From virtual throwdowns to #MokaPotCapps, we learn how the coffee community is remaining connected in the age of COVID-19.
BY ARIELLE REBEKAH GORDON
SPECIAL TO BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Cover photo courtesy of Mika Turbo
It is a tale as old as time: A 20-something frappé enthusiast sits in their room and realizes they need a job. Dreaming of free coffee and a semi-reliable flow of cash, they apply to work in a coffee shop. For some, being a barista is just a job, but many others are instantly swept off their feet by the tight-knit community of beautiful souls who are drawn to work in coffee.
For many baristas, maintaining a sense of community is essential. Under normal circumstances, coffee people nurture meaningful connections by hosting frequent community events such as latte art throwdowns, coffee crawls, and public cuppings. But we are by no means living under “normal” circumstances at the moment in light of COVID-19. With large social gatherings out of the question, many community members have found out-of-the-box ways to maintain both connection and social distance.
As usual, Kat Melheim (she/her), editor and founder of Coffee People Zine, has been busy elevating our community’s creatives. In early March, Kat extended a message of hope to her audience by releasing a special-edition Quarantzine. Inside were tips for quarantine self-care, links to digital tipjars for out-of-work baristas, and isolation-friendly brewing tips from various coffee legends.
In addition to her zine, Kat is building community around organized social media gatherings. “I came up with an idea to slow down and connect with folx through what I called Community Art Hour,” she explains. Each day at 12:00 p.m. MDT, she starts an Instagram Live, does a brief check-in, then points her camera at a different scene or still life. She then draws the image herself while encouraging viewers to create their own version at home and share their final product via Instagram. “It’s a work in progress,” Kat notes, “but the overall purpose is to slow down, to connect with others in the community, to establish a bit of a routine, and to create something together.”
Mika Turbo (they/them), a “queer as heck” comedian, barista, and 2020 U.S. Coffee In Good Spirits competitor, is taking a different approach. Aiming to foster positive, lighthearted connections online, Mika has challenged their followers to participate in a series of fun Instagram challenges. Over the past few weeks, Mika has asked followers to post their mug of the day, encouraged baristas to post their competition photos for the “Game Face Challenge,” and challenged aspiring mixologists to create cocktails using the items in their cupboard. “I’m finding it really good for my own mental health to share fun and silly engaging content and games,” Mika notes. For Mika, connecting via social media allows them to “be there” with their community “without physically being there.”
While miraculously continuing to send coffee gear boxes to marginalized baristas, Chris McAuley (he/they) of Getchusomegear is consistently utilizing social media as a tool to help maintain a sense of normalcy throughout the community and at home. “I started making Moka Pot capps for my partner a few weeks ago,” Chris explains. “It’s not something either of us would have wanted to try before … but now, it’s a fun way to experiment with coffee and practice latte art.” When Chris began posting Moka-latte art on social media, several community members asked how to replicate his technique. With encouragement from his partner, Chelsea, Chris decided to produce a how-to video, which “will probably turn into a Getchusomegear no-espresso machine throwdown,” he says.
In an era fraught with uncertainty, there is no greater constant within our community than our ability to rally as one. Whether we are hand-in-hand or six feet apart, there is not a force on earth that could take away that connection.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Arielle Rebekah Gordon is a transgender activist, coffee professional, and author of the blog Trans and Caffeinated. Though her love for an impeccably brewed cup of coffee is strong, her passion for fostering genuine human connection using coffee as a medium is even stronger. She dreams of a world in which producers are paid a thriving wage, baristas are treated equitably, and consumers understand the love evident in those first 90 feet.
