'I want to become the face of India in US'

Passing by

If you have been a coffee lover, then this is for your delight. Who else than Major Cohen can explain you the best way to relish your java. Cohen, a life-long coffee fan and the global coffee ambassador of Starbucks shares his knowledge, passion and experiences related to coffee with Metrolife.

He started his journey into the coffee world in 1995 in Boston and is currently a
Senior Coffee Education Specialist. He shares how the taste and aroma of coffee beans drew him ever since childhood.

“Coffee has been my love ever since my childhood. I have loved the flavour. I started as a barista in 1995. It was probably because of the coffee ice creams and coffee with cream and sugar — very much the way Indians milk coffee — that I got attracted towards it. Because of my fondness of coffee at that young age, I remember my mother used to say “you are so strange”,” says Cohen.

This is his second visit to India and it seems he has already fallen in love with the country as he wants to become the face of India in US. The colours, liveness and food of Delhi seem to have left a great impact on the New England native as he declares that he couldn’t wait to be invited again.

“I have a number of friends in US who are Indians, so I always wanted to come here. I love India. I knew that I would love this country before I ever came. Moreover, it is a fantastic experience to be in Delhi.

The city has its own culture in a big way. The people have a great vibrancy and you can see it in the colours, foods and beverages too. I couldn’t wait to be invited back. When I go back to US, I want to be the face of India. I want to tell people there what is happening in India,” he expresses.

Through his insightful coffee tasting sessions, which are popularly known as "cuppings” in that industry, Cohen elucidates further about coffee.

“While making or having coffee, one must ensure both the smell and taste of coffee. When you taste it, it’s about the whole experience. You can’t separate the smell and taste from the coffee. The two elements are equally important. Both the elements make the total story that it tells. You get the smell, you get the taste, and it may be sedate,” he adds while sipping a cup of Flat-White, the newest addition to the espresso portfolio of Starbucks.

Cohen also emphasised on the importance of slurping over a cup of coffee stating that slurping makes the coffee spread into our mouth to give a better taste.

He then recalls an event where he served coffee to around 10,000 people in Houston and all the people present were asked to slurp the coffee at the count of three. The slurping sound that echoed, he calls it one of the most amazing sounds ever.