Coffee Insurrection Heroes
Chapter #35Todd Purse
Todd Purse is the head creative and illustrator at Brandywine Coffee Roasters in Wilmington, Delaware. In this Coffee Insurrection Heroes interview, he talks about the coffee that first changed the way he tasted, the creative relationship between coffee and illustration, his love of Kalita Wave brewing and Kenyan coffee, and the early-morning routine that shapes his work. From strawberry Pop-Tarts in an Ethiopia Natural to mandarin-fermented coffee from La Chiquita, Todd Purse shares a personal view of specialty coffee built around curiosity, imagination, kindness and the people behind the cup.
Todd PurseThe Interview · 13 Questions
Key Insights from Todd Purse
- Todd Purse is the Head Creative / Illustrator at Brandywine Coffee Roasters in Wilmington, Delaware.
- Coffee became important when his partner Ally (now wife) worked as a barista and manager at a local coffee shop — this also led him to Brandywine.
- His first "more than just a cup" coffee was an Ethiopia Natural from Sweet Bloom with strawberry Pop-Tart tasting notes — when he tasted strawberries in the cup, he knew there was something special.
- His favourite brewing method is Kalita Wave — what he learned first and finds easiest for consistent results.
- His best coffee ever: mandarin-washed La Chiquita — fermented with dehydrated mandarins, tasted like straight oranges.
- He prefers Kenya for its big sweetness — "you can get gems from anywhere though".
- His creative day starts at 4 AM before his 4-year-old son Teddy wakes up — "my most creative time of the day, even if it's not the most productive".
- He recommends Abracadabra (VT) — "super tasty coffee from super groovy folx".
- His most important lesson: "Be kind and keep it fun!"
- His advice: "Be nice and be sincere. Find people who are doing what you wanna do and try to connect. Fail and fail again until it doesn't matter and then it'll all happen.
Who Is Todd Purse and What Does He Do at Brandywine Coffee Roasters?
My Names is Todd, I’m the head creative/ Illustrator at Brandywine Coffee roasters in Wilmington Delaware
When Did Coffee Become Important to Todd Purse?
Coffee was mainly something consumed at dinners late nights after local shows for a lot of my life. Ally, my partner and now wife, worked as a Barista and manager at a local coffee shop and that was probably the first time I starting getting more into it. This also lead to my work at Brandywine which is super important to me!
What Was the First Coffee That Felt Like More Than “Just Coffee”?
Totally, it was an Ethiopia Natural from Sweet Bloom that had tasting notes of Strawberry pop tarts and when I tasted the strawberries in the cup I knew there was something special to it all!
How Does Todd Purse Start His Creative Workday?
Probably that I don’t have to leave the house, haha. I start my day around 4am before the kids get up(plus I think there something magical about that time of day) drawing and making coffee in the kitchen. I have a studio in the garage where I’ll work until round 6:30/ 7, when Teddy (my 4yr old) gets up. Those few hours are my most creative time of the day even if it’s not the most productive it feels great to just live in imagination land for a little while.
What’s your favorite brewing method and why?
Kalita wave, probably cause it’s what I learned first and I find the most easy to get a consistently tasty cup.
What Is the Best Coffee Todd Purse Has Ever Tasted?
This is a super tough question having drank so many amazing coffees over the the last 6 years. I think the first lot of the mandarin washed processed coffees from La Chiquita. It was fermented with dehydrated mandarins and tasted liked straight oranges. It was a fun reminder of how creative coffee can be!
Is there a country of origin that you tend to favor coffee from? Why?
I think it shifts all the time, I tend to default to saying Kenyan coffee cause it’s just become a personal favorite and tend to have such a big sweetness to em. But you can get gems from anywhere it seems.
Which Specialty Coffee Roastery Does Todd Purse Recommend?
Abracadabra in VT! Clint and the crew are the best, super tasty coffee from super groovy folx!
What Has Todd Purse Learned From Working in Specialty Coffee?
Be kind and keep it fun! On all ends it seems to just be best practice to be nice and try to keep things fun.
How Did Coffee Businesses Respond to the Challenges of Covid-19?
Brandywine doesn’t have any cafes so we really haven’t felt many changes on that side internally. But I’m bout really the best to speak to that since I’m mainly just drawing silly things for the bags. Haha
How Does Todd Purse See Specialty Coffee in 2031?
That’s a big one! Just thinking of the date 2031 blows my mind. I have hopes it’ll be in a good place and continue in the path of inclusiveness, kindness, and imagination. The coffee scene is filled with amazing caring and creative people, although it’s nothing is perfect it’s that’s combo that keeps me hopefully for all things in the future.
Where Does Todd Purse See Himself in Ten Years?
Being a dad, a husband, and drawing silly things for coffee packaging… maybe packaging where the characters come to life abs interact with our coffee friends!
What Advice Does Todd Purse Have for People Starting in Coffee?
As silly and cliche as it sounds just be nice and be sincere. Find people who are doing what ya wanna do and try to connect. Fail and fail again until it doesn’t matter and then it’ll all happen.
Best Cup
"I think the first lot of the mandarin washed processed coffees from La Chiquita. It was fermented with dehydrated mandarins and tasted liked straight oranges. It was a fun reminder of how creative coffee can be!"
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Author
Tanya Nanetti is a specialty coffee journalist, writer, and coffee educator dedicated to documenting the people, places, and stories behind the global specialty coffee movement.She writes about specialty coffee shops, roasters, coffee origins, brewing techniques, sensory experiences, and the professionals shaping the future of coffee culture.As a certified coffee trainer and contributor to international coffee publications, including Barista Magazine and Standart Magazine, Tanya combines journalistic research with hands-on coffee knowledge to explore the evolution of third wave coffee worldwide.Through interviews, guides, and coffee stories, she helps connect coffee professionals and enthusiasts with the communities, craftsmanship, and innovation behind every cup.
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