Filament Coffee Podcast

Have you ever daydreamed about owning a cafe? Maybe you've spotted one for sale and are on the fence? Today's episode is a must-listen.Meet Matt Kenworthy, a numbers man who, along with his wife Ash, took the plunge and bought not just one but three cafes in 2019. He shares his journey from mortgage broking to owning and running the East Vic Park institution formerly known as Antz Cafes.We dig into the nitty-gritty of rebranding to Venn Coffee, managing staff and customers, and the tough call to close one location. Matt also sheds light on the importance of point-of-sale data and streamlined process management in running a successful Perth cafe.Also in this episode:Matt's Secret Sauce: What sets Venn apart in a crowded market.Coffee Focus: How Venn maintains a coffee-centric venue without a full kitchen.Customer Dynamics: Balancing space for all types of customers without pigeonholing the venue.Menu Efficiency: Why a menu of bagels and acai bowls means no chefs and an efficient food service.Numbers Game: Key metrics Matt keeps an eye on and how often he reviews pricing.Trend or Fad: Matt's approach to jumping on (or leaving alone) cafe trends.Roasting Reality: Why the focus is on product quality, and not just cost saving with vertical integration.Matt's Outrageous Daily Caffeine Consumption: Don't try this at home.Quickfire Questions:What's Matt's pet peeve about customers?What are his thoughts on Kombucha?How many 18L kegs does he think Aaron could carry?Does he allow cyclists in the cafe with their click-clack shoes on?Use code TOPHER15 at checkout on www.filament.coffee for 15% off delicious coffee delivered to your door.

This is one to watch on video if you can!Oh what a special day it is when Chris puts in more than 3 minutes of preparation!This week he told us he has something special ready, but we couldn't have imagined he'd written a complete scene from his new Screen-Play "The Story of Filament Coffee” Before we run through the first table read, Aaron starts the episode off by discussing the huge cold coffee market, trends within and finishes by deciding that a teeth-whitening cold brew will be the next big thing.We discuss a recent survey that highlights the complete disconnect between coffee consumers and coffee farmers on what they believe is working from a sustainability perspective in the coffee industry. Turns out farmers just want to get paid properly whilst consumers think workplace conditions and the environment are more important.Then comes Act 1 of The Story of Filament Coffee: A Screenplay by Chris TopherAlso in this episode:Coffeenomics: C-Price steadyHealth Advice: Too much Kahlua out the back of CollieAd Read: TOPHER15 gets you 15% offFor delicious coffee delivered to your door, visit www.filament.coffee to order online today. Podcast listeners save 15% when they use code TOPHER15 at checkout.Episode references:Perfect Daily Grind: How Cold Coffee Beverages Are ChangingDaily Coffee News: Survey: Coffee Farmers and Consumers Have Different Perspectives on Sustainability

Our Very first video episode! And what a way to start!Watch the video episode on YouTube here.After Chris reads some timely obituaries, Aaron kicks us off with his six-part manifesto to get us to all slow down, and take time (30 seconds or 30 minutes) the next time we have a coffee.Then we workshop the kid's book. An idea we had back on episode 50 when Aaron brought in a book about a mole being defecated on, we thought surely we can do this. And we did. Sort of. We come up with the story, the theme, and a neat little summary of things we've spoken about previously that annoy us at the coffee shop.Also in this episode:Coffeenomics: C-Price steadyHealth Advice: At what age can you start drinking coffee?Ad Read: TOPHER15 gets you 15% offListener Question: Ted's Running ClubFor delicious coffee delivered to your door, visit www.filament.coffee to order online today. Podcast listeners save 15% when they use code TOPHER15 at checkout.

