October is Coffee Month, and we're celebrating individuals whose passion and dedication have helped shape the Philippine coffee industry!

In this episode of Good and Green, Pacita Juan sits down with coffee industry veteran Emmanuel “Manny” Torrejon to look back on his remarkable journey spanning more than four decades in coffee. From the Philippines' thriving coffee export years to the rise of specialty roasting, Manny shares his experiences, lessons learned, and enduring fascination with the coffee bean. He also discusses why the future of Philippine coffee lies in returning to the farms, exploring new varieties, and inspiring the next generation of coffee professionals. It's a conversation about lifelong passion, continuous learning, and giving back to an industry that has been such a big part of his life.

GUEST BIO:

Emmanuel “Manny” Torrejon is a coffee industry veteran whose career began in 1979 as a coffee trader. He founded CAFEX, Inc., an artisan coffee roasting company, in 1996 and later became President of Coffee Roastmasters Alliance, now UCC Ueshima Coffee Philippines, where he serves as Business Development Director. He is also a Director of the Philippine Coffee Board and ASEAN Coffee Federation, as well as a chef and restaurateur behind Manolo's Private Dining.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• Manny's journey from coffee trading to roasting
• The rise and decline of Philippine coffee exports
• Understanding global coffee trading and market fluctuations
• How CAFEX helped shape his roasting career
• Why Philippine coffee needs more farmers
• Exploring new coffee varieties and growing regions
• The importance of mentorship and hands-on experience
• Staying curious, passionate, and humble in coffee

QUOTES:

• We were one of the bigger exporters in the '80s and early '90s. —Emmanuel Torrejon
• The green coffee business is very, very stressful because you have to watch your price every day. —Emmanuel Torrejon
• I've always loved the soil. —Emmanuel Torrejon
• I'm fascinated with how things grow, how they can fruit, and what makes them tick. —Emmanuel Torrejon
• I think the future of coffee, especially in the Philippines, is in farming. —Emmanuel Torrejon
• Every time I see green coffee, beautiful green coffee, I just really, really love it. I just love the bean. —Emmanuel Torrejon
• I never stop learning about coffee. There's always something in coffee that you will learn every day. —Emmanuel Torrejon

LINKS or RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Emmanuel Torrejon on Instagram
• Manolo’s Private Dining
• UCC Ueshima Coffee Philippines

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Purchase Brew: Cafe, Coffee. Kape at Echostore.ph.

For more information about Brew: Cafe, Coffee, Kape, visit the Food Writers Association of the Philippine Facebook Group.