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Coffee Sprudgecast

Sprudge Co-Founders and Editors Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen explore the world of specialty coffee.
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Now displaying: Page 1
Mar 26, 2024

Our coffee podcast program The Coffee Sprudgecast returns with an episode fresh off the US Coffee Champs première partie at Klatch Coffee in Rancho Cucamonga. Over a sun-soaked Southern California weekend, the 2024 United States Barista Champion, Brewers Cup Champion, and Cup Tasters Champion were crowned. Sprudge co-founders and hosts Zachary Carlsen and Jordan Michelman talk through it with the delicious assist of Klatch Coffee’s seasonal Songbird Blend.

Host Zachary Carlsen had a conversation with a coffee enthusiast who held a strong belief that coffee blends were inherently bad. On the show, we discuss how blends like Songbird from Klatch Coffee (among several others!) are testaments to the delicious possibilities and flavor complexities specialty coffee blends can offer.

How do you feel about coffee blends? Are your feelings about coffee blends true? Can you absolutely know that it’s true? How do you react when you believe that thought? Who would you be without that thought? Remember, there are no right answers—these questions will hopefully lead you toward deeper inquiry.  (h/t Byron Katie)

A big thanks…

This year’s USBC/USBrC/CTC highlights the power of the coffee community. Competitors, judges, volunteers, and sponsors all worked together to showcase both the nation’s top competitors and finest coffees, demonstrating extraordinary talent, dedication, and passion. We’re grateful to Klatch Coffee for hosting this incredible event and making us feel so welcome.

We’re deeply humbled by the kind words from y’all for our US Coffee Championships coverage. All credit goes to the Sprudge Rancho team: Sprudge Managing Editor Zac Cadwalader kept everyone at home in the loop with exceptionally detailed real-time updates as photographer Charlie Burt captured every moment in vivid detail.

A huge thank you to our event coverage partners at Third Wave Water! Their support champions the specialty coffee community, our independent coffee competition coverage, and their products help make coffee even more vibrant. Thank you!

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by BaratzaPacific Barista Series, Ghirardelli, and DONA.

Mar 3, 2024

Our coffee podcast The Coffee Sprudgecast is back for another rousing episode where hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen take a shortcut… a tiramisu shortcut? Michelman discusses an epic event held with La Marzocco in Florence to promote But First, Coffee that included a whole tiramisu cupping (three cakes that used three different coffees). Carlsen springs a package of Twinkies and claims to be able to make a quick tiramisu out of it. There’s some horror, some shock, followed by some shocking surprises.

There’s so much more. Several coffees are had, all brewed with the Ceado Hoop Brewer. Michelman talks about Monmouth Coffee out of London and a bring-your-own-doughnut-to-a-cafe Dorkage Fee. There’s an eccles cake and Lancaster cheese. Coffee ice cream is had. A lot going on here. Have a listen!

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by BaratzaPacific Barista Series, Ghirardelli, and DONA.

Beverages Discussed On The Podcast

DONA Hari River Mint Herbal Tea: Dreaming of springtime, we kick off the episode with DONA’s delicious Hari River Mint Herbal Tea which is sundried at the source in Herat, Afghanistan. It’s the freshest-tasting dried mint tisane we’ve had (and we love fresh mint tea).

Equator Coffees El Salvador Las Pirineos Gesha Natural & Colombia Finca El Guaca Ahi: Equator Coffees continues to push the envelope with outstanding extra-specialty coffees. We couldn’t get enough of both and clearly, others couldn’t either—the Aji is out of stock! There are plenty of options on Equator’s new arrivals page for your perusal, however, so you can find something.

La Marzocco / La Accademia Tanzania Songwa Estates: Visitors at La Marzocco’s former factory La Accademia del Caffé can taste the delicious coffees from Songwa Estates of Tanzania roasted on site. La Marzocco, Probat, and Mahlkonig all went in on this project back in 2007 and the coffees shine bright here in 2024.

