Good coffee caught me by surprise. I was just looking to make coffee at home on the cheap, and hadn’t considered it could actually taste good—but with some gentle guidance, the first cup of coffee I ever made myself was like opening a door to a whole new set of possibilities.

I wasn’t even a coffee drinker. But going to back college, I needed to supplement my energy and mental focus. As a nutrition science major, I wasn’t looking to buy the expensive and sugar-filled coffee in cans or bottles—I needed something without added cream or sugar, even if I didn’t like the taste. What I got was an intense flavor experience, a daily stress-relief ritual, and a surging passion for coffee.

Coffee is the answer I didn’t know I was looking for, which ties together all the different facets of my life; nutritionist, foodie, hobby chef, craftsman, learner, adventurer.

Why coffee? Because it surprises me constantly. Because it is always something new, there is always more to experience; it’s an adventure. There is an incredible amount of experiences to have with coffee, it is artful, scientific, and hand crafted. It is a global drink with many ways to make and experience it, and it ties the world together. It is healthful, motivating and inspiring to the soul, as well as on a physiological level. It is social and connects me to others near and far.

Who Am I?

If you’re already in the coffee chat forums, you may know me as MikeTheBlueCow. I’ve been in the coffee scene since 2017, and the first coffee drink I made myself was a giant 2 quart batch of cold brew using ground-for-me freshly roasted coffee from the best-known local roaster in town. It was really good. But it’s the second time I made coffee that I remember as life-changing. I got all the basic kit and made a cup with an AeroPress from a freshly roasted coffee blend that had a kick of blueberry taste in it. That first sip is what hooked me.

I’m not some giant coffee figure with a deep history in the coffee industry. I’m a regular guy that didn’t even drink coffee, and then I discovered it, and not just the caffeine boost but the wonderful culinary experience. And then I did a deep-dive, developed an unhealthy obsession that’s turned into a lot of knowledge, a lot of new skills, and a lot of love for this beverage and the community behind it that shares the same passion.

Why Am I Here?

I love to learn, and I love to teach others. Coffee is one of the things I’ve become most passionate about, and I find it easy to share both that passion and the knowledge I have. I hope that others will want to learn from me or join me in my coffee adventures as I learn even more and explore new topics in the vast world of coffee.