Coffee Sprudgecast
Sprudge Co-Founders and Editors Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen explore the world of specialty coffee.
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Brewing The Best Decaf In America On The Coffee Sprudgecast
04/24/2024
Brewing The Best Decaf In America On The Coffee Sprudgecast
On the latest episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast, Zachary Carlsen brews BlendIn Coffee Club’s Colombia Los Nogales, the winning 2024 US Brewers Cup Championship coffee (which also happens to be their house decaf coffee!) Weihong Zhang of in Houston, Texas, your , took top honors in Rancho Cucamonga using a decaf Typica variety from Colombia, with a coffee he serves on bar every day. or in their cafe year-round. This is exactly what host Jordan Michelman did the evening Zhang was announced the 2024 champion! The decaf underwent a decaffeination process developed by Oscar Hernandez of Finca Los Nogales in Huila, Colombia. After de-pulping, the green coffee is then decaffeinated using, in part, its mucilage, which helps “[avoid] off flavors and [enhance] complexity with floral and fruity notes,” . Sprudge’s coverage of the 2024 US Barista Championship in Rancho Cucamonga is presented in partnership with . Zachary Carlsen replicates the brew process deployed on the Brewers Cup stage as accurately as possible (with a slightly different hand grinder and variety of Hario V60—listen in to find out more). The process is especially interesting due to its use of two water temperatures and a touch of water bypass at the end.
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2024 SCA Expo Preview
04/11/2024
2024 SCA Expo Preview
Hold on to your coffee-loving merchandising trucker hats, because it's time for another action-packed episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast. This week, hosts Zachary Carlsen and Jordan Michelman are all abuzz about the imminent this weekend in Chicago, Illinois. The comps! The booths! The gallons and gallons of alternative milks! We'll be there—with perhaps a special visit from Buzzy the Bean! Check out the latest show, and read on for show notes, links, and highlights. Things we're excited for at the Specialty Coffee Association's Expo in Chicago, Illinois : 2024 US Latte Art Championship, 2024 Roasting Championship, and the 2024 Coffee In Good Spirits Championship off-site at the new Lavazza Training Lab. Our and special competition coverage on Finals Sunday from Arielle Rebekah! Tech and innovations reporting from our editor-at-large on the floor ! The featuring some of the very best coffee roasters in the country. Special thanks to , our Presenting Sponsor of our SCA Expo Coverage, and thank you to our coverage sponsors and ! What we're drinking on this episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast from Vancouver, Washington. We just love RTD! Special thanks to for presenting the Ready To Drink series on Sprudge this year. Loose Threads . The vegan with a chocolate sauce and espresso glaaaaze. is a delicious alcohol-free drink. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , , and .
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The 2024 US Coffee Champs And Songbird Klatch Coffee
03/26/2024
The 2024 US Coffee Champs And Songbird Klatch Coffee
Our coffee podcast program The Coffee Sprudgecast returns with an episode fresh off the US Coffee Champs première partie at in Rancho Cucamonga. Over a sun-soaked Southern California weekend, the , Brewers Cup Champion, and Cup Tasters Champion were crowned. Sprudge co-founders and hosts Zachary Carlsen and Jordan Michelman talk through it with the delicious assist of Klatch Coffee’s seasonal Songbird Blend. Host Zachary Carlsen had a conversation with a coffee enthusiast who held a strong belief that coffee blends were inherently bad. On the show, we discuss how blends like Songbird from Klatch Coffee (among several others!) are testaments to the delicious possibilities and flavor complexities specialty coffee blends can offer. How do you feel about coffee blends? Are your feelings about coffee blends true? Can you absolutely know that it’s true? How do you react when you believe that thought? Who would you be without that thought? Remember, there are no right answers—these questions will hopefully lead you toward deeper inquiry. (h/t ) A big thanks… This year’s USBC/USBrC/CTC highlights the power of the coffee community. Competitors, judges, volunteers, and sponsors all worked together to showcase both the nation’s top competitors and finest coffees, demonstrating extraordinary talent, dedication, and passion. We’re grateful to Klatch Coffee for hosting this incredible event and making us feel so welcome. We’re deeply humbled by the kind words from y’all for our US Coffee Championships coverage. All credit goes to the Sprudge Rancho team: Sprudge Managing Editor Zac Cadwalader kept everyone at home in the loop with exceptionally detailed real-time updates as photographer Charlie Burt captured every moment in vivid detail. A huge thank you to our event coverage partners at ! Their support champions the specialty coffee community, our independent coffee competition coverage, and their products help make coffee even more vibrant. Thank you! This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , , and .