Portland Coffee Roasters Guatemala: Representing one of its lighter roasted coffees, Portland Coffee Roasters’ Guatemala comes from their partners Miguelina and Finca El Paternal, a twenty-year relationship that has seen an increase in production innovation with tasty results.

Other Mentionables

St. John Eccles Cake & Lancashire Cheese

Lello Ice Cream Maker by Musto

Feb 15, 2024

Breaking! There’s a new episode of Sprudge coffee podcast The Coffee Sprudgecast! On the newest episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast, hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen talk about the winners of the 15th Annual Sprudgie Awards, all while drinking the newest iteration of the Wilder Blend from Verve Coffee Roasters in California.

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by BaratzaPacific Barista Series, Ghirardelli, and DONA.

Jan 11, 2024

It's 2024 and time for a new installment of the Coffee Sprudgecast! In this episode, hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen sip DONA teas and tisanes, drink espresso-forward beverages with Olympia Coffee Roasting Company, and look ahead at what is shaping up to be a very big year here at Sprudge.

From award programs to the decade-long Build-Outs of Coffee series, the fun just doesn't stop. If you listen deep enough, you'll even hear a podcast listener exclusive scoop! So listen right now!

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by BaratzaPacific Barista Series, Ghirardelli, and Moccamaster.

Dec 6, 2023

Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen return for another spirited episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast. Several beverages were prepared for this episode—including fresh offerings from Madcap Coffee, Greater Goods Coffee Co., PERC Coffee, and Rishi Tea. That's a lot of buzz for one session.

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by BaratzaPacific Barista Series, Ghirardelli, and Moccamaster.

Nov 9, 2023

Podcast listeners, do we have a surprise for you. That’s right, there’s a new episode of The Coffee Sprudgecast. Hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are back with fresh coffee, new gear, and a heck of a lot news and updates.

Nightswim Coffee’s Ultraviolet Blend is brewed live on-air using the new award-winning Hoop Brewer from Ceado and the results are surprising! Never one to limit oneself to a single beverage, the hosts also try a new Rishi Tea botanical blend.

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by The Fargo-Moorehead Caffeinated Crawl, BaratzaPacific Barista Series, and Ghirardelli.

Sep 29, 2023

The latest episode of the coffee podcast The Coffee Sprudgecast is out! Hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are back—and they’re drinking delicious a new offering from Bellingham, Washington superstars Camber Coffee.

The pair had the La Papaya Anaerobic Typica from legendary Ecuador producer Juan Peña. Brewed in a Chemex, the coffee’s flavors of pineapple, milk chocolate, maraschino cherry really shined. While the Ecuador La Papaya Box Set is currently sold out, you can sign up for Camber Coffee Artist Series text alerts to learn about the latest Artist Series drops!

Camber Coffee participates in our new Roasters Village program. Are you looking for a coffee recommendation right now? Check out http://sprudge.com/coffee for fresh recommendations from our roasting partners!

Listeners have the opportunity to hear the thumping beats of summer single “Build It Out” one last time as the hosts talk about four outstanding new cafes from the Build-Outs of Coffee summer series.

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by The Fargo-Moorehead Caffeinated Crawl, Lelit, BaratzaPacific Barista Series, and Ghirardelli.

Aug 31, 2023

Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are back for another exciting episode of the coffee podcast The Coffee Sprudgecast. Michelman and Carlsen drink some stunning coffee from Monogram Coffee. The hosts enjoy La Llama from Bolivia and an exceptional offering from Finca Takesi, a small-screen gesha coffee brewed in an automated dripper and a Chemex, respectively.

La Llama is part of their Wonder Collection, coffees that exhibit an adventurous quality and is a Coco Natural processed coffee. Monogram explains:

La Llama does grow many different varieties, but they are really well known for their beautiful caturras and javas. This particular coffee has been processed using Agricafe’s Coco Natural process, which leaves coffee to ferment longer than the average natural process. They pay very close attention to their processing during every step to ensure that they produce the most delicious coffee that they can. They refer to this process as “Coco Natural” because of the way the bean resembles a cocoa bean at the end of processing.

