This is the 5th of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.

In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.

In this final episode of the podcast series, Lee and Osamah discuss the critical challenges and opportunities faced by the coffee industry, particularly in the Middle East.

They address the alarming forecast that coffee may disappear by 2050 due to climate change and geopolitical issues.

They speak about the significant decrease in coffee production, the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices, and the role of innovative methods like co-fermentation in improving coffee quality.

The conversation also covers initiatives in Saudi Arabia to grow resilient coffee varieties and the potential for regenerative agriculture.

Osamah shares his hopes for the future and emphasizes the importance of solving the root causes threatening coffee production.

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This is the 4th of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.

In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Osamah discuss the cultural barriers and challenges faced by business owners in the Middle Eastern specialty coffee industry.

They cover difficulties such as initiating customer interactions across genders, the impact of cultural awareness, and the importance of owner involvement in the success of businesses.

The episode also touches upon the role of social media in the coffee industry and delves into generational business dynamics and the complexities of entrepreneurship.

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This is the 3rd of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.

In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee Safar and Osamah discuss the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within the Middle Eastern business ecosystems.

They explore issues like saudiization, the global financial crisis, and the impact of COVID-19 on the coffee industry.

Osamah shares insights on how the coffee business can navigate difficulties, adapt to logistical issues, and embrace local talent.

Additionally, they highlight the cultural challenges of employing locals in roles such as baristas and the immense professional growth available within the coffee industry.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics shaping the Middle Eastern coffee scene and valuable lessons on resilience and innovation.

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This is the 2nd of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.

In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Osamah discuss how he built the Roasting House business with a vision to elevate coffee standards and spread specialty coffee culture.

From starting with a small shop to creating a community-driven coffee scene, Osamah shares insights on the role of education, market research, and the impact of the Saudi Vision 2030 on business development.

Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of establishing a successful coffee business in the Middle East.

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This is the first of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.

In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.

In this episode of the podcast series, Osamah shares his entrepreneurial journey, discussing how he transitioned from the corporate world to starting his own coffee business in Saudi Arabia.

He emphasizes the importance of finding the right financial and intellectual partners, and the challenges he faced in sourcing quality green beans.

The conversation also touches on the evolving business landscape in Saudi Arabia and the impact of global geopolitical events on the coffee industry.

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This is episode five of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar and featuring returning guest Carley Garner.

Carley is a commodity broker and the founder of US-based commodity brokerage firm, DeCarley Trading.

In this series, Lee and Carley discuss the coffee futures market in 2025 and 2026.

No information in this series is financial advice and trading comes at the risk of losing money.

In this final episode of the podcast series, Lee and Carley discuss the volatility of the coffee market and what producers can expect for 2025 and 2026.

They delve into factors affecting coffee prices, including market trends, speculation, and economic influences.

The conversation also covers the challenges smallholder farmers face and the impact of technology on commodity pricing.

Additionally, they explore how recent geopolitical factors and market behaviors could drive future price fluctuations.

The episode concludes with advice on how small businesses in the coffee industry can navigate these turbulent times.

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This is episode four of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar and featuring returning guest Carley Garner.

Carley is a commodity broker and the founder of US-based commodity brokerage firm, DeCarley Trading.

In this series, Lee and Carley discuss the coffee futures market in 2025 and 2026.

No information in this series is financial advice and trading comes at the risk of losing money.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Carley discuss the crucial role of speculators in the coffee futures market.

Discover how speculators provide liquidity, affect pricing, and why their participation can prevent market volatility.

Learn about the significant challenges coffee farmers face, such as high interest rates on agricultural loans and the generational knowledge gap in hedging tools.

Understand the vital connection between speculators and traders, and how the industry's dynamics may impact coffee production in the years ahead.

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This is episode three of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar and featuring returning guest Carley Garner.

Carley is a commodity broker and the founder of US-based commodity brokerage firm, DeCarley Trading.

In this series, Lee and Carley discuss the coffee futures market in 2025 and 2026.

No information in this series is financial advice and trading comes at the risk of losing money.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Carley explore hedging strategies for coffee producers to manage risk in the volatile coffee market of 2025 and 2026.

They discuss the use of options as a tool for both producers and roasters to navigate market fluctuations, emphasizing the importance of not being fully in or out of hedging.

Carly offers detailed insights into the costs and complexities of hedging, and practical examples for producers looking to protect themselves from market downturns.

Join the next episode to learn about the role of speculators in the coffee market.

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This is episode two of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar and featuring returning guest Carley Garner.

Carley is a commodity broker and the founder of US-based commodity brokerage firm, DeCarley Trading.

In this series, Lee and Carley discuss the coffee futures market in 2025 and 2026.

