The Storehouse cafe is a place for Taupō locals and travellers alike. It is a place to get your coffee fixed first thing in the morning…and often again, later in the day. We met with Shanshan Ma, the Head Barista at the Storehouse Taupo and ‘all-round SH legend.’
Shanshan Ma was born in Chongqing in China and New Zealand has been her home for 5 years now. She has a lovely 16-month-old son, known to the staff and locals as Kombucha. She told us this inside joke was due to the phenomenal amount of Kombucha she craved whilst pregnant!
Her coffee journey started at 21 years old when she began working part-time in a Starbucks while finishing University. “Honestly, I originally only wanted to work there because coffee was so expensive and I figured I could try it while on the job.” From there, Ma worked in several cafes before moving to Australia for a year and furthering her skills. Ma’s New Zealand journey began in Lake Tekapo at Mackenzie Bar & Grill and after a couple of years and the start of a new relationship she found herself in Taupo at The Storehouse and the rest is history.
She joked that the most rewarding aspect of her job was delicious coffee every day. Ma told us how working at Storehouse is a pleasure as they have a good, strong team who work together exceptionally well. Even on their busiest days The Storehouse team always manages to get through it with no drama.
“My bosses are a huge part of that team and understand the need for family time, which is amazing. Of course, I love to make our customers happy and seeing our regulars coming back day after day is a great feeling (Hi Jo, Hi Sue!) but this little family we have here at SH really makes the job.”
When it comes to the perfect coffee, Ma told us there are many technical factors that come into play like the weight of the coffee going into the machine, the pour time, the milk. But she believes that it's not just the taste or body of the coffee that makes it great, but it’s the overall atmosphere of the place you drink it. Whether it be a chilled coffee shop, down by the lake or even at home.
With years of coffee tasting experience under her belt, she told us that her favourite go-tos often change with the weather. On colder days she opts for Filter or Long Black. Hot days – the same, but over ice. “Some days I enjoy a more bitter flavour, others sweeter but that’s the beauty of being a barista, I can change the flavour for myself. On my days off I will treat myself and add some cream.”
When she's not working as a barista, her time is spent with her family. “Since having my son, he has become my priority so being a mama is my main role outside of work. My partner and I always enjoyed exploring New Zealand so when ‘Kombucha’ is old enough we will be taking him for lots of adventures.”
Rose, cafe Manager of The Storehouse added they are blessed to have such a happy and hardworking person in their team. “Storehouse really wouldn’t be the same without Shanshan. Of course, her coffee is outstanding, we will all wait for her to make our orders, even on days off! But her personality is just the best, she works so hard and brings so much light and laughter to our little café.”