The Matt that matters most, Matt Muhl from Brightside Coffee joins us for the first time this year as we discuss all that is new and noteworthy in the world of coffee.We kick off with a coffee update from Matt. Price relief is on the horizon,  with the Brazil harvest looking “absolutely baby glam” to quote the man himself. With exports up for the world's biggest coffee producer, price relief is coming to all green bean buyers. Not for the consumer of course, just for us manufacturers who have been haemorrhaging cash for years.Matt tells us about some exotic coffees he has his eye on for later in 2023 but warns us why buying expensive coffee can be risky. Aaron then absolutely phones it in with some article about a journalist moving to Melbourne in 2019 and the worst thing that happened to her was drinking decaf coffee. Even Chris was unimpressed.Chris saves the episode though with an article about a woman with an owl in her coffee and then Matt gets absolutely stuck into us with some critical feedback.Also in this episode:Coffeenomics: C-Price Down!Health Advice: Long Jump Tips from ChrisAd Read: TOPHER15 gets you 15% offFor delicious coffee delivered to your door, visit www.filament.coffee to order online today. Podcast listeners save 15% when they use code TOPHER15 at checkout.Episode references:The Age: Maida Pineda I've gone cold turkey on caffeine, and this is how I'm surviving in MelbourneMetro.co.uk Jasper King. Woman thinks she’s found an owl in her frothy morning coffee

50 Episodes! And what a way to celebrateAaron tells us he's quit coffee, tells us he's been giving his daughter coffee, and then tells us he owns a book that is literally about a badger trying to find an animal who defecated on him.He also discusses the Story of the Aeropress, the Crazy coffee idea by a Stanford Professor and Frisbee maker that made millions. After a shaky start, the online coffee community got behind Alan Adler and launched the Aeropress into every specialty coffee shop. We asked ourselves if we could come up and launch a product through chat forums, what would we do? Then it hit us: we're going to write a kid's book.Also in this episode; MilkLab's CEO hopes Australia's coffee culture keeps consumer spending at the cafe despite the "looming recession.” Are we feeling the pinch of inflation at the cafe yet? Chris tells us some good news; he's sold Filament to a large international corporate.AND THEN:Coffeenomics: C-Price is UPHealth Advice: At home treatment for dengue feverAd Read: TOPHER15 gets you 15% offListener Q: Cafe trends in the next 5 yearsAND: A bonus return of the Ranch for Ep 50!For delicious coffee delivered to your door, visit www.filament.coffee to order online today. Podcast listeners save 15% when they use code TOPHER15 at checkout.Articles referenced:The Guardian: bumper-profits-at-kitkat-maker-nestle-they-should-give-consumers-a-breakWorld Coffee Portal: Nestle-posts-strong-start-to-2023-with-steady-coffWishpond.com: How the AeroPress Inventor Went from Flying Rings to CoffeeSydney Morning Herald: Milklab maker hopes for ‘coffee culture’ to continue despite cost-of-living crisisABC: Interest rate rises have Australians ready to slash spending, and businesses are bracing for the cuts

This is a big episode, tackling a big topic: Australia's dying coffee culture. What was once the envy of the coffee world has become a myriad of mediocrity as more and more people take their bikes and their laptops to cafes in 2023, only to be met with the lazy attitudes of the barista.Maybe you've been denied chocolate sprinkles on your cappuccino because it isn't ‘authentic’? Maybe you've been informed by a barista that your extra hot coffee is just not possible and shouldn't be made like that. How about looking for a table at your favourite coffee spot, only to see some punter on his laptop, taking up valuable real estate? We get into the detail about what is acceptable laptop loitering behaviour, and what is off limits (Aaron is targeted heavily).Then Chris tells us about a group of lycra-clad men denied entry to their favourite spot for showing too much bulge (Aaron is targeted heavily).Also in this episode:Coffeenomics: C-Price lowerHealth Advice: Just good sound advice from TophAd Read: TOPHER15 gets you 15% offListener Q: Moore & Rotas crossoverFor delicious coffee delivered to your door, visit www.filament.coffee to order online today. Podcast listeners save 15% when they use code TOPHER15 at checkout.

In this episode, we break down the best coffee makers for camping and tell you why they're no good. Ever tried to make a coffee for a group of people with your Aeropress? You can't do it. What about packing all the kit needed to brew up a fresh pot with a v60? You're dreaming. We tell you what to look for in a camping coffee maker and which one to pick up for your next camping trip . Aaron starts at the top and lists slightly worse and worse rating coffee solutions for campers and why each of them just won't cut it on your next camping trip.Then we deep dive into how blockchain technology is helping traceability, and transparency with green coffee buying by providing a decentralised system in which origin fraud, quality fraud, and (by one Egyptian company in) blatant copyright fraud can be prevented. Aaron couldn't care less. Turns out he welcomes sticks, husks, and other debris filler in his morning cup of coffee. Then Chris tells us about a celebrity's coffee order. Also in this episode:Coffeenomics: C-Price lowerHealth Advice: A Celebrity Needs Chris' HelpAd Read: TOPHER15 gets you 15% offFor delicious coffee delivered to your door, visit www.filament.coffee to order online today. Podcast listeners save 15% when they use code TOPHER15 at checkout.