No information in this series is financial advice and trading comes at the risk of losing money.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Carley dive into the complexities of the coffee market, focusing on the differences between cash and futures markets.

They explore how emotional factors and external forces like tariffs and currency fluctuations impact market rationality.

The discussion also highlights the importance of direct trade and the challenges of implementing minimum pricing for farmers.

Additionally, the episode touches on tools available to farmers for risk management and the impact of government subsidies on agricultural commodities. Tune in to gain insights into navigating the volatile coffee market and managing financial risks effectively.

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This is episode one of a 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar and featuring returning guest Carley Garner.

Carley is a commodity broker and the founder of US-based commodity brokerage firm, DeCarley Trading.

In this series, Lee and Carley discuss the coffee futures market in 2025 and 2026.

No information in this series is financial advice and trading comes at the risk of losing money.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Carley delve into the extraordinary volatility in the coffee futures market in 2025.

They discuss the unusual correlation between unrelated markets such as gold, tech stocks, and coffee, and the impact of massive monetary input into the system.

Carley shares her insights into the human behavior driving these market fluctuations, the role of speculators, and what farmers and industry professionals can learn to navigate such tumultuous times.

The episode aims to provide better understanding and tools for managing the coffee market's unpredictability.

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This is the 5th episode of this 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with host Lee Safar and guest Samo Smrke.

Samo is a Coffee Scientist and acting department head at the Coffee Excellence Centre at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW).

In this series, we're exploring the question, "What is real innovation in coffee?"

In this final episode of the podcast series, Lee and Samo explore controversial topics in the coffee industry including the role of coffee competitions in driving innovation, co-fermented and infused coffees, and the ethical implications of flavored coffees.

The discussion covers the impact of consumer behavior on coffee trends, the potential risks associated with non-disclosed ingredients, and the importance of transparency in the industry.

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This is the 4th episode of this 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with host Lee Safar and guest Samo Smrke.

Samo is a Coffee Scientist and acting department head at the Coffee Excellence Centre at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW).

In this series, we're exploring the question, "What is real innovation in coffee?"

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Samo delve into what constitutes real innovation in the coffee industry.

The discussion covers the evolution of coffee technology, particularly grinders and espresso machines, the influence of the home coffee market, and the potential future of alternative coffees.

They explore whether current technologies truly represent revolutionary innovation or if they are merely incremental improvements marketed under the guise of novelty.

Join us for a fascinating deep dive into the trends and innovations shaping the coffee world.

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This is the 2nd episode of this 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with host Lee Safar and guest Samo Smrke.

Samo is a Coffee Scientist and acting department head at the Coffee Excellence Centre at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW).

In this series, we're exploring the question, "What is real innovation in coffee?"

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Samo delve into the complexities of defining 'good coffee' through the lens of science.

They discuss the impact of influencer marketing, the disappearance of independent testing, and the differences between commercial and specialty coffee industries.

The conversation also touches on the role of social media, the challenges of innovation in the coffee industry, and the importance of a scientific approach to product testing and development.

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This is the 2nd episode of this 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with host Lee Safar and guest Samo Smrke.

Samo is a Coffee Scientist and acting department head at the Coffee Excellence Centre at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW).

In this series, we're exploring the question, "What is real innovation in coffee?"

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Samo delve into the complexities of defining 'good coffee' through the lens of science.

They discuss the impact of influencer marketing, the disappearance of independent testing, and the differences between commercial and specialty coffee industries.

The conversation also touches on the role of social media, the challenges of innovation in the coffee industry, and the importance of a scientific approach to product testing and development.

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This is the first episode of this 5-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with host Lee Safar and guest Samo Smrke.

Samo is a Coffee Scientist and acting department head at the Coffee Excellence Centre at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW).

In this series, we're exploring the question, "What is real innovation in coffee?"

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Samo deep dive into the complexities of good and bad science in the coffee industry.

They discuss the importance of proper interpretation of scientific results, the challenges of managing variables in coffee production, and the difference between correlation and causation.

Additionally, the episode highlights the role of research in driving innovation and quality control in both specialty and commercial coffee sectors.

Tune in to understand why true scientific rigor is crucial in the evolving world of coffee.

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This is the 5th episode of a 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with host Lee Safar and series guests, George Howell and Tim Wendelboe.

George Howell is a 50-year legend in the coffee industry and the founder of George Howell Coffee and Coffee Connection. George is based in Boston, USA.

Tim Wendelboe is a 20+ year industry legend, coffee farmer, world barista champion, and founder of Tim Wendelboe Coffee. Tim is based in Oslo, Norway.

In this series, Lee, George, and Tim explore a number of subjects, including the WBC, understanding the impact of the climate crisis on the coffee value chain, the coffee crisis, and whether Chemex makes the best coffee.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee wraps up a captivating series with Marianella as they delve into the challenges of coffee market volatility from the perspective of small holder producers, the impact of middlemen and low-priced future contracts, and the struggles and hopes of co-ops and farmers seeking just relationships through direct trade.

