Who: Emily Alvarez (She/Her)
What: Head Barista
Where: Deltina Coffee Roasters, Oceano, CA
Years in the industry: 5 years
If She Were A Ninja Turtle He Would Be: Donatello
Connect: @deltinacoffee on Instagram
R!WC: How would you describe what you do?
Emily: [I] make people’s day better.
R!WC: What is the best thing about your job?
Emily: The team I work with and the community I get to serve.
R!WC: What is the worst thing about the job?
Emily: Serving over 100 customers a day and people expecting you to remember their drinks!
R!WC: Do you have a first memory of when coffee became something more important to you?
Emily: My first mocha as a customer of Deltina blew my mind. I had no previous experience with specialty coffee and I fell in love.
R!WC: What have you learned about life from working in coffee?
Emily: We all have our good days and our bad days. You never know when a small interaction could make someone's day, so I try my best to ensure people leave with a smile on their face. Coffee is an amazing medium to generate conversation and formulate relationships.
R!WC: If you could share one piece of advice to a new barista, what would it be?
Emily: Learn from those who have been around a while, smile, breathe, and have fun. Do your best to not take things personally.
R!WC: When you aren't at the coffee shop/roaster/etcetera, what are you doing in life? Who are you?
Emily: I am a wife and mother to a thriving 4th grader. I also spend as much time with my mom and sisters as I can.
R!WC: What is your favorite way to drink coffee?
Emily: Espresso shots over ice with a splash of oat, and maybe a pump of caramel.
R!WC: What is your favorite coffee drink to make?
Emily: Lattes with whole milk. I've found this is the best espresso to milk ratio for practicing more complicated and elaborate latte art.*
R!WC: Is there anything else you'd like the world to know?
Emily: There is a lot more to being a barista than serving coffee. Any good barista pours their heart and soul into their profession.
R!WC: Are there any other coffee businesses/baristas you'd like to shout out?
Emily:Kyleigh Cuevas [is the] head barista at our second (new) Deltina cafe in San Luis Obispo
*When steamed milk fat proteins create consistent microfoam making it much easier to create latte art than with a non-fat or alt milk option. Some “Barista” versions of oat and nut milks have added fat proteins to improve a baristas ability to create latte art.
Emily was recommended by former R!WC podcast guest Jack Quint, Founder of Deltina Coffee Roasters in Oceano, CA. Check out the episode he appeared on at the link below.
Help keep us caffeinated and enable us to continue uplifting the community of craft coffee by buying us a cup of coffee or becoming a monthly supporter. Thanks for all your support.
MERCH ALERT!
Check out the R!WC Store for new hats, beanies, and to pick up a few extra coffee journals!