What to know | Home pour-over coffee: nest founder Lin Yong-shun on brewing, design and everyday life

Lin Yong-shun, who has long run the home furnishing selection store "nest" and founded TOAST LIVING and SENSITUDE, is both a designer and a brand manager. Privately, he is also a heavy coffee drinker who drinks more than three cups of coffee a day. In the interview, Lin Yong-shun shared his observations on the home brewing trend and the aesthetics of coffee utensils.

How to brew coffee every day

Lin Yong-shun mentioned that although he has been exposed to and purchased various brewing props for many years, the "TRIO dripper" developed by his own brand is the one he uses most every day. He said that choosing a matching coffee cup according to your mood every day is an indispensable little ritual to welcome the new day. He estimates that the entire pour-over process only takes about six to ten minutes. He believes that people who care about flavor and quality of life are willing to allocate this time to themselves from their daily routine.

Why is home brewing becoming more and more popular?

Lin Yong-shun observed that in the past, people often felt that pour-over coffee was bitter, mostly due to limitations in roasting or brewing techniques. He believes that Taiwan's roasting bean industry is now mature, high-quality coffee beans are easy to obtain, and brewing knowledge is popularized, making home brewing gradually integrated into daily life. He also said that coffee has gone beyond its simple refreshing function and has become a manifestation of life culture and personal style.

Does professional terminology cause equipment anxiety?

Faced with the increasingly popular terminology of washed, natural and anaerobic processing, etc., Lin Yong-shun said that drinking coffee should be a relaxed and comfortable thing. It is good to be willing to delve into the skills, but it is no problem if you just want to enjoy it at home. He pointed out that the immersion drippers on the market that emphasize stable extraction represent a gentler integration of coffee culture into daily life, allowing consumers with different needs to find a way that suits them.

What is the most important thing when selecting and designing products?

As a product selection operator who has long promoted Taiwan’s original designs to the world and introduced daily utensils from various countries to Taiwan, Lin Yong-shun has his own understanding of how utensils can be integrated into life. Faced with the recent aesthetic trend of coffee equipment becoming furniture-like and furnishing-like, he said that he still adheres to the functional essence and believes that function is always the first consideration when developing or selecting products. It has always been his creative goal to naturally present the beauty of the equipment while meeting the practicality standards.

Why do I always buy one coffee cup after another?

Lin Yong-shun analyzed from the perspective of home furnishing selection. This is not only because different moods require different utensils, but also reflects the natural rotation of life aesthetics over time - sometimes the public prefers light and translucent glasses that can see the color of coffee. After a while, mugs with a simple feel and thickness are favored again. He compares this type of craft coffee props to vinyl records, believing that the coldness of metal, the warmth of wood, or the simplicity of handcrafting not only have the beauty of a work of art, but also reflect the user's unique perception of life.

How to coexist between drinking coffee out and brewing it at home

In Lin Yong-shun’s view, the two do not conflict. He said that going to a famous store to drink coffee is a complete on-site experience. The space, music and utensils created by the store owner provide an atmosphere that cannot be replicated at home; making it yourself at home is the starting point of daily life. He believes that the two, one external and the other internal, reflect different life conditions, and there is no need to choose one or the other.

What is the essence of coffee to him?

At the end of the interview, Lin Yong-shun brought the focus back to the connection between people and life, expressing his hope that through the design of utensils, the public can find their life desires in the process of making pour-over coffee, and enjoy ten minutes of aroma time every day. He concluded that the essence of coffee is connection and a way of life. There is no need to be overly preoccupied about brewing and drinking. Relaxation and comfort are the most important.