The discussion highlights the emergence of new direct trade models, geopolitical shifts in coffee trading, and the vital connections between small farmers and roasters.

Marianella also shares the inspiring success of the Coffee Camp and encourages collaboration for a thriving coffee community.

Learn more about sustainable, ethical coffee practices and how you can support these efforts.

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This is the 4th episode of a 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with host Lee Safar and series guests, George Howell and Tim Wendelboe.

George Howell is a 50-year legend in the coffee industry and the founder of George Howell Coffee and Coffee Connection. George is based in Boston, USA.

Tim Wendelboe is a 20+ year industry legend, coffee farmer, world barista champion, and founder of Tim Wendelboe Coffee. Tim is based in Oslo, Norway.

In this series, Lee, George, and Tim explore a number of subjects, including the WBC, understanding the impact of the climate crisis on the coffee value chain, the coffee crisis, and whether Chemex makes the best coffee.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee, George, and Tim discuss the various forces impacting the coffee value chain beyond climate change.

They explore trends such as the shift from agricultural to manufactured coffee products, the importance of black coffee, and labeling strategies.

The conversation delves into the complexities of the coffee crisis, defining quality in coffee, and the challenges faced by new coffee businesses in today’s market.

They also touch upon the roles of flavored coffees, the concept of specialty coffee, and the influence of market forces like inflation and the rise of matcha in cafes.

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This is the 3rd episode of a 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with host Lee Safar and series guests, George Howell and Tim Wendelboe.

George Howell is a 50-year legend in the coffee industry and the founder of George Howell Coffee and Coffee Connection. George is based in Boston, USA.

Tim Wendelboe is a 20+ year industry legend, coffee farmer, world barista champion, and founder of Tim Wendelboe Coffee. Tim is based in Oslo, Norway.

In this series, Lee, George, and Tim explore a number of subjects, including the WBC, understanding the impact of the climate crisis on the coffee value chain, the coffee crisis, and whether Chemex makes the best coffee.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee, George, and Tim to discuss how climate change is affecting coffee farming communities.

They delve into challenges such as labor shortages, the impact on coffee quality, and the need for sustainable and resilient farming practices.

The conversation highlights specific experiences from Kenya, Guatemala, and Colombia, emphasizing the importance of community-driven approaches to farming sustainability.

Additionally, they discuss the evolving landscape of the global coffee industry and what the future holds.

Join us for a detailed insight into these pressing issues.

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This is the 2nd episode of a 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with host Lee Safar and series guests, George Howell and Tim Wendelboe.

George Howell is a 50-year legend in the coffee industry and the founder of George Howell Coffee and Coffee Connection. George is based in Boston, USA.

Tim Wendelboe is a 20+ year industry legend, coffee farmer, world barista champion, and founder of Tim Wendelboe Coffee. Tim is based in Oslo, Norway.

In this series, Lee, George, and Tim explore a number of subjects, including the WBC, understanding the impact of the climate crisis on the coffee value chain, the coffee crisis, and whether Chemex makes the best coffee.

In this episode of the podcast series, we continue the insightful discussion with George and Tim about the profound impact of the climate crisis on coffee value chains.

Tim shares firsthand experiences of the adverse effects on coffee harvests, ranging from disease pressure to unpredictable weather patterns.

George and Lee highlight the urgency for innovative solutions, including regenerative farming and the potential role of technology.

Additionally, the episode delves into the future of coffee farming and the crucial need for adaptation to ensure sustainability.

Tune in to explore how the coffee industry can navigate these pressing challenges leading up to 2026 and beyond.

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This is the first episode of a 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with host Lee Safar and series guests, George Howell and Tim Wendelboe.

George Howell is a 50-year legend in the coffee industry and the founder of George Howell Coffee and Coffee Connection. George is based in Boston, USA.

Tim Wendelboe is a 20+ year industry legend, coffee farmer, world barista champion, and founder of Tim Wendelboe Coffee. Tim is based in Oslo, Norway.

In this series, Lee, George, and Tim explore a number of subjects, including the WBC, understanding the impact of the climate crisis on the coffee value chain, the coffee crisis, and whether Chemex makes the best coffee.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee, George, and Tim delve into the critical issue of climate change and its impact on the coffee industry.

The discussion spans from historical farming practices to current challenges at the origin, and the evolving role of barista competitions.

The conversation emphasizes the urgency for sustainable farming methods and the need for strategic industry shifts to counteract the adverse effects of climate change.

Tune in for a comprehensive exploration of how climate variability is reshaping coffee cultivation and the broader value chain.

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