Anthony Douglas on His Pristine Challenge, Homebody Union

The previous International Barista Champion is participating with clothier Sooyeon Shin in order forte espresso house.

BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT

Pictures courtesy of Homebody Union

After I first spoke with Anthony Douglas, it used to be within the heady days proper upcoming he claimed the 2022 World Barista Championship (WBC) identify in Melbourne, Australia. On the week, he used to be nonetheless soaking up what it supposed to in the end succeed in a purpose he had chased for seven years. 

Lately, as we reconnect, the dialog has shifted from pageant to origination. Anthony has launched into a unused bankruptcy with Homebody Union, a emblem he co-founded with inventive clothier Sooyeon Shin, devoted to bringing forte espresso into on a regular basis date—superbly, deliberately, and with out intimidation.

On this interview, Anthony and Sooyeon percentage the spark in the back of the emblem, their seeing for espresso at house, and the way they hope to become the way in which society revel in their day by day cup.

Vasileia Fanarioti: Anthony, you’ve spent seven years competing ahead of in the end successful the International Barista Championship. Now, you’ve introduced Homebody Union. What used to be the spark that made you go from the contest degree to making one thing for society’s properties?

Anthony: I felt it used to be the fitting pace in my profession to percentage my very own resonance of espresso. Since I brew and drink a dozen of espresso at house myself, I do know the frustrations house brewers face. With extra society brewing at house than ever, I noticed a chance to assemble that have extra significant and no more sophisticated.

Profitable the WBC places you on the very lead of the espresso global. How did that situation your seeing for Homebody Union?

Competing gave me now not simplest revel in but additionally a community of improbable society. Then the win, I sought after to channel that wisdom into one thing lasting. Homebody Union turned into the hole—a solution to translate what I realized at the degree right into a emblem that stocks our seeing of espresso and makes it obtainable at house.

Homebody Union is constructed on the concept that forte espresso must be approachable. Coming from a high-performance, technical atmosphere, how do you reconcile precision with simplicity?

Just right espresso doesn’t must be sophisticated. We focal point on sourcing and sweaty so the espresso itself is simple to paintings with. For many who love the method, we’re freeing tutorial content material. For many who simply desire a scrumptious cup with out fuss, we’re providing top class drip luggage and freeze-dried instant coffee. It’s about assembly society anyplace they’re.

You’ve partnered with inventive clothier Sooyeon Shin to form this emblem. Anthony, what made you wish to have to collaborate together with her?

Sooyeon has a fantastic perceptible for design and understands easy methods to form a emblem revel in. I will be able to assemble a excellent cup of espresso, however I’d be misplaced in the case of design. From the beginning, we would have liked Homebody Union to really feel intentional—now not simply within the espresso however in the way it seems to be, feels, and is skilled. She’s created one thing particular that I couldn’t have finished rejected.

Sooyeon, may you percentage your design philosophy for Homebody Union?

Sooyeon: For me, design must echo the richness of espresso itself—layered, distinctive, and not dull. I sought after our packaging and items to mirror Anthony’s intensity of data in tactics society can intuitively fasten with. Each and every component, from colour to texture, must change into a part of the ritual. My purpose used to be to seize the heat and complexity of espresso visually week retaining it approachable for any individual.

Strong point espresso can really feel intimidating. How do you each hope to crack i’m sick the ones limitations?

Anthony: Accept as true with used to be the theme of my WBC regimen, and it’s the similar right here. We roast for consistency, so each brew delivers on expectation. To simplify selection, we created 3 sections: Habitual (clean and balanced), Colourful (dazzling and vigorous), and Expressive (advanced and layered). Our coffees, drip luggage, and quick all include easy guides for newbies, plus deeper sources for many who need to discover additional.

Sooyeon, the emblem talks about slowing i’m sick and developing moments of rest. How does Homebody Union are compatible into trendy day by day date?

Sooyeon: After I moved to Australia, my viewpoint on espresso modified. It banned being about staying wakeful and turned into about slowing i’m sick, taking part in taste, and discovering vacay in brewing. Homebody Union is constructed to manufacture that rest within the month—a reminder that espresso isn’t simply caffeine, however a anticipation to respire.

Anthony, as you already discussed, your WBC regimen used to be about agree with. Do you spot Homebody Union as an extension of that theme?

Anthony: Completely. At house you don’t have unending beans to experiment with, so consistency issues. We would like society to agree with that once they brew our espresso, it is going to style the way in which we stated it will: simple, relaxing, and valuable each week.

Having a look forward, what excites you maximum about the place Homebody Union can travel?

I’m very enthusiastic about our next drip luggage and freeze-dried quick area. The constituent has stunned even me, they usually’re really easy to significance. As a world ambassador for Timemore, I additionally see superior alternatives for collaboration. Our focal point now could be on distribution, training, and development presence at world occasions. The early reaction has been improbable, and we’re thankful for the assistance.

In the end, if you might want to every describe Homebody Union in 3 phrases, what would they be?

Anthony: Intentional, pleasant, simple. The whole thing we do is thoroughly thought to be, espresso must carry reassurance, and it must be easy to experience.

Sooyeon: Intentional, constituent, easy. Each and every component is practical, the usual is lofty, and the revel in must all the time really feel approachable.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior on-line correspondent for Barista Booklet and a contract copywriter and writer with a number one focal point at the espresso area of interest. She has additionally been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, offering content material to aid train society about baristas and their paintings.

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