A business focussed episode this week as we talk about the Valley of Death; that perilous journey every small business faces when they decide to scale up.It's a decision that all businesses face after a short time, including ours. Aaron leads our discussion and asks us what drives a small business owner to make that leap? Is it money, is it ego, is it something else?Why isn't it enough for a business owner to be a big fish in a little pond, - why is there an overwhelming drive for businesses to grow? What would Chris do if he owned a successful sandwich shop?Also in this episode; Snoop Dogg has launched a cold brew coffee, so who could Filament partner with from WA to help us launch our next cold brew? And Chris tells us that since Covid 19, young people are drinking more coffee, but buying it less. ANDCoffeenomics: C-Price has remained stable.Health Advice With Chris: David Rotas isn't dead (yet).Ad Read: TOPHER15 gets you 15% off & AI Google ReviewsFor delicious coffee delivered to your door, visit www.filament.coffee to order online today. Podcast listeners save 15% when they use code TOPHER15 at checkout.References:Daily Coffee News: https://dailycoffeenews.com/2023/03/08/snoop-dogg-launches-indoxyz-indonesian-specialty-coffee-line/Vinepair.com: https://vinepair.com/articles/ab-inbev-craft-layoffs/

The weekly C02 footprint of the average cafe in Australia is equal to the C02 output 57 cars. Do you think your reusable cup is helping to reduce this? It isn't.A Climate focussed discussion this episode as we ask the question: is Australia's obsession with reusable cups just a big distraction when it comes to the impact of C02 emissions of your favourite cafe?Chris discusses the most energy-efficient way to brew coffee at home and Aaron tells us that if you love black coffee it's because you're simply genetically predisposed to it. Good news for Filament!Also in this episodeCoffeenomics: C-Price steady due to the sea breeze.Health Advice/ Listener Q: How much coffee is too much coffee?Ad Read: TOPHER15 gets you 15% offFor delicious coffee delivered to your door, visit www.filament.coffee to order online today. Podcast listeners save 15% when they use code TOPHER15 at checkout.Episode references:https://www.baristahustle.com/blog/interview-with-dr-adam-carr/https://www.sevenmiles.com.au/blogs/editorial/cafe-sustainability-more-than-disposable-cups/https://wastemanagementreview.com.au/war-waste-got-wrong-paper-cups-recycled/https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/antz-inya-pantz-becomes-first-perth-coffee-shop-to-ditch-the-takeaway-cup-20160422-god4es.htmlhttps://bannisterdowns.com.au/our-ethical-milk/packaging

This was a really fun one. In this latest episode, we dive into three crucial coffee questions: 1. Is the specialty coffee shop in trouble? Can they survive today just making good coffee, or are they doomed to shut their doors without moving into roasting or food service?2. How can we fix the World Barista Championship so that it's more financially inclusive for all competitors; and 3. What does your coffee date's order tell you about them?Also in this episode:Coffeenomics: C-Price looking has risen, good golly.Health Advice: Chris' first date no-nosAd Read: TOPHER15 gets you 15% offListener Question: Ethyl is suffering from caffeine withdrawal.For delicious coffee delivered to your door, visit www.filament.coffee to order online today. Podcast listeners save 15% when they use code TOPHER15 at checkout.Episode references:https://perfectdailygrind.com/2023/01/is-the-world-barista-championship-too-expensive/https://www.bonobology.com/dates-coffee-tells/

We're back for 2023!In this episode, we dive into the story of the US-based coffee roaster who was ripped off $250,000 trying to make it in the wholesale market. Were they unlucky, or did they just stuff up their contract? What would Filament do?We discuss the future of espresso, in Italy and everywhere else. Is it on the way out? We talk about the palate preference of coffee lovers in 2023, low caffeine options, exotic species, the comeback of blends, the availability of super-automatic espresso machines, re-adjusting to traditional brewing methods, freezing roasted coffee for storage, and growth of the home barista. Then Chris tells you 5 ways to get steamy under the milk wand with that cute barista you've been daydreaming about.Also in this episode:Coffeenomics: C-Price looking goodHealth Advice: Don't Quit, Live in the moment.Ad Read: TOPHER15 gets you 15% offListener Question: The Woodvale Pattie BanditFor delicious coffee delivered to your door, visit www.filament.coffee to order online today. Podcast listeners save 15% when they use code TOPHER15 at checkout.Episode references:https://www.modest.coffee/2022/12/how-we-got-grifted/https://www.withstarsinhereyes.com/post/howtoflirtwiththatcutebarista

