bags. You read “Fruity Organic Single Origin” but the one next to it reads “Creamy Fairtrade Colombia Blend”...which should you choose?? But worry not! In this episode, we’re helping you figure out which coffee to buy and, more importantly, where! (Hint: it ain’t the supermarket). Jools speaks to Andrew Pautler of Pull and Pour Coffee to get the basics squared away: blend or single origin? Supermarket, online or in a cafe? How fresh from ro

Dec 7, 2021 • 35:44

Scott's Secrets to Finding a Great Coffee Shop

Scott's Secrets to Finding a Great Coffee Shop

Every high street now has at least five great looking coffee shops. But chances are only one or two actually make a truly great coffee. But how are you supposed to know which without trying them all out first?In this episode Scott, Jools and James are quite literally putting in the work to help you understand how to identify a good coffee shop, and hack your way to café nirvana! Self-crowned King of Caffeine Scott has what he believes is the ultimate hit-list of what to look for when trying out

Nov 23, 2021 • 31:48

Coffee Pods: The Espresso Killer?

Coffee Pods: The Espresso Killer?

Pods promise the seductive smoothness of an espresso, just minus the faff! But is this for real? And should you buy a pod machine for your relatives this Christmas?We look at the case for pods from every possible angle. We cut them up, time them, try to recycle them and taste them!Jools is open to the idea of pods, but can she convince Scott, the planet’s biggest pod-hater, that pods might actually have a place in our kitchens?To help settle the bickering, James speaks to Nathan McCarley-O'Neill

Nov 9, 2021 • 43:25

3 steps to coffee heaven with the Aeropress

3 steps to coffee heaven with the Aeropress

We’re quite literally firing on all cylinders in this episode, as we show you how to brew incredible coffee at home with an Aeropress!Like many of us, Jools loves filter coffee but isn’t sure how to get that cafe quality at home - or how ro recreate it when she’s away from her kitchen. We're using the Aeropress because it has infinite brewing possibilities, and it'll transform your coffee making experience forever. Starting with their classic Espresso Style recipe, Scott guides Jools on how to m

Oct 19, 2021 • 25:13

Single Origin - Coffee's fairytale debunked

Single Origin - Coffee's fairytale debunked

You’ve definitely bought “single origin” coffee before, and probably spent extra for it too. But what if you’ve been wasting your money this whole time?We’re going to take you on a fun and bewildering journey back in time and through philosophical loop-the-loops to understand where on earth our obsession with the term “single origin” comes from. This episode has more layers than a tiramisu! We start off unwrapping the story of coffee blends, but, the deeper we go, we realise that it’s actually a

Oct 5, 2021 • 38:07

Latte Art: A Beginner's Guide

Latte Art: A Beginner's Guide

Prepare to make milk magic in your kitchen ... we're taking you on a journey towards becoming a latte art pro at home!The best bit? You won't need loads of fancy equipment to achieve this - the tools you have in your kitchen right now will get you there... even a bottle of dishwashing detergent is your friend on this one!First, Jools hops on the line with ‘friendly internet barista’ and coffee social media megastar Morgan Eckroth (aka @Morgandrinkscoffee) to get the lowdown on how to froth your

Sep 14, 2021 • 31:52

The Secret to Tasting Coffee

The Secret to Tasting Coffee

Coffee tastes like coffee. ...or does it?Scott, our resident “flavour-naut”, takes us on a journey into the world of coffee flavours and where they come from.How can we actually 'taste' coffee? And what does it mean if you’re not getting the flavour of strawberry that is written on your coffee bag?Scott starts off by calling up his very own dad - Ian “coffee-tastes-like-coffee” Bentley - and tries to convince him that coffee doesn’t just taste like coffee using a special trick.We then hop on the

Sep 1, 2021 • 39:53

Home espresso - The God Shot in your kitchen

Home espresso - The God Shot in your kitchen

It’s time for the Adventures in your Kitchen mini-series!This first installment aims to help YOU make better coffee at home by asking: should you splash the cash on an espresso machine? Jools decides she wants that amazing coffee-shop espresso at home, and Scott, our seasoned espresso veteran (and dork), guides Jools on her journey. How much money should you set aside for your new favourite toy? Do you really need three-phase power? What on earth is the “God Shot”… and how long will it take you

Aug 17, 2021 • 28:56

Is my coffee killing me?!

Is my coffee killing me?!

We're back, and our series two opener asks a very bold question: is my coffee killing me?!For personal reasons (discussed in this episode*), Jools has longed to find an answer to this. She takes Scott on a journey which ventures deep into the science, history and psychology of coffee consumption. We get the basics on the science by speaking with Dr Charlotte Mills, Lecturer in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Reading. But, it opens up a bigger question: why does coffee get so much hate?

Aug 3, 2021 • 40:46

Firefly + a series two update!

