Jen Apodaca
United States
Mother Tongue Coffee
Please tell us a little about yourself:
I am the owner of Mother Tongue Coffee, founder of #shestheroaster, vice vhair of the Coffee Roasters Guild, and a Certified Q Grader. I’ve been roasting coffee since 2004, for companies like Intelligentsia and Blue Bottle in the US. I was most recently the director of roasting at Royal Coffee, and now will be working with Pulley Collective in Oakland.
How did you get started in coffee?:
Started as part time production roaster for McMenamins Pubs & Breweries in Portland Oregon.
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
This is my first year competing.
What are you excited to do in Berlin?:
Last time I was in Berlin was 2002, and it was before I started working in coffee. I am going to concentrate on staying in the moment, and not getting too anxious about the competition.
What is your favourite coffee to cup?:
Cupping in the spring when all of the new crops from Central America and West Africa are making their way to the US is always the best. It’s hard to believe that this year will be my 15th season. I love cupping with new people and learning what they like and don’t like. I also love cupping production roasts and looking at roast profiles.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
I love baseball, music, cooking, sci-fi/fantasy films, tools, laughing – pretty much anything that is weird and fun, I am into. I am also raising two very strange and adorable children.
Where do you see yourself in five years?:
I am starting my own roasting business this year so I hope that in 5 years time I will be successful enough to create a positive impact in our industry; whether that is creating meaningful and sustainable relationships in the supply chain, or hiring folx, and helping them build their careers.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WCTC?:
I want to thank my partner Ben for always pushing me to do better for myself, my friends in the Bay for encouraging me, and anyone that has ever cupped with me.
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