Women In Coffee: Diana Oliveira, Biciklô

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 Diana Oliveira from Biciklô Café, a coffee shop and coffee bike from Aveiro, Portugal, tells us a coffee secret, her vision of a sustainable coffee world and what she loves about teamwork.

1. What was your first experience with coffee?

When I was very small, I drank soluble coffee at my Aunt Delta’s house (that’s her name!), hiding from my parents! The smell of coffee prepared at home has always been very present. On a trip to London, back in 1998, I discovered the coffeeshop concept and the art of “drawings”, the latte art. This experience marked my discovery of coffee beyond the limits I knew and I began to explore this world more and more.

2. What motivates you to work with coffee?

Serving coffee on a tricycle is a great challenge, but it allows me to have time to talk with those who visit us about the number of hands that small bean ran to get to our cup. And those magical minutes, seeing eyes sparkling with enthusiasm for discovering coffees from different origins and tasting such distinct sensory profiles, are priceless. Whenever I have the happiness to watch an emotional reaction from someone who has never tasted specialty coffee, then I get even more motivation!

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

I want to believe that we are moving towards a more sustainable and fairer world in the coffee market. Consumers are increasingly aware of the product cycle and it is our responsibility to continue to share this motto: consumption with awareness and sustainability. I imagine that there are still many innovations regarding processing and extraction methods! Lately we have been fortunate enough to have access to experimental fermentation processes, for example, with incredible results!

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

I particularly appreciate James Hoffmann, founder of Square Mile Coffee Roasters, for his communication skills! He is the true communicator of science, but in the “coffee” version! He can share sometimes quite technical content in a simple and creative way, reaching all kinds of audiences.

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

A water pump, driving the extraction! I like to keep the enthusiasm and motivation in the teamwork

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

A double espresso, please!