Change is scary, inevitable and unknown. However it can also be better, stronger and deeper. After coming back to Commonfolk in 2016 I have accumulated many hats and many skills, growing the coffee program in every possible way. Not just how many kilograms are roasted, but growing the impact our coffee has, growing our team and future industry leaders, growing standards for quality and consistency and growing our unique brand and voice in the already loud Melbourne coffee scene. I am equally grateful and proud when reminiscing on the 9+ years of this second stint at Commonfolk. Proud of all we have accomplished, pioneered, learned and inspired in this time, and grateful that I was empowered and trusted to make bold decisions, break conventions and forge a new path for the Commonfolk we love today. The coffees chosen for this blend are all partnerships I have been involved in for many years like Zukuka Bora, or ones I have helped build more recently in Kenya and Mexico. It is not always easy or cost effective, but it is the most rewarding thing to uncover new opportunities like these, providing an avenue for coffee producers to see financial reward for years of effort and in return we get unreal and unique coffees, otherwise not found in Australia and often left in country and mixed in with bulk regional coffees, lost forever and for a fraction of the price. I couldn’t tell you the score of any of these coffees as I don't use that as a measure of worth or validation, just like a person's worth is not determined by their money or status. A truer value on the quality of these coffees is the strength of the true partnership and impact our buying can have on people on the other sides of the world. After that we can talk about taste, flavour and scores, but we never reduce a coffee or person to just a number. We keep humanity in every decision we make because that leads to real long term partnership, shared risk and the best results in the cup. I am not one to care for legacy, as I wanted to teardown the seemingly backwards structures placed before me on my journey. As I transition out of Commonfolk, my wish for those who succeed me is that they break everything all over again while still keeping people at the centre of focus. Refuse to do things the way they have always been done, innovate, explore, and strive for better, stronger and deeper. - Tommy T

ESPRESSO
Dose: 21     Yield: 45    Time: 27 secs
Ratio: 2.15     Roast Date: +10

So bright black, so sweet white. If this isn't a crowd pleaser I'll quit. - Will 04/12/25