We are all about Specialty Coffee based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Our goal is to have conversation about Coffee in the most fun and accessible way via our podcast. We review coffee beans, brewing methods, highlight the stars behind a cup you get at your local café, discuss the coffee culture and issues in the Specialty coffee industry. We believe coffee is for everyone, regardless of race, gender, background and age. Join us in this journey, as we share our experiences and learn about the world of coffee. Nothing beats a black cup of coffee, believe us when we say that!

Black Plus Coffee

Let's Talk WBC With Stevo Kühn

In this episode, we have a conversation with the current South African Barista Champ Stevo Kühn. He will be representing SA in the World Barista Championships in Greece, in a few week's time during June 2023. We get to know Stevo better and discuss his preparation for the upcoming competition. Do you want to know what it takes to be a barista champ? "FAIL!" In Stevo's words. 
Enjoy the episode and support Stevo all the way. We love Coffee, We drink Coffee. We are BlackPlusCoffee


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Let's Talk Specialty Coffee Expo

In this episode, we have a conversation with Jason Zeeman who is the founder of the Specialty Coffee Expo. We get to know him and also more about the Expo. What can you expect from this year's line up and competitions happening. This is a great opportunity to meet and taste of the best Specialty Coffee scene of South Africa has got to offer. It will take place from the 26th to the 28th of May 2023 in Fourways Mall, Johannesburg. Get yourself tickets on their website https://www.theexperience.co.za/events/specialty-coffee-expo and check their Instagram for more info. 
Follow us on Instagram @blackpluscoffee and enjoy the episode!

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Flavours of Colombia Part 2

In this episode, we continue with our conversation with Nicole and José Fernandez from Sabores. We talk about factors that affect coffee prices and why should consumers pay a premium amount for coffee. Does Colombia produce any robusta coffee? Lastly, what can both roasters and consumers expect from these Colombian beans? 


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Flavours of Colombia Part 1

In this episode, we are in conversation with Nicole and José Fernandez from Sabores. They recently managed to import some tremendous green coffee beans from Colombia, which have exciting varieties and fermentation processes. Have you ever heard of Culturing? Or Hydro-Natural-Honey? Colombia has some of the best coffees in the world and this is a good way to learn more about them. What's more amazing, is that there's part 2!!! Enjoy and share it! Visit www.sabores.co.za to view full offering. 

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Let's Talk SA National Coffee Competition

In this episode, we recap on our experience at the South African National Coffee Championships, which took place recently. We talk about the barista, latte art and cup tasters competitions. Be on the lookout for these incredible champs at the world stage in Greece! Enjoy the episode and share it with friends.

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Let's Talk SCASA With Shawn Cloete

In this episode, we are joined by Shawn Cloete. He's part of the newly elected board members of SCASA. We talk about everything related to SCASA. What is SCASA? How is Specialty Coffee governed and standardized to ensure quality levels? How can we as the public, support our Baristas better, as they compete in the World or National competitions? How can the Specialty Coffee scene in South Africa be sustainable? Enjoy the episode and don't forget to subscribe

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Let's Talk BlackPlusCoffee

In our first episode of the year, we talk about our highlights for 2022 and what we are looking forward to in 2023. We give an update about what we are currently busy with as individuals in coffee space and what we aim to do in this new year. Do enjoy the episode 😃

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Let's Talk Coffee Education 

In this episode, we talk about the importance of Coffee Education. Is there a need for people to be educated about coffee? How is coffee education related to our mission as BlackPlusCoffee? How can consumers be better equipped with coffee knowledge? In case you missed it, we have an exciting announcement at the end, tune in to find out what it is all about. Check out our Instagram page and hit us with a follow. 

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Race & Coffee Part 2

In this episode, we continue our conversation on Race & Coffee with Winston Thomas Douglas. What does inclusivity look like in Specialty Coffee? Is culture of importance in who can access coffee? And how can we address issues well to reconcile and build a coffee scene that celebrates our uniqueness as South Africans?
We also talk briefly about Winston and Leigh's venture on starting Cedar Coffee Roasters, and their plans to make Specialty coffee inclusive and accessible to all as their business grows. 

