The Cupping Table - By M-Cultivo

In this episode of The Cupping Table podcast, David Paparelli sat down in London with Nic Lauten and Fred Nsengiyumva of the Kula Project—a nonprofit organization working on the ground in Rwanda to bring coffee farmers out of poverty. The conversation offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at the realities of running a washing station, managing farmer relationships, and building a business that is both impactful and sustainable.

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Maria Olano, Senior Coffee Trader for the FNC in Colombia. This episode explores the role of the FNC in shaping the future of Colombian coffee, from sustainability and research to fostering stronger connections between growers and roasters. Maria shares her insights on the evolving coffee market, the impact of innovation, and the upcoming 10th edition of the Colombia Land of Diversity Auction; Showcasing the best of Colombian coffee to the world. Tune in for a closer look at how Colombian coffee continues to set the standard globally.

In this special episode of The Cupping Table, we bring you an exclusive conversation from the Dubai Coffee Auction live at WOC, where M-Cultivo CEO David Paparelli sat down with four of the world’s most innovative coffee producers:Daniela Rodriguez from Los Rodriguez from BoliviaMokhtar Alkhanshali from Alkhanshali Estate from Yemen Jorge Castro from Inmaculada Coffee Farms from Colombia Kraig Lee from Kona Farm Direct from Hawaii From the cups that changed their lives to the science and controversy of fermentation, the role of auctions, and the future of high-end coffee, this discussion dives deep into what it takes to produce some of the most exceptional coffees in the world

Three-time Turkish Barista Champion Serkan Sagsoz shares his journey from coffee enthusiast to entrepreneur in Dubai. In this episode of The Cupping Table, hosted by David Paparelli, Serkan discusses his passion for Liberica coffee, the challenges of building a specialty coffee business, and his vision for Julith Coffee. Discover how he is redefining coffee experiences and pushing the boundaries of quality in Dubai’s competitive market.

Join David Paparelli as he sits down with Andrew Yu, co-founder of Panda Bear Express, to explore the complexities of sourcing high-end specialty coffee. From navigating global markets to building long-term producer relationships, Andrew shares insights into what makes a coffee truly exceptional. Tune in for a deep dive into the evolving specialty coffee industry, the role of auctions, and the future of high-quality coffee sourcing.

What happens when a consultant stumbles upon a Colombian coffee farm and never looks back? Don Tulio (Sharam) went from finance to farming, building Colombian Exotics—a vertically integrated coffee company spanning high-altitude farms to global markets.In this episode, recorded at World of Coffee Dubai, he shares how a single visit transformed his life, why he puts jazz music on for his coffee, and his mission to make specialty coffee more accessible. From battling weather challenges to breaking into China’s coffee scene, Don Tulio is redefining what it means to be a modern coffee producer.Tune in for a story of passion, persistence, and a vision for the future of coffee.

Kona coffee has long been admired, but is it truly reaching its full potential on the global stage? Join us as we speak with Kraig Lee, founder of Kona Farm Direct, about his mission to showcase Kona’s place among the world’s most sought-after coffees.With over 30 years of experience, Kraig has pushed the boundaries of what Kona coffee can be—experimenting with SL34, pioneering innovative fermentation techniques, and bringing premium Kona lots to international auctions. Is Kona ready to claim its place in the ultra-specialty coffee scene?Tune in to explore the journey of Kona coffee, the challenges and opportunities ahead, and why now its moment the to shine.

Join us at the cupping table with Bernard Uhe, a standout producer from Ecuador, as he tells us how he and his family are helping put the country’s specialty coffee on the global map. With award-winning farms like Finca La Noria and El Dorado, Uhe shares his journey of crafting exceptional coffees and showcasing Ecuador’s unique potential. Learn about the passion and dedication driving the rise of Ecuadorian coffee in the specialty world.

Join us in a conversation with Gabriel Agrelli from Daterra Coffee, as we explore how Daterra has been reshaping the global perception of Brazilian coffee for over 30 years. While Brazil is often associated with large-scale coffee production, Daterra has proven that high volume and exceptional quality can go hand in hand. Through scientific research, sustainability, and groundbreaking processing techniques, the company has positioned itself as a leader in specialty coffee—not only in Brazil, but on the world stage. Tune in to learn about their journey, the innovations driving their success, and their vision for the future of coffee.

Bolivia’s coffee industry was once in decline, but thanks to pioneers like Daniela Rodriguez and the Los Rodriguez farms, it’s experiencing a remarkable revival. In this episode of The Cupping Table, we explore how the Rodriguez family is transforming Bolivian coffee through innovation, education, and sustainability. From rebuilding farms to pioneering new processing techniques, their work is redefining Bolivia’s place in the specialty coffee world.

