12 Coffee and Tea Podcasts Every Lover Should Listen To

You know that feeling when you’re grinding beans at 6 AM and wondering if there’s more to coffee than just getting caffeinated enough to function? Yeah, me too. That’s exactly why I fell down the podcast rabbit hole last year—and honestly, it changed everything about how I experience my morning cup.

Look, I’m not saying podcasts will turn you into some third-wave coffee snob overnight (though they might). What they will do is make your commute, your workout, or your dishwashing time way more interesting while deepening your appreciation for what’s actually in that mug you’re clutching.

Whether you’re the type who meticulously measures water temperature or someone who just wants their coffee to taste less like burnt sadness, there’s a show out there for you. I’ve spent way too many hours listening to coffee nerds and tea enthusiasts talk shop, and I’m sharing the absolute best ones that won’t bore you to tears.

Why Coffee and Tea Podcasts Hit Different

Here’s the thing about beverage podcasts—they’re not just people droning on about flavor notes and extraction times (though there’s definitely some of that). The good ones feel like eavesdropping on a conversation between friends who actually know their stuff.

According to recent podcast statistics from Backlinko, over 584 million people worldwide tune into podcasts regularly, and food and beverage shows are among the fastest-growing categories. Makes sense—we all eat and drink, and most of us want to do it better.

I started listening because I was tired of my home-brewed coffee tasting like dishwater compared to what I’d get at my local café. Turns out, it wasn’t my beans or my equipment—it was my complete lack of technique. One episode about water-to-coffee ratios later, and suddenly my mornings got significantly better.

The beauty of podcasts is you can learn while doing literally anything else. Folding laundry? Perfect time to discover why your French press tastes muddy. Stuck in traffic? Great opportunity to hear about the geopolitical economics of Ethiopian coffee production.

The Heavy Hitters: Podcasts for Serious Coffee Geeks

1. Coffee Sprudgecast

If there’s a CNN of coffee podcasts, this is it. Sprudge co-founders Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen basically gossip about everything happening in specialty coffee, and I mean that in the best possible way. They cover new café openings, industry drama, equipment releases, and trends with the kind of insider knowledge that makes you feel like you’re part of their crew.

What I love about this show is they don’t take themselves too seriously despite knowing their stuff inside and out. One week they’re discussing fermentation techniques with a Colombian producer, the next they’re debating whether pumpkin spice lattes have any redeeming qualities. The format keeps things fresh, and their chemistry makes even the nerdiest topics entertaining.

Episodes usually run about an hour, perfect for a longer commute or workout. They release fairly regularly, so there’s always something new when you need it. If you want to know what’s actually happening in coffee culture right now—not six months ago—this is your show.

2. The Cat and Cloud Podcast

Chris Baca and Jared Truby aren’t just professional baristas—they’re the kind of people who placed in the finals of the United States Barista Championship and then decided to make specialty coffee accessible to everyone. That’s basically their whole vibe.

This podcast bridges the gap between coffee nerds and normal humans brilliantly. They’ll explain advanced concepts like extraction theory, but in a way that doesn’t make you feel stupid for not knowing what a refractometer is. Their episodes cover everything from starting a coffee business to perfecting your home espresso setup to dealing with difficult customers.

The real magic happens when they bring on guests from across the industry. You’ll hear from equipment manufacturers, competition judges, small business owners, and other baristas who’ve been in the trenches. It’s the kind of content that makes you better at coffee without feeling like homework.

Speaking of getting better at coffee, if you’re inspired to experiment at home, you might want to check out these 25 best easy homemade coffee recipes to try this week. Nothing reinforces what you learn in podcasts like actually making the drinks yourself.

3. I Brew My Own Coffee

Brian Franklin and Bryan Schiele are your guides to never needing Starbucks again. Well, maybe that’s overselling it, but they’ll definitely help you make better coffee at home than you thought possible with your current setup.

These guys worked in specialty coffee for years and decided to democratize that knowledge. Episodes cover practical stuff like choosing the right grind size for different brewing methods, how to home-roast beans (yes, really), and creating your own flavored syrups without the artificial nonsense.

What makes this show different is the focus on home brewing rather than professional café setups. They understand you probably don’t have a $3,000 espresso machine or a commercial grinder. They work with what you actually have and show you how to maximize it.

The community aspect is strong too. Listeners share their successes and failures, creating this supportive environment where everyone’s trying to level up together. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by coffee culture, this show will make you feel right at home.