Monogram Coffee participates in our new Roasters Village program. Are you looking for a coffee recommendation right now? Check out http://sprudge.com/coffee for fresh recommendations from our roasting partners!

The steady build of the summer hit single “Build It Out” makes way for another exciting edition of the Buildcast—where Michelman and Carlsen discuss brand-new cafes featured in our Build-Outs of Coffee summer series. New cafes from Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Orange County, and Denmark are discussed. Are you building out your dream cafe? Let us know!

Read more about these beautiful builds in the show notes below.

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by Lelit, BaratzaMoccamasterPacific Barista Series, and Ghirardelli.

Show Notes

Roaster’s Village

Build-Outs Of Coffee: Urban Sailor Coffee In Salt Lake City, UT

Build-Outs Of Coffee: Play Coffee In Orange, CA

Build-Outs Of Coffee: Equator Coffees In Los Angeles, CA

Build-Outs Of Coffee: Ubuntu Coffee Roasters In Sakskøbing, Denmark

Aug 3, 2023

Welcome to another episode of the coffee podcast The Coffee Sprudgecast with hosts Zachary Carlsen and Jordan Michelman. In this episode, Michelman and Carlsen drink Block Party, the new limited-release summer blend from Partners Coffee in Brooklyn, New York, with an incredible packaging collaboration with illustrator Sophie (@soupiestudios).

Sandwiched by the new summertime hit single "Build It Out," Michelman and Carlsen discuss brand-new cafes in the US, Canada, and UK. These cafes are featured in our annual Build-Outs of Coffee series—submit your build today! Read more about these beautiful builds in the show notes below.

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by Lelit, BaratzaMoccamasterPacific Barista Series, and Ghirardelli.

Jul 5, 2023

The Coffee Buildcast is back! Featuring Naomi Joe Coffee, Greenstreet Coffee Co., Considered, and Wayward Coffee. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by BaratzaMoccamasterPacific Barista Series, and Ghirardelli.

Jun 14, 2023

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is all about Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen’s new book But First, Coffee. Michelman and Carlsen take us behind the scenes, talk about the juicy innards, and discuss the process of making the book. But First, Coffee is out 10/10/23 and now available for pre-order everywhere fine books are sold.

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by BaratzaMoccamasterPacific Barista Series, and Ghirardelli.

May 31, 2023

Reach for the sky and hold your head up high. For tonight and every night? You're a superstar.

On the latest episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast, Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are jamming out to Love Inc. and Superstar DJ Keoki while sipping on a honey-processed single-origin Verve Coffee Roasters brewed on a brand new Moccamaster KBGV Select in the Pistachio colorway

Michelman and Carlsen discuss Sprudge's latest Berlin guide from Tatiana Ernst, a lovely new fashion hub in Portland, and much more. Have a listen!

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by BaratzaMoccamasterPacific Barista Series, and Ghirardelli.

May 18, 2023

On the latest episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast, guest host and photo journalist Elizabeth Chai reports live from the 2023 United States Barista Championship! Chai had an opportunity to interview competitors Frank La (he/him) of Be Bright Coffee in Los Angeles, California and Gray Kauffman (they/them) of Caffe Vita in Seattle, Washington. Each competitor brought their own unique set of skills to the stage and Chai finds out how they brought it, what they brewed with, and what makes them tick. It’s a fabulous episode and we’re thrilled to finally share it with the world!

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by MoccamasterPacific Barista Series, and Ghirardelli.

Apr 13, 2023

Things are really heating up here at the Coffee Sprudgecast, as your intrepid hosts guard their ears and gird their loins for the impending 2023 SCA Expo, hosted in Portland, Oregon April 20th-23rd. You'll be reading and seeing much more about the show right here on Sprudge, but in the meantime, we taste and sip our way through an eclectic assortment of specialty coffee products, from a very exciting new home brewer with a proud, steady stream to a satchel of evocatively spiced coffee gummies in flavors like Cascara and Spanish Latte. All this and much more on this latest episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast.

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by MoccamasterPacific Barista Series, and Ghirardelli.

