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Sourced: The Coffee Podcast

Sourced: The Coffee Podcast

Royal Coffee, Inc. 63 Episodes Jul 29, 2026

Royal Coffee, Inc., a green coffee importer based in Oakland, California, shares insights and stories from the coffee supply chain. The podcast covers topics related to sourcing, roasting, and the wider coffee community, drawing on the company's experience since 1978. It also highlights projects like The Crown: Royal Coffee Lab & Tasting Room, an open-sourced coffee education center. Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at the thoughts and happenings within Royal Coffee and The Crown.

Episodes

Inside Ethiopia's Coffee Harvest Delays, Freight Struggles, and Their Impact on Quality
Inside Ethiopia's Coffee Harvest Delays, Freight Struggles, and Their Impact on Quality Jul 29, 2026 49:17 Peter Radosevich and Richard Sandlin of Royal Coffee break down why this year's Ethiopian coffees are some of the best in recent memory, despite soaring prices and logistical challenges. They trace the journey from COE pools in December to roasters' rosters in fall, unpacking how delays, conflict, and weather shaped the harvest. Tune in to find out what makes this year's Ethiopian offerings stand
Exploring Coffee Research in Hawaii
Exploring Coffee Research in Hawaii Mar 2, 2026 39:14 In this conversation, Chris Kornman and Juli Burden discuss the exciting developments in coffee research and education in Hawaii, focusing on innovative processing techniques, the importance of coffee germplasm, and the role of soil science and water conservation in coffee farming. They also explore the unique relationship between cacao and coffee, the diversity of Hawaiian coffee, and the future
Exploring the Heart of Ethiopian Coffee
Exploring the Heart of Ethiopian Coffee Feb 10, 2026 01:09:09 In this episode, Joshua Wismans, Richard Sandlin, and Isabella Vitaliano recount their trip to Ethiopia, exploring the complexities of the coffee supply chain, the importance of Fair Trade, and the healthcare challenges faced by coffee-growing communities. They discuss the role of Royal Coffee in supporting Ethiopian producers, the significance of building long-term relationships, and the impact o
Is Frozen Coffee the New Fresh?
Is Frozen Coffee the New Fresh? Jan 22, 2026 27:36 Freezing coffee has long been dismissed as outdated advice but is it actually wrong? In this episode, Chris and Isabella share findings from a six-month research project published in Roast magazine exploring whether freezing roasted coffee slows staling. Comparing room-temperature storage with two frozen methods across washed and natural coffees, the study found that while nothing replaces fresh b
S3. Episode 9: Sustaining a Coffee Roasting Business
S3. Episode 9: Sustaining a Coffee Roasting Business Sep 2, 2025 34:14 The Crown's Director of Education sits down with Luke Waite, founder of Pomello Coffee Consulting and author of The Owner's Manual: A Guide to Sustaining a Coffee Roaster to discuss the challenges of writing for a niche coffee audience, the unique needs of a coffee roasting business, and the nuanced, sometimes vulnerable state of trying to be better than "good enough."
S3, Episode 8: Interpersonal Relationships in Coffee; The Magic of Catracha Coffee in Santa Elena
S3, Episode 8: Interpersonal Relationships in Coffee; The Magic of Catracha Coffee in Santa Elena Mar 11, 2025 52:03 In this episode I wanted to zoom in and get a little bit personal. Although the scale is not massive the impact is immeasurable. Talking with Mayra, our co-worker at Royal, paints a picture of how coffee is so interpersonal and is driven by its ability to connect people to one another.  In her hometown of Santa Elena in Honduras, Mayra has created economic change by exporting her community's coffe
S3, Episode 7: Early Third Wave - Discovery, Evolution, and Microlots Part 2
S3, Episode 7: Early Third Wave - Discovery, Evolution, and Microlots Part 2 Nov 8, 2024 29:29 In part two of the series, Charlie, Chris, and Spencer explore topics such as risk in coffee purchasing, the pendulum swing in experimental coffee, who is driving demand for investment in unique flavors, whether coffee hybrids could be the next wave, defining co-ferments, the potential for co-ferments to take over the world, and more!
S3, Episode 6: Early Third Wave - Discovery, Evolution, and Microlots Part 1
S3, Episode 6: Early Third Wave - Discovery, Evolution, and Microlots Part 1 Oct 14, 2024 28:18 In this 2-part series, Charlie, Chris and Spencer go back in time to explore the turning point of sourcing and demand in late aughts till present day. They chat about 'good and right' coffee, government intervention, barista competitions, regrets in coffee buying and more. Stay tuned for the next episode on risk and experimentation in coffee buying.   
S3, Episode 5: C Market biannual update 2024 - Where is all of the coffee?
S3, Episode 5: C Market biannual update 2024 - Where is all of the coffee? Aug 23, 2024 19:03 In this episode, Spencer Ford, Junior Trader, and Alex Mason, VP of Trading Activity, take a deep dive into the market volatility of the past six months. They cover topics such as backwardation, the record number of exports from Brazil, Vietnam's impact on the coffee market, and where all the coffee is. They also offer advice on the best plan of action given the current situation. 
S3, Episode 4: Innovative Honduran Coffee Production Models with Richard Sandlin
S3, Episode 4: Innovative Honduran Coffee Production Models with Richard Sandlin May 15, 2024 33:34 Curious about what happens on an origin trip with importers and roasters? In this episode, we bring you exclusive insights from Richard about his recent trip to Honduras with Laurel Wirth and a team of coffee roasters. Tune in to learn more about two cutting-edge producing groups they visited: COMSA and Catracha.  Music credit: Joshua Wismans
S3, Episode 3: Freelancing in coffee w/ Sandra Loofbourow and Isabella
S3, Episode 3: Freelancing in coffee w/ Sandra Loofbourow and Isabella Apr 23, 2024 19:02 Have you been working in the coffee industry for a while and have the skillset and experience to work on your terms? In this episode, we sit down with the extensively experienced Sandra Loofbourrow and discuss her background and how she got into this niche area of the industry, the options as a coffee freelancer/consultant, the keys to success, trials and tribulations, how to establish yourself an
S3, Episode 2: Intersection of Coffee Sustainability & Business w/ Katie Carguilo
S3, Episode 2: Intersection of Coffee Sustainability & Business w/ Katie Carguilo Mar 27, 2024 49:49 In this episode, we sit down with Katie Carguilo, Coffee Manager at Counter Culture Coffee & Board Member at World Coffee Research. Learn about her experience and growth as a coffee professional, her perspective on the intersection of business in coffee and sustainability, and her advice for new coffee businesses looking to incorporate more sustainable practices. 

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