‘Down to Earth’ Barista Does Her Part to Benefit the Earth

Story by Randy Gross, rgross@harrisburgmagazine.com

Photos by Paul Vasiliades

It surely must not have been surprising to family and friends when Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School senior Reghan Little decided she wanted to enroll at the University of Delaware as a Marine Biology major. “I love every opportunity to get outside,” she says with a warm smile. “Even when I do my schoolwork, I like to be outside when doing it.”

With hiking, skateboarding, biking, walking, and running, among Little’s favorite outdoor activities, she relishes the idea of eventually transferring to UD’s Lewes campus. “It’s a dream,” she gushes, “because I’ll be able to live and study right on the beach.”

Equally unsurprising was Little’s choice for an afterschool job. Or perhaps it’s more accurate to say that the job chose her. Down to Earth Café in Mechanicsburg is, appropriately, a business founded with equal parts passion for coffee and devotion to the environment, and owner Alex Rojohn’s commitment to sustainability is evident in everything from repurposed wood furniture to a reusable water station.

“All of our to-go cups are biodegradable, we reuse as many things as possible, and we recycle as much as possible,” says Little with pride. “I like how we’re one of the biggest businesses in the area that focuses on sustainability.”

It’s needless to say, Little truly enjoys reporting to work at Down to Earth, and a desire to protect the earth is one of her biggest reasons. But there’s more to it than that. “I love all the regulars who come in, and I love meeting new customers,” she says. “One of my favorite spots to be on is the register, just because I’m able to make so many different connections with all the different customers, and I love seeing familiar faces come back in. There’s a lot of regulars I see who I know by name now. I love talking to them and getting to know them more. I’ve never encountered one rude customer!”

As Little efficiently and pleasantly mixed up two refreshing drinks for us on a hotter-thannormal April afternoon – an Iced Caramel Macchiato, and her own signature drink, The Reghan (recipe at the end of this article) – it was easy to see why her customers have always been pleasant in return.

Reghan’s Dossier

Words of advice to home coffee brewers. Try something new and get creative! You can use many objects, tools, and ingredients around the house to spice up your coffee game. Try making some cold brew in a French press or makeeasy homemade syrups. The possibilities are endless! There are also many different types of coffee such as pour overs, Turkish coffee, Moka pot, etc. that you can make in the comfort ofvour own home.

Is there anything – or anyone – who inspires you as a Barista?

Most definitely. Magic Brain Cafe located in Cape May, NJ, has had an everlasting impact on how I view coffee. They first sparked my love for coffee the summer of 7th grade, and they are like a second family to me when I go down and visit. They never fail to impress me with their goods and services, and I thank them greatly for introducing me to one of the greatest communities - the coffee community. I would also love to mention Alex and our team at Down to Earth. Alex has been such an inspiration to me ever since we became friends, and I could tell that his passion for coffee went below the surface. He made his biggest dream come true, and I couldn’t be more proud of him. I am also so lucky to work with such an amazing team that is always pushing each other to be the best baristas we can be, and they are nothing but positive and supportive. Thank you all so much for giving me this amazing opportunity as a barista, you all hold a special place in my heart.

Favorite coffee or blend of coffee.

Honduran and Sumatra hold a tie for 1st place. I love the nuttiness and tones of caramel, chocolate, and vanilla in a cup of Honduran coffee. With Sumatra, I can’t get enough of the unique earthy yet spicy flavor profile. These are my go-to coffees when I brew coffee at my house or when I get a cup of drip coffee from any cafe or coffee shop.

Recommendations of two or three kinds of coffee to try.

Listed below are my 3 favorite drinks you can order:

Iced chai with mocha

Cold brew with maple syrup

Iced/hot matcha latte with lavender

Favorite coffee-fusion drink to mix. Dirty chai lattes are always so fun to make! You can always mix it up with a dirty chai latte, and this drink definitely sets itself apart from others because of its flavor and how many ways you’re able to customize it. It makes me so happy to see a drink ticket come through with a dirty chai latte on it. Next time you come into the shop be sure to try it!

Most commonly ordered drinks during your shift(s).

I would have to say without a doubt that caramel macchiatos, any espresso latte, and dirty chai lattes are the most commonly ordered drinks during my shifts (and for good reason). These drinks are all so tasty I’m not surprised that they’re the most popular!

Philosophy on coffee brewing and/or the enjoyment of coffee.

There is so much more than what meets the eye when you make a cup of coffee. The amount of brewing processes there are to make a single cup of coffee never fails to amaze me, and there is always such a unique outcome that the brewing processes produce. Some are more bold while some are more mellow, and there are some that are smoother than others. I find it so important to try out these different methods to find which coffee you like best and build your own flavor profile! Don’t forget to maintain the correct ratios for each brewing process and use fresh coffee beans for the best results. Enjoy the versatility of every cup of coffee.

Is Barista your day job? If not, what else do you do for a living?

Not only am I a barista, but I am a senior at Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School. This is the only job I hold outside of school, and I couldn’t be happier. We are able to work around my school schedule so I can come in and work as often as possible!

During a typical week, what days/shifts can you be found at Down to Earth Cafe? On the weekdays, you will definitely be able to find me during closing shifts. I typically work most Mondays and Tuesdays so there’s a good chance I’ll be there if you come in! You can also find me on almost every Saturday, normally after 9 am to close. I can’t wait to see you then!

Recipe for your signature (or favorite) coffee drink

“The Reghan”

1 16 oz cup filled with ice

8 oz hot brewed hibiscus berry tea

1 ½ pumps of both lavender syrup and simple syrup

Down to Earth Cafe is located at 100 Legacy Park Dr., Suite 108, Mechanicsburg. Online at www.downtoearthco.com

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