Happy Father's Day, Coffee Adventurers!
This year, we're thrilled to put the spotlight on some incredible and dedicated Coffee Dads. Their passion for coffee and commitment to fatherhood continue to inspire us all.
Meet Mark aka @ju5tbrew
Meet Mark, a devoted father who takes every opportunity to create lasting memories with his kids. For the past 20 years, coffee has been more than just a beverage for Mark; it's been a cornerstone of his life, shaping his professional journey and enriching his personal experiences.
His deep passion for coffee has become a family affair, with his children growing up surrounded by the rich aroma and the rituals of brewing. Mark feels incredibly fortunate to share this love of coffee with his family, making it an integral part of their lives and strengthening their bond over countless shared moments.
ICOSA Brewhouse: Are there any valuable lessons that coffee has taught you about raising kids — or vice versa?
Mark: Like brewing the perfect cup of coffee takes time, raising children requires patience. And just like savoring a good pour-over coffee, take the time to enjoy the moment. Kids are only little for a short while.
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ICOSA Brewhouse: Do you have any plans to involve your kids in your coffee journey? Are there any lessons about coffee that you hope to pass down to them?
Mark: Coffee has played a significant role in my life for the past 20 years, both professionally and personally. I've been fortunate that my kids have witnessed my passion for coffee as they've grown up. They've captured this enthusiasm in their drawings of me, in how they describe me to their friends, and even in their playtime imitations.
Although they are still too young to enjoy a cup of coffee themselves, I hope to instill in them the understanding that coffee is more than just a beverage. It's a moment to slow down, to savor the process of creating something for yourself, and to share that experience with others.
ICOSA Brewhouse: Lastly, what advice would you give to other coffee-loving dads out there?
Mark: To take advantage of their curiosity by sharing the story from farm to cup in a way they can understand and appreciate. Get them coffee-themed toys like an espresso machine so they can play along - it's a great way for them to spend time with you while you share your passion and pass it along.
Meet Tyler aka @commonlycoffee
Meet Tyler, our longtime coffee adventurer who was first featured in our Father’s Day special two years ago. Since then, Tyler has continued to share glimpses of his family life, beautifully blending his role as a parent to two kids with his passion for specialty coffee.
Two years later, Tyler remains as authentic as ever on Instagram. His kids have now entered their teenage years, with his daughter becoming a fan of all things Starbucks (he's made the conscious choice to view this as a positive)!
Despite the passage of time, one thing that surely hasn’t changed is Tyler’s bright, sunny personality and love for family and his kids.
Check out how our latest conversation with Tyler went down below!
ICOSA Brewhouse: You were part of our previous Father’s Day feature two years ago, and I’m sure many things have changed since then. Are there any new lessons coffee has taught you about raising kids?
Tyler: It was amazing to have the chance to be featured two years ago! And I am so thankful for the opportunity again this time around. I would have to say that just like how my two kids are so different and unique, such is also the case with specialty coffee. No two coffees are the same. How you approach them, interact with them, etc. will be unique to each one.
And just like how I continue to learn and discover more about the uniquenesses and individuality of my kids, the more time and energy I invest into growing in my understanding of specialty coffee the more it excites me.
The journey of parenthood and specialty coffee is always one of learning and discovery.
ICOSA Brewhouse: You mentioned in our interview two years ago that your son was about to enter his teenage years :) Have your plans to involve your kids and wife in your coffee journey been successful? Are there any lessons about coffee that you hope to pass down to them?
Tyler: Lots has changed since that last feature. Both of my kids have now entered their teenage years. And my daughter has become a fan of all things-Starbucks. While some of us may shake their heads at that, the reality is, the specialty coffee community owes a great deal to Starbucks in pioneering the movement towards third-wave culture. So I choose to see the positive in this. At home we love making Matcha Lattes and enjoy flavouring them with syrups from Proper. I love being able to do this with her.
Recently my wife and I were in Rwanda for a few weeks and I had the opportunity to bring her along to accompany me on a tour of a coffee farm & wash station. It was a life-changing experience to be in origin and to share my love of specialty coffee with her through our time in origin. Getting the chance to have her with me to experience specialty coffee this way was an opportunity I will not soon forget.
ICOSA Brewhouse: Lastly, what advice would you give to other coffee-loving dads out there?
Tyler: If I could offer advice for coffee-loving dads out there it would be “slowdown and savour.” Slowdown and savour the coffees you brew. And slow down and savour the moments you have with your kids. They really do grow up fast, and those beans don’t last forever in that coffee bag either.
And while you can always vac-seal and freeze coffee to prolong it a bit more, the same doesn’t apply when it comes to your kids! LOL.
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Meet Jon aka @exploration_coffee
Meet Jon, our Coffee Adventurer known and loved for his insightful educational videos about coffee and brewing. When he's not sharing his vast knowledge with the coffee community, Jon is busy being a devoted dad and taking care of his family! His son, who is nearly 2 years old, has been through a challenging medical journey, and Jon's story is truly inspiring.
Jon beautifully blends his passion for coffee with his role as a dad, applying the insights from each aspect of his life to enrich the other. His journey is a testament to the profound impact that patience, dedication, and love can have, both in brewing the perfect cup and in raising a child.
ICOSA Brewhouse: Are there any valuable lessons coffee has taught you about raising kids — or vice versa?
Jon: There are definitely some tie-ins between coffee and kiddos! When I think of a morning pourover, I think of taking my time, working on the process, and being patient. A lot of those same mindsets can be cast on raising kids too. My son has been through a lot in his first nearly 2 years through a challenging medical journey. Slowing down and being patient (like I do making a manual brew) with him as he grows, learns, etc. is key and has been good for both of us. Believing and trusting that his life has a far greater purpose than my own personal need for comfort or convenience (the difference between manual brewing specialty coffee and using a Kcup lol) is a constant, helpful reminder as my wife and I seek to guide him and nurture him into the man he should be.
ICOSA Brewhouse: Do you have any plans to involve your kids in your coffee journey? Are there any lessons about coffee that you hope to pass down to them?
Jon: Of course! Aside from the obvious “specialty coffee is better in every way…” Some of the lessons specifically about coffee that I would love for my son to learn as he grows are:
1. An appreciation for quality - learning to recognize and appreciate the nuances of specialty coffee can instill a sense of quality and craftsmanship in other areas.
2. Cultural Awareness: There’s an amazing global community with thousands of unique cultures and stories.
3. Entrepreneurial Spirit: I would love my son to learn about marketing, customer service, and running a small business by involving him in my coffee journey.
ICOSA Brewhouse: Lastly, what advice would you give to other coffee-loving dads out there?
Jon: Let your kids do this with you. It’s not always convenient. It’s not always fun for you. But allowing your kids to share this passion for coffee with you, whether it’s filter brewing, pulling espresso, latte art (not that my son will learn anything from me there), profiling… it’s something they will remember for the rest of their life. It’s a passion that you can help them grow with. A love for culture, fine tastes, recipes, etc. that all feel a bit more important than you “need” to not be interrupted because “dad’s busy right now.” :)
A huge thank you to our three Coffee Adventurers for being part of this year's Father's Day Feature. We've loved hearing your stories of fatherhood and how your passion for coffee has enriched your lives.
Wishing a happy Father's Day to all the coffee-loving dads out there!