From Barista to Coffee Maestro: Samson Kibunja’s Journey of Passion and Excellence

From Barista to Coffee Maestro: Samson Kibunja’s Journey of Passion and Excellence

Join us for an inspiring interview with Samson Kibunja, a dedicated coffee master whose journey from a passionate barista to an esteemed coffee trainer is nothing short of remarkable.

Discover his insights on the specialty coffee industry, his commitment to quality and sustainability, and his vision for the future of coffee. Samson’s story is a testament to the transformative power of passion and perseverance in the world of specialty coffee.

Can you describe your journey into the specialty coffee industry?

After finishing high school, I was passionate about hands-on work. I met a mentor at church who introduced me to the coffee industry and supported me through barista school. Following my graduation, I completed a three-month unpaid internship, which led to my first job at Java House (formerly Nairobi Java House). My mentor, the founder of Barista Pro, recognized my passion and began mentoring me to become a trainer. I worked part-time with her and received consulting gigs/events she couldn’t handle due to her busy schedule.

What sparked your passion for the coffee industry?

My passion was ignited by the ability to fulfill customer requirements and make them happy through exceptional service. Additionally, the consulting gigs/events provided by my mentor further fueled my enthusiasm for teaching and sharing my knowledge.

As an SCA Authorized Specialty Trainer, what do you find most rewarding about teaching others?

The most rewarding aspect of teaching is meeting diverse people and sharing the knowledge I’ve acquired over the years. Learning from different cultures and my students, through the questions they ask, is incredibly fulfilling.

How has achieving your SCA Diploma influenced your approach to coffee?

Achieving the SCA Diploma has deepened my understanding of various aspects of the coffee industry, allowing me to tailor my approach based on specific situations. It has enhanced my ability to deliver high-quality coffee experiences.

What aspects of coffee quality control do you find most crucial?

It is crucial for baristas to understand how to dial in their coffees. Even the best coffee, if dialed poorly, does not do justice to its potential. Sensory skills and customer service are also very crucial. Great coffee with poor customer service still doesn’t give justice to the coffee.

How do you ensure sustainability and ethical sourcing in your practice?

I used to work directly with farmers or source from several local suppliers committed to sustainability and supporting local communities. This ensures ethical sourcing and contributes to the well-being of the farming communities.

How would you describe the current specialty coffee scene in the UAE?

The specialty coffee market in the UAE is advanced, with clients who understand and appreciate high-quality coffee. There is a noticeable curiosity and zeal among consumers to learn more about specialty coffee.

What are the main challenges facing the coffee community in GCC countries?

The primary challenges include raising awareness about the importance of quality and training, as well as encouraging investment in staff education by coffee shop owners.

How have you seen coffee culture evolve in the region over recent years?

Coffee culture has evolved significantly, with a rise in the number of cafes, competitions, and training sessions. Consumers are increasingly interested in learning how to brew and understand their coffees. Workshops involving consumers have also become more popular.

From your experience as a trainer, what skills do baristas in the region need to develop most?

Baristas need to focus on developing their customer service, sensory skills, and calibration skills (Espresso and Brewing). These are essential for providing excellent service and high-quality coffee.

How do local and regional competitions, along with training and education, contribute to the development of the coffee industry in the area?

Competitions and training elevate professionalism in the coffee industry, raising standards globally. The UAE is a prime example, offering some of the best coffees due to the commitment of “a few baristas and coffee shop owners” to quality and continuous learning.

Are there any particular brewing trends or methods gaining popularity in the region?

The V60 method is quite popular, and recently, the use of Paragon Gadgets for chilling brews and espresso to retain more aromatics is gaining traction.

How do you see the specialty coffee industry evolving in the next 5-10 years, both globally and in the GCC?

The specialty coffee industry will continue to grow, with increasing emphasis on quality, sustainability, and innovation. Both globally and in the GCC, we can expect more advanced brewing techniques and greater consumer awareness.

What advice would you give to aspiring baristas or coffee professionals in the UAE and Gulf region?

Take the time to plan and invest in your education and building your community. Knowledge is the foundation of understanding, and with a solid knowledge base, you can gain confidence and effectively troubleshoot in your career.

How can collaboration between coffee communities in GCC countries be enhanced?

Joint events, workshops, and sharing experiences with junior or upcoming coffee professionals can enhance collaboration. These activities bring the community together and foster growth.

What opportunities do you see for developing coffee tourism in the region?

The UAE has a strong foundation for coffee tourism, with many trainers attracting visitors for training purposes and coffee shops that inspire tourists. Events like World of Coffee and Gulfood also draw coffee tourists seeking sourcing opportunities and inspiration.

What is the impact of artificial intelligence on the coffee industry from your point of view?

AI can significantly enhance large-scale production facilities and improve cafe operations, including advanced inventory and stock management systems.

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[:ar]Privacy Policy for qahwa world At qahwaworld, accessible from qahwaworld.com, one of our main priorities is the privacy of our visitors. This Privacy Policy document contains types of information that is collected and recorded by qahwaworld and how we use it. If you have additional questions or require more information about our Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact us. This Privacy Policy applies only to our online activities and is valid for visitors to our website with regards to the information that they shared and/or collect in qahwaworld. This policy is not applicable to any information collected offline or via channels other than this website. Our Privacy Policy was created with the help of the Free Privacy Policy Generator. Consent By using our website, you hereby consent to our Privacy Policy and agree to its terms. 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Privacy Policy for Qahwa World

At Qahwa World, accessible from https://qahwaworld.com, one of our main priorities is the privacy of our visitors. This Privacy Policy document contains types of information that is collected and recorded by Qahwa World and how we use it. If you have additional questions or require more information about our Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact us. This Privacy Policy applies only to our online activities and is valid for visitors to our website with regards to the information that they shared and/or collect in Qahwa World. This policy is not applicable to any information collected offline or via channels other than this website. Our Privacy Policy was created with the help of the Free Privacy Policy Generator.

