From the Field, News
Monday, May 1, 2023
Meet Daniel
This time on People of Sucafina we’re meeting Daniel Shewmaker, Managing Director PT Sucafina Indonesia and Timor Leste. Daniel helps build and maintain strong supplier networks that enable us to export high-quality coffees from Indonesia.
How did you get into coffee?
My interest in coffee can be traced to the kitchen of my childhood home in Sulawesi where I watched as we roasted coffee in a steel wok. The smell was incredible. Then, my dad would make afternoon pour-overs to enjoy.=
My coffee career began in earnest in 2004 when I worked as a barista in Seattle. An early memory of cupping a Washed Yirgacheffe and Natural Harar side by side left me in awe of the contrasting magical fragrances and opened a world of curiosity. I pored over any information I could find, which at the time was mainly old trade journals at the public library. I got my break a year later when I was invited to join the buying team and travel to Guatemala and Ethiopia.
What is your job at Sucafina?
My main job is to direct the growth of Sucafina's Indonesian business to reflect our vision and values as a company. This involves, among other things, managing a small team of passionate individuals by empowering them to increase their expertise through hands-on experience; nurturing the growth of our trading relationships while seeking out new opportunities; and building our operational capacity and efficiency.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by the ingenuity, integrity and diligence of the people with whom I work. Farming and producing consistent quality coffee year after year requires innovation, humility and tremendous dedication. I am challenged to bring the same qualities to the work I do.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy visiting food markets and cooking establishments from roadside stalls to farmer's wood-fired kitchens. The Indonesian culinary world is teeming with diversity and creativity. Encountering new ingredients and localized cuisine is the best. Naturally, I enjoy cooking on the weekends and when time permits, exploring the underwater world of this amazing archipelago.