– Can you please introduce yourself in a few words.
My name is Marcos Iglesias. I’m an Argentine immigrant living in Brooklyn. I’m 26 years old. I’m married to an amazing human named Cassie. I love coffee, wine, pizza, photography, bikes and being outside.
– What’s your story in the coffee industry?
I graduated with a degree in Spanish literature a few years back. I tried reaching for a while but didn’t like the education system. I decided to take a little break from education to try to be a bike messenger and barista. I quickly fell in love with working with coffee and the rest is history.
– What’s your specialty and what makes you different?
I don’t know if I have a specialty. That’s one of the things I like about coffee. There’s so much to do and learn that I feel like I’ll never be limited to just one aspect of the industry. I like people. I like Spanish. I like teaching. I like drinking coffee with and making coffee for others. I don’t know if that makes me different, but they’re some truths about me.
– What was your first coffee experience?
I think the first time I tried coffee was after an all-nighter at some middle school event. It was loaded with powdered creamer and sugar.
– How/when have you discovered about specialty coffee?
My first good coffee experience was at a great coffee shop in the city I went to college in. They had a rotating single-origin on batch brew all the time and as I started going I realized I could taste the differences and that exited me. Over time I developed likes and dislikes and that was crazy to me. The coffee cost $1.50 for 12oz and you could get a refill for $.50. I used to drink a lot of coffee there while I’d work on school stuff.
– What was your best coffee experience?
I don’t know if I have a best coffee experience. My first coffee cupping was very memorable. I had a super memorable espresso served to me when I judged the US barista competition this last year.
– Do you prepare coffee at home ? If yes, what method do you use?
I do, but not very often. I have a home espresso machine I really enjoy using when I have time.
– How do you like your coffee? Black, sugar and milk, iced, Vietnamese style,…?
Black. I usually go for espresso.
– How would you qualify yourself as coffee drinker (occasional, heavy, addict…)?
I drink coffee everyday. Usually one cup for enjoyment. Most of the coffee I drink is evaluative. To see its quality.
– Have you always been into the coffee industry? If not, what was your previous job?
I worked a few jobs before coffee, but most were just part-time during school. I’ve worked in restaurants and retail. My only other serious job was teaching Spanish.
– Do you have another passion or a hobby besides coffee?
Of course. I like photography, although I’m not good at it. I like reading in Spanish. I like wine. I like good food and cooking. I like riding bikes. I think it’s important to have many hobbies and passions outside of work.
– What other place would you recommend, anywhere in the world (coffee or not)?
I grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I think it’s a beautiful city with a lot of interesting culture. I always recommend people visit. I’ve never had an even remotely good coffee there, but I’ve heard that specialty coffee is developing there since the last time I visited.
– What is/are your favorite website(s) to get information about coffee?
Hmm…I think Scott Rao’s blog is very interesting. I think Sprudge has some good stuff about what’s going on globally in the coffee biz.
– What would you say to people who don’t know much about coffee?
I don’t know. I guess it depends on what they would want to know about it.