Interviews November 2023 | I KNOW JERRY FROM TORONTO

Who was in the November 2023 box?

Making art in South London (UK), coffee stories in Vilnius (LT). We met the fox of coffee in Hohengoeft (FR) and talked again with our friends from Tübingen (DE).

South London - United Kingdom

Martyna Makes

Martyna's art isn't just a reflection of her talent;it's a visual love letter to the city that never sleeps.From the iconic red double-decker buses to the ever-changing skyline, her creations breathe life into the soul of London.Producing art that embraces the intricate tapestry of human existence and delves into the nuances of everyday reality, she revels in translating the peculiar and intimate musings of our minds into vibrant and whimsical visuals.Her work transforms these abstract thoughts and ideas into daring and playful artistic expressions.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to become an illustrator?

I studied graphic design at university.I see it as another way of image-making and transforming narratives, so it goes hand in hand with the illustrative side of my practice.I have always been drawing in one way or another since I was a child, even if I wasn’t the most technically skilled drawer - it’s something I always enjoyed.

How do you decide on the themes or subjects for your illustrations?

There are two ways that I go about choosing themes for my illustrations.
There is something I want to speak on and I make work around it
A little more abstract method I will work with loose shapes, symbols and objects and start to put them into categories and see what themes link them

Can you share some of your favorite projects or illustrations that you've worked on?

Every few months I collaborate with Hand-Made DJ’s who are based in Edinburgh on event posters. The briefs are super open which is really freeing, I feel like me and the Hand-Made duo have developed a real understanding of how we both work which is always super beneficial for a great collaboration!I’m also working on paintings which has been a challenge taking my super flat, digital vectors into more textured paintings on wood.I have also slowly been getting into screen printing - taking a step back and creating more manual work has really opened up a new way of thinking about my practice.

Any dream projects or collaborations you're aiming for?

There’s always an ongoing list of people I’d like to work with.I’d love a challenge to create something 3D, figurines, large sculptural work, I don’t know what form that could take yet.

Jerry thinks coffee and art are the perfect combinations!Have you ever collaborated with coffee shops or roasteries?

Surprisingly, I haven’t collaborated with coffee shops or roasters but it’s definitely something I’m up for.

"Quick hot tip for adults: dream a little!"

Hohengoeft - France

Renart

Renart, the maestro of coffee in Hohengoeft, invites you to embark on a delightful journey through the flavors of his town, one carefully brewed cup at a time.Prepare to be enchanted by the warmth of his roasts and the hospitality of Hohengoeft, where every coffee tale is a blend of tradition, taste, and a touch of whimsy.

When and how did you start liking coffee?

I started to really enjoy coffee in 2018 when I first drank my first V60 in a Coffee shop in Strasbourg and later in a Berlin coffee shop tour.Before when I lived in Montreal, I only drank Latte.

When did you learn about specialty coffee?What brought you into the coffee industry?

I learned about specialty coffee in 2019 when I started competing in the French Cup tasting.The taste, the tools, and all the code about Coffee bring me to the Coffee Industry, always want to learn more and share.

How did you learn about coffee roasting?

I learned about Roasting by myself, through a lot of trials and errors, with Roasters' friends, and from Scott Rao's books too.

What kind of coffee equipment do you use at home?

At home/ Workshop, I'm using Glass Kalita185 most of the time, and the new Next Level Pulsar.If I want an espresso I'm using Lamarzocco Linea Mini.And EK34 for the grinder.

Can you tell us a bit about the city where your roastery is?

Hohengoeft is really a tiny village in Alsace, North Easter of France, next to a hill, for a nice point of view of the Mountains Vosges on one side, and on the other side Strasbourg and the Black Forest.

"I hope you will really enjoy that coffee I've loved, working with Nestor Lasso since the beginning, and I always like the new coffees and varieties he has."

Vilnius - Lithuania

CROOKED NOSE & COFFEE STORIES

Introducing Vilnius' very own coffee roaster, the caffeinated enigma of the Baltic.He's a man of few words but many beans, and the flavor adventures he leads you on will leave you both amused and caffeinated.Uncover the secrets of Vilnius, one coffee at a time, with Crooked Nose & Coffee Stories as your witty guide!

Could you share the story of what first ignited your passion for coffee roasting?What was that 'aha' moment or experience that led you down this delicious path?

First of all, sending best wishes to all noses!I believe it was a curiosity that led me to coffee games including roasting.During 2011 I was really reading a lot about the new wave of lightly or carefully roasted beans and I guess my very first motivator was “Dear Coffee I love you” blog by Brian Jones.I knew I wanted to try everything myself.So, I bought my first 15 kilos of green beans from “Hasbean” and decided to roast and sell them during one Christmas.And well the most funny thing was that I roasted all these 15 kilos of coffee in my home pan.I guess that was my ‘aha’ moment.I spent almost three days roasting them, almost had no sleep but I did it.It was my first and one of the best roasting educations, hah.

