Jens Reuter: Coffee Insurrection Hero Chapter #41
Published by Tanya in Coffee Insurrection Hero · 21 January 2022
Tags: Jens_Reuter, Interview, Germany, Skateboard_Creations
Tags: Jens_Reuter, Interview, Germany, Skateboard_Creations
1-Introduce yourself: who are you, where are you from, where do you work and what’s your job.
Hey there, my name is Jens. I am living in a small town close to Sankt Peter Ording in Germany. And this is also where I am working - in my woodshop based in our home close to the coast.
2-When and why did coffee become important to you?
Coffee has always been important to me in terms of getting used to having a cup of coffee everyday, but it became interesting to me in my late twenties, when I realized how much more there is to discover. The incredible amount of varieties you can enjoy coffee is simply amazing.
3-Do you remember the first coffee you had that was more than “just a cup of coffee”?
Oh absolutely! There were actually two moments. The first one was in Italy on top of the Basilica di San Pietro. To my complete surprise they served espresso on the top of the basilica, and it was amazing. Simple, pure, good. I absolutely felt in love with the Italian way of enjoying espresso. And the other one was in Costa Rica: we ordered a “cup of coffee” for breakfast, and it was so weird and different.
The way it was brewed, the taste… I never realized before that this could be a way you could even serve coffee. But, it was amazing, so I finally was completely into it - the endless varieties of enjoying coffee.
4-What’s your favorite thing about going to work in the morning?
Its probably the fact that all the products I am making are 100% handmade and unique. This is something really rare nowadays, and my customer appreciate this so much and this is exactly what makes me so happy. I love to work with those broken skateboards, its just such a cool and individual sport and lifestyle. Bringing this together with coffee (which is even just as special) and having people appreciating my work – perfect match I would say.
5-What’s your favorite brewing method and why?
I honestly couldn’t say. It varies from time to time. But I can say for sure that I love those coffees the most that I’m brewing outside in nature when we’re on trips. Brewing and enjoying a good cup of coffee in a beautiful scenery – that is for sure the best brewing method for me.
6-Which is the best coffee you ever tasted?
There have been so many terrific coffees I’ve tasted so far, so it’s really hard for me to say which one was the best. But I do have one recommendation, a friend of mine recently gave it to me, the company is called Talormade, they are located in Oslo and it was some really really good coffee, that absolutely stayed in my mind.
7-Is there a country of origin that you tend to favor coffee from? Why?
It might be boring for you guys now, but I seriously couldn’t tell.
8-Suggest us a roastery to check (not the one you working at/you use at work).
Of course I do use a lot of coffees from different roasterys from time to time, but if you ask for a name of the roastery that I appreciate the most, it’s definitely Supremo. They are my daily coffee suppliers and I basically love all of the coffees the offer. And not just the taste, also the story behind it is great.
9-What’s the most important things you’ve learnt while working in the business?
There is nothing better then quality, passion and respect. When those 3 things come together – you find great products as well as great people all at once.
10-How your work and the specialty coffee world are coping with Covid and the new challenges for hospitality?
It has been unbelievably tough for a lot of people, especially the ones working in the hospitality. Worrying about health plus the way you’re earning money, having both in danger is a lot on someone’s plate. I am absolutely impressed by the passion behind the scenes and how so many people got back on their feet. This really impressed me.
11-How do you see the specialty coffee scene in 10 years?
I could imagine that it will grow even bigger than it is already now: with all the passion in this scene, there is probably a lot more to come.
12-Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
To be honest, I’d be blessed if I could still work the same way I am working right now.
13-Any last word? Any tip or suggestion you wanna share with someone that want to start this path?
Just get started and be open minded to all the different ways to enjoy a wonderful coffee. Enjoy coffee just as much as enjoying life itself.
