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Marcus Izzo
He found his passion on the other side of the Atlantic
When Marcus Izzo moved to Sweden from northern USA, he had no idea how important coffee would become to him. At the age of 24, he relocated to Sweden with his then-girlfriend. He quickly discovered that coffee culture held a very special place among Swedes. But despite moving there in 2002, it wasn’t until 2004 that his true interest in coffee was awakened.
It was during a trip to Central America in 2004, when he came into close contact with the farmers who grow coffee, that he realized coffee was something he wanted to learn more about.
“A powerful hurricane hit the coast, and we were forced to flee inland. We ended up in central Guatemala, where there had just been a landslide that wiped out an entire village. Thousands of people had died, and all the buildings were completely destroyed. As tourists, we wondered what we could do to help the survivors.”
Marcus and his girlfriend were advised to travel to the outskirts of the village to help a coffee cooperative get back on its feet. They assisted with harvesting coffee beans and digging out drying beds that had been buried by the landslide. It didn’t take long before they gained insight into how many people depend on coffee production.
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“After a week at the cooperative, we realized just how much work goes into coffee production—and how sensitive it is. There’s a narrow harvest window, and if they miss it, their entire annual income is lost.”
It takes between eight and nine months to grow coffee beans, and then they must be harvested. For Marcus, this was a major wake-up call, and he felt that we were not giving coffee the respect it deserves. The process behind a good cup of coffee was something he wanted to share with Swedish coffee drinkers. Sweden is one of the world’s top coffee-consuming countries, yet many cups end up being poured down the sink. According to Marcus, we have the purchasing power to make a difference—we just need to understand the origin of what we consume and where it comes from.
“If we had to plant and care for the coffee plant ourselves, then harvest, dry, and roast the beans before enjoying a cup, we would have a much greater respect and appreciation for coffee. The same goes for everything we consume, really. It’s easy to think things are too expensive, but once you realize how many hours of work go into a product, you gain a completely different perspective.”
The most important thing for Marcus when buying coffee beans is that he can trace them all the way back to the producer. It’s clear that the personal relationship with both the farmer and the beans is very important to him.
“I buy coffee that I can trace all the way to the producer. I know how the coffee I purchase is grown and how the plantations are renewed. I know how they work with cultivation techniques instead of using artificial fertilizers or spraying the coffee plants. And I know the name of the farmer and which members of his family work on the plantation.”
In addition to selling carefully sourced and roasted coffee, he also organizes coffee courses and hosts what he calls Nature Sessions together with a friend, where participants, among other things, learn how to make coffee over an open fire—something that isn’t always as easy as it sounds.
“The first time I made coffee over an open fire, it tasted really bad. It was very bitter and tasted burnt. It had boiled over several times and was so hot that I burned my tongue. But at the same time, I realized how peaceful it was to sit there by the fire and tinker with it.”
After that first experience, Marcus became interested in how to brew the perfect coffee. He realized it was about getting several factors right—from the type of bean, how it’s roasted, ground, and dosed, to the quality of the water and the temperature. Much of this is covered during his Nature Sessions, but a major focus is also on helping participants reconnect with nature and learn to be present in the moment.
“Almost everyone has their phone on 24/7, constantly checking messages and emails. That’s why I think it’s important to take time to step away and breathe deeply. Sitting in the forest by a small stream, hearing the wind in the trees and the water flowing—it creates a sense of well-being and reduces stress. And if you want to make good campfire coffee, it’s very important not to rush. It has to take the time it takes.”
During the years Marcus has worked with specialty coffee in Östersund, he has seen how interest in coffee and gastronomy in general has evolved.
“It’s clear that people are becoming more interested in craftsmanship and want higher quality in what they buy. I see this not only in food and drink, but also in other products—clothing, for example. There’s a positive trend toward focusing on sustainability and locally produced goods.”
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Since Marcus is particularly passionate about knowing where the products he uses come from, it’s only natural for him to use Woolpower in his work. The first time he came into contact with the brand was during a mountain trip with his then father-in-law.
“He was an STF guide, and I got to join him on quite a few trips in the beginning. The clothes I had weren’t really suited for the Jämtland mountains, so he took me to the factory outlet where I bought my first Full Zip Jacket and a base layer in Ullfrotté.”
Buying that base layer is something Marcus has never regretted. A large part of his work involves being outdoors and brewing coffee at various events. Just like good coffee, good workwear is essential—and for Marcus, that means being able to keep his whole body warm and dry, while also wearing flame-resistant clothing. Since he works a lot with fire, wool—with its naturally flame-resistant properties—is an obvious choice.
One particular memory Marcus shares is from a job where he and a colleague were hosting an event at an old mountain pasture in Klövsjö. The cabin they were staying in was located high up in the mountains, and it was -22°C outside. When they arrived, the temperature inside the cabin was almost the same as outdoors, and it took nearly a full day to heat it up. However, they had anticipated the cold first night and had packed good sleeping bags, warm base layers, socks, and gloves.
“We had to keep feeding the fire with wood throughout the night, so there was a lot of getting in and out of the sleeping bag. But thanks to warm clothing, we didn’t feel cold at all during the night.”
About Marcus
Profession:
Barista
Age:
42 years
Favorite Woolpower garment:
Full Zip Jacket 400 – It’s absolutely fantastic. You can wear it both as a base layer and as a mid-layer. I use it in the summer and in the winter. I don’t sleep in it—but I almost could. Actually, I do sometimes… but only when I sleep outdoors.
Oldest Woolpower garment:
16 years
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