Good golly we had some laughs reading these in 2022. We absolutely love hearing from our listeners, and reading out what you write to us in the Listener Question segment has become a favourite of ours. To celebrate a brand new year of the podcast, we've put together a mix of the best questions of 2022 for you all to enjoy. We'd like to thank every one of our listeners, but in particular thank you so much to Margaret Moore, Ian Clasp, Al Cappuccino, Beryl Knoppy and David Rotas; the Listener Questions segment simply couldn't happen without listeners like you.Visit www.filament.coffee to order delicious black coffee, made by us, to your home or work. Podcast listeners save 15% when you use code TOPHER15 at checkout.

2022: The year that was in coffee. Matt Muhl joins us again this episode, this time to wrap up the highs and lows of coffee in 2022 whilst we enjoy two very unique coffee cocktail creations from Chris and Aaron.Aaron creates a delicious, unique take on the classic Negroni and Chris wows us with a little trick he learned when traveling to make a coffee cocktail for the discrete grocery shopper.We remember our own personal highlights of 2022, we discuss our 2023 resolutions and Chris introduces a guest that you literally will not believe.Also in this episode: We diagnose Aaron's self-diagnosed condition We do some shout-outs to Brendan's family members We each give our best fiction book recommendations; ANDThe final Health Advice With Chris for 2022Thank you to our listeners for your support in 2022,  we hope you all enjoy listening as much as we love recording. See you all in 2023 for more.Visit www.filament.coffee to order delicious black coffee, made by us, to your home or work. Podcast listeners save 15% when you use code TOPHER15 at checkout. 

Joined by Matt Muhl from Brightside Coffee to celebrate our Christmas Special episode, we get into the spirit of the silly season right from the start.The original title of this Christmas Special episode was "Coffee in Beer" as we followed a similar theme to last year and responsibly enjoyed a couple of local coffee-based beers whilst we recorded this one. It was quickly overshadowed by the timeless ritual that is gift giving as we each brought in a gift that we made ourselves. Aaron wrote a song, and brought in some fruit, Brendan wrote some poetry, and good golly if we didn't almost die of laughter when Chris presented a hand-drawn picture of us that we still cannot believe. See our socials for a censored version.Also in this episode; we remember our favourite gifts, talk about our go-to Christmas movies, and a very special Christ-Mas Health Advice with Chris for the holiday season.Visit www.filament.coffee to order delicious black coffee, made by us, to your home or work. Merry Christmas to all our lovely listeners, have a safe and enjoyable break and remember, you save 15% when you use code TOPHER15 at checkout.

When did people stop taking dogs for walks in parks and start taking them everywhere they go? Dogs have their own beaches, dogs are on trains, dogs are in taxis, and this week; we discuss dogs in cafes. We've debated dog owner etiquette a little in the last couple of episodes and we get into it once and for all. As three non-dog owners, we apologise in advance, but as you'll find— we are absolutely correct.Of course, that's not before we rate ten of the hottest Christmas gift ideas for the coffee lover in your life, as Aaron takes us through his stocking stuffers. Chris brings us an opinion piece from five years ago about how all coffee drinkers are liars without having an opinion on it.  He says he searched "most pretentious coffee article ever" to find it. Plus:Health Advice: should you peel prawns to keep the peace if you’re fatally allergic?The latest market update in Coffeenomics; AND... A listener question that is a little too close to home... for Brendan. Visit www.filament.coffee to order delicious black coffee, made by us, to your home or work. Podcast listeners save 15% when you use code TOPHER15 at checkout.Articles referenced in this episode:Buzzfeed, Stephen LaConte: https://www.buzzfeed.com/stephenlaconte/coffee-is-bad-people-who-drink-it-are-bad

