‘My preference goes out to the washed Ethiopian coffees which have a softer flavor. Within the team, it’s motivating to see how everyone is focused on great coffee. Whereas for my role in logistics, for me it’s about mirroring the quality of the service to the quality of the coffee.’
‘I started working in coffee as a barista, and never left. Coffee became part of my life quite quickly. Like many people working in the industry, what intrigues me about coffee is its complexity and diversity. From growing, to primary processing, shipping, to roasting, to brewing. Everything and everybody plays a part in the quality of the end product and actually getting that cup to your table. My first trip to Ethiopia will always remain special because of that: actually seeing all the hands coffee flows through, from beginning to end. As Quality Manager I ensure that Trabocca’s coffee is the quality it needs to be, from sensory to green, according to food safety and certification standards.‘
‘It’s a pleasure to get to enjoy some of the best coffees in the world every day at the office. With years of experience in logistics and the international coffee business, I can anticipate the priorities of the client and what the necessary steps are to move coffee around the world.’
‘While roasting my coffee in a pan back in the day, I first experienced the changes in smell and color which resulted in a fresh coffee. I was amazed! Most important to me is my passion to explore, create and improve the supply chain, while sharing our experience and knowledge.'
‘I will never forget the first time I drank a Geisha Panama coffee from the Chemex: so clean and pure. My focus here is to try and to see things from a client’s perspective. I always make sure we are on the same page and advise the best option available.'
‘It was a proud moment for me to see Haile Gebre, the first farmer I worked with, develop as a key preferred supplier of various sustainable specialty coffee chains. At Trabocca, I always like to hear a Key Buyer explain what makes them tick, what makes them smile and what makes them sad. This way I get the satisfaction of finding tailor-made solutions.'
'I’ve been fortunate to experience many great coffee moments during my career in coffee, however, one which really stands out for me is when I was able to share a cup of coffee with a farmer in Tanzania who had been growing coffee for over 25 years and had never tried his own coffee before. At Trabocca I am responsible for sourcing coffee from Ethiopia. I bring knowledge and experience of working for an exporter in East Africa to manage and maintain the relationship between our suppliers and meet the needs and requirements of Trabocca and our customers.'
'My most memorable coffee experience happened totally by coincidence when I stayed in a plantation which doubled as a hostel in Colombia. On a tour, we picked coffee and roasted some in a pan; Ethiopian style. I was hooked in a new way. Three months later I quit my city job and moved country to work with coffee. Equally memorable was my first visit to Ndaroini with Menno. 400 farmers turned up out of nowhere to greet us, some had driven all the way across the country, incredible. At Trabocca, I aim to share this passion with whoever will listen.'
'My most memorable coffee moment was when I visited the port of Singapore at young age accompanying my father to take some coffee samples for our formerly family-owned commodity trading firm. The big piles of coffee bags and the scale of the warehouse made an ever-lasting impression on me. From that moment onwards commodity trading has kept my interest. Starting my career at Trabocca has fulfilled my wish to work in commodity trading and moreover enables me to connect people from all over the world with amazing coffees.'
'As a person who grew up in a coffee-producing country, coffee is always present in warm memories with family and friends. My most memorable coffee memory was when I went camping in the suburbs of Bandung, Indonesia with a group of friends, and for the first time I drank a great coffee from local farmers; since then, I've been on the lookout for a good cup of coffee. In the quality department, I am eager to contribute to high-quality sample delivery and to ensure that customers receive samples on time.'
If there was one drink I can have for the rest of my life, it would be coffee. Having that first cup to start your day is truly a special moment. At Trabocca, I am responsible for the company's marketing strategies, branding, and content marketing. My skills and interests include visual communication, graphic arts, and project management.
When I attended my first cupping session, I noticed fruity flavors in coffee instead of the bitterness I was used to. This moment I realized coffee is more than just a cup to keep you awake. The complexity and all the different processes started to get my interest and that’s how coffee became my passion as well. Part of my job as a Quality Engineer is to make sure that the coffee is safe for our customers to drink. Therefore, I have direct contact with the farmers, so I get the right information about the whole process from processing to packaging.
Born and raised in the south of Minas Gerais, Brazil, I was surrounded by coffee from an early age. My grandfather was a small coffee grower, and I have fond memories of playing in the patio full of coffee cherries. Later, when I started working with coffee, I soon discovered the diverse flavors, stories and people behind each cup. I then knew I wanted to pursue a career in coffee. Now, as part of Trabocca's trading team, I elevate this mission by connecting clients to exceptional coffees not just from Brazil but from many origins.