Many people wake up on a Monday morning, make a stop at their favorite local coffee shop, order their usual and are on their way, without giving a second thought as to how that drink was made or how it got into their hands. Unless, you’re a beloved regular you may not even know the name of the person who made your caramel macchiato. The baristas behind the bar can foam milk, create social media worthy latte art and heat up breakfast pastries like nobody’s business, but there is more to them and the coffee business than what meets the eye.
Kenia grinds the coffee that will be used in the contestants pours at the DMV Coffee’s monthly Thursday Night Throwdown at Dua Coffee, in Northwest D.C. on November 14, 2019. According to the event’s website, the “goal [of the event] is to come together once a month as coffee professionals and enthusiasts, of all different kinds, and share our mutual passion for all things coffee.”Judges vote on the winning pour between two contenders at the DMV Coffee’s monthly Thursday Night Throwdown (TNT) at Dua Coffee, in Northwest D.C. on November 14, 2019. The TNT is a bracket style, single elimination tournament with up to 32 people entering with a $ 5 entry fee and winner take all format, according to the event’s website. (Photo by Maya Koeppen)Christabelle Tan creates an intricate design with milk during one of the rounds at the DMV Coffee’s monthly Thursday Night Throwdown (TNT) at Dua Coffee, in Northwest D.C. on November 14, 2019. Contestants were given a limited amount of time to complete each pour before presenting their latte art for the judges. (Photo by Maya Koeppen)Christabelle Tan creates an intricate design with milk during one of the rounds at the DMV Coffee’s monthly Thursday Night Throwdown (TNT) at Dua Coffee, in Northwest D.C. on November 14, 2019. Contestants were given a limited amount of time to complete each pour before presenting their latte art for the judges. (Photo by Maya Koeppen)Customers stand in line at Vigilante Coffee on the morning of Friday, December 6, 2019. Vigilante offers a wide variety of hot and cold drink options for customers, including a seasonal Chai Nog offered in the winter. (Photo by Maya Koeppen)Emily prepares “The G.O.AT” for a customer at Vigilante Coffee, in Hyattsville, Md., November 23, 2019. The G.O.A.T consists of an open-faced bagel with avocado mash, goat cheese, cherry tomatoes and Old Bay. (Photo by Maya Koeppen)
Chris Vigilante, founder of Vigilante Coffee, teaches an Intro to Professional Coffee Roasting class at Vigilante Coffee in Hyattsville, Md.,Saturday, November 23, 2019. The class includes an overview of the history of coffee. (Photo by Maya Koeppen)Chris Vigilante, founder of Vigilante teaches an Intro to Professional Coffee Roasting class at Vigilante Coffee in Hyattsville, Md., Saturday, November 23, 2019. The class includes hands-on experience with professional roasting equipment. (Photo by Maya Koeppen)Chris Vigilante, founder of Vigilante Coffee, and a participant at Vigilante Coffee in Hyattsville, Md., Saturday, November 23, 2019. His first roastery was in a 250 square foot basement where the company roasted from for two years, according to the company’s website. (Photo by Maya Koeppen)A participant slurps up coffee during the coffee cupping portion of the Intro to Professional Coffee Roasting class at Vigilante Coffee in Hyattsville, Md., Saturday, November 23, 2019. Participants in the class are taught to first breathe in the aroma of the coffee before tasting the coffee. (Photo by Maya Koeppen)
JOUR370 -Intro to Photojournalism 