La Taza Habla (The Cup Talks) takes you on a 20-year java journey through specialty coffee’s rich tapestry, brought to you by ”Bald Guy Brew Coffee Roasting Co.”, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Each episode unveils the untold stories behind your daily brew—from origin to roast to ritual. Join founder and chief brain-hydrant Don Cox, a.k.a. ”Bald Guy,” as he transforms complex coffee concepts into engaging narratives that deepen your connection to what’s in your mug, t ...
…
continue reading
Doncox Podcasts
1
Remembering Bill Kennedy - Mentor, Teacher, Friend, and His Legacy
9:13
9:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:13
In this heartfelt tribute episode of La Taza Habla, host Don Cox honors the life and legacy of Bill Kennedy, CEO and founder of San Franciscan Roaster Company, who unexpectedly passed away in December 2024. Over two decades of friendship, Bill transformed specialty coffee through American-made coffee roasting equipment, education programs, and unwa…
…
continue reading
Discover the intricate flavor map of Mexican Specialty Coffee, a world leader in high-quality, organic coffee. In this episode, your 20-year veteran host of La Taza Habla takes you on an origin journey through Mexico’s "Big Three" growing regions: Chiapas, Veracruz, and Oaxaca. Learn why Chiapas is the "heavyweight champion," producing 40% of the c…
…
continue reading
1
Ep 1: Mexican Coffee - Why Organic Was an Accident
10:59
10:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
10:59
How is it that the number one producer of organic coffee in the world has hungry coffee farmers? In this episode of La Taza Habla, we unpack the Paradox of Fragility that defines Mexican Coffee. Unlike other origins, Mexico’s coffee culture was built from the bottom up by smallholder farmers and indigenous communities—an "accident of history" cause…
…
continue reading
1
Lumber Grades and Great Coffee: How a 2x4 Explains Specialty Coffee
10:35
10:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
10:35
Join Don Cox as he revisits the question: "What is quality in coffee?" by introducing the Lumber Analogy. We break down why the score system—even for high-value Specialty Coffee—is, at its core, a Structural Inspection. We explore Commodity Coffee (70-79 points) as "Grade 3 lumber" riddled with Defects. The 88 Poins of a Kenyan AA I am considering …
…
continue reading
Why does one bag of Colombian Coffee taste like sweet chocolate and another like lime? In this episode of La Taza Habla, we unlock the secret to Coffee Flavor by revealing Colombia’s "mountain map". Moving beyond the economics of Part 1 (The Paradox of Plenty ), we dive into Coffee Terroir and how the three Cordillera mountain ranges create hundred…
…
continue reading
Welcome to La Taza Habla, where 20 years of specialty coffee stories reveal the hidden truths in your cup. In this deep-dive, we explore the precarious state of Colombian Coffee—a global icon that’s now teetering on the brink of crisis. We trace its fascinating origin story, from 18th-century "penance planting" by Jesuit priests that spurred expans…
…
continue reading
1
EP 2: Liquid Geography: Costa Rica’s Coffee in the Clouds
9:23
9:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:23
Discover the liquid geography of your morning cup! In this intimate episode of La Taza Habla, your host takes you on a sensory four-sip journey through a rare Costa Rica coffee from the high-altitude Chirripó origin. We explore why this region produces beans unlike any other, beginning with the geographical shock that the coffee was grown at an ele…
…
continue reading
1
EP 1: Costa Rica - The Country That Banned Bad Beans
7:19
7:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:19
Ever grabbed a bag of Costa Rican coffee at the store and assumed you knew what you were getting? In Part 1 of this two-part journey, we shatter that myth. We explore the incredible coffee history of Costa Rica, a nation that literally bet its future on a single plant and used coffee to build its entire infrastructure. Discover the story behind the…
…
continue reading
Welcome to this episode of La Taza Habla. Before your next sip, join us on a journey into the Global Coffee System, an oscillating and complex machine that connects 125 million people across over 50 countries. This isn't just caffeine; it's economy, survival, and a reflection of humanity's struggles. We peel back the morning aroma to reveal the har…
…
continue reading
1
An Amish Cart, a Hurricane, and a Roaster’s Faith
13:23
13:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:23
Welcome back to La Taza Habla, the podcast celebrating 20 years of specialty coffee stories! In this powerful episode, we sit down with Don Cox, a man whose coffee roasting journey is a testament to extraordinary small business resilience and unwavering faith. Don recounts a staggering series of setbacks, from an economic collapse in '08 and losing…
…
continue reading
1
Western NC - Thorns & Gratitude: How Disaster Forged A Stronger Community
4:15
4:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:15
In this special episode of La Taza Habla, we deviate from our usual format to reflect on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene's devastating impact on Western North Carolina's high country. Our host, Don Cox (aka Bald Guy), speaks from the international headquarters in Boone, NC, to share his personal experience and gratitude for the communi…
