Grão Especial believes that quality coffee and good music is one of the best existing combinations. So, when we heard of Henrique Hortiz, barista, innovation manager at Octavio Café and musician, we decided to have a chat with him!
Henrique, 24 years old, was born in a house full of musicians: his parents, sister and maternal grandfather have always inspired him, and he started to play at 4 years old. He chose violin as homage to his paternal grandfather who played it but died before Henrique was born. He studied until 17 years old specializing in teaching since he used to teach children since he was 15. Today he plays his violin only at home: “The profession became coffee and music is a hobby” he tells.
Passionate about the drink, Henrique joined the coffee world all of a sudden, when he decided to send his resumé to a coffee shop and ended up by being admitted. After that, he worked for 6 years at Starbucks, attended some courses at Coffee Lab and joined Octavio Café as barista after attending a specialization course at the place. He started by managing the shop at Av. Faria Lima and then assumed the innovation department, where he chooses coffees, checks production quality from grain to packaging, develops recipes of drinks that go to the bar, takes care of the materials to the course and training of Octavio’s team. He is currently learning about roast.
One important proof of his passion for the drink is the two big tattoos representing coffee branches covering his forearms. On the first drawing, made around 3 years ago, the branches follow lines simulating veins to show that Henrique brings coffee in his blood! Every time he learns something new about the world of coffee, another branch is added to the tattoo and his goal is to cover his shoulders some day. Another of his tattoos is a filter-holder, emphasizing even more his love for the drink, which he says he drinks around 9 cups a day: “I don’t believe in anything, but I believe in the energy of coffee” he says with conviction.
The interview was closed as we like most: drinking a delicious special coffee and listening to Henrique playing Bachiana Brasileira Nº4 by Villa-Lobos. While he plays his violin, we can confirm that music and coffee together is truly one of the best combinations!