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Twinkies, Tiramisu, and St. John's Eccles Cake
03/03/2024
Twinkies, Tiramisu, and St. John's Eccles Cake
Our coffee podcast The Coffee Sprudgecast is back for another rousing episode where hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen take a shortcut… a tiramisu shortcut? Michelman discusses an epic event held with La Marzocco in Florence to promote But First, Coffee that included a whole tiramisu cupping (three cakes that used three different coffees). Carlsen springs a package of Twinkies and claims to be able to make a quick tiramisu out of it. There’s some horror, some shock, followed by some shocking surprises. There’s so much more. Several coffees are had, all brewed with the Ceado Hoop Brewer. Michelman talks about Monmouth Coffee out of London and a bring-your-own-doughnut-to-a-cafe Dorkage Fee. There’s an eccles cake and Lancaster cheese. Coffee ice cream is had. A lot going on here. Have a listen! This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , , and . Beverages Discussed On The Podcast : Dreaming of springtime, we kick off the episode with DONA’s delicious Hari River Mint Herbal Tea which is sundried at the source in Herat, Afghanistan. It’s the freshest-tasting dried mint tisane we’ve had (and we love fresh mint tea). Equator Coffees & i: Equator Coffees continues to push the envelope with outstanding extra-specialty coffees. We couldn’t get enough of both and clearly, others couldn’t either—the Aji is out of stock! There are plenty of options on , however, so you can find something. : Visitors at can taste the delicious coffees from of Tanzania roasted on site. La Marzocco, Probat, and Mahlkonig all went in on this project back in 2007 and the coffees shine bright here in 2024. : Representing one of its lighter roasted coffees, Portland Coffee Roasters’ Guatemala comes from their partners Miguelina and Finca El Paternal, a twenty-year relationship that has seen an increase in production innovation with tasty results. Other Mentionables
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Sprudgie Awards And Verve Coffee On The Coffee Sprudgecast
02/15/2024
Sprudgie Awards And Verve Coffee On The Coffee Sprudgecast
Breaking! There’s a new episode of Sprudge coffee podcast The Coffee Sprudgecast! On the newest episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast, hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen , all while drinking the newest iteration of . This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , , and .
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Coffee Sprudgecast: The One With DONA And Olympia Coffee Roasting Company
01/11/2024
Coffee Sprudgecast: The One With DONA And Olympia Coffee Roasting Company
It's 2024 and time for a new installment of the Coffee Sprudgecast! In this episode, hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen sip teas and tisanes, drink espresso-forward beverages with , and look ahead at what is shaping up to be a very big year here at Sprudge. From award programs to the decade-long , the fun just doesn't stop. If you listen deep enough, you'll even hear a podcast listener exclusive scoop! So listen right now! This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , , and .
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The One With Several Beverages
12/06/2023
The One With Several Beverages
Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen return for another spirited episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast. Several beverages were prepared for this episode—including fresh offerings from Madcap Coffee, Greater Goods Coffee Co., PERC Coffee, and Rishi Tea. That's a lot of buzz for one session. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , , and .
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The One Where The Hosts Brew Night Swim Coffee With The Hoop Brewer
11/09/2023
The One Where The Hosts Brew Night Swim Coffee With The Hoop Brewer
Podcast listeners, do we have a surprise for you. That’s right, there’s a new episode of The Coffee Sprudgecast. Hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are back with fresh coffee, new gear, and a heck of a lot news and updates. is brewed live on-air using the new award-winning and the results are surprising! Never one to limit oneself to a single beverage, the hosts also try a new . This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , , and .
