The case for co-roasting

In today’s episode, we continue our series on the rise of specialty coffee in France and speak with Mihaela Iordache, Head Roaster at Paris’ iconic Belleville Brûlerie.Founded in 2013, Belleville is a pioneering specialty roaster, known for its high-quality coffees and the staff’s signature Bleu de Travail outfit – the classic French blue workwear jacket that’s become a symbol of their craft.In this conversation, Mihaela shares how France's coffee community and consumer habits have evolved in recent years, and why it took a little longer for specialty coffee to make its mark in a country famed for its traditional café culture.Credits music: "Sonata K239" by Domenico Scarlatti played by Ana Maria Iordache, in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB CollectiveSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

22 Mars 23min

Matcha has seen significant growth in coffee shops in recent years. With its striking green colour, promoted health benefits, and aspirational lifestyle appeal, this Japanese-origin tea has firmly captured the attention of Western consumers.In this episode we're asking what’s driving this surge in popularity, what’s next for the category, and will there be enough matcha to go around as demand starts to outstrip supply? To find out, we'll speak with two specialist matcha operators - Zach Mangan, Founder of Kettl in New York and Hiromi Matsunobu, Founder of Matchado in London.Credits music: Colourblind by Jennifer Lyons in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB CollectiveSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

17 Mars 33min

In today’s episode we continue our series on the rise of specialty coffee in France and speak with Hippolyte Courty, Founder of L' Arbre à Café.Established in 2009, L’Arbre à Café is a Paris-based specialty coffee roaster and operator, and a pioneering force in the French specialty coffee scene. With a background in wine and fine gastronomy, Hippolyte has helped to redefine French coffee culture, bringing a next level of craftsmanship and sustainability to the industry.Catch up on part one here.Credits music: Trip the Light by BlueBelle in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB CollectiveSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

8 Mars 27min

In today’s episode, we’re launching a new deep-dive series in collaboration with 5THWAVE magazine exploring the rise of specialty coffee in France.Once known for its traditional dark espressos and modest coffee standards, France is undergoing a transformation. All across the country, interest in specialty coffee is exploding, with a growing number of consumers seeking quality and a new wave of artisan roasters emerging to meet demand.Over the coming months, we’ll speak with industry leaders shaping this movement to examine its evolution, current challenges and future opportunities.We begin with Christophe Servell, Founder of Terres de Café, a pioneering Paris-based roaster and café group with 12 locations across France, two in South Korea and further plans for international expansion this year.Credits music: "French Wine" by Laura Gabriela in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB CollectiveSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

1 Mars 28min

In today’s episode, we speak with Tom Molnar, Co-founder and CEO of GAIL’s Artisan Bakery – a highly influential UK-based bakery and coffee chain.Tom partnered with the eponymous Gail in London in the early 2000s, transforming her wholesale bakery business for chefs into a thriving neighbourhood chain. Today, GAIL’s is a much-loved UK bakery-cafe group with over 150 bakeries nationwide.In this insightful conversation, Tom shares the parallels between coffee and bread-making and how coffee became a natural extension of the business. He also reflects on the importance of maintaining an artisan mindset, building a community of bakers and baristas, and why staying true to the craft matters more than chasing trends.Credits music: "Soho" by Eirra in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB CollectiveSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

22 Feb 34min

As consumer interest in specialty coffee continues to rise, so too does demand beyond the café. Today’s customers expect high-quality coffee to be available wherever they are – whether commuting, travelling or shopping.In this episode, we explore the businesses redefining coffee service outside the traditional bricks-and-mortar model. From mobile coffee trucks to travel kiosks and small-format retail spaces, these operators are creating compact, high-impact coffee experiences, meeting consumer demand for specialty coffee wherever they are.We’ll hear from Ant Duckworth, CEO & Founder, Dear Coco, Patrick Byrnes, Head of Operations, FCB Coffee, and Beatriz Ferreira, Co-founder, Swerl Coffee Roasters, to unpack shifting consumer habits and the opportunities emerging in small-format coffee service.Credits music: "If I Fall" by Christie Huff in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB CollectiveSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

15 Feb 36min

In this episode, we're joined by Nicolas O’Connell – an influential coffee and business expert and a former Partner at La Colombe Coffee Roasters.Nicolas joined La Colombe in the mid-1990s as a barista and quickly rose through the ranks, playing a key role in launching the brand’s pioneering wholesale programme. Though he’s often worked behind the scenes, Nicolas' business acumen and strategic vision were instrumental in transforming La Colombe into the international powerhouse it became. In this candid conversation, Nicolas shares his insights on how La Colombe maintained its brand authenticity while growing across multiple sales channels. He also highlights the key strategies and partnerships that helped to forge a strong company culture and achieve long-term success. Credits music: "Natures Hands" by Flo Perlin in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB CollectiveSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

8 Feb 43min

In today’s episode we speak with Mark Sciberras, Director of The Common E2 and Common Ground Workshop – an East London café and architecture studio specialising in hospitality and residential design. Originally from Melbourne, Mark trained as an architect before moving to London in the mid-2000s. Inspired by the city’s emerging specialty coffee scene, he opened The Common E2 in 2014, creating a space that reflects his design philosophy and passion for community. In this conversation, we explore the synergies between coffee and architecture and how great design can shape the way we interact with spaces, build communities, and create a sense of belonging. Mark also shares his thoughts on the impact of gentrification on East London’s coffee scene and why he advocates for slow, organic growth rather than rapid expansion.Credits music: "Aurora" by Matt Kent in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB CollectiveSign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

1 Feb 20min