The Science Squad: For People Who Like Understanding Why

4. The Coffee Science Podcast

Joseph Robertson and Jesse Nelson take a deep dive into the why behind everything coffee. If you’re the type who can’t just follow a recipe without understanding the principles, this is your jam.

They discuss water quality and why your tap water might be ruining everything. They break down extraction science without needing a chemistry degree to follow along. They explore how different processing methods affect flavor—washed versus natural versus honey processing, all that good stuff.

The show is surprisingly accessible despite the scientific focus. They use analogies and real-world examples that make complex concepts click. Plus, they’re not afraid to admit when something in coffee is more art than science, which I appreciate.

Fair warning: this show will make you want to buy stuff. A better refractometer to measure extraction levels, a precision brewing scale that tracks your ratios, maybe even that temperature-controlled electric kettle you’ve been eyeing. I’m not saying buy it all, but you’ll definitely understand why the tools matter.

5. Boss Barista

Ashley Rodriguez brings a critical lens to coffee culture that honestly needs to exist. This isn’t just about making drinks—it’s about the industry, the people, the economics, and the social dynamics of coffee.

Episodes tackle topics like tipping culture, gender dynamics in coffee shops, competition culture, sustainability, and what it actually means to source coffee ethically. Rodriguez is a whip-smart interviewer who asks the questions most hosts won’t.

Some episodes will challenge your assumptions. Others will make you think differently about where your beans come from and who’s getting paid what along the supply chain. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s important stuff that makes you a more conscious consumer.

The show feels especially relevant right now as the specialty coffee industry grows and grapples with its own identity. If you care about coffee as more than just a commodity, this perspective matters.

Tea Time: Because Not Everything Needs Caffeine (But This Does)

6. Tea Time with Alice and Friends

Okay, I’m cheating a bit here because this isn’t exclusively about tea, but Alice Cravens hosts conversations that often circle back to tea culture in fascinating ways. She interviews people from various creative and entrepreneurial backgrounds, and tea becomes this throughline connecting different perspectives.

What I love is how she positions tea as this ritual that creates space for deeper conversation. The show has this calm, reflective quality that matches tea itself—less frantic than coffee culture, more contemplative.

Episodes range from tea blending techniques to the history of tea ceremonies to modern tea entrepreneurship. You’ll learn about oolong oxidation, the difference between Chinese and Japanese green teas, and why water temperature matters even more for tea than coffee.

For those moments when you want something calming instead of energizing, these 12 tea recipes to make you feel calm and focused pair perfectly with what you’ll learn from the show.

7. The Tea Enthusiast’s Podcast

This one goes deep into tea terroir, processing methods, and tasting techniques. Think of it as the tea equivalent of wine nerds discussing a Bordeaux—except more accessible and less pretentious.

The host brings on tea farmers, importers, and master blenders to discuss everything from single-origin teas to creating complex blends. You’ll learn why that Darjeeling first flush costs what it costs, what makes a good pu-erh, and how to properly brew different tea types without ending up with bitter swill.

One episode that stuck with me covered the climate crisis’s impact on tea growing regions. It wasn’t preachy, just honest about what’s happening and how it affects both farmers and consumers. That kind of context makes every cup more meaningful.

The Crossover Episodes: When Coffee Meets Everything Else

8. Filter Stories – Coffee Documentaries

James Harper creates these beautifully produced audio documentaries about coffee that feel more like listening to a feature film than a podcast. Each episode tells a complete story—following a producer in Guatemala, tracing the history of the espresso machine, exploring how colonialism shaped coffee trade.

The production quality is insane. Sound design, music, narrative structure—it all comes together in a way that makes you forget you’re learning. You’re just absorbed in the story.

These aren’t quick listens. Episodes run 30-60 minutes and deserve your full attention. Save them for when you can actually focus, maybe while doing some meal prep or during a long walk. They’re worth it.

If you’re getting inspired to pair your newfound coffee knowledge with actual food, check out these 20 best coffee pairings with breakfast foods. Understanding flavor profiles in coffee translates directly to knowing what foods complement it.

9. The Iced Coffee Hour

Graham Stephan and Jack Selby use coffee as the excuse to talk about everything else—finance, entrepreneurship, life decisions, productivity. It’s not a coffee education show, but it’s perfect for coffee lovers who also care about building businesses or managing money.

The vibe is casual, conversational, occasionally sarcastic. They bring on guests from various industries and just have interesting discussions. Coffee’s the thread that connects it all, but you’re really there for the broader insights.

