Every year, baristas and home brewers from around the world compete for one of the most coveted titles in coffee competitions: the World Aeropress Championship. I myself threw my hat into the ring
Category: Interviews
Building a Better Pour-over: a Conversation with Poursteady CEO Stephan von Muehlen
I have to admit, the first time I heard about Poursteady, I hated the idea. As a barista trainer, I was skeptical a machine could do a better job of making a pour-over than a well-trained barista.
WBC Judge Trent Rollings to Launch New Online Training Program
I first met Trent Rollings when we judged the Turkish coffee championships together in 2018. Later, Trent would host some SCA classes I taught at his coffee company, Incommon Coffee Roasters, in be
Good Hands in Coffee: an Interview with Stuart Ritson
For many coffee pros, Stuart Ritson needs no introduction. The former chair of the Barista Guild has worn many hats in the coffee industry, including serving as Cafe Imports’ director of European
Behind the Scenes with Chris Deferio of Keys to the Shop
I first met Chris Deferio in Madison Square Park at the original Shake Shack kiosk. I had just arrived in New York with my friend Kenny Smith to compete in the World Latte Art Open Championship at
Double Dutch: an interview with World Aeropress Champion Wendelien van Bunnik
Just over a year ago I traveled to Den Haag to take a course to become an authorized SCA trainer. Sitting across from me in the class was the reigning Dutch barista champion, Wendelien van Bunnik.
Should Coffee be Saved? An interview with Lucia Solis
Among the voices calling for change in the coffee industry, none ring clearer than Lucia Solis’s. As a trained oenologist who studied at UC Davis, Solis uses her expertise as a winemaker to h
Enter the Roasters: Warrick Masfen and Suzi Erit Launch KungPow Coffee
Earlier this year we were at a cupping at Istanbul’s Arabica Trading House when a colorful coffee bag caught our eye. It turned out to be the first production roast from KungPow Coffee, a col
Black & White Coffee Roasters Opens in Videri Chocolate Factory
Peanut butter and jelly. Cookies and milk. Thai food and riesling. There’s a lot of classic food pairings, but perhaps none more universal than coffee and chocolate. So it’s fitting tha
Barista Interview: Carolina Ibarra, 2018 World Aeropress Champion
Of all of the varied coffee competitions in the world, there’s little question which one is the most fun: the World Aeropress Championship. The Aeropress enjoys a cult-like following around t