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.
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.
Timestamps:
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