What’s in the mug?

Coffee, which was once a quick caffeine fix grabbed on the way to work, has evolved in recent years and become an experience shaped by craftsmanship, creativity and personality. 

In cafés across Bahrain, the cup has become a canvas, with baristas transforming brewing into an art form through beans, precise techniques and signature styles that reflect their own passion and perspective. 

From intricate latte art to experimental brewing methods, every cup tells a story, proving that today’s coffee culture is about much more than what’s in the mug–it’s about the people behind it.

For Muntaser Al-Obaidly, a 33-year-old from Sanad, affectionately known as Mansoor, who works at Coffee House in Isa Town, his journey as a barista began when he traded binders for beans after finding his calling.

“My journey began when a close friend introduced me to speciality coffee,” said Mansoor, who has been involved in coffee making for eight years.

“He would brew different coffees for me, and we would spend time exploring their unique flavours. 

“At the time, I was working in a traditional office job and dealing with the stresses of a daily routine. 

“What surprised me was that I found more joy and relaxation in the brewing process itself than in drinking the final cup.

“I’ve always been passionate about cooking, so coffee felt like a natural extension of that creativity. 

“What truly made me fall in love with the craft was seeing people’s genuine reactions when they enjoyed something I had prepared. That feeling is incredibly rewarding.

“I began viewing coffee as an art when I realised it combines skill, knowledge, and emotion.”

For Mansoor, creating the perfect cup means unlocking the full potential of the bean and showcasing the unique story it has to tell. He enjoys working with a wide range of origins and discovering how different regions, processes, and roast levels influence flavour. 

His favourite is Colombian coffee, as he naturally gravitates towards brighter, fruit-forward coffees with vibrant acidity, and Colombian beans consistently offer the complexity and balance he enjoys.

As for his brewing and creative process, Mansoor believes that while he enjoys the art form and presentation of it, in the end, a cup only feels like a masterpiece when one element stands above the rest – the taste.

“Taste is non-negotiable,” he said. “No matter how beautiful a coffee looks, flavour always comes first. A great cup should be balanced, allowing its sweetness, acidity, and body to complement one another.

“Presentation is important and can enhance the experience, but it should never come at the expense of flavour, texture, or proper extraction. A great cup of coffee should taste as good as it looks.

“The chemistry and engineering that allow me to get the perfect taste are what make coffee relaxing and rewarding for me.”

Meanwhile, Tyrhone Ramirez, a 41-year-old Filipino from Gudaibiya, who works at Neo Books and Coffee in Riffa, expressed his love for Bahrain, stating that it partly comes from the fact that this is where he developed his skills and latte art.

He came to the kingdom in 2010 and worked at a coffee shop for six years and started his training as a barista, before moving to another establishment where he truly developed his passion for latte art.

“It was there that I began to develop my skills,” said Tyrhone.

“I practised a lot during my four years there before working at my current place, where I continued to hone my skills.

“At first I drew things like flowers, especially tulips. Over time, I began to expand my horizons and started drawing animals, such as cats, bears and rabbits.

“I even started to use melted chocolate to make art.

“You need more than just skill, you need passion for coffee and passion for making customers happy.”

Tyrhone said that he took his skills to the next level one seemingly normal day, when a family walked into the café.

He had no idea that it was about to change his life and his relationship with coffee for the better.

“The family asked me if I could make a cat,” he said.

“I remember feeling nervous because I did not want to let the customer down, but I tried my best.

“I made the best cat I possibly could and handed the cup to the customers.

“Their reactions to the art alone made it worthwhile and inspired me to keep working on my skills and try more kinds of art.

“And when they tasted it, they told me how much they loved it, and it made me feel like the best barista in the world.

“I have always loved latte art, but this was the moment that took my passion to the next level,” he added.