Roosa Jalonen
Finland
Please tell us a little about yourself:
I am a coffee roaster based in London. A typical day in the roastery might involve cupping, creating the roast profiles, sourcing, training baristas, developing coffee recipes, or even helping with marketing. I love the variety in my job.
There’s a great sense of community in the speciality coffee industry. Whether I am in Helsinki, London, or Belo Horizonte, there are always familiar faces and great friends to keep in touch with. In the world of speciality coffee it is common to collaborate with other professionals, sharing knowledge and ideas wherever you are in the world.
How did you get started in coffee?:
The Finnish people drink a lot of coffee, it is part of our national identity. I have always been surrounded by coffee, but it was only when I was at university and also working in a cafe that I realised that coffee was more than a drink to help us wake up in the morning.
I worked in cafés where the staff really cared about the quality of the coffee, where it was from, how it tasted, this really pushed me to develop my palate and to seek out new flavours in everything I eat and drink, which continues to this day.
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
2016 Finland Barista Championship – 2nd Place
2017 Finland Brewers Cup – 5th Place
What are you excited to do while you are in Brazil?:
I am excited to taste lots of new flavours and experience the culture. I am also planning to visit a few coffee farms, something which I have never done before but have always wanted to do.
What is your favorite coffee to cup?:
I love fresh coffees, it is very exciting when the latest crops land at the roastery.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
Wine. I love wine! I go to a lot of tastings find a lot of similarities between wine and coffee. I also enjoy baking and cooking, exploring new cuisines and recipes.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
I hope that in the future I am still learning about coffee, still tasting new flavours and still challenging myself every day.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the competition?:
My boyfriend and head-coach Sean. I don’t think I could have get here without his help. He is a star.
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