…
continue reading
1
Cheetos, Crackers & Coffee: Keeping Flavor Alive”
9:21
9:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:21
Welcome to La Taza Habla, the podcast where we dive into 20 years of specialty coffee stories. In this episode, we're busting a common myth: that coffee is best right after it's roasted. We share a personal story from seminary days to illustrate why freshly roasted beans need to rest. The key is a process called degassing, where coffee releases CO2…
…
continue reading
In this unscripted episode of La Taza Habla, Don Cox sets aside the usual specialty coffee talk to wrestle with something heavier: the cultural normalization of violence. From the most recent assassination to a tragic stabbing in Charlotte, NC, our communities are fraying. Disagreement has become enmity, and violence is met with silence—or worse, c…
…
continue reading
Welcome to a special episode of La Taza Habla, where we continue our deep dive into the art of coffee grinding and its profound impact on coffee flavor. Join Don Cox as he welcomes back specialty coffee expert Gary Horn from GH Grinding and Brewing Solutions. In this episode, we address common questions from home brewing enthusiasts, from finding t…
…
continue reading
1
Part 1: The Grind is Real: Unlock Your Coffee’s Flavor
9:37
9:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:37
Unlock the secret to café-quality coffee at home. In this episode of La Taza Habla, host Don Cox sits down with his high school friend and grinding expert Gary Horn, founder of GH Grinding and Brewing Solutions, to demystify one of the most overlooked steps in coffee brewing: the grind. For anyone frustrated by the difference between their home bre…
…
continue reading
In this episode of La Taza Habla, join us as we dive into a game-changing discovery about the world of specialty coffee and the single most important ingredient: water. For years, the coffee industry has believed that minerals must be present during the brewing process for proper flavor extraction. But a new concept, "ionic influence on brewed coff…
…
continue reading
Have you ever wondered why your home-brewed specialty coffee doesn't taste like the cafe's? The answer might be in your tap. In this episode of La Taza Habla, we dive deep into the crucial, but often overlooked, role of water in your daily brew. Discover why 85% of Americans have hard water and how it affects the flavor and extraction of your favor…
…
continue reading
1
Is your water secretly ruining your coffee?
10:44
10:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
10:44
Are you truly satisfied with your morning coffee? ☕ In this foundational episode of our three-part series on water, we dive deep into how a hidden factor—your home's water hardness—could be secretly ruining your coffee. We explore the difference between hard water and soft water and how the minerals dissolved in your tap water impact everything fro…
…
continue reading
1
How Science Saved Decaf: Coffee Chemistry 101 with Dr. Yoblinski
8:02
8:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
8:02
What really happens when coffee goes decaf? Discover the truth of the often-misunderstood world of decaffeination as we peel back the layers to reveal the surprising history and cutting-edge science that creates your favorite caffeine-free brew. Discover how decaf coffee went from using dangerous chemicals like benzene to today's revolutionary supe…
…
continue reading
1
Beyond the Buzzwords: What's in your Cup Matters!
7:53
7:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:53
Join us on La Taza Habla as we pull back the curtain on the coffee industry's environmental and social claims, revealing the uncomfortable realities often hidden behind marketing buzzwords. With over two decades in specialty coffee, your host exposes the brutal truth: coffee is a tree-cutting, diesel-burning, ozone-busting industry with a massive e…
…
continue reading
La Taza Habla: The Coffee Mycotoxin Myth In this eye-opening episode of La Taza Habla, we dive deep into the pervasive myths surrounding mycotoxins in specialty coffee. Join your host as he unpacks the real science behind ochratoxin A (OTA) and other naturally occurring byproducts from certain molds, addressing the alarming claims that your morning…
…
continue reading
1
The Cup Don’t Lie: Old-School Roasting, No Screens—Just Senses
10:06
10:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
10:06
Step inside the roastery with Don Cox, "The Bald Guy," on this experimental episode of La Taza Habla, as he takes you on a sensory and scientific journey through the coffee roasting process. Discover the magical transformation of green coffee beans into the rich, aromatic brew you love. Don demystifies the complex interplay of conduction and convec…
…
continue reading
1
Part 3: Processing & Flavor: From Fruit to Cup
10:25
10:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
10:25
Welcome back to La Taza Habla, the podcast where we bring you 20 years of specialty coffee stories! In this insightful episode, we crack open the fascinating world of coffee processing and uncover how it transforms a humble fruit into the incredible coffee flavor you love in your cup. Ever wondered about the journey from farm to flavor? We go back …
…
continue reading
1
Part 2: The Coffee Plant: Nature's Blueprint for Flavor
10:29
10:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
