We believe that coffee is an everyday adventure — and every person choosing to embark on this passionate pursuit of discovery has their own story to tell.
We started this special series because we believe that each #CoffeeAdventurer has a story worth sharing. Coffee is often seen as a solo ritual, but it's always better when the experience is shared — and to us, being able to share the unique stories of the #CoffeeAdventurers we meet is no different.
What we love most about the coffee community is how everyone is so seamlessly connected to one another. Regardless of their origin, experience, or preferences, the coffee community always welcomes new faces who are keen to learn and explore. It’s a community that constantly supports growth, curiosity, and development. This series is our way of paying homage to the movers and tastemakers that make this community so awesome.
For our next feature in our #CoffeeAdventurer series, we'd like to introduce risk taker, world traveller, and Muay Thai Lover: Charity Cheung, hailing from France 🇫🇷
Meet Charity Cheung
Meet Charity Cheung — 2022 French Brewer’s Cup Champion, coffee roastery owner, and bonafide #CoffeeAdventurer.
Charity recently made waves when she won the 2022 French Brewer’s Cup Championship in May. Originally from Hong Kong 🇭🇰, Charity’s path to specialty coffee wasn’t a clear one at first — in fact, it wasn’t even in her plans at all. She was convinced that she wanted to become a policy analyst after graduating with a Masters degree in Public Policy.
It wasn’t long before she realized how much she didn’t actually enjoy what she was doing — nor what she spent years studying (sound familiar? 😉). It took about 2 years before she decided to set sail into uncharted waters in pursuit of her true passion. Even with her eyes set on a new path, as with every adventure, there were unexpected obstacles ahead, but she rose to the challenge.
In 2020, she ventured into specialty coffee by starting her own business in France called ‘Moklair’, alongside her partner and fellow coffee enthusiast. It was such a feat for her to push through those initial challenges in starting a brand new coffee business, especially since she was in a foreign country. But she followed through, and with it came her drive to excel and make a name for herself at the elite national brewing competitions.
Just 2 years since she risked it all and followed her dreams, she’s already achieved so much and is on her way to the 2022 World Brewers Cup Championship in Australia.
We recently sat down with Charity to talk about her journey, and all the ups and downs that have made the ride worth it. Check out our interview below:
"It's never too late to follow your dreams and choose a different career path. It won't be easy but fear is good. Embrace it, love it, and go for it."
Think back to how your adventure into specialty coffee first started. As they always say, ‘it’s not about destination, but the journey that makes it all worthwhile’. Was there a memorable moment or experience that really stands out?
Charity: My first time at the Paris Coffee Festival. I remember feeling intimidated by the coffee community yet super excited at the same time.
It was the first time that I saw a cupping session, tasted the geisha varietal, and found my passion for tasting.
The best adventures are often the ones that are unplanned–the ones that lead us to new, unforgettable experiences when we least expect it. What’s something new you discovered through your coffee adventure?
Charity: During the COVID lockdown, we had more time on our hands than usual... So my partner Kévin decided to buy a Diedrich IR-2.5 coffee roaster. This hobby later transformed into establishing our company Moklair, a roastery based in the Champagne region of France, Reims. And we finally opened our first boutique/coffee bar 4 months ago!
You shared a post about how you thought you knew the right career path to take before realizing your true passion. This meant starting from the beginning in a new field & even venturing to opening a company in a foreign country. What’s one piece of good advice you’d like to share about confronting fear and following your dreams?
Charity: It'll be tough, but it'll be worth it.
It's never too late to follow your dreams and choose a different career path.
It won't be easy but fear is good. Embrace it, love it, and go for it.
What I love about the coffee community is the diverse backgrounds and talents of each person I meet. As a coffee adventurer, could you share more about any interesting passion projects or hobbies you’re involved in?
Charity: I love Muay Thai. It's always been a part of me.
Although I no longer box as much as I used to, it's something that I'll never give up. I enjoy the adrenaline, the speed, and the force. It puts me in a different mindset and allows me to push my limits.
This has been an amazing year for you so far, especially having won the 2022 French Brewer’s Cup. How would you describe your path getting to this point and what it took for you to achieve such a feat?
Charity: This was my second year competing for the French Brewer's Cup. Last year, I made lots of mistakes and I also learnt a lot from that. This year, I won because of my coach Kemal. He taught me how to be more organized, more confident, and also trained me to become a better brewer. I wouldn't have made it without him and Kévin!
"My partner Kévin decided to buy a Diedrich IR-2.5 coffee roaster. This hobby later transformed into establishing our company Moklair, a roastery based in the Champagne region of France, Reims. And we finally opened our first boutique/coffee bar 4 months ago!"
We were so honored to see the AVENSI glasses on a world stage at the Paris Cafe Festival. I know there’s a lot of research and care taken with every aspect of your Brewers Cup presentation. When selecting the vessel to serve your coffee, I’m curious to know what you look for. Is it purely from a sensory aspect? Or are there other factors like temperature retention, aesthetics, or even the ability to swirl the coffee for enhanced aromatic diffusion?
Charity: I was looking for a vessel that enhanced the coffee drinking experience, something that brings out the unique coffee aromas and flavours. The swirling dimension to the AVENSI glasses was definitely a plus. As a wine lover, we're used to swirling our glasses to bring out aromas, so I was excited to let my judges experience the same thing with coffee.
What does it mean to you to be a ‘Coffee Adventurer’?
Charity: For me, to be a 'Coffee Adventurer' means to be an explorer and try new things. The world of coffee is growing rapidly and we should be open to new experiences and accept new ideas.
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?
Charity: Life is too short to drink bad coffee ;)
Charity has already achieved so much in her coffee journey and by the looks of it, there’s no stopping her as she makes her way to the Melbourne International Coffee Expo in September!
It’s truly admirable how far she’s come given the challenges she faced when she was just starting out in a brand new industry. If you’re looking for some inspiration or motivation in your own coffee journey, we highly recommend following Charity on Instagram to stay updated with her coffee adventures!
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