It is our first time having coffee from Lithuania.What is the coffee scene like in Lithuania?

I think the coffee scene is pretty active at the moment in Lithuania.Here in Vilnius, we have lots of new cafes, roasteries and we’ve just had a mighty return of the “Vilnius Coffee Festival” with quite many roasters, baristas and a new wave of coffee enthusiasts who came not only to taste some new coffee beans but also brought the nice questions.I really love the situations when “normal” people are interested in coffee culture.Me and my wife Inga have a local coffee school and we feel that for the last three years, more and more people have wanted to learn more and more about coffee brewing, history, culture, etc.So it is a really good time to enjoy coffee in Lithuania.And it is a pleasure to be a part of it.

What is your favorite coffee? It can be a specific variety, origin, or a roaster.

Normally I would say that my best coffee is the coffee I haven’t tried yet.But to be more specific I would say Yemeni coffee is personally most impressive.They are naturally different and you do not need to put on any special effects or special processing methods to make them stand out.At the same time, I would say that I really like lots of new Brazilian beans.This country is big and can offer really interesting cup profiles.

What kind of ‘fun’ moments are there while roasting?

The biggest fun for me is to roast the beans I’ve never tried before.You always try to find the key to its most delicious state although I know it is very subjective.

If someone were to experience your city through your eyes, what unique and off-the-beaten-path activities or places would you recommend?I'm looking for the hidden gems that locals cherish, the places that truly capture the essence of Vilnius.

It definitely depends on what you’re looking for, but I could recommend some activities and spots we enjoy with our family.Thanks to my wife I’ve just found out very nice sauna place in the city.Try it if you want to experience a specialty Lithuanian sauna.It is called “Ivãnas muša gongã” and it is close to the old “Kalvarijų” market which I would recommend visiting too.We also visit lots of local museums. Try “The National Gallery of Art”, “Mo Museum”, “The Museum of Applied Arts and Design ”, “Kazys Varnelis House-Museum”, “Vartai” gallery.Our fav coffee spots are “Mirang Cafe”, “Espressinė”. I always enjoy small and quiet places.Our favorite food places are “Gaspar’s” and “Le Travi”.Our favorite cocktail bar is “Dom16”. Our fav online radio is “Vilnius Radio”.

"Stay curious, enjoy stories."

Tübingen - Germany

SUEDHANG

Meet SUEDHANG, the artisanal coffee roaster from the heart of Tübingen.With a passion for perfection and a commitment to quality, SUEDHANG has mastered the art of roasting beans to create a symphony of flavors in every cup.Nestled in the picturesque town of Tübingen, this roastery is a hidden gem, offering coffee enthusiasts a taste of expertly crafted blends and single-origin delights. SUEDHANG’s dedication to the craft shines through in every roast, promising a rich and satisfying coffee experience that captures the essence of Tübingen's coffee culture.Elevate your coffee journey with SUEDHANG, where each sip is a testament to their expertise and love for the bean. ☕🌟

Please tell us about your job as a coffee roaster.What is it like?

It’s quite challenging and I feel a lot of responsibility to make a perfect roast to showcase the huge work that was done before me at the coffee origin.But this is what makes this job very rewarding and interesting.

So what’s the difficult thing about roasting coffee?

I would say being consistent with each batch of coffee that I roast to achieve the best possible result every time.Also, it’s quite a difficult job physically, it takes a lot of my energy.

What is your working day like?

I usually start with a cup of coffee and get to cleaning the roaster and my working space.After that, while the roaster is heating up I’m organizing all the barrels that I will use and making my roasting list.Then of course I’m doing the actual roasting and after I finish I bring everything over to our packaging office.At the end of the day, I make sure that I have all the green coffee that I need for the next day.

Is there anything other than coffee you are passionate about?

I love fixed-gear bikes and always try to cycle as much as I can in my free time.Also from time to time I’m doing hand poke tattoos.

What are your future plans with SUEDHANG?What do you want to achieve?

I would love to get even more knowledge and experience in coffee roasting as well as green coffee buying.Also, we are very passionate about Canephora in SUEDHANG, and would be really amazing to get more people into this coffee species.

"Changing the specialty coffee scene to be more conscious and transparent in different ways, such as pushing for a tax change on plant-based milk alternatives or promoting Canephora, is really important to us. It’s about more than just roasting and serving delicious coffee. We want to have an impact on our environment and that starts with transparency, knowledge, and being open to things, such as Canephora."

we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists! we're the artists!