2024 is in the bag (of coffee)
A look back on another mad year
It’s time to put 2024 to bed, tuck it up nicely and read it a good night story.
While a lot of what has impacted the world in the years post-COVID remains with us (economy issues, culture wars, actual wars, and a wildly inconsistent Black Caps), 2024 had a tinge of hope that made it feel like we were actually progressing, somewhere. Win, lose or draw, as long as a destination of some kind is in reach, that’s a win, right At least I think so.
So, come along with me for self-indulgent trip down memory lane, as we reflect on the top yarns, the biggest fails and the good times we’ve all had with The Magic Roast in 2024.
2024 - the year of paid subscriptions
At the end of 2023, in a stressy COVID inspired button push, paid subscriptions to The Magic Roast was turned on.
I’d like to thank each and every one of you legends who contribute actual money to support The Magic Roast. I get monthly pings when it lands in my account, and it never fails to put a massive smile on my dial.
Your contribution to The Magic Roast helps the coffee exploration to continue, and for those lessons to be shared with you - so it’s not my pocket the money is going to, but cafes, roasters and coffee suppliers across Aotearoa - as detailed in my still mind-boggling Coffee Year in Review:
If you’re not a member, it’s super easy to be one. Just click the button below up upgrade your subscription. For less than the price of a cup of coffee a month, you’ll help keep this show on the road.
Top stories on The Magic Roast in 2024
The yarns must been hitting their mark, because you, the reader, have helped 2024 become the biggest year in TMR history.
Here are some of the top stories from The Magic Roast in 2024:
1 - Review: AeroPress Flow Control Cap
3 April 2024
I really need to spend more time looking at the stats - I tend to have a quick look for a few days and then forget about it… So, colour me shocked because this post had nearly 3,000 views - a TMR record.
The cool thing about the AeroPress Flow Control Cap is that I still use it. A lot. It’s a tool that continues to stand the test of time and gives me more flexibility with the AP.
2 - The most expensive coffee I have purchased
12 September 2024
An exploration into the world of very expensive coffee really just proved that New Zealand roasters are just as good, if not better, than their famed colleagues from Europe, but at a fraction of the cost.
Get some Kiwi up ya.
3 - NZ’s next top barista?
26 September 2024
It’s utterly unsurprising that this yarn did so well, as Matt Ross is a great barista, an even better human, and everyone wanted him to succeed.
This was also the first post I played with AI for an audio version - and aside from getting a slap on the wrist for using AI tools on a work laptop (lol), I think it went pretty well.
4 - Good shout: Special Mention, Mt Maunganui
11 January 2024
I’m not entirely sure what it was about this yarn, at this time of year, but this mini cafe review, the first of the ‘Good Shout’ series, really popped off. Must have been those sweet summer vibes.
Still a great cafe, and featured in the Sprudge Guide to Coffee in Tauranga.
5 - Exploring coffee in Tokyo
30 January 2024
TMR contributor Matty T penned this review of the magic city of Tokyo.
TMR readers must know a lot of people who got to Tokyo, as this is hands down the most shared story on TMR,
We’re hoping to get more stories from Matty T in 2025, as he is a killer writer and exceptional human.
Biggest TMR fail of 2024
For all of you who ended up at The Magic Roast thanks to Dirt Church Radio (and there are a few of you!) TMR is meant to have a lot more running content than we’ve seen this year.
My running goal for 2024 was to get prepped for the Tarawera Ultra Marathon 50km event in February 2025, and you were all coming with me.
I posted this yarn in March 2024 (One run at a time - the road to TUM50), started my training and then injured my back doing some gardening. 2 months off running was okay, but then it was injury after injury after injury. I still havent managed to get back into running properly, though my new road is Rotorua half marathon in May.
Biggest TMR coffee successes of 2024
Aside from the amazing growth of this platform, I had some personal coffee wins that filled my cup.
Getting second at the 2024 Allbrews Throwdown in Wellington was huge for me. It was the coffee scene validation I was seeking to help legitimize my hawt takes and terrible coffee opinions.
Following that up with getting to the quarterfinals of the 2024 NZ V60 Championship in Auckland, using the same brewing approach but with a different brewer, really solidified that. I’ll be dining out on those successes for ever (and keeping one eye on a potential 2026 NZ Brewers Cup run…)
But one of the biggest wins of the year has to be getting published in the world’s biggest coffee website - Sprudge. The Sprudge Guide to Coffee in Tauranga was a win on many levels - it got me exploring my new city; I met a bunch of amazing people while drinking amazing coffee; I got called a journalist.
Thank you
A mad, genuine and heartfelt thank you to everyone who subscribes, pays for, reads, shares, likes, and comments on this weird little coffee blog.
2024 has been a great year, thanks to you all.
I have some awesome stuff planned for 2025 - I hope you’re all there with me.
Chur.