Coffee People: Daniele Ricci

Coffee people.
The Better Coffee Standard defines it precisely: everyone whose life and work are bound to coffee, at every stage of the coffee circle — including those working under coercion, economic dependency, or without pay. Their families. Those who keep them standing.

The industry never stops talking about coffee. It rarely stops to talk about the people behind it. Red Ink Coffee exists, in part, to change that.

Coffee People is a series of portraits. Four questions — their voices.

Who are you and what do you do in coffee?
I am Dani, originally from Italy but I have been living around Europe for the past 8 years. My passion for coffee began when I was in high-school and since then I've been in the specialty coffee industry. I started competing when I was 18 years old and since then I've been working with coffee. Today, I work as a freelance barista, trainer and consultant, with many companies in different projects.

A moment in your work with coffee that you're genuinely proud of.
Last year, I competed at the World Barista Championship in Milan, where I presented a coffee that was fermented with an autochthonous yeast coming from a vineyard in my hometown, thanks to the collaboration with Lohas Beans in Colombia. After the championship, I organized an event to celebrate the journey and seeing coffee and wine producers connecting and discovering each other's worlds thanks to our collaboration was an inspiring moment. Also because my full team and another producer from Panama was there.

One problem you see in your part of the coffee world — and why it matters to you personally.
The biggest problem in my home country is the price for a cup of coffee. In Italy, people are willing to spend money on wine, beer, food, but not more than €1,50/2 for an espresso. This is a big matter as Italians are known for good cuisine and good wine, but when it comes to coffee there is low interest in higher quality. I must say that this has been changing slowly lately, so I hope to see a wider price range in the future.

What would you change if you could — and what would better look like for you?
I would love to make origin trips more accessible to anyone keen to explore more about coffee farming. Visiting a coffee farm is something that does change your life, and I believe it would have a massive impact on how people would treat, respect and drink coffee. Touching a coffee plant, smelling coffee flowers and biting a coffee berry, or even just seeing what a picker's day-to-day life looks like, are experiences that connect you with coffee even more.

You are coffee people. Tell us.

Four questions. Any language. Any format.

1. Who are you and what do you do in coffee?
2. A moment you're genuinely proud of.
3. One problem in your part of the coffee world — and why it matters to you.
4. What would you change — and what would better look like?

Include a short bio and a photo from your work environment. Send your answers to redinkcoffee@thebettercoffee.org