Today we are about to embark on a caffeinated journey with Jacob Cunningham of Airworks Coffee. From Colorado to Hawaii, Australia and Malaysia, and finally in Seattle’s specialty coffee scene. Watch this entire conversation on YouTube using the link below:
From Hawaii Coffee Farms to Australian Cafes
Jacob’s story begins far from Seattle. It starts with him randomly selecting Hawaii as a new home for him and his girlfriend (now wife) after getting tired of the Colorado cold. How many of you can say you’ve moved to Hawaii on a whim? Yeah, didn’t think so.
After driving around and stuffing his resume into mailboxes (yes, mailboxes!), Jacob found himself working on a small, overgrown coffee farm where he learned to use Korean natural farming techniques—think organic vibes but with more bugs. Spiders and red ants
Around the World in Coffee Cups
Jacob’s adventure continued in Australia, where he first had his “aha!” coffee moment at a coffee shop in Perth. Try to imagine a coffee that tastes like watermelon juice, served in a fancy wine glass. This is where Jacob’s love with specialty coffee truly began.
His journey didn’t stop there. Next, he moved to Austria for a university gig and then took a teaching position in Cambodia. Picture this: Jacob and his family bouncing around Southeast Asia, drinking dark-roast drip coffee amidst the buzz of Vietnamese cafes. Imagine French coffee culture but with more condensed milk and sunflower seeds. Now that’s something!
A Caffeine-Laden Road to Seattle
Believe it or not, Jacob only ended up back in America by accident. After deciding to visit family in the US early in 2020, things quickly turned as COVID-19 spread and borders were shut down. After a soul-searching road trip, Jacob and his family decided to plant roots in Seattle, drawn to its rich coffee culture.
The Birth of Airworks Coffee
So why start a coffee subscription service in the land of Starbucks and beyond? Simple: Jacob wanted to bring international coffees to American kitchens without the exorbitant shipping fees. His service features roasters you’ve likely never heard of but absolutely need to try. From Sweden to Malaysia and Austria, Airworks Coffee drops three distinct roasts every month, offering a mini world tour from the comfort of your home.
Coffee and Culture
In Seattle, Jacob found his niche. He capitalizes on the city’s love for specialty brews and brings in lesser-known, high-quality coffees. The mission? To support smaller, international roasters and showcase their outstanding work.
A Nod to Future Waves
Jacob dreams of a “fourth wave” of coffee—one that honors the incredible work of coffee farmers much like fine wine honors its terroir. He wants the world to appreciate the arduous journey of each bean from the plantation to our cups.
Get In Touch
Let’s keep this coffee love alive! Follow Jacob and Airworks Coffee on Instagram @airworkscoffee or visit his website at airworkscoffee.com for all your international brew needs. Even better, drop him a message. He loves chatting about coffee as much as you love drinking it. Cheers!
