Whether his drink is a cortado, americano, or latte, AP English Literature teacher and coach Mike Motsney loves coffee. However, like a coffee bean, his love for the beverage took time to brew.
“I didn’t always like coffee,” Motsney said. “I first drank it while I was working in a newsroom. I found myself working overnights at some point, and I simply used it as a convenient way to get caffeine.”
Over time, Motsney discovered different shops and types of coffee.
“As I got older, craft coffee and small roasters became popular, and I started visiting the few shops that were open at the time,” Motsney said. “I quickly realized the difference in the coffee I had been drinking and what it could be.”
Motsney’s wife, Amber Motsney, joined her husband in seeking out new coffee shops.
“[Our love of coffee] started with Starbucks, and then we discovered so many local shops and roasters,” Amber Motsney said. “White Rock Coffee and Cream and Sugar [are] my favorites close to home, and out of town it’s Onyx Coffee in Rogers, Ark.”
Motsney, alongside his wife, has chosen to document his experiences at each coffee shop he visits using an Instagram account.
“I initially started documenting because I wanted to remember the shops I’d visited solely for myself,” Motsney says. “When I began talking to people about coffee, they then wanted to know where the best place was. That’s when I would tell them, but also direct them to my Instagram so they could see for themselves.”
Motsney’s coffee Instagram, @dfw_coffee_love, has given other coffee lovers various locations to try. His instagram has over 1,000 followers. He currently has a list of over 190 coffee shops in the DFW metroplex.
“[Mr. Motsney’s] page is really helpful if you’re looking for coffee shops to try in the area,” Audrey Hightower, a follower of the account, said.
Overall, Motsney has enjoyed the experience of running his Instagram account.
“I really enjoy coffee, obviously, and I also enjoy photography,” Motsney said. “While I only take pictures with my phone, I think it’s fun to take a quick pic and then edit it to look much better for an Instagram post. [Working through his list of coffee shops] has been an activity my wife, and I enjoy doing together.”