Bolivia’s coffee industry was once in decline, but thanks to pioneers like Daniela Rodriguez and the Los Rodriguez farms, it’s experiencing a remarkable revival. In this episode of The Cupping Table, we explore how the Rodriguez family is transforming Bolivian coffee through innovation, education, and sustainability. From rebuilding farms to pioneering new processing techniques, their work is redefining Bolivia’s place in the specialty coffee world.

In the ever-evolving world of specialty coffee, few producers have approached cultivation and processing with as much scientific rigor as Dr. Mauricio Shattah. A medical doctor turned coffee producer, Shattah has transformed Finca La Negrita into a hub of innovation, applying advanced fermentation techniques, meticulous quality control, and a deep commitment to sustainability. His journey exemplifies how knowledge from other disciplines—medicine, fermentation science, and sustainability—can redefine the coffee industry.

Mokhtar Alkhanshali is a pioneering Yemeni-American coffee producer, roaster and entrepreneur best known for transforming Yemen’s coffee industry. He developed Yemen’s first super specialty coffee supply chain, reconnecting the birthplace of coffee to modern standards of excellence—an extraordinary journey chronicled in Dave Eggers’ NYT best-selling book, The Monk of Mokha.

Jorge Castro, the mind behind Inmaculada Coffee, joins M-Cultivo to discuss how he blends industrial engineering with coffee farming, the role of data-driven precision in quality, and how Inmaculada is setting new industry standards with exotic varieties and innovative fermentation.

Arturo Aguirre, fourth-generation producer of El Injerto, Guatemala’s most awarded coffee farm, joins David to share his journey. With eight Cup of Excellence wins, he reveals how tradition, innovation, and smart strategy have made El Injerto a global benchmark for quality coffee. Don’t miss this deep dive into one of the most iconic names in specialty coffee!

Willem Boot, the visionary who changed specialty coffee, joins David to discuss discovering Geisha in Panama, venturing into Ethiopia to find its origins, and building award winning farms - Finca Sophia and Finca La Mula.

Testing the podcast, we need to make sure it works. Este episódio explora tendências em leilões de café especial

In this special episode of The Cupping Table, M-Cultivo co-founder David Paparelli breaks down the "nuts and bolts" of the 2026 coffee auction season, specifically focusing on the unique hybrid format of the Dubai Coffee Auction. Following a record-breaking year in 2025 where coffee reached prices of $30,000 per kilo, David explains how the platform connects a global network of producers from regions like Panama, Yemen, and the United States with buyers through a two-round bidding process. He details how participants can navigate the transition from an open bidding period to a high-stakes "bidding war" involving a live auctioneer, while emphasizing that auctions serve as vital tools for price discovery, brand building, and fostering long-term relationships between producers and roasters.

In this episode of The Cupping Table, David Paparelli sits down with José "Pocho" Gallardo, the visionary engineer behind the world-renowned Finca Nuguo in Panama. Pocho shares his unique perspective on what it takes to master high-altitude Geisha, detailing how his background in engineering informs his approach to coffee. They discuss the "magic" of the Panamanian coffee community, where mentorship and the sharing of knowledge across generations have created a global standard for excellence. Pocho also opens up about the challenges of sustainable farming, the debate between plant stress and "happy" trees, and why he believes specialty coffee must be a full sensorial experience that offers more than just a beverage, but a connection to the land and the culture.

In this deep-dive interview, Mokhtar Alkhanshali explores the intersection of heritage, identity, and the high-stakes world of luxury coffee production at the Al-Khanshali Estate. As a self-described "third culture kid," Mokhtar discusses how his upbringing between San Francisco and Yemen allows him to act as a cultural translator, bridging ancient cultivation techniques with the modern "engineered" demands of the global specialty market. The conversation reveals the "miraculous" nature of Yemeni coffee, from the "rising phoenix" plants that survive extreme environmental stress to the vast, untapped genetic diversity found in isolated mountain terraces. Mokhtar challenges the industry's trend toward "bro coffee science" and overly fermented profiles, advocating instead for a disciplined approach that respects both the "soul" of the origin and the rigorous science required to produce a world-class cup. Beyond the technical aspects of cupping and processing, he offers a sobering perspective on the political and geopolitical realities that impact coffee farmers, arguing that the journey of a bean from a conflict zone to a luxury auction in Dubai is nothing short of a miracle. This interview is a masterclass in the evolution of coffee from a simple commodity to a respected craft, highlighting the collaborative "co-opetition" among global producers that continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in a cup.