In episode 15 of the beansandmore.coffee podcast, Paddy dives into the vibrant world of coffee with baristas Charlie and Jessica at Ben and Lily’s Coffee Shop in Clogherhead, County Louth.

The conversation centres around their passion for coffee, the sense of community it fosters, and the stories shared with customers. Both reveal how their love for coffee evolved, with Charlie describing it as his “lifeblood” and Jessica confessing to skipping classes to spend time in coffee shops during school.

They discuss the importance of personality and banter in the role of a barista, as well as their initiation ritual idea: distinguishing between a big corporate coffee brand and a small independent coffee shop. A heartwarming theme throughout is the community spirit cultivated in their shop, where locals interact and form new connections over coffee.

The episode also touches on the impact of a good barista’s energy, their favorite brews, and funny mishaps behind the counter, including Charlie’s recurring battle with a shelf that led to the use of blu-tack to avoid head bumps! The baristas emphasize the care that goes into making each cup, with a focus on quality and personal interaction rather than just “bing, bang, bong.”

For a bit of fun, they reveal that their shop’s unofficial theme song is Rich Girl by Hall & Oates, which seems to mysteriously play several times a day despite their best efforts to change the playlist.

In summary, this episode reflects the essence of coffee culture, from the people behind the counter to the bonds formed across it. It highlights the joy, humor, and warmth that coffee shops bring to communities.