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Race & Coffee Part 1

In this episode, we have a conversation on Race and Coffee focusing on the South African Specialty coffee industry. Does race play a role in who consumes coffee and who benefits from our beloved beverage? Is privilege even a thing to be talked about in coffee? 
We are joined in conversation by the current and three-time SA Barista Champ Winston Thomas Douglas, as he helps us navigate and understand the role of race within the coffee industry, based on his expertise and experience within the Specialty coffee scene. Winston will be representing South Africa in the upcoming World Barista Championships 2022 in Melbourne, Australia this upcoming month. Click on the link below to support him
https://gogetfunding.com/get-the-sa-champ-to-the-world-barista-championships-in-melbourne/

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Coffee Reviews Part I

In this episode, we review some of the coffee we have had in the past few months and years. We talk about the excitement and disappointments of brewing those coffees. Does freshness, roast date and pricing, matter when buying coffee beans? This is our unbiased review and was dependent on how we brewed those coffees. We hope this review can be useful for all and it's only part one, there's more to come. Enjoy the episode!
Follow us on Instagram, https://instagram.com/blackpluscoffee?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= and email us at blackpluscoffee@gmail.com. 

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Let's Talk With Marcus Tlhomelang

In this episode, we speak with Marcus Tlhomelang. 
Marcus is a barista and trainer at Bean There Coffee Company. He recently won the 2021 South African Barista of the Year award hosted by Coffee Magazine. We talk about what it means to be a barista and how the South African Specialty coffee industry is evolving in education. Hope you'll enjoy the episode! 

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Let's Talk With Sabores

In this episode, we have a conversation with José and Nicole Fernandez, from Sabores. José and Nicole are the first exclusive Colombian coffee importers in South Africa, focusing on specialty Colombian green coffee beans. Ever wonder how your coffee gets to your favourite Roastery, the process it takes, the people behind the scenes and the role of a green bean coffee importer? Then this is the episode you should listen to, enjoy!
Sabores plays a pivotal role in the South African specialty coffee community and have consistently brought incredible Colombian green beans over the years. Do visit their website and find out more about their current offerings www.sabores.co.za.
Find us on linktr.ee/blackpluscoffee and Instagram is https://instagram.com/blackpluscoffee?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

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Let's Talk WAC With Brandon

In this episode, we continued our conversation with the current Aeropress Champ Brandon Smith. This time we are talking about the World Aeropress Competition (WAC) 2021, happening in Australia and his preparation for the competition. Enjoy the episode ☕
We apologise for the echo in the background.

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BlackPlusCoffee

Let's Talk Coffee Processing Methods

Have you ever wondered what coffee processing is all about? Maybe you have bought a bag of coffee from your favourite coffee company and it is written natural or washed process, what does that mean? In this episode, we talk briefly about coffee processing methods and how it has evolved. We also talk about the 'newly elevated' processing methods i.e Anaerobic and Carbonic Macerated coffees amongst others. Try a new coffee processing method, and enjoy the show!

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Let's Recap

In this episode, we recap on 2021 with regards to coffee. We go through memory lane and talk about our highlights of the year. Our highs and lows of starting a coffee podcast, the incredible guests we've had on the show, coffees we've sniffed, slurped and drank, brewing devices and techniques we've explored. We also spill some beans on what's next in the upcoming year!
WE LOVE COFFEE. WE DRINK COFFEE. WE ARE BLACKPLUSCOFFEE 

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Let's Talk With SA Aeropress Champ Brandon Smith

In this episode, we are joined by the South African Aeropress Champion of 2021, Brandon Smith! Brandon shares with us his passion for coffee and his future endeavours. What does it take to be an Aeropress Champ? How technical is the competition? In fact, what’s an Aeropress? Enjoy the episode and treat yourself to a great cup of coffee!

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Let's Talk With Frederik Dreyer

Our conversation about A Shot In The Dark (ASITD) competition hosted by The Coffee Magazine (SA) continues in this episode, as we interview the winner of the ASITD 2021 Frederik Dreyer from GeGrond Coffee. In this episode, we sat down with Frederik to talk about GeGrond and them winning the national roasting competition, and what it means for them and the coffee landscape in South Africa. Do enjoy the episode and treat yourself to a great cup of coffee! 
Check GeGrond Coffee on www.gegrond.co.za

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Let's Talk With Rory Lambson

In this episode, we talk with Rory Lambson from Black Sheep Coffee Company. Rory was top 3 in the recent South African national coffee roasting competition, called A Shot in the Dark 2021, hosted by The Coffee Magazine. In this episode, we get to know more about Rory and the competition, and what he did differently to land himself in the top spot.
Do enjoy the episode and we hope you'll learn more about the South African specialty coffee scene!
(Apologies for the minor interruptions in the interview 😉). 

