COFFEE
Name: Steve Glencross
Role at Machina: Managing Director, Coffee Roaster, and hassler of people.
At Machina, you will normally find me... In a quiet spot planning the next stage.
To me, coffee is... Very tasty. A life saver. Complex. Something that brings people together.
What is your go-to coffee? I used to be a flat white disciple, but I was converted to filter a while back. I like big, juicy, citric coffees like Kenyan’s and Burundi’s.
What kit do you use to make coffee at home? I use a Chemex with a Knock Feldgrind. It’s a faff, but it makes killer coffee. I have mastered the art of giving my 1-year-old son his breakfast and making toast - while accurately preparing Chemex to within 3 seconds brew time.
Best coffee experience ever: I have two: Drinking espresso in super high humidity at Bear Pond in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo. They are the pioneers of the Japanese scene and serve coffee in a stripped back style that is both uber nerdy and friendly. Also - visiting Intelligentsia in Venice, Los Angeles. I drank a bunch of Panama coffees as pour over that were earth-shatteringly good and learnt much coffee knowledge from the folks who worked there. This was a huge influence on how Machina became what it is today.
Worst coffee experience ever: I have had many, but the worst was possibly drinking Turkish coffee in a Thessaloniki train station in the early nineties. It was like drinking bad coffee and eating dirt at the same time.
What's the biggest cafe no-no in your opinion? Coffee snobbery. There’s nothing worse than people telling you what coffee should be about and worse still, making you feel stupid about it.
How did you end up working in coffee? I spent 20 years working in the music and IT industries and decided enough was enough and wanted to work in something interesting & non-corporate. This coincided with a round the world trip that really ended up being a coffee tour (much to the annoyance of my wife Kate) and made me want to start Machina.
Out of 10 how much of a coffee geek are you? Probably a 7, but Kate would disagree. OK, a 9.
Top coffee tip: Don’t let anyone tell you how coffee should taste, as it’s all so subjective. Like what you like, but always be open to learning from others.
Most underrated hot beverage in your humble opinion: Dandelion & Burdock
What do you like to do when you're not drinking coffee? Look after my 1yr old son, listening to electronics, travelling, and ignoring my phone.
What albums are in your current rotation?
- Kode 9 & Space Ape (RIP) – Memories of the Future
- Samiyam – Wish you were here
- Mulatu Astatke - Mulatu Of Ethiopia
Guiltiest pleasure: RuPaul’s Drag Race