Mar 20, 2023

What time is it? It's time for another episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast. In this stirring episode, Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen take a first-class ticket to Chocolate City. There they'll discuss the benefits of using real chocolate chips in mochas, the oat milk supply chain (Pacific Foods Barista Oat is back, baby!), whether or not you can make a satisfying inexpensive Macguyver mocha using household ingredients, and if Willy Wonka's chocolate factory focused too heavily on novelty and not enough on sustainable labor and sourcing practices.

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series and Ghirardelli.

Feb 16, 2023

On the latest episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast, Sprudge co-founders Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen drink coffee and eat almond pastry on foggy morning in Portland, Oregon. Not just any coffee, but the first release of Finca el Suelo—an Ethiopia landrace coffee grown in Colombia on a farm owned in part by Sprudge Award winner Tim Wendelboe. The limited release represents the very first harvest, years in the making, and the hosts share their excitement for the farm’s future harvests.

Can’t get enough podcasts? Want to learn more about Finca el Suelo? Listen to the Sprudgie Award winning Tim Wendelboe Podcast Episode 21 – “A Conversation About Our Coffee Farm Finca el Suelo”. 

Carlsen and Michelman discuss the Sprudge Twenty program presented by Pacific Barista Series. Now in its fifth year, the Sprudge Twenty nominations are now open. Nominations are free thanks to the support of Pacific Barista Series. Read the in-depth interviews of the participants from previous years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Sprudge 20 interviews can be found here.

The hosts talk at length about the ongoing Sprudge Special Projects program made possible by La Marzocco. The hub is home of long-form coffee journalism from a growing international team of writers. Visit specialprojects.sprudge.com to find thought provoking and original work—updated each and every month.

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by Straus Family Creamery, DONA and Pacific Barista Series.

 

Jan 12, 2023

Welcome back to the Coffee Sprudgecast! In our very first episode of 2023, hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen share the winners, honorees, and finalists of the 14th Annual Sprudgie Awards Presented by Pacific Barista Series. For the full list, visit here.

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by Straus Family Creamery, DONA and Pacific Barista Series.

Nov 30, 2022

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is all about flavor. Some might even call it… Proof Of Taste. But how do we get there? By drinking several unique beverages, including coffees from Process in Northern Ireland (via Dayglow Coffee‘s excellent subscription box), some tasty cascara refreshments from Needs & Wants of Raleigh, North Carolina, and a whole mess of non-alcoholic wine-adjacent analog beverages from the company Canadian brand Proxies.

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, Straus Family Creamery, and DONA.

Oct 27, 2022

Coffee, tea, why not both? On the latest episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast, hosts and Sprudge co-founders Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen drink an oolong tea from Té Company Te—their Mount Pyrus (Li Shan) from Taiwan AND drink a Caturra/Colombia coffee roasted by Joe Coffee Company from La Familia Guarnizo. Two great tastes that taste great together.

Michelman and Carlsen discuss some of the latest stories on Sprudge including our New York Coffee Festival wrap-up from Liz Clayton and Jeremy Paul Hernandez, Sprudge Guide to West London from James Hansen, and some delicious signature beverages from cafes in Seattle and Topeka. Hit the links below to learn more, and have a listen, won't you?

Jul 26, 2022

There’s no doubt about it—Build-Outs season is positively in full swing here at Sprudge. Our yearly summertime series celebrates new and remodeled cafes and we couldn’t be more delighted by the sheer amount of exciting builds, fit-outs, and remodels. Build-Outs of Coffee boosters and Sprudge co-founders Zachary Carlsen and Jordan Michelman sip chilled white tea from White2Tea while discussing new cafes in Rome, New York; Orange, California; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Bogota, Colombia.

 

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, Straus Family Creamery, and DONA.

The 2022 Build-Outs of Coffee is presented by La Marzocco, Dripos, Dona, and Mill City Roasters. Build-Outs of Coffee 2022 is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, Acaia, Cropster, and Marco Beverage Systems.

Hit the links below to dive deeper into the topics discussed in this episode.

