Brewing at Home and on the Road with Justin Pierce

In this series, we ask coffee professionals how they like to drink their coffee while at home and when traveling.

BY TANYA NANETTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT

Feature photo courtesy of Justin Pierce

Coffee professionals tend to spend most of their days brewing coffee. Baristas brew coffee behind the bar for their customers. Roasters brew it to check the roast profile; bloggers brew it to share a new recipe with the world. But what happens when they’re not at work? What are their coffee habits when they’re relaxing at home? How do these habits change when they travel? 

Meet Justin Pierce, aka Daddy Got Coffee

Justin Pierce is a 36-year-old coffee blogger who lives a little north of Toronto with his wife and three kids. In addition to his main occupation in digital marketing, he runs his coffee channel: Daddy Got Coffee. He loves “helping people discover their own breakthroughs in coffee,” as he puts it.

So what are Justin’s coffee habits when he’s chilling at home? What is his favorite brewing method?

“Oh man, I really change it up,” Justin says, “but Sarah and I always start the day with a round of Americanos. After that, we usually crank out a couple pourovers, maybe a batch brew. And often we’ll have some decaf espresso or drip later in the day!”

Out and About Near Toronto

Justin’s days are typically full of caffeine, but does he also go out for coffee at specialty-coffee shops in his town? And what is his go-to order?

“I live near a couple of small towns with a very small number of shops. If I’m in a hurry I’ll get an Americano to go. But I also love a good pourover, and if I feel like sitting down for a sec, I love getting a single-origin espresso and water. So good!”

For Justin, however, coffee outside is the exception. He almost always drinks it at home, frequently taking it with him if he has to go out. He has even set up a little coffee bar at his office, to make coffee there as good as the coffee he has at home. “When I visit a café,” he says, “it’s because I love connecting with the people there.”

Coffee with Friends

Things obviously change a lot when Justin isn’t home: a visit to friends or family can be somewhat tricky when you’re a coffee pro. Will their coffee be “good enough”? Will they feel the pressure?

“Because of my Instagram account and YouTube channel, when we’re visiting friends and family, comments are usually made about them being nervous to make coffee!” Justin shares. “But the reality is, when we’re visiting someone, we’re there for the company, not the café-quality coffee. We always drink whatever is served, and even if it might not be what we would make at home, we enjoy it just as much if not more!”

The Pierces On the Road

When Justin travels somewhere else, perhaps visiting a new city, he always tries to hit a couple of great local cafés with his family. His favorite way to order at a new spot is always the same: “I’ll take one of whatever you would have.” Wherever possible, he loves to try a barista’s recommendation.  

The ’Essential’ Travel Kit

For Justin, traveling means visiting new cafés and sticking to specialty-coffee shops as much as possible. But for someone so used to brewing at home, it also means traveling with a “small” brewing kit. 

“Don’t ask my wife if I’m traveling with a simple brewing kit, because she might give you a different answer—ha! In my mind, I’m a minimalist, but it always seems to balloon to a little beyond what may be considered … appropriate. If I had to pick three essential coffee tools, I would say a great hand grinder (currently a TIMEMORE Xlite), an AeroPress Go, and a scale. Maybe a small kettle, in case there isn’t one there. And while I’m at it, I may as well bring a Kalita Wave. And water-additive pouches don’t take up much space. … Let’s just say I haven’t packed up an electric espresso machine, yet. But sometimes I pack a manual machine and an electric grinder. I should stop before I incriminate myself further; I think you get the picture!” 

Justin has one final suggestion regarding the best way to drink and brew coffee while traveling. “It’s really hard to beat the hand grinder/AeroPress combo. At a hotel, I’ll even use the junk coffee maker to heat up water for the AeroPress! Such a forgiving and lightweight setup, even if you just eyeball it!”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tanya Nanetti (she/her) is a specialty-coffee barista, a traveler, and a dreamer. When she’s not behind the coffee machine (or visiting some hidden corner of the world), she’s busy writing for Coffee Insurrection, a website about specialty coffee that she’s creating along with her boyfriend.

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