Grind and Shine

Isabel Ng Blog Post

At the end of our 2025 Asia trip, in the vibrant hum of Singapore, I met Isabel Ng at a spot called Bettr Coffee.  As we sat down, her voice carrying the weight of reflection, the conversation flowed like a slow pour-over: deliberate, layered, and revealing. For I’M NOT A...

Danny Toro: Brewing Community from 80°C Glory Blog Post

We’re excited to bring you a new episode of I’M NOT A BARISTA, featuring Danny Toro (they/them), the 2024 US AeroPress Champion! In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Danny Toro (they/them), the 2024 US AeroPress Champion. From brewing a groundbreaking 80°C cup to win in Portugal, Danny’s...
Gabor Mordy Jakab

Gabor Mordy Jakab Blog Post

In the gentle embrace of Berlin’s Köpenick, where lakes ripple like soft secrets and ancient oaks stand sentinel, Gabor Mordy Jakab—Mordy to a few old souls—has found his rhythm at 45. His days hum with a purpose that feels alive, not frantic, a balance he’s clawed his way to after...
Danny Toro

Danny Toro Blog Post

Have you ever brewed coffee at 80 degrees Celsius? In 2024, Danny Toro (they/them) did, standing on a Portugal stage at the International AeroPress Championship, their AeroPress steaming as the crowd leaned in. “I couldn’t believe it,” they said, recalling the moment their daringly low temperature unlocked the sweetest, most...
hopehi wang chuan

Wang Chuan Blog Post

Snow falls softly on Shenyang’s quiet streets, blanketing the northern Chinese city in a hush that feels eternal. Inside a small apartment, Wang Chuan, a photographer with a restless heart, flips through snapshots of a Taipei café, its warm lights cutting through the evening chill. It’s 2016, and he’s just...
Xianxian at Cafe Modori

Yunxian Li Blog Post

Meeting Yunxian Li, also known as Xianxian, a barista at Café Modori in Guangzhou, was a completely serendipitous experience—one that reminded us how coffee connects people who share a true passion for this beverage. After the bustling Shenzhen Hotelex, we spent two unforgettable days in Guangzhou, guided by Xianxian and...
Gladys-Kutakuta-Luzolo-and-her-mom

Gladys Kutakuta-Luzolo Blog Post

After spending over a decade immersed in the fashion and digital marketing industries, Gladys Kutakuta-Luzolo’s career took an unexpected turn during her expatriation to Seoul, South Korea in 2018. What started as a simple appreciation for coffee gradually transformed into something deeper as she explored the bustling city’s unique coffee...
Nadia Park

Nadia Park Blog Post

“I just didn't want to make educational content. I never won (or participated in) a Brewer's or Barista’s Championship, so I had no visible credibility. And as much as I would like to explain things, I think those are for others. For me, it was more about how I can...
coffee wristbands

Call-to-Action for Coffeeholics! Blog Post

    Coffee Wristbands 50% OFFEvery wristband purchased enacts a positive impact on the lives of those in the local coffee community. Buy now I’M NOT A BARISTA has been raising money for Las Adelitas Café Ecológico, a non-profit feminist organization trying to: “position differentiated…coffees in the national and international...