Show notes and links:

White2Tea Subscription Services

Tropicalia Coffee in Bogota, Colombia

superofficial in Rome, New York

Chapman Crafted Coffee in Orange, California

Persimmon Coffee in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

Jun 30, 2022

The celebrations continue for our tenth Build-Outs season (submissions open) on this very special episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast. Hosts and Sprudge co-founders Zachary Carlsen and Jordan Michelman eat a nut butter collaboration that combines Big Spoon Roasters almonds, Equator Coffees Tiger Walk Espresso, and a hint of spices and coconut nectar for a spread so good we ate it with spoons. Well fed, the hosts discuss brand new cafes in France, Colombia, Vietnam, and the western most fleshy part of Michigan.

Submissions for the 2022 Build-Outs of Coffee season are now open! Register here!

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, Straus Family Creamery, and DONA.

The 2022 Build-Outs of Coffee is presented by La Marzocco, Dripos, Dona, and Mill City Roasters. Build-Outs of Coffee 2022 is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, Acaia, Cropster, and Marco Beverage Systems.

Hit the links below to dive deeper into the topics discussed in this episode.

Show notes and links:

Big Spoon Espresso Almond Butter

Oatly Upcycled Ads Merch

Build-Outs Of Coffee: Deep Coffee In Marseille, France

Build-Outs Of Coffee: 43 Factory Coffee Roaster In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Color Reader EZ

Build-Outs Of Coffee: Last Mile Cafe In Grand Rapids, MI

Build-Outs Of Coffee: Cafe San Alberto In Cartagena, Colombia

Submit a Build-Out today!

Jun 1, 2022

The thrill of the build is back! We’re celebrating our tenth Build-Outs season (submissions open now!) on this very special episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast. Hosts and Sprudge co-founders Zachary Carlsen and Jordan Michelman drink the new 2022 Artist Series Colombia Cerro Azul from Camber Coffee in Bellingham, Washington; sip Malibu Mylks; and discuss the benefits of coffee tools like the MeloDrip.

Submissions for the 2022 Build-Outs of Coffee season are now open! Register here!

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, Straus Family Creamery, and DONA.

The 2022 Build-Outs of Coffee is presented by La Marzocco, Dripos, Dona, and Mill City Roasters. Build-Outs of Coffee 2022 is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, Acaia, Cropster, and Marco Beverage Systems.

Hit the links below to dive deeper into the topics discussed in this episode.

Show notes and links:

Camber Artist Series

Malibu Mylk

MeloDrip

Submit a Build-Out today!

 

Apr 27, 2022

Hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen introduce the 2022 Sprudge Twenty. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, Straus Family Creamery, and DONA.

 

Apr 6, 2022

In this episode, hosts Carlsen and Michelman drink new loose-leaf offerings from DONA and a sparkling botanical beverage from Rishi while dishing on the events of the week, specifically all the United States Coffee Championships happening this weekend at the Specialty Coffee Association Specialty Coffee Expo in Boston, Massachusetts.

This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, Straus Family Creamery, and DONA.

Hit the links below to dive deeper into the topics discussed in this episode.

Show notes and links:

SCA Specialty Coffee Expo Official Website

SCA Specialty Coffee Expo COVID-19 Safety Protocols

US Coffee Championship Main Portal

Re:co Specialty Coffee Symposium

DONA Loose Leaf Teas & Herbal Tisanes

Rishi Sparkling Botanical Beverages

Mar 30, 2022

Welcome back to the Coffee Sprudgecast! In our latest episode, Sprudge co-founders Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are reunited over a sample box of exquisite pastry from San Francisco's very own Maison Nico. Flans and brioches and choux buns, oh my! Elsewhere on the show your hosts drink coffees from Equator Coffees (Bay Area) and Fankør (Ecuador), and chug-a-lug some fresh sparkling cold brew from Flight Coffee (New Zealand). All the while, they catch up on #Bracketsprology and dive deep on bracket theory, talk about recent articles from Jenn Chen and Giovanni Fillari, and riff about the ravages of time. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, Straus Family Creamery, and DONA.

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