Tim Hill, Coffee Buyer & Quality Manager
Roaster Tim Hill has worked at Counter Culture for several years now, starting with a stint in production. Tim grew up in Chicago, and moved to Durham, NC, years ago for an adventure. He has worked for Blockbuster, managed a bookstore, worked at Starbucks, a cigar shop attached to an adult toy store, as a baker in a grocery store, on a construction site, and the list goes on. (Since the original publication of this profile, Tim has been promoted to Head Roaster! Way to go Tim!)
Q: What coffee are you currently drinking?
Right now I’m drinking New Guinea Sigri, but I’m waiting for the Ethiopia Sidama to come in.
Q: Choose your favorite coffee and brewing method.
The Ethiopia Sidamo that is about to arrive is the best coffee I’ve had in years. And I thought it made a great espresso.
Q: Who at Counter Culture Coffee would you most like to arm-wrestle, and why?
John [former production staff], because if he won, he wouldn’t gloat.
Q: What is your favorite book?
A Happy Death by Albert Camus.
Q: What keeps you busy outside of work?
My artwork, my dogs and cats, and my new house.
Q: Share an interesting fact you've learned about coffee while working at Counter Culture Coffee.
That acidity in coffee can come in different forms and different acids.
Q: When you were 8 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A superstar basketball player.
Q: If you could beam yourself anywhere in the world for your lunch break, where would you go and what would you eat?
I would go to Thailand, and have Lad Na.
Q: Which Counter Culture Coffee customer is most likely to see you outside of work (i.e. where do you like to hang out)?
Often I end up in Carrboro, so The Spotted Dog, Elmo's Diner, Acme, Tyler's Taproom, and Weaver Street Market are regular stops.
Q: You've come up with a lot of ideas to make production more efficient, any idea what you'll tackle next?
[Former roaster] Gee Barger and myself have been working on the design of a roaster cupping station in the production facility so we can roast and cup at the same time.