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Let's Talk Home Brewing

Maybe you're trying to brew some amazing coffee at home, but you're not sure how to start and what to use. In this episode, we dive into home brewing, what is it all about and how do we find it. Does home brewing replace the cafè experience or not? Can one still have a great cup of coffee at home, that they normally have at their favorite coffee spot? Find out more on this episode...
Check the link with visuals for some of the brewing devices, https://treescoffee.com/blog/2016/04/6-popular-methods-for-brewing-coffee-at-home/

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Let's Talk Caffeine 

Coffee is not caffeine, but caffeine is synonymous with coffee! Coffee is well known for its caffeine and some attribute caffeine as the only source and compound found in coffee, hence they are inseparable. But what actually is caffeine?Is Caffeine truly the only compound found in coffee? Perhaps you have been wondering about caffeine and its impact on ones health and if it's good enough for you to consume it. This episode is all about caffeine found in coffee, what a delight! Join us in this discussion with our guest Dean Floor, as he explains and brings clarity on this subject.
If you want to get in touch, follow us on Instagram @BlackPlusCoffee Alternatively you can email us on info@blackpluscoffee.co.za. 

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Let's talk Coffee Roasting

What is coffee roasting all about? What role does it have in the final output of a green coffee seed being transformed into a coffee bean, which has its own character, full of flavours and aromas. In this episode, we talk about the basics of coffee roasting, a brief science in the art of roasting and we discuss roast levels i.e light, medium and dark roast. Enjoy the episode and share it with friends! If you want to get in contact, email us on info@blackpluscoffee.co.za or send a DM on Instagram 😃.

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Let's Talk Direct Fair Trade

Ever wonder what lies behind a cup of coffee? Are farmers treated and paid well enough, for their incredible produce and is it sustainable for communities growing these coffees? Like any other industry there's always a case for fair trade and sustainable way of doing things. Even with coffee, sustainability and fair-trade are necessary. Join us in this episode, as we have a conversation with Jonathan Robinson, from Bean There coffee company based in Johannesburg, we talk fair-trade and find out how is the coffee industry pushing for sustainable coffee in the livelihood of coffee farmers. We hope you'll enjoy the episode, do rate us and send feedback via a voice note or email us on info@blackpluscoffee.co.za, you can also dm us on Instagram (blackpluscoffee).

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Africa and coffee?

Ever wondered about the origin of coffee? Who thought it would be cool to roast, ground and brew it? What is the history of our beloved drink in Africa? How has the commercialization of coffee changed the landscape in how this beverage is now consumed? What are these Three Coffee Waves that some people seem to be referring to? 
We have some answers to your incredible questions, enjoy this fourth episode and if you want to get in contact, send us a voice note or email us on blackpluscoffee@gmail.com or info@blackpluscoffee.co.za. You can also find us on Instagram, just search blackpluscoffee and the magic happen ;). 

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What makes Specialty Coffee special? 

What, 90 bucks for a cup of coffee??! What makes this Specialty Coffee "special"? 
We use that term a lot, so what is Specialty Coffee and how is it priced? Are we getting scammed for money as "coffee is just coffee" or is it worth us paying for it? Is Specialty Coffee different?
In this third episode, we talk about Specialty Coffee and there's more to come on this topic in future episodes, so do stay tuned. Enjoy this episode! If you have comments or questions, send them through via voice note or email us on; info@blackpluscoffee.co.za or you can DM us on Instagram (blackpluscoffee).

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Is Ricoffy, coffee or not? What is chicory? Actually, what is coffee??!

South African government (department of agriculture, land reform and rural development) passed new regulations about what can be classified as coffee or coffee mixture, those regulations will take effect starting from 1st of November 2021, yes this year! So, in this second episode, we dive into the thick of things, a conversation about Ricoffy (an instant coffee brand, which is "SA's No.1 Coffee brand"). We talk about our experiences with it and spend some time figuring out what is coffee. They will be more conversations to come about coffee species, so tune in to future episodes, but in the mean time enjoy this second episode of our podcast!
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/coffee-regulations-impact-chicory-mixtures-like-ricoffy-2019-9
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/nestle-says-ricoffy-can-stick-to-its-marketing-despite-new-rules-for-coffee-2020-11
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/new-sa-rules-dont-ban-bad-coffee-after-all-drops-caffeine-requirements-2020-10


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What is BlackPlusCoffee? And why are we into coffee?!

Maybe you're wondering why should I listen to these guys? Or what is BlackPlusCoffee? Is it a political statement or a movement? In this episode we dive into what is BlackPlusCoffee and who are the people behind it. We talk nothing but coffee and reflect on our individual experiences, we talk about the passion for coffee, our backgrounds, and why are we into coffee also we spill the beans about what's next, oops!

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Let's Talk SA National Coffee Competition

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