In our 19th anniversary issue, we feature Xavier Alexander from Chicago’s Metric Coffee, investigate invisible disabilities, dive into unions, coffee competitions, and much more!
BY SARAH ALLEN
BARISTA MAGAZINE
It’s April, so that means it’s time not just for a new issue, but for our anniversary issue, marking the start of another year of Barista Magazine! We’re excited to release our April + May 2024 issue featuring Xavier Alexander of Chicago’s Metric Coffee on the cover! Inside the issue, we’ve got numerous articles covering everything from unions, to inclusivity, to ROI for competitions, to finding out just how your espresso machine’s hot-water tap works. Read on to see what our amazing writers have covered for our new issue in the pages (paper or digital) of the April + May 2024 19th anniversary issue.
Cover Story: Xavier Alexander
Xavier Alexander launched Metric Coffee in Chicago with his business partner, Darko Arandjelovic, after spending years working as a musician. The two met when Xavier was working as the roasting manager at Intelligentsia Coffee and Darko was running his company, Caffe Streets. Today, Metric is a cornerstone of Chicago’s specialty-coffee scene, and will open a new roastery in the coming months.
’Field Report: Kigali’
The Rwandan capital has seen recent growth in its specialty-coffee scene. Writer Jen Roberts leads us on a tour of some cool new cafés in the city in “Field Report: Kigali”“ It’s one of three Field Reports in the April + May 2024 issue.
’The Battle No One Sees: Invisible Disabilities in the Café Space’
Many people struggle with disabilities that aren’t obvious to those around them. Accommodating customers and employees with invisible disabilities makes for a better workplace and café. Longtime Barista Magazine writer Emily Joy Meneses looked into her own past struggles with working as a barista with invisible disabilities, and talked with other specialty-coffee professionals about their own journeys, as well as the opportunities café owners have to accommodate those living with physical limitations.
’One on One: Elkin Guzman’
Elkin Guzman had no idea where his coffee career would take him, but as he worked, investigated, and innovated on his coffee farm, he quickly developed a global reputation for excellence. Writer Eddie P. Gomez had a chance to travel to Colombia and interview Elkin for “One on One“ in the April + May 2024 issue.
And Much More Inside
Also in the April + May 2024 issue, you’ll find “The Knockbox“ focusing on ROI from coffee competitions written by longtime coffee professional, former U.S. Barista Champion, and retailing expert Laila Ghambari; an “Inclusivity in Coffee“ feature about the team behind Turtle Island Coffee in Bend, Ore.; and much, much more.
Subscribe and More!
As always, you can read Barista Magazine in paper or digital format. Read the April + May 2024 19th Anniversary issue for free with our digital edition.
And for more than three years’ worth of issues, visit our digital edition archives here.
