Erna Knutsen. The legend of the American coffee industry

Self-initiated illustration for an article about Erna Knutsen.

I can't say I'm into coffee so much, or due to the fact I drink it daily, it's better to say I'm not into its nuances. But I was caught and inspired by Erna's life story, her personality, and her passion for coffee, which she carried through her whole life. 

She was the first woman allowed in the cupping room, and she was the first one who used the phrase “specialty coffees”.

Erna was fond of saying she owed her success to always smiling. I truly believe it as in all photos of her she has a smile, which is so wide and so genuine

This article was originally written by Mike Ferguson and published on SPRUDGE website on August 6, 2018