Women in Coffee: Dayana Belgoderi I Cafés Candelas

Women are driving change in the world of coffee. In our series Women in Coffee, we take a closer look the work, achievements and dreams of coffee women in Portugal and around the globe. In this edition, you can meet Dayana Belgoderi, barista working for Cafés Candelas in Portugal. Find out what Dayana has to tell about her personal voyage in the world of coffee! By the way: One station was the victory at Fiamma’s barista competition Barista Open in 2017!

1. What was your first experience with coffee?

Coming from an Italian family I can say that coffee has always been present in my life, I can’t remember a morning that didn’t have the aroma of coffee in my house; but my first professional encounter was in 2014 when I met José Manuel Portela barista from Spain, he has been a fundamental piece in my career and it was the person who trained me that made me realize that there is a profession for all those who feel passionate about coffee.

2. What motivates you to work with coffee?

What motivates me is to see the connection of people with coffee, how it changes depending on age, sex, profession, culture, country, etc; to realize that I can influence this connection and get people to notice the work that exists inside a cup of coffee. I think that coffee can bring people together and create unique moments and having the possibility to be a part of those moments is for me unparalleled. Also what motivates me is that I don’t have a monotonous job, I know a lot of people and many places this is undoubtedly a plus!

3. What is your vision about the world of coffee in the future?

Mainly I think that from here to 10 years people will drink coffee with knowledge, they will be able to appreciate more the barista and his function. As we prepare coffee I can’t imagine, we live in a world that advances at the speed of light and each day new trends and methods of elaboration appear; I hope there are three things: that we work with products and materials that respect the environment, that the quality of coffee is always the most important factor and that we never lose the tradition of espresso.

4. Do you have a woman or a man of reference in the world of coffee? If yes, who and why?

I have already mentioned José Manuel Portela, for me he will always be a reference in the world of coffee, everyone who knows him has understood why it is for those who have not yet had the pleasure of working or learning with him, I can only tell you that he is a person who represents the word barista at the highest level.

Then there is a person of whom only fan and it would be an honor someday to share a coffee with her, Agnieszka Rojewska the first woman to win the barista world championship; for me she is a source of inspiration and a model to follow.

5. Imagine you would be a piece of a coffee machine. What piece would you be and why? ?

I identify myself with the motor pump, it’s a fundamental part in the machine, it gives the right pressure for a correct extraction. We all need a motor pump in our lives

6. Finally, what is your favorite coffee drink for a Monday morning?

Mondays are always complicated, for me first thing in the morning it has to be an apartment white, two espressos and milk to start the week with energy; I confess that at mid-morning I need an espresso!