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The One With Tasty Build-Outs And Juicy Camber Coffee
09/29/2023
The One With Tasty Build-Outs And Juicy Camber Coffee
The latest episode of the coffee podcast The Coffee Sprudgecast is out! Hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are back—and they’re drinking delicious a . The pair had the . Brewed in a Chemex, the coffee’s flavors of pineapple, milk chocolate, maraschino cherry really shined. While the Ecuador La Papaya Box Set is currently sold out, you can sign up for Camber Coffee participates in our new Roasters Village program. Are you looking for a coffee recommendation right now? Check out for fresh recommendations from our roasting partners! Listeners have the opportunity to hear the thumping beats of summer single “Build It Out” one last time as the hosts talk about four outstanding new cafes from the Build-Outs of Coffee summer series. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , , , and .
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The One With Walnut Whips And La Llama From Monogram Coffee
08/31/2023
The One With Walnut Whips And La Llama From Monogram Coffee
Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are back for another exciting episode of the coffee podcast The Coffee Sprudgecast. Michelman and Carlsen drink some stunning coffee from . The hosts enjoy from Bolivia and an , a small-screen gesha coffee brewed in an automated dripper and a Chemex, respectively. , coffees that exhibit an adventurous quality and is a Coco Natural processed coffee. Monogram explains: La Llama does grow many different varieties, but they are really well known for their beautiful caturras and javas. This particular coffee has been processed using Agricafe’s Coco Natural process, which leaves coffee to ferment longer than the average natural process. They pay very close attention to their processing during every step to ensure that they produce the most delicious coffee that they can. They refer to this process as “Coco Natural” because of the way the bean resembles a cocoa bean at the end of processing. Monogram Coffee participates in our new Roasters Village program. Are you looking for a coffee recommendation right now? Check out for fresh recommendations from our roasting partners! The steady build of the summer hit single “Build It Out” makes way for another exciting edition of the Buildcast—where Michelman and Carlsen discuss brand-new cafes featured in our Build-Outs of Coffee summer series. New cafes from Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Orange County, and Denmark are discussed. Are you building out your dream cafe? ! Read more about these beautiful builds in the show notes below. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , , , and . Show Notes
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The One With Builds And Block Party From Partners Coffee
08/03/2023
The One With Builds And Block Party From Partners Coffee
Welcome to another episode of the coffee podcast The Coffee Sprudgecast with hosts Zachary Carlsen and Jordan Michelman. In this episode, Michelman and Carlsen drink from Partners Coffee in Brooklyn, New York, with an incredible packaging collaboration with illustrator Sophie (). Sandwiched by the new summertime hit single "Build It Out," Michelman and Carlsen discuss brand-new cafes in the US, Canada, and UK. These cafes are featured in our annual Build-Outs of Coffee series—! Read more about these beautiful builds in the show notes below. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , , , and .
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The One About The 2023 Build-Outs Of Coffee Part One
07/05/2023
The One About The 2023 Build-Outs Of Coffee Part One
The Coffee Buildcast is back! Featuring Naomi Joe Coffee, Greenstreet Coffee Co., Considered, and Wayward Coffee. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , , and .
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The One About The Book But First, Coffee
06/14/2023
The One About The Book But First, Coffee
This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is all about Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen’s new book But First, Coffee. Michelman and Carlsen take us behind the scenes, talk about the juicy innards, and discuss the process of making the book. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , , and .
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The One With Verve Coffee On A Moccamaster
05/31/2023
The One With Verve Coffee On A Moccamaster
Reach for the sky and hold your head up high. For tonight and every night? You're a superstar. On the latest episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast, Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are jamming out to and while sipping on a honey-processed brewed on a brand new . Michelman and Carlsen discuss Sprudge's latest Berlin guide from Tatiana Ernst, a lovely new fashion hub in Portland, and much more. Have a listen! This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , , and .
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The One Live From The 2023 United States Barista Championship
05/18/2023
The One Live From The 2023 United States Barista Championship
On the latest episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast, guest host and photo journalist Elizabeth Chai reports live from the 2023 United States Barista Championship! Chai had an opportunity to interview of Be Bright Coffee in Los Angeles, California and of Caffe Vita in Seattle, Washington. Each competitor brought their own unique set of skills to the stage and Chai finds out how they brought it, what they brewed with, and what makes them tick. It’s a fabulous episode and we’re thrilled to finally share it with the world! This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , and .