What makes it work is the authenticity. These guys aren’t trying to sell you a course or push some hustle culture nonsense. They’re just talking through ideas and experiences, and it feels like overhearing your smart friends debate at a coffee shop.

The Industry Insiders: For When You Want the Business Side

10. Keys to the Shop

Chris Deferio created this specifically for coffee shop owners and aspiring owners, but even if you never plan to run a café, the insights are fascinating. You’ll understand why your favorite shop does things certain ways and why some cafés succeed while others fail.

Episodes cover everything from hiring and training staff to menu development to managing cash flow. Guests include successful café owners, equipment suppliers, and business consultants who’ve seen it all.

The practical advice is gold. Even as a home brewer, I picked up tips about workflow optimization and quality consistency that improved my personal setup. Plus, it makes you appreciate your local barista more when you understand everything happening behind that counter.

If you’re curious about the equipment side, you’ll definitely want a good digital thermometer for precise temperature control and maybe invest in a quality burr grinder that won’t break down after six months. Keys to the Shop frequently discusses how equipment choices impact business sustainability.

11. The Daily Coffee Pro

Lee Safar releases short episodes (8-15 minutes) every weekday covering current events in specialty coffee. It’s like getting a daily briefing on what matters in the industry without committing to hour-long shows.

The format works perfectly for busy people. You get industry news, trend analysis, and insights from global coffee professionals in bite-sized pieces. The show runs series with specific guests, so you can dive deeper into topics that interest you.

According to The Podcast Host’s industry statistics, shorter-form podcasts are increasingly popular as listeners seek efficient ways to stay informed. The Daily Coffee Pro nails this format.

What I appreciate is Safar’s curiosity and openness. She challenges conventional wisdom in coffee while staying respectful of different perspectives. The show creates space for constructive criticism of the industry without getting cynical.

The Wild Card: Something Completely Different

12. Drank It! Specialty Coffee Podcast

Zack Stamey, Ray Murakawa, and their rotating cast of co-hosts bring this chaotic energy that somehow works. They discuss home roasting, ultra-light roasts, new equipment, and coffee trends with the enthusiasm of people who genuinely geek out about this stuff.

Episodes often go long—60 to 90 minutes—but they never drag because the conversation stays dynamic. One minute they’re dissecting co-fermentation processes, the next they’re joking about their latest equipment obsessions.

The technical depth is real. They assume listeners have some baseline coffee knowledge and aren’t afraid to get into the weeds. If you’re past the beginner stage and want content that challenges you, this delivers.

They also highlight the home roasting movement, which is exploding right now. If you’ve ever considered roasting your own beans, this show will either convince you to try it or confirm that you’re better off buying from pros. Either way, you’ll learn a ton.

Making the Most of Your Podcast Time

Here’s what nobody tells you about educational podcasts—passive listening doesn’t stick. I burned through dozens of episodes before realizing I couldn’t remember half of what I’d heard.

Now I keep a simple note on my phone titled “Coffee Stuff to Try.” When I hear something interesting—a brewing technique, a flavor pairing, a troubleshooting tip—I jot it down. Then I actually experiment with it during my next brew session.

This approach transforms podcasts from entertainment into actual learning. You’re not just collecting information; you’re building skills. The difference is huge.

Another trick: listen to the same episode twice if it covers something you want to master. First time through, just absorb it. Second time, take notes and plan how you’ll apply it. Sounds excessive, but for episodes packed with technique, it’s worth it.

For broader coffee inspiration, these 15 iced coffee drinks that are better than Starbucks give you a playground to test what you’re learning. Theory meets practice, and your taste buds benefit.

Beyond Listening: Joining the Conversation

Most of these podcasts have communities around them—Discord servers, Instagram accounts, email newsletters. The real value isn’t just the content; it’s connecting with other people who care about this stuff as much as you do.

I never thought I’d be the person DMing questions to podcast hosts or joining online coffee forums, but here we are. The community aspect turned what could’ve been a solo hobby into something social and collaborative.

People share their brewing setups, troubleshoot problems together, and recommend beans or equipment. It’s like having a global coffee club that meets asynchronously through comments and messages.

Some hosts also do live Q&A sessions or record bonus episodes based on listener questions. Engaging with the content this way makes it feel less like consumption and more like participation.

If you’re looking for community-approved recipes that everyone seems to love, try these 20 coffee latte recipes you can make without a machine. They’re consistently popular in online coffee groups for good reason.

