Dimana Dervisheva didn’t set out to become Bulgaria’s AeroPress Champion. In fact, when she first entered the world of specialty coffee, she didn’t even know what an AeroPress was. But through curiosity, consistency, and a love for learning, she’s built something remarkable – both for herself and for the Bulgarian coffee community.

As the founder of BG Coffee Guide – a platform that started as a café map and evolved into a podcast, educational resource, and community hub – Dimana is helping reshape the way people engage with coffee. We caught up with her to talk about her journey, her championship win, and why she believes that great coffee should be for everyone.

Dimana Dervisheva. Photo courtesy of Dimana.

 

A journey that started with curiosity

Dimana’s coffee story began in a familiar place: at home, with a friend’s recommendation to watch James Hoffmann’s YouTube videos. “It went very deep from there,” she says. “Before that, I discovered Standart magazine, which really hooked me on learning more.”

That spark turned into a passion – and eventually, a championship title. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be competing in a coffee championship. It was such a gradual process, but I think it was meant to happen when it happened.”

BG Coffee Guide: more than a map

The idea for BG Coffee Guide came one late night after Dimana stumbled upon the Indianapolis Coffee Guide through the Standart community. “I literally made the site overnight and started populating it with cafés from all over Bulgaria,” she recalls. Her vision was simple but bold: to create a central place for great coffee experiences across the country.

But soon, the platform grew. “I really wanted to see more coffee content in Bulgarian – that’s how the podcast started. Content in English is everywhere, but why leave everyone else out?”

Today, BG Coffee Guide is more than just a directory. It’s a voice, a classroom, and a platform for connection.

Photo by Dimana Dervisheva. 

 

Teaching without snobbery

One thing that sets Dimana apart is her mission to make coffee accessible. “You don’t have to know everything about coffee to have a better experience with it,” she says. “Coffee is food, and we humans connect over food and beverages more than anything.”

Inspired by friends in the wine industry, she’s particularly passionate about sustainability and sensory development. “I think specialty coffee should be more about how it was grown – did the farmer use pesticides, how was it transported, how is it packaged. The same values we apply to farm-to-table food should apply to coffee too.”

 

On community, challenges, and change

Dimana doesn’t claim to have all the answers – but she knows her role is rooted in education. “I have deep respect for teachers and mentors. I’m always happy to share knowledge when someone asks.”

As for challenges, she sees them less through the lens of gender, and more as a reflection of outdated attitudes. “There’s no one right way of doing something – whether it’s coffee or anything else. I’m trying to move away from ego and toward community.”

What could the industry do better? “Be more agile. Be more open to change.”

Dimana Dervisheva. Photo courtesy of Dimana.

Winning, organising, and embracing the process

Her win at the AeroPress Championship taught her a lot – not just about coffee, but about herself. “My flight attendant training wasn’t wasted,” she laughs. “I’m hyper-focused under pressure. But I also learned that without preparation, the first place is just a desire.”

She’s equally at home behind the scenes, helping organise events like the AeroPress Championship. “I thrive on logistics, spreadsheets, calls – I love it.”

Dimana Dervisheva. Photo courtesy of Dimana.

 

Finding balance in two worlds

Balancing her work in IT with her coffee projects hasn’t been easy. “Coffee has stayed on the sidelines a bit recently, but I try to move things forward bit by bit.”

What keeps her going? “I just genuinely love it. I love creating content, talking to people about coffee, sharing stories. It’s really that simple.”

And when burnout hits – as it recently did – she listens to herself. “I unapologetically take a step back. I rest, take care of my family and my garden, work out, and play some video games.”

 

What’s next?

Big things are brewing. Dimana has plans for expanding the BG Coffee Guide podcast, including English-language episodes and special guests. She’s also exploring a dream: opening her own small café.

She’d love to get involved in organizing more competitions and even creating educational YouTube videos about coffee. “Absolutely – I want to try it all.”

Photo by Dimana Dervisheva. 

A few final sips

We asked Dimana about one unforgettable coffee moment. Her answer? Volunteering at the World Barista Championship – and being taught how to clean an espresso machine. “It showed me how welcoming and generous the coffee community can be.”

At home, it’s always Chemex. “My one and only coffee love. I like slow mornings with crêpes, Chemex, and a good crossword.”

And if you ever visit Bulgaria and want great coffee? Her top picks:

• Sofia – Coffee Syndicate & Drekka
  
  
• Veliko Tarnovo – Samurai Specialty Coffee
  
  
• Plovdiv – Snack Coffee Roasters
  
  
• Varna – Jasmin Coffee Roastery
  
  

Follow Dimana’s journey on Instagram or check out BG Coffee Guide to explore Bulgaria’s growing specialty scene – one thoughtful sip at a time.