BRUNO KONGAWOIN, HeBrew - The Dirty Chai Alchemist (PEOPLE & PORTRAIT 2025)

There’s a rhythm to his morning routine that borders on ritual. Steam hisses, spices bloom, and with one flick of the wrist, the shot of espresso cuts through the chai like a signature. He makes, hands down, the best Dirty Chai I’ve ever tasted. Somehow, he does it while roasting both the beans and half the customers in line. His sarcasm is as consistent as his latte art, dry, sharp, and strangely comforting. But behind the deadpan quips is a barista who knows every regular by name, often greeting them before they’ve even reached the counter. He remembers what they drink, how they take it, and more importantly when they need it most. In this portrait, a soft chatter of familiar voices is caught outshining the sarcasm that manages to deliver both excellence and edge.

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