The Learning Never Stops (And That’s the Point)

One thing these podcasts taught me: there’s always more to learn about coffee and tea. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, someone introduces a new processing method or brewing technique that changes everything.

Instead of being frustrating, that’s actually liberating. You’re never behind because everyone’s still learning. The coffee sommeliers, the World Barista Champions, the roasters who’ve been at it for decades—they’re all still experimenting and discovering new things.

That mindset shift matters. You’re not trying to reach some final destination of coffee enlightenment. You’re just enjoying the process of getting better, one cup and one episode at a time.

Some mornings you’ll nail that perfect pour-over using techniques from a podcast. Other mornings you’ll make something that tastes like burnt rubber and wonder what went wrong. Both teach you something.

When Tea Deserves Equal Time

Here’s my confession: I started as a coffee-only person. Tea seemed boring by comparison—just hot leaf water, right? The podcasts changed that.

Learning about tea’s complexity, the processing methods, the cultural significance, the flavor possibilities—it opened up a whole new world. Now I appreciate both, and honestly, they complement each other beautifully.

Coffee is my morning ritual when I need that caffeine kick and bold flavors. Tea is my afternoon wind-down when I want something gentler but still interesting. Having both options means I’m never bored with my beverage choices.

The tea podcasts also tend to be more contemplative than their coffee counterparts. Coffee culture can be intense and competitive; tea culture often skews more meditative and philosophical. Both have their place.

If you’re curious about tea’s calming properties, these 12 tea recipes to make you feel calm and focused are a great starting point. They pair perfectly with the tea podcasts’ more relaxed vibe.

The Equipment Rabbit Hole (You’ve Been Warned)

Fair warning: these podcasts will make you want to buy things. It’s inevitable. You’ll hear about some new pour-over brewing device or specialty tea steeper and suddenly that becomes essential to your happiness.

I’ve learned to implement a waiting period. When I hear about something that sounds amazing, I add it to a list and wait two weeks. If I’m still thinking about it after that time, maybe it’s worth getting. Usually, the urge passes and I’ve saved myself from another impulse purchase.

That said, some equipment genuinely transforms your experience. A good digital scale for precise measurements or a quality gooseneck kettle for controlled pouring aren’t just gadgets—they’re tools that help you apply what you’re learning.

The key is distinguishing between stuff that’ll actually improve your coffee versus stuff that just looks cool. The podcasts will help you develop that discernment by explaining what different tools actually do and why they matter.

Looking to expand your coffee repertoire without buying new equipment? These 20 quick coffee drinks with 3 ingredients or less prove you don’t need a ton of gear to make interesting stuff.

Finding Your Gateway Show

If this list feels overwhelming, don’t sweat it. You don’t need to listen to all twelve. Start with one that matches your current interest level and go from there.

Complete beginners: Start with Cat and Cloud or I Brew My Own Coffee. They’re accessible, friendly, and won’t make you feel stupid for not knowing stuff.

Science-minded folks: The Coffee Science Podcast or Filter Stories will scratch that itch for deeper understanding.

Industry professionals or aspiring café owners: Keys to the Shop or The Daily Coffee Pro will give you the business insights you need.

Cultural critics: Boss Barista offers perspectives you won’t find anywhere else.

The beauty of podcasts is you can sample episodes at 1.5x speed to see if a show clicks with you before committing. Some hosts will resonate with your style; others won’t. That’s totally fine. Find your people and go deep with them.

For seasonal inspiration that pairs well with podcast listening, try these 20 coffee recipes for a cozy fall morning. Nothing like a pumpkin spice latte while learning about coffee processing methods.

Your Next Step

The hardest part about starting anything new is, well, starting. Pick one podcast from this list that sounds interesting, download three episodes, and commit to listening to them this week. That’s it. Don’t overthink it.

Maybe you’ll discover that coffee processing methods fascinate you. Maybe you’ll realize you actually prefer tea culture’s philosophical approach. Maybe you’ll just learn how to stop making coffee that tastes like regret every morning. All of these are wins.

The podcast world keeps growing, and new shows launch regularly. These twelve are my current favorites, but your mileage may vary. The important thing is finding content that resonates with you and makes your coffee time more meaningful.

Because at the end of the day, coffee and tea aren’t just beverages—they’re rituals, communities, and gateways to learning about agriculture, economics, science, art, and culture. These podcasts are your backstage pass to all of it.

So grab your favorite mug, brew something delicious, queue up an episode, and see where it takes you. Your morning routine just got a whole lot more interesting.