342 : A Conversation w/ 2022 U.S. Barista Champion, Morgan Eckroth!
04/26/22 • 46 min
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Morgan Eckroth is the new U.S. Barista Champion! Part of the point behind competition is setting the stage for conversation around ideas ranging from social issues to the hands on craft of coffee. In both these areas there are far reaching implications for what the industry latches on to and is inspired to continue developing. On such theme is merging high-end experiences with accessibility in mind. Morgan Eckroth, known for her social media platform Morgan Drinks Coffee, has plenty of experience with connecting with an audience and in her presentation for USBC this year, leaned into the idea that specialty can be and should be experienced by more than just judges at the highest level of coffee.
Morgan is a barista and content creator, having worked in the specialty coffee industry for 5 years. With over 5 million followers across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, she shares her love for coffee through comedic customer service sketches, vlogs about her job, and educational videos. Morgan also released a line of coffee in collaboration with Wrecking Ball Coffee in December 2020 and is working to continue creating a link between baristas and their customers through a shared love for coffee and a dash of humor.
Today we get to sit down with Morgan and hear all about her innovative approach to the competition and all the ups and downs on her journey to victory in Boston.
We cover:
- Deciding to compete after years of life change
- Preparation for USBC and crafting a theme
- Innovation and challenges
- High level Accessibility
- Choosing the coffees
- Break down of beverage creation
- Goals and inspirations
- Advice to other competitors and shops
Links:
Related Episodes:
257 : A Conversation w/ Morgan Eckroth of MorganDrinksCoffee!
099 : The Barista League w/ Competition Founder Steve Moloney
173 : 5 Areas of Focus for Retailers
296: Holistic Barista Training w/ David Castillo of Go Get Em Tiger , Los Angeles
Visit our amazing Sponsors!
Morgan Eckroth is the new U.S. Barista Champion! Part of the point behind competition is setting the stage for conversation around ideas ranging from social issues to the hands on craft of coffee. In both these areas there are far reaching implications for what the industry latches on to and is inspired to continue developing. On such theme is merging high-end experiences with accessibility in mind. Morgan Eckroth, known for her social media platform Morgan Drinks Coffee, has plenty of experience with connecting with an audience and in her presentation for USBC this year, leaned into the idea that specialty can be and should be experienced by more than just judges at the highest level of coffee.
Morgan is a barista and content creator, having worked in the specialty coffee industry for 5 years. With over 5 million followers across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, she shares her love for coffee through comedic customer service sketches, vlogs about her job, and educational videos. Morgan also released a line of coffee in collaboration with Wrecking Ball Coffee in December 2020 and is working to continue creating a link between baristas and their customers through a shared love for coffee and a dash of humor.
Today we get to sit down with Morgan and hear all about her innovative approach to the competition and all the ups and downs on her journey to victory in Boston.
We cover:
- Deciding to compete after years of life change
- Preparation for USBC and crafting a theme
- Innovation and challenges
- High level Accessibility
- Choosing the coffees
- Break down of beverage creation
- Goals and inspirations
- Advice to other competitors and shops
Links:
Related Episodes:
257 : A Conversation w/ Morgan Eckroth of MorganDrinksCoffee!
099 : The Barista League w/ Competition Founder Steve Moloney
173 : 5 Areas of Focus for Retailers
296: Holistic Barista Training w/ David Castillo of Go Get Em Tiger , Los Angeles
Visit our amazing Sponsors!
Previous Episode
RoR #14: How to Roast New Processing Methods w/ Mike Ebert of Fire Dancer Consultants
As new processing methods become more popular and prominent, roasters must pivot and adjust how they approach them in order to get the best possible result. Processes like honey and pulped natural present unique challenges for even the most veteran roasters. The good news is that there is a growing family of best practices that will help you see success and consistency while embracing the new and emerging methods on the market. To help us sort through this topic we turn to none other than Mike Ebert of Firedancer Consultants.
As the founder of Firedancer Coffee Consultants, Mike is dedicated to helping clients create a personalized strategy to ensure long-term success. He works primarily with roasters, producers and retailers, drawing from his extensive experience in all facets of the specialty coffee supply chain to guide clients in reaching their potential. Ebert is an Authorized SCA Trainer; holding the professional level certificates in Green Coffee, Sensory Skills, Roasting and Brewing. He has had a hand in many positions up and down the supply chain and continues his volunteer work with the Specialty Coffee Association’s Education Advisory Council as Co-Chair of the Education Content Committee.
In our conversation we cover:
- Then challenge Pulp natural and other processes present
- Mistakes we make when roasting new processes
- Knowing your roaster and being vigilant
- Frame work for earlier success
- Taking into account the unique sugar changes
- Rate of Rise
- How learning new methods can help with old ones
- Shifting our minds to innovate new metrics
Subscribe to Roast Magazine! Use code "ROR" to get $5 off
Related Episodes:
RoR #1: A Conversation w/ Anne Cooper of Equilibrium Master Roasters
RoR #2: Exploring Quality Control w/ Spencer Turer of Coffee Enterprises
RoR #3: Making Contingency Planning a Reality w/ Andi Trindle Mersch of Philz Coffee
RoR #4: Practical Thermal Dynamics w/ Candice Madison of Royal Coffee / The Crown Oak
RoR #5: Time and Color in Roasting w/ Morten Munchow of Coffee Mind”
RoR #6: Buying Less and Doing More w/ Ever Meister
RoR #7 Illustrative Sample Roasting w/ Mike Ebert of Firedancer Coffee Consultants
RoR #10 : What Your Broker Wishes You Knew w/ Scott Merle of La Minita Coffee
Next Episode
Making a Decision Pipeline
It's one thing to make decisions when you work alone, but quite another thing when you work with others and your decisions have far reaching impact on different employees, leaders, and departments. What e and to do is force change into existing processes without regard for the wake those decisions leave behind.
In today's Shift Break we will be talking about building a decision pipeline that takes into account all the people and relevant down stream departments that this one, seemingly small decision, will affect.
Related episodes:
080 : Changing things in the Cafe : A workflow for Refinement
330 : Establishing Systems in Your Coffee Shop
Blog: Accountability goes both Ways
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