From local guest shifts to coffee festivals around the globe, co-founder of Homeground Coffee Roasters Elysia Tan is sharing her love for coffee with the world, one cup at a time
Many of us have different memories of our first cup of coffee. For co-founder of Homeground Coffee Roasters and second runner-up of the 2022 World Brewers Cup Elysia Tan, she encountered her first cup of coffee at a young age, when her parents would have her make a cup of joe for them at home.
“Both my parents love having me make coffee for them at home and as a kid, I would take sips out of the cup,” she says, adding that she would always be curious about why they would want to drink at least a cup a day.
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Growing up, Tan always had a dream of starting a cafe. Following her dreams, she decided to enter the hospitality industry to learn more about its various operations. During this time, Tan’s fascination with coffee grew. “I was intrigued by how the taste of coffee can be influenced by different brewing methods and how scientific principles can be applied to enhance the flavour of each cup,” she explains.
As acquiring skills to make coffee was not readily available back then as it is today, Tan’s curiosity in the art of coffee making led her to land her first job as a barista at the now-shuttered Pacamara Coffee Roasters. Her time at the speciality coffee shop provided her with valuable experiences that broadened her understanding of coffee. She continues: “It made me realise that it was something I wanted to pursue for a long time.”