Checking In On Our Origins

Welcome to our first guests from Indonesia! Jen and Drew talk about applying their international development backgrounds to specialty coffee, understanding the local scene, and lessons learned during the pandemic. 

What's happening on the ground in the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam? Carmel, Fuadi, and Will l check in on each other and talk about the rise in coffee prices, labor issues, and what's next for the origins. 

Kaleb has been in the industry for decades but he's excited that there's still so much to learn. We talked to Kaleb about learning how to roast coffee in a church, gaining the trust of a village, and brewing his favorite cup of coffee. This is his first podcast interview, yay! 

Quang was a lecturer when he saw an opportunity to work in coffee. Nine branches of La Viet later, he has no intentions of leaving the industry. We talk to Quang about La Viet's starting out of a factory, earning the trust of farmers and customers, and how coffee is more than just an object to sell.

Our special guest brought Will, Carmel, and Fuadi together! Miguel Meza of Paradise Coffee Roasters talks about his journey from getting coffee in the mail to moving to Hawaii, exciting developments in processing, and the future of coffee in Southeast Asia. 

Tae's journey started when had meetings in coffee shops for his new business. Now, he runs one of the most recognized coffee roasters in Thailand. We talk to Tae about making the decision to roast and sell Thai coffee, finding support in your network, and a pay-what-you-want-for-coffee experiment.

Sahra's Nguyen Coffee Supply became the first specialty Vietnamese coffee importer and roaster in the U.S. but she still feels like a beginner. Carmel, Fuadi, and Will talk to Sahra about the importance of your own voice (even in coffee), getting used to constantly learning, and in defense of robusta beans. Plus the hell of exporting. 

Andre Chanco always knew that he wanted to start something of his own. But he still waited for the right time to co-found Yardstick Coffee in Manila. Carmel, Faudi, and Will talk to Andre about finding home and feeling alien in Manila and Singapore, surviving the pandemic with a community, and how Carmel's journey influenced his own journey. 

Carmel stumbled upon an old photograph of American men selling Filipino coffee at Pike Place Market in Seattle. Soon, she found herself looking at mills and roasters in the northern region of the Philippines. Will and Fuadi talk to Carmel about finding inspiration in unexpected places, studying the Filipino diaspora, and avoiding old guards in the industry. 

Fuadi lived on coffee when he was going through grad school. Soon a new passion started to brew. Carmel and Will talk to Fuadi about looking for Thai coffee abroad, setting your own pace when you have multiple passions, and placing coffee farmers at the center.