– Can you please introduce yourself in a few words.
J. Park Brannen, New York Regional Sales, Counter Culture Coffee
– What’s your specialty and what makes you different?
My specialty is relationship building, and the unique experience I’ve had within the coffee industry that allows me to bond with people across a pretty broad spectrum.
– What was your first coffee experience?
I had coffee on and off growing up, but I guess my first real « experience » was working with a guy named Rob Tuttle who was doing some training with me. He really opened my eyes to the fact that coffee can be something far larger than I previously understood it to be.
– What was your best coffee experience?
It’s funny, I feel like I get to have it over and over again every week. Counter Culture has a tasting every Friday morning and afterwards we brew filter coffee for the group of interested people that show up to tastings. It’s generally myself and my coworkers, who are all amazing baristas, making delicious and often quite unique coffees for people that want nothing more than to ask tons of great questions about the coffees we’re serving. Honestly, I look forward to Friday tastings if for nothing more than for just sitting around drinking coffee with the coworkers I love.
– Do you prepare coffee at home ? If yes, what method do you use?
Every morning I make 750ml of coffee in a Technivorm. It makes great coffee and I don’t have to think about it. I picked that habit up from Mike Phillips when I was staying with him in LA.
2015 is the year of the iced mocha, so I will say I like my espresso with a chocolate ganache, 4oz of whole milk and topped with ice.– How would you qualify yourself as coffee drinker (occasional, heavy, addict…)?
I try to only drink three coffees a day and all before noon. Sometimes I break my rules.– Have you always been into the coffee industry? If not, what was your previous job?
I came dangerously close to teaching high school history.– Do you have another passion or a hobby besides coffee?
Fly fishing and bodybuilding both take up a lot of my time.
– What other place would you recommend, anywhere in the world?
I think Athens, Georgia on a gameday in fall is an experience that would lead to either pure delight or terror depending on the individual. I recommend the experience.
– What would you say to people who don’t know much about coffee?
Come on in, the water is warm.