OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The world of coffee is always looking for new, innovative ways to bring coffee to the next level. The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), the largest global coffee trade association, hosted their annual Specialty Coffee Expo Show in Houston, TX to foster a global coffee community. Oklahoma's local nonprofit dedicated to employing students and adults with disabilities, Not Your Average Joe, invited nearly a dozen of their employees to develop closer relations with other coffee professionals while continuing their education of the craft.
Nicole Rosaly, originally from Puerto Rico, has worked in specialty coffee for nearly 20 years, is an SCA Authorized Specialty Trainer (AST), and has developed many SCA-certified courses in both English and Spanish. Rosaly had the honor of leading the SCA's first Spanish bilingual workshop titled "The Alchemy of the Pour: Mastering Latte Art Techniques" in Texas Friday, April 25th. Her workshop was selected for relevance, educational value, and hands-on approach.
"I believe the unique angle of combining latte art with espresso brewing and sensory development resonated with the values SCA aims to uphold community, quality, and education," Rosaly said. "It's also the first Spanish bilingual workshop of its kind at SCA, which makes this moment even more special as it reflects a step forward in accessibility and representation within our industry."
The workshop saw all its spots filled, as attendees were excited to learn a deeper appreciation for espresso and milk integration, sensory analysis, milk texture, espresso quality, and workflow. She said aspects of the workshop were tricky as milk texturizing and pour control requires a lot of muscle memory, visual timing, and tactile awareness.
"I'm excited about the intersection of creativity and precision. Watching participants unlock a new understanding of milk, espresso, and flavor and then express that through a beautiful pour is incredibly rewarding. I love seeing that 'aha!' moment when it all clicks," Rosaly said.
Rosaly is one of 11 NYAJ employees to attend the expo - the others include Ashia Puckett, Chris Hearn, David Manning, Jackson Wininger, Jessica Morales, Joey Morris, Kyle Parker, Tanner Bray, Tim Herbel, and Xavier Matos.
The expo had over 600 exhibitors, 60 lectures, 20 expert-led workshops, and more than 17,000 attendees. Various lectures and workshops centered around equity, sustainability, and innovation within the coffee industry. The NYAJ team explored new technology to assist with accessibility, secured new ancillary products to serve in our locations, and shared our mission of inclusion as they networked throughout the weekend.
"This trip is also about sharing our NYAJ mission that people of all abilities can not only participate in the coffee industry, but truly lead and innovate beyond expectations. I hope they come back feeling inspired, valued, empowered, and seen," Rosaly said.
To learn more about NYAJ's experience at the expo please visit our social media pages and website at nyaj.coffee.