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The One Before 2023 SCA Expo
04/13/2023
The One Before 2023 SCA Expo
Things are really heating up here at the Coffee Sprudgecast, as your intrepid hosts guard their ears and gird their loins for the impending 2023 SCA Expo, hosted in Portland, Oregon April 20th-23rd. You'll be reading and seeing much more about the show right here on Sprudge, but in the meantime, we taste and sip our way through an eclectic assortment of specialty coffee products, from a very exciting new home brewer with a proud, steady stream to a satchel of evocatively spiced coffee gummies in flavors like Cascara and Spanish Latte. All this and much more on this latest episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , and .
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The One With Chocolate
03/20/2023
The One With Chocolate
What time is it? It's time for another episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast. In this stirring episode, Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen take a first-class ticket to Chocolate City. There they'll discuss the benefits of using real chocolate chips in mochas, the oat milk supply chain (Pacific Foods Barista Oat is back, baby!), whether or not you can make a satisfying inexpensive Macguyver mocha using household ingredients, and if Willy Wonka's chocolate factory focused too heavily on novelty and not enough on sustainable labor and sourcing practices. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by and Ghirardelli.
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The One With Tim Wendelboe Coffee
02/16/2023
The One With Tim Wendelboe Coffee
On the latest episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast, Sprudge co-founders Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen drink coffee and eat almond pastry on foggy morning in Portland, Oregon. Not just any coffee, but the first release of —an Ethiopia landrace coffee grown in Colombia on a farm owned in part by Sprudge Award winner Tim Wendelboe. The limited release represents the very first harvest, years in the making, and the hosts share their excitement for the farm’s future harvests. Can’t get enough podcasts? Want to learn more about Finca el Suelo? Listen to the Sprudgie Award winning – “A Conversation About Our Coffee Farm Finca el Suelo”. Carlsen and Michelman discuss the Sprudge Twenty program presented by Pacific Barista Series. Now in its fifth year, the . Nominations are free thanks to the support of Pacific Barista Series. Read the in-depth interviews of the participants from previous years: The hosts talk at length about the ongoing program made possible by La Marzocco. The hub is home of long-form coffee journalism from a growing international team of writers. Visit to find thought provoking and original work—updated each and every month. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , and .
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The One With The 14th Annual Sprudgie Award Winners
01/12/2023
The One With The 14th Annual Sprudgie Award Winners
Welcome back to the Coffee Sprudgecast! In our very first episode of 2023, hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen share the winners, honorees, and finalists of the 14th Annual Sprudgie Awards Presented by Pacific Barista Series. For the full list, . This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , and .
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The One With Flavors
11/30/2022
The One With Flavors
This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is all about flavor. Some might even call it… Proof Of Taste. But how do we get there? By drinking several unique beverages, including coffees from in Northern Ireland (via ‘s excellent subscription box), some tasty cascara refreshments from of Raleigh, North Carolina, and a whole mess of non-alcoholic wine-adjacent analog beverages from the company Canadian brand . This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , and
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The One With Both Coffee And Tea
10/27/2022
The One With Both Coffee And Tea
Coffee, tea, why not both? On the latest episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast, hosts and Sprudge co-founders Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen drink an oolong tea from —their Mount Pyrus (Li Shan) from Taiwan AND drink a Caturra/Colombia coffee roasted by . Two great tastes that taste great together. Michelman and Carlsen discuss some of the latest stories on Sprudge including our New York Coffee Festival wrap-up from Liz Clayton and Jeremy Paul Hernandez, Sprudge Guide to West London from James Hansen, and some delicious signature beverages from cafes in Seattle and Topeka. Hit the links below to learn more, and have a listen, won't you?
