Flamethrowers, Farmers, and Fresh Roasts: What One Man’s Passion Taught Me About Coffee

Let me tell you about a guy named Tibor.

He’s not your average coffee enthusiast. He’s a home grower who uses a flamethrower to precision-roast his beans. Yes, you read that right—a flamethrower. At first, it sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie or a viral YouTube experiment gone wild. But the more I learned about Tibor’s process, the more I saw a reflection of something that runs deep at Win Win Coffee: a passion for doing things differently, and doing them well.

His story reminded me why I fell in love with coffee in the first place, and why I believe coffee isn’t just a drink. It’s a ritual. A craft. A connection.

The Heat of Passion (Literally)

When I read about Tibor’s journey on SBS Australia, I was blown away, not just by the flamethrower, but by his obsession with getting every detail just right. He grows his own coffee plants at home, harvests the beans, and then carefully roasts them in small batches using intense, controlled heat.

That kind of attention to detail, that fearless experimentation, it reminded me of when we were first developing our Win Win Espresso Blend. We must’ve run over 50 roasts before we got the flavor profile just right. There were days the kitchen smelled like heaven… and a few where it smelled like a campfire gone wrong. (Shoutout to my very patient neighbors.)

But when we finally nailed it, that rich, smooth body with just the right kick, it wasn’t just about the beans. It was about the journey.

From Farm to Cup (and Sometimes Flamethrower)

Tibor’s story may be extreme, but there’s a universal message in it for all of us coffee lovers: the more love you pour into your process, the better the result. And while we’re not out here roasting with open flames (no judgment if you are), we do approach every batch at Win Win Coffee with care and curiosity.

Our sourcing partners are small-scale farmers who are just as passionate as Tibor, minus the backyard firepower. They know their land, their climate, their cherries. They pick only the ripest fruit and dry them under the sun, not just because it’s traditional, but because it brings out the best in the bean.

We work with these growers directly, ensuring that our coffee not only tastes incredible but also supports real people and real families. That’s what makes it a win-win. Literally.

So, What Can You Take Away From This?

You may not grow your own beans or own a flamethrower (again, no judgment), but here are a few ways to bring some of that Tibor-level passion into your daily coffee ritual:

1. Experiment With Your Brew

Don’t be afraid to switch up your brewing method. French press, pour-over, AeroPress, they each bring out different notes in the coffee. If you’ve always brewed your Win Win blend in a drip machine, try a pour-over one weekend. You might be surprised at what you taste.

2. Grind Fresh

This one’s a game-changer. Coffee starts losing flavor minutes after it’s ground. Invest in a burr grinder and grind your beans just before brewing. It’s the easiest way to upgrade your cup without doing anything else.

3. Try a Coffee Journal

This may sound geeky (because it is), but it’s also super satisfying. Jot down the date, brew method, water-to-coffee ratio, and taste notes. Over time, you’ll start to see patterns, what you love, what needs tweaking, and which beans really make your taste buds dance.

The Coffee Community Is Wildly Creative Just Like You

What I love most about stories like Tibor’s is how they spark inspiration. Coffee lovers are some of the most creative, passionate people out there. I’ve seen customers build entire morning rituals around their favorite Win Win blend. One even created a playlist called “Caffeine & Clarity” and swears it makes their pour-over taste better. (We tried it. It kind of does.)

Another customer, Ellie from Vermont, told us she and her kids make “coffee art” with leftover grounds, painting abstract trees on old newspapers. “It smells better than regular paint,” she said, “and way more fun.”

These stories are why we do what we do. They remind us that coffee is more than a beverage. It’s a shared experience, between growers, roasters, brewers, and you.

Brew Boldly

So maybe you’re not roasting beans with a flamethrower in your backyard (or maybe you are, in which case, send pics). But every time you brew a cup of coffee with care, with curiosity, and with connection, you’re part of something bigger.

Here at Win Win Coffee, we’re raising our mugs to the dreamers, the experimenters, and the everyday coffee heroes who make this community so rich.

Here’s to the next great cup, and the story it tells.

Inspiration for this post came from a fascinating feature by SBS News about Tibor, a home coffee grower in Australia who uses a flamethrower to precision-roast his beans. You can listen to the full story here.