This week, we discuss the future of Arabica coffee with the very real threats that coffee leaf rust and climate change will have on this coffee species.This is only after our resident herbivore, Aaron, tells us all about Cultural Omnivores and their modern-day choices between elite and popular coffee spots. Are you a Cultural Coffee Omnivore?Also in this episode, Aaron updates us on the C-Price and probably Korean coffee giant, Dong Suh, in his Coffeenomics segment and Chris tells us his top three dog breeds.For delicious black coffee delivered to your door, visit www.filament.coffee to order online today. Podcast listeners get 15% off their first order with code TOPHER15 at checkout 🙌

Have you ever ordered a couple of coffees and had the Barista assume the almond flat white was for the lovely lady, and the long black which she ordered was for the gentleman? It happens more than you think so this week, we try to get to the bottom of it.Also; inflation and the price of a cup of coffee. Inflation isn't slowing down abroad or here in Australia - the cost of a cup of coffee has never been higher... but is it actually high enough? Given all the magic that goes into bringing a morning coffee to you, surely it's still a bargain?And if that isn't enough economics of coffee: Aaron updates us on the C-Price and Dong Suh's Maxim White Gold in his Coffeenomics segment and Chris helps a helpless lady stuck in the car with her rehab on Health advice with Chris.For delicious black coffee delivered to your door, visit www.filament.coffee to order online today. Podcast listeners get 15% off their first order with code TOPHER15 at checkout 🙌Articles referenced in the episode:Perthnow.com.au, Ben O'Shea: https://www.perthnow.com.au/opinion/ben-oshea/ben-oshea-why-its-too-late-for-perth-to-master-affordable-coffee--c-8284956TheGuardian.com, https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/nov/05/uk-restaurant-and-coffee-prices-rise-by-up-to-26-in-two-years#:~:text=Analysis%20by%20coffee%20supplier%20UCC,by%20as%20much%20as%2022%25Goodfood.com.au, Matt Holden https://www.goodfood.com.au/drinks/mugshot-is-your-barista-sexist-20141111-11kfpw

The weather is warming up and cold brew coffee is back in the minds of coffee lovers all over Australia. A quick search online of "how to make cold brew coffee" yields hundreds of recipes, all with different ratios, different brew times, and different roast profiles. Where do you start? Should you make enough for the whole week or just enough for tomorrow? In this episode, Brendan and Chris break down our step-by-step guide for making the best Cold Brew coffee at home.  Unfortunately, Aaron couldn't make the recording, and we briefly discuss our decision to push on and record without him.Our guide might seem a little bit backward; let's start selecting the right brew time to fit your schedule, and let's leave the coffee until last.Listen in and we'll tell you, step by step how to make fresh, delicious, and fuss-free cold brew coffee at home.And hey — prefer to buy cold brew instead? Head on over to www.filament.coffee to order Filament Coffee cold brew cans delivered to your door. PS - Podcast listeners get 15% off their first order by using code TOPHER15 at checkout.

Another edition of Pies & Pulses; and on this episode, we discuss the highest price for coffee ever sold after the recent Ethiopia Cup of Excellence awards. The winning coffee sold for a whopping $1300 Australian dollars per kilo green!Also in this episode; Coffee & Cigarettes - why do they go so well together? A recent study hypothesises a pairing as iconic as beetroot and chocolate.  Is it the unique flavour combination? Is it simply habit, or is it something else?And Starbucks has a Venti problem with their staff unionising.Plus:Margaret Moore returns for Moore;Chris reads Filament's Mission Statement;The second edition of Aaron's Coffeenomics; AND... The listeners have voted on their preferred Chris Topher segment, tune in to find out the winner, and hear the maiden broadcast— do not miss this one.Visit www.filament.coffee to order delicious cold brew or drip filter coffee to your home or work. Podcast Listeners save 15% on their first order. Use code TOPHER15 at checkout.

We start this week with Chris explaining himself; why we haven't been able to record for a month—before we get into a brand new format!A round-up of our favourite coffee news is brought to the table where we discuss all that is new and noteworthy in the wonderful world of coffee.In this episode, we find out what the disgraced former CEO of Luckin Coffee (Episode 7) has been up to, we discuss a New York Times article that suggests no one drinks hot coffee anymore and whether you can be arrested for driving under the influence of coffee.Plus! Aaron has a brand new segment (again) and a listener question for the hall of fame  🙌All this and much more on this episode of the Filament Coffee Podcast 🎙