Firefly + a series two update!

We're checking in to give you an update on our plans for series 2! And...to keep your ears caffeinated in the meanwhile, here's a bonus episode about a coffee producer in Ecuador. You can listen to more episodes from Filter Stories here: https://bit.ly/3ajoT5e Check out Murray's photography here: https://bit.ly/3qjfKjf

Jun 23, 2021 • 34:38

A History of Coffee

A History of Coffee

We are very hard at work on series 2, which we hope to launch in the summer. We'd love to know what you thought of series 1 so we can make an even better show for you! Just drop your thoughts in this 5 minute survey here: http://bit.ly/AIC_SurveyBut....to keep your ears caffeinated in the meanwhile, here's an episode by our producer James we think you'll enjoy!You can listen to more episodes about the history of coffee, including the one about slavery, here: https://bit.ly/2NArChO

May 4, 2021 • 43:54

Coffee Cycle Saturdays

Coffee Cycle Saturdays

For this final episode of Season One, we're brewing up something a little different. Jools shares her personal story growing up to Caribbean parents, living life with depression, her love of cycling, and how it all came together with Coffee Cycle Saturdays. We'd love to know what you think! Do you want more stories like this in the next series? You can support the show by supporting our wonderful sponsors!If you want truly transparent coffee, ask your roaster to get iFinca Verified: http://bit.l

Apr 6, 2021 • 26:31

Prove the coffee snobs wrong...Instantly!

Prove the coffee snobs wrong...Instantly!

As we all move to drinking better quality coffee is there still a place left for cheap instant coffee?Jools and Scott put to the test whether everyday coffee drinkers prefer instant coffee over specialty....in coffee desserts!Learn how to make homemade ice-cream (with no fancy machines) and tiramisu by sticking around to the end of the episode.You can support the show by supporting our wonderful sponsors!If you want truly transparent coffee, ask your roaster to get iFinca Verified: http://bit.ly

Mar 23, 2021 • 30:00

Stimulating stories or fantastic flavours: what sells coffee?

Stimulating stories or fantastic flavours: what sells coffee?

Behind every cup of coffee is a farmer. What happens when you reach out and get to know who they are?Scott and Jools put to the test whether a coffee farmer's story is more powerful than the flavours in the cup.What is the right way to communicate the story of the farmer to the coffee drinker?You can support the show by supporting our wonderful sponsors!If you want truly transparent coffee, ask your roaster to get iFinca Verified: http://bit.ly/2YdpxdzDiscover how much CO2 is produced in each li

Mar 9, 2021 • 29:56

Certified coffee: marketing hype or real world impact?

Certified coffee: marketing hype or real world impact?

What coffee should we choose to save the environment and support farmers the most?Certifications claim to solve this problem. But do they?Jools and Scott embark on a journey to help a friend of the show figure out which is better: Rainforest Alliance or Organic.Jools speaks with coffee consultant Stuart Ritson to learn the ins and outs of Rainforest Alliance. Meanwhile, Scott speaks to Jose Posada, a Colombian farmer, to get the lowdown on Organic. You can support the show by supporting our wond

Feb 23, 2021 • 24:07

Am I damaging the planet with my coffee habit?

Am I damaging the planet with my coffee habit?

Okay, so you forgot to take your reusable cup to the cafe. But, how bad is that, really? What if the reusable cup trend is actually a waste of everyone's time and energy? Jools and Scott answer the question: what's the easiest way to massively reduce the environmental costs of your coffee? We speak with Tim Ridley of United Baristas to understand what should we actually be measuring in the first place? Marine pollution? Land waste? Carbon footprint?We also hop on the line with Toby Weedon of Oat

Feb 9, 2021 • 25:58

Is reaaallly expensive coffee a rip off?

Is reaaallly expensive coffee a rip off?

Would you ever pay £75 for 100g of coffee beans? Scott and Jools travel to Panama and Bali to decide whether it's all a big marketing scam.Panamanian Geisha coffee regularly breaks auction records, with coffee recently selling for over $1000 per pound. We hop on the line with Rachel Peterson, co-owner of the famous Hacienda La Esmeralda Estate to discover what Geisha coffee is, where it came from and why people are now saying it will soon reach $10,000 per pound!Kopi Luwak are the coffee beans

Jan 26, 2021 • 32:17

Introducing Adventures In Coffee

Introducing Adventures In Coffee

Adventures in Coffee is a narrative podcast that dives deep into your morning brew. We ask a question about your morning coffee and then journey around the world to pour lovingly blended episodes into your ears. Adventures in Coffee is a collaboration between Scott Bentley, founder of award-winning magazine Caffeine, Jools Walker, best selling cycling author, and James Harper, creator of critically acclaimed documentary podcast Filter Stories. Thanks to our sponsors Oatly and iFinca for making t

Jan 11, 2021 • 2:52

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