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Build-Outs Of Summer Part Three
07/26/2022
Build-Outs Of Summer Part Three
There’s no doubt about it—Build-Outs season is positively in full swing here at Sprudge. Our yearly summertime series celebrates new and remodeled cafes and we couldn’t be more delighted by the sheer amount of exciting builds, fit-outs, and remodels. boosters and Sprudge co-founders Zachary Carlsen and Jordan Michelman sip chilled white tea from White2Tea while discussing new cafes in Rome, New York; Orange, California; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Bogota, Colombia. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , and . The 2022 Build-Outs of Coffee is presented by , , , and . Build-Outs of Coffee 2022 is sponsored by , , , and Hit the links below to dive deeper into the topics discussed in this episode. Show notes and links: White2Tea Subscription Services
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Build Outs Of Coffee Sprudgecast Part Two!
06/30/2022
Build Outs Of Coffee Sprudgecast Part Two!
The celebrations continue for on this very special episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast. Hosts and Sprudge co-founders Zachary Carlsen and Jordan Michelman eat a nut butter collaboration that combines Big Spoon Roasters almonds, Equator Coffees Tiger Walk Espresso, and a hint of spices and coconut nectar for a spread so good we ate it with spoons. Well fed, the hosts discuss brand new cafes in France, Colombia, Vietnam, and the of Michigan. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , and . The 2022 Build-Outs of Coffee is presented by , , , and . Build-Outs of Coffee 2022 is sponsored by , , , and Hit the links below to dive deeper into the topics discussed in this episode. Show notes and links:
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Build Outs Of Coffee 2022 Sprudgecast
06/01/2022
Build Outs Of Coffee 2022 Sprudgecast
The thrill of the build is back! We’re celebrating on this very special episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast. Hosts and Sprudge co-founders Zachary Carlsen and Jordan Michelman drink the new in Bellingham, Washington; sip ; and discuss the benefits of coffee tools like the . This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , and . The 2022 Build-Outs of Coffee is presented by , , , and . Build-Outs of Coffee 2022 is sponsored by , , , and Hit the links below to dive deeper into the topics discussed in this episode. Show notes and links:
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The One With Sprudge Twenty 2022
04/27/2022
The One With Sprudge Twenty 2022
Hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen introduce the . This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , and .
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The One With Three Teas
04/06/2022
The One With Three Teas
In this episode, hosts Carlsen and Michelman drink new loose-leaf offerings from DONA and a sparkling botanical beverage from Rishi while dishing on the events of the week, specifically all the United States Coffee Championships happening this weekend at the Specialty Coffee Association Specialty Coffee Expo in Boston, Massachusetts. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , and . Hit the links below to dive deeper into the topics discussed in this episode. Show notes and links:
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The One With Maison Nico
03/30/2022
The One With Maison Nico
Welcome back to the Coffee Sprudgecast! In our latest episode, Sprudge co-founders Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are reunited over a sample box of exquisite pastry from San Francisco's very own . Flans and brioches and choux buns, oh my! Elsewhere on the show your hosts drink coffees from (Bay Area) and (Ecuador), and chug-a-lug some fresh sparkling cold brew from (New Zealand). All the while, they catch up on , talk about recent articles from and , and riff about the ravages of time. This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by , , and .
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The One With Spirit-Infused Coffee
02/16/2022
The One With Spirit-Infused Coffee
The Coffee Sprudgecast returns! On the latest episode of the show, Sprudge co-founders Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen taste a plethora of fascinating coffees and chat about new roasting projects, infused blends, and one very special, very small Scandinavian town. Stealing the show was a very special, and unexpectedly delightful, new coffee from Fire Department Coffee, whose whiskey-infused beans set off a cascade of intrigue and inquiry.
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The One With The 2021 Sprudgie Award Winners
01/13/2022
The One With The 2021 Sprudgie Award Winners
In this episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen read the winners of the 2021 Sprudgie Awards Presented By Pacific Barista Series.
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The One With Our Favorite Coffee Holiday Gifts
12/01/2021
The One With Our Favorite Coffee Holiday Gifts
Happy Holidays from everyone at the Coffee Sprudgecast! Hosts Zachary Carlsen and Jordan Michelman discuss a variety of topics in this episode: roasted fig coffee substitutes, white chocolate, charitable organizations worth supporting this season, and what they really want for the holidays.
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