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Guest Episode Episode 5

L.A.’s Most Underrated Coffee Empire

Zack and Ray sit down with AJ Kim of Kumquat Coffee to talk about the green side of home roasting. They dig into how Kumquat, Loquat, and Fondry grew into an ecosystem for serious home brewers and roasters, and why AJ started a curated green-coffee shop for small batches.

Zack and Ray sit down with AJ Kim of Kumquat Coffee to talk about the green side of home roasting. They dig into how Kumquat, Loquat, and Fondry grew into an ecosystem for serious home brewers and roasters, and why AJ started a curated green-coffee shop for small batches. Along the way, AJ shares what he’s learned visiting producers around the world and why understanding farms, pricing, and climate risk should change how we buy and roast coffee at home.

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About the guest

AJ Kim

  • 00:00 - Introduction to Home Roasting and Kumquat Coffee
  • 02:52 - AJ Kim's Journey and Kumquat's Evolution
  • 05:43 - The Green Coffee Store Launch
  • 08:44 - Kumquat's Community and Events
  • 11:58 - Future Projects and Expansion Plans
  • 15:08 - The Philosophy Behind Kumquat's Offerings
  • 17:56 - Reflections on the Coffee Industry and Personal Journey
  • 24:58 - Direct Sourcing and Coffee Adventures
  • 29:56 - The Impact of Global Warming on Coffee Production
  • 34:44 - Building Connections: The Role of Green Coffee Sourcing
  • 39:56 - Home Roasting: Bridging the Gap Between Producers and Consumers
  • 55:02 - The Future of Coffee: Quality, Sustainability, and Consumer Awareness

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