Exclusive Interview with Dara Santana: Inside the Play & Brew Workshop at NOMAD Coffee (2026)

Play & Brew has become one of the most talked‑about experiences in the specialty coffee world this year. It is not just a workshop — it is a sensory journey that blends the art of brewing with the joy of creative exploration. Behind this unique concept is Dara Santana, a passionate coffee educator and sensory specialist who has been reshaping how people connect with their daily cup. In this exclusive interview, Dara shares the story behind Play & Brew, her approach to sensory training, and why she believes that playful learning is the future of coffee education.

Set against the backdrop of NOMAD Coffee’s bustling tasting room, our conversation with Dara took place on a warm July afternoon in 2026. She walked us through the core philosophy of the workshop: that understanding coffee should never feel like a chore. Instead, she encourages participants to engage all their senses, compare flavor notes, and experiment with different brewing parameters — all while having fun. If you have ever wondered how to get the most out of a single‑origin lot like the churupallana-205228">Churupallana or how to pair the right equipment with your brewing style, this interview is for you.

Who Is Dara Santana?

Dara Santana has been a fixture in the specialty coffee scene for over a decade. She started as a barista in São Paulo, then moved into sensory analysis and eventually became a certified SCA trainer. Her work today focuses on teaching professionals and enthusiasts how to taste coffee more critically and creatively. She is known for her energetic, hands‑on workshops that combine sensory exercises with practical brewing tips. Dara has collaborated with roasters and cafés across Europe and Latin America, and she now brings her signature method to NOMAD Coffee’s education programme.

"Coffee is not just about roasting or extracting; it is about the experience," Dara explained during our interview. "When I designed Play & Brew, I wanted to break the barrier between technical knowledge and pure enjoyment. People often feel intimidated by terms like acidity or body. My goal is to make those concepts tangible through games, group exercises, and guided comparisons."

• Dara holds an SCA Sensory Skills Intermediate certification
• She has led workshops in more than 15 countries
• Her Play & Brew method is inspired by gamified learning techniques

What Is Play & Brew?

Play & Brew is a half‑day immersive workshop that combines sensory training with playful brewing challenges. Participants work in teams to identify flavor profiles, adjust grind size, and fine‑tune water temperature — all while racing against the clock. The workshop uses a selection of single‑origin coffees, including the popular Kafipamba from Ecuador and the vibrant timbuyacu-205238">Timbuyacu from Peru. These beans are carefully chosen to highlight distinct flavor characteristics that make the sensory exercises more impactful.

Dara emphasizes that Play & Brew is suitable for everyone, from home brewers to professional baristas. "We have had participants who never used a pour‑over before, and by the end of the session they were confidently brewing a balanced cup," she said. "The key is to remove the pressure of being right or wrong. We learn by tasting, discussing, and repeating."

• Workshop duration: 4 hours (including a sensory break)
• Includes a take‑home sensory kit with aroma references
• Limited to 12 participants per session to ensure personalized attention

Tools and Techniques: What You’ll Use in the Workshop

During Play & Brew, participants get hands‑on with equipment that elevates the brewing experience. Dara specifically recommends the Fellow Stagg EKG Kettle for its precision temperature control, which allows you to dial in water temperature for different coffee profiles. She also uses the immersion bag format for certain exercises, such as the Immersion Bag - KII#1, to demonstrate how brew time and agitation affect flavor extraction.

One of the most popular moments of the workshop is the blind tasting round. Participants are given three cups brewed with the same coffee but at different extraction levels. They must rank them based on sweetness, acidity, and body. "That exercise completely changes how people think about their morning brew," Dara noted. "Suddenly, they realise that small variables can make or break a cup."

• The Fellow Stagg EKG Kettle is praised for its 0.5°C temperature accuracy
• Immersion bags are used to explore the effect of steep time
• The workshop provides a flavor wheel and tasting sheets for each participant

Sensory Development: How Dara Trains the Palate of Coffee Lovers

Sensory skills are at the heart of Play & Brew. Dara draws on the SCA Habilidades Sensoriales I curriculum to structure her exercises, but she adds her own playful twist. Instead of standard aroma kits, she uses unexpected ingredients — like fresh mint, dark chocolate, and even hibiscus — to train the nose. Participants learn to identify defects, recognize tasting notes, and describe what they perceive in a clear, confident way.

"The course is rigorous but never boring," Dara explained. "I have seen people cry when they finally identify a flavor they could not name before. That emotional connection is exactly what we need more of in specialty coffee."

• The workshop includes a structured aroma identification game
• Each participant receives a personal sensory journal to track progress
• Dara recommends complementing the workshop with the SCA Sensory Skills exam for those seeking certification

How to Join a Play & Brew Session at NOMAD Coffee

Play & Brew workshops are held at NOMAD Coffee’s dedicated training space in downtown Barcelona. Sessions are offered once a month, with additional dates during coffee festivals. Dara herself leads the majority of the workshops, and she often brings in guest roasters to contribute their own perspectives. The cost includes all materials, a bag of specialty coffee (often the Churupallana or Kafipamba), and a certificate of participation.

To secure a spot, participants can register through NOMAD’s website. Spaces fill quickly, so early booking is recommended. For those who cannot attend in person, NOMAD also offers a virtual version of the workshop for coffee lovers outside Barcelona.

• Upcoming 2026 sessions: August 14, September 18, October 23
• Price: €85 per person (includes coffee and materials)
• Group discounts available for companies (contact NOMAD’s corporate training team)

Play & Brew is more than a workshop — it is an invitation to rediscover coffee with curiosity and joy. Dara Santana’s infectious enthusiasm and her playful, sensory‑driven approach make every session memorable. If you want to taste coffee in a whole new way, we invite you to explore the Churupallana single origin and then book your spot at the next Play & Brew event. Your palate will thank you.