10:29
In this captivating episode of La Taza Habla, Don "Bald Guy" Cox delves into the surprising parallels between the humble apple and the intricate coffee plant, revealing how nature's blueprint dictates the extraordinary flavor journey from farm to cup. Unpacking the core elements of the flavor equation—terroir, plant, processing, and roasting—listen…
…
continue reading
1
Part 1: The Flavor of Place: How Soil, Sky, and Slope Shape Your Coffee
10:35
10:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
10:35
Ever wondered why one specialty coffee tastes bright and citrusy, while another from the same country is deep and chocolaty? The secret is coffee terroir—the unique "taste of place" that gives every bean its character. In this episode, we unpack the science and story behind coffee flavor, exploring how every cup is a direct reflection of its coffee…
…
continue reading
1
Part 4: The Flavor Jigsaw – Unlocking the Science of Taste (Series Finale)
11:21
11:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:21
Join us on La Taza Habla as we shatter a long-held myth about taste: the "tongue map" is wrong! In this compelling episode, we conclude our miniseries with "The Flavor Jigsaw: Unlocking the Science of Taste" we dive into how your sense of taste truly works, beyond the sweet-sour-salty zones you were taught. Discover how your 10,000 taste buds regen…
…
continue reading
1
Part 3: Unlocking the Secrets of Smell: From Matches to Memory to Coffee
9:54
9:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:54
In this intriguing episode of The Nose, we delve into the fascinating world of our olfactory system and its profound impact on our lives. Discover how old-timers used a simple box of matches as a tool to clear the air, and why certain scents can instantly transport you back to childhood memories, like the aroma of freshly baked cookies. Explore the…
…
continue reading
1
Part 2: What Makes Coffee Good—And How Do They Know?
9:45
9:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:45
Join La Taza Habla as we embark on a fascinating 20-year journey into the world of specialty coffee, challenging deeply ingrained notions of "quality." This episode unpacks the intriguing paradox between objective quality, like that of a well-made knife, and the often subjective, performative "quality" applied to coffee. We explore how global defin…
…
continue reading
1
Part 1: If Coffee Could Talk, What Would It Say?
11:53
11:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:53
Have you ever wished you could understand the story behind your daily coffee? In this episode, we journey from a sun-drenched coffee farm in Costa Rica's Valley of the Saints to a bustling Zocalo in Mexico to explore a profound idea: "La Taza Habla" - The Cup Speaks. Host [Don Cox], drawing on 20 years in the specialty coffee industry, shares a tra…
…
continue reading
1
A Pirate, an Envoy, and a Plant: The Scandalous Secret of The Caribbean
13:43
13:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:43
Season 1 -Episode 4 In this last episode of a three part series on the global cultivation of coffee, we delve into the extraordinary tale of Gabriel De Clou, the French naval officer who risked everything to introduce coffee to the Caribbean. Discover his audacious mission to smuggle a coffee plant across the perilous Atlantic, facing pirates, jeal…
…
continue reading
1
"Mexico's Coffee Crossroads: Weather, Tariffs & the Future of Your Morning Cup"
25:48
25:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:48
Season 1 - Episode 3 In this special episode of "La Taza Habla," join Bald Guy and his guest, Jacob Frankel, from San Cristobal Coffee Importers, as they discuss how weather, tariffs, and the current instability in Mexico will not only impact local coffee growers but the coffee industry worldwide. This episode offers insights into the inner working…
…
continue reading
1
"La Taza Habla: My Coffee Journey and How Simple Math Changed Everything"
7:00
7:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:00
Season 1 - Episode 0 Master the simple coffee technique that redefined mornings for Bald Guy Brew founder Don Cox. Follow his Java Journey from childhood curiosity to coffee roasting mastery." Share Your Story and Comments: Leave us a voice message using SpeakPipe Stay Connected: Get exclusive coffee stories & tips delivered to your inbox Download …
…
continue reading
1
"From Sacred Smuggling to India's Coffee Legacy: The Untold Coffee Saga"
15:09
15:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:09
Season 1 - Episode 2 Journey to 17th century India where a daring Sufi monk's seven smuggled coffee beans changed history. Discover how this sacred theft cultivated a global coffee movement that spread from Indian shores to Indonesian islands. Share Your Story and Comments: Leave us a voice message using SpeakPipe Stay Connected: Get exclusive coff…
…
continue reading
1
"Goats, Rituals, and Legacy: How Ethiopia changed the world!"
14:00
14:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:00
Join your host, Don Cox (The Bald Guy), on a deep dive into the legendary and spiritual origin of coffee—Ethiopia, the true birthplace of the Coffea Arabica species. This episode moves beyond the daily coffee ritual to explore the foundation of the specialty coffee world. We start in the Kaffa region with the famous Legend of Kaldi, the goat herder…
…
continue reading