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Another part of our priority is adding protection for children while using the internet. We encourage parents and guardians to observe, participate in, and/or monitor and guide their online activity. Qahwa World does not knowingly collect any Personal Identifiable Information from children under the age of 13. If you think that your child provided this kind of information on our website, we strongly encourage you to contact us immediately and we will do our best efforts to promptly remove such information from our records.[:ru]Privacy Policy for qahwa world At qahwaworld, accessible from qahwaworld.com, one of our main priorities is the privacy of our visitors. This Privacy Policy document contains types of information that is collected and recorded by qahwaworld and how we use it. If you have additional questions or require more information about our Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact us. This Privacy Policy applies only to our online activities and is valid for visitors to our website with regards to the information that they shared and/or collect in qahwaworld. This policy is not applicable to any information collected offline or via channels other than this website. Our Privacy Policy was created with the help of the Free Privacy Policy Generator. Consent By using our website, you hereby consent to our Privacy Policy and agree to its terms. Information we collect The personal information that you are asked to provide, and the reasons why you are asked to provide it, will be made clear to you at the point we ask you to provide your personal information. If you contact us directly, we may receive additional information about you such as your name, email address, phone number, the contents of the message and/or attachments you may send us, and any other information you may choose to provide. When you register for an Account, we may ask for your contact information, including items such as name, company name, address, email address, and telephone number. How we use your information We use the information we collect in various ways, including to: Provide, operate, and maintain our website Improve, personalize, and expand our website Understand and analyze how you use our website Develop new products, services, features, and functionality Communicate with you, either directly or through one of our partners, including for customer service, to provide you with updates and other information relating to the website, and for marketing and promotional purposes Send you emails Find and prevent fraud Log Files qahwaworld follows a standard procedure of using log files. These files log visitors when they visit websites. All hosting companies do this and a part of hosting services' analytics. The information collected by log files include internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), date and time stamp, referring/exit pages, and possibly the number of clicks. These are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable. The purpose of the information is for analyzing trends, administering the site, tracking users' movement on the website, and gathering demographic information. Cookies and Web Beacons Like any other website, qahwaworld uses 'cookies'. These cookies are used to store information including visitors' preferences, and the pages on the website that the visitor accessed or visited. The information is used to optimize the users' experience by customizing our web page content based on visitors' browser type and/or other information. For more general information on cookies, please read the Cookies article on Generate Privacy Policy website. Google DoubleClick DART Cookie Google is one of a third-party vendor on our site. It also uses cookies, known as DART cookies, to serve ads to our site visitors based upon their visit to www.website.com and other sites on the internet. However, visitors may choose to decline the use of DART cookies by visiting the Google ad and content network Privacy Policy at the following URL – https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads Our Advertising Partners Some of advertisers on our site may use cookies and web beacons. Our advertising partners are listed below. Each of our advertising partners has their own Privacy Policy for their policies on user data. For easier access, we hyperlinked to their Privacy Policies below. Google https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads Advertising Partners Privacy Policies You may consult this list to find the Privacy Policy for each of the advertising partners of qahwaworld. Third-party ad servers or ad networks uses technologies like cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons that are used in their respective advertisements and links that appear on qahwaworld, which are sent directly to users' browser. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. These technologies are used to measure the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns and/or to personalize the advertising content that you see on websites that you visit. Note that qahwaworld has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers. Third Party Privacy Policies qahwaworld's Privacy Policy does not apply to other advertisers or websites. Thus, we are advising you to consult the respective Privacy Policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information. It may include their practices and instructions about how to opt-out of certain options. You can choose to disable cookies through your individual browser options. To know more detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers, it can be found at the browsers' respective websites. CCPA Privacy Rights (Do Not Sell My Personal Information) Under the CCPA, among other rights, California consumers have the right to: Request that a business that collects a consumer's personal data disclose the categories and specific pieces of personal data that a business has collected about consumers. Request that a business delete any personal data about the consumer that a business has collected. Request that a business that sells a consumer's personal data, not sell the consumer's personal data. If you make a request, we have one month to respond to you. If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact us. GDPR Data Protection Rights We would like to make sure you are fully aware of all of your data protection rights. Every user is entitled to the following: The right to access – You have the right to request copies of your personal data. We may charge you a small fee for this service. The right to rectification – You have the right to request that we correct any information you believe is inaccurate. You also have the right to request that we complete the information you believe is incomplete. The right to erasure – You have the right to request that we erase your personal data, under certain conditions. The right to restrict processing – You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal data, under certain conditions. The right to object to processing – You have the right to object to our processing of your personal data, under certain conditions. The right to data portability – You have the right to request that we transfer the data that we have collected to another organization, or directly to you, under certain conditions. If you make a request, we have one month to respond to you. If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact us. Children's Information Another part of our priority is adding protection for children while using the internet. We encourage parents and guardians to observe, participate in, and/or monitor and guide their online activity. qahwaworld does not knowingly collect any Personal Identifiable Information from children under the age of 13. If you think that your child provided this kind of information on our website, we strongly encourage you to contact us immediately and we will do our best efforts to promptly remove such information from our records.[:]
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