Joseph William González, known throughout the coffee community as Tío Joe, carries a name that embodies both mentorship and warmth — a reflection of how he approaches his craft and his community. Born and raised in New York City with proud Puerto Rican roots, Joseph’s coffee journey began in 2010 behind the bar of a café with fully automatic machines. That early limitation sparked his curiosity to truly learn the craft — leading him to his first classes at Joe Coffee, where he discovered the magic of manual brewing and proper milk steaming.
From there, his path became a caffeinated adventure across NYC, taking on roles as an educator, head barista, roaster, general manager, and kitchen manager. In 2015, his first latte art throwdown ignited a lifelong passion for coffee competitions and community connection. Two years later, alongside Javier Alvarez, he co-founded Espresso State of Mind — a platform built to unite baristas, celebrate craft, and create opportunities through education, throwdowns, and now, mobile coffee catering and café consulting.
Beyond the espresso bar, Joseph is a proud father of two, a fur dad to Mochi, and — in a surprising twist — an award-winning balloon artist. His creativity, generosity, and dedication to uplifting others earned him the Daniel Lee Giving Tree Award, a recognition for those who share, guide, and inspire within the community. For Joseph, coffee isn’t just a drink — it’s a bridge between passion, purpose, and people.
As someone who’s always on the move for coffee events and catering gigs, the AeroPress paired with the Manual Grinder has become my go-to travel setup. It’s light, sleek, and compact—perfect for brewing quality coffee anywhere, from airport lounges to bike rides across town. The precise grind and travel-ready design make it effortless to carry and brew on the run. It’s officially part of my daily ritual and 100% Tio Joe Approved for anyone who loves great coffee without limits.
