At ICOSA Brewhouse, we believe every cup of coffee opens the door to a new adventure. This International Coffee Day, we’re celebrating the passion, innovation, and dedication of those who have taken their coffee journey to extraordinary heights.
As part of our special #CoffeeAdventurer series, we’re excited to introduce Alvin Cheng—a freelance marketing consultant, home barista, and one of the first partner-resellers of the Kinu hand grinder. Based in Hong Kong, Alvin has made a significant mark in the coffee community, using his platform to connect people through a shared love of specialty coffee.
Meet Alvin Cheng: Coffee Adventurer from Hong Kong
Alvin is well-regarded in the coffee community for his hands-on expertise as a home barista and his active role in collaborating on cutting-edge coffee gear innovations.
We had the chance to sit down with Alvin to explore his coffee journey, and uncover what drives his passion for continuously exploring the ever-evolving world of coffee.
ICOSA Brewhouse: Is there a memorable moment or experience in your coffee journey so far that stands out?
Alvin: There’s been so many memorable moments throughout the years. I guess one of the most significant would be the time I personally met Adam Overton, one of the founders of Gesha Village, during a private cupping event in 2018 after being a huge fan of their amazing coffees for some time. We’ve been good friends ever since and they even send me their Pride of Gesha Auction Lot coffees each year since that day.
Use code COFFEE24 at checkout for any of our products!
From Passion to Collaboration
Alvin’s journey extended beyond personal exploration. His passion for coffee led him to become one of the earliest partner-resellers of the Kinu hand grinder, an important milestone in his coffee adventure. Through this partnership, Alvin connected with a larger community of coffee enthusiasts who share his love for precision and the craft of coffee brewing.
ICOSA Brewhouse: What’s something new you discovered about yourself through your coffee adventures so far?
Alvi: I began my IG (Instagram) account back in 2014 as a means to keep track of my coffee journey. This has evolved to become a page where friends and followers can find shared, helpful knowledge and information about coffee-related things that I personally like and find useful. More recently, I find myself helping in the design of new products for my favourite ceramicists.
Discoveries Along the Coffee Journey
As Alvin honed his craft, he quickly became a passionate advocate for the importance of quality tools and education in coffee brewing. His impact goes beyond his enthusiasm as a home barista—he actively shares insights with the community, helping others discover new techniques and deepen their appreciation for the nuances of specialty coffee.
ICOSA Brewhouse: As a coffee adventurer, could you share more about any interesting passion projects or hobbies you’re involved in?
Alvin: My relationship with notable ceramicists MK Studio in Copenhagen, Denmark began in late 2016 when I started collecting their beautiful cups. Around late 2020 / early 2021, I was kindly asked to help with their first coffee dripper design, the MK Dripper. This flatbed dripper was later used by Elika Liftee to win his second US Brewers Cup championship title. More recently, I co-designed a brand new conical dripper, the MK V dripper, which even bears my IG nickname “Señor Geisha” as a tribute for my continued friendship and assistance. Several more projects are in the pipeline, so stay tuned!
ICOSA Brewhouse: What’s one tip you’d like to share with your fellow coffee adventurers when it comes to starting or continuing on this never-ending journey that we all share?
Alvin: Never stop learning and always enjoy the process and the friends you make along the way.
ICOSA Brewhouse: Lastly, what advice would you give to other coffee-loving people out there?
Alvin: Be friendly and respectful, everyone has their own personal preferences.
This International Coffee Day, we proudly celebrate the spirit of discovery that unites coffee lovers around the world. Alvin’s journey is a reminder that no matter where we start, there’s always more to explore. So here’s to the adventurers, the brewers, and the dreamers—may your next cup be your best one yet!
As a gift for National Coffee Day, we’ve teamed up with Alvin Cheng to give away the Avensi Wave Sensory Set — the ultimate way to elevate your coffee experience!
The giveaway runs from Sept 27 to Oct 3, so don’t miss out!
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