Over the years, we've extensively tested various coffee roasters and learned that different machines can significantly impact taste. The more control the Roastmaster has over airflow, fuel output, and cooling, the greater the variation in flavor they can achieve.
We use two Italian-built solid drum roasters, both heated with natural gas. We’ve modified the gas burners for rapid heat application and added variable speed exhaust fans to enhance airflow. The sturdy drums, made of solid metal, provide ample radiant heat. To optimize this, we installed a variable speed motor to adjust drum speeds efficiently. We harness gas output for horsepower, exhaust for convection, and the drum for radiant heat. Our extensive experience in roasting, cupping, and experimenting has enabled us to master these elements.
Our roasting approach blends the science, craft, and creativity of the process. We rely on sight, sound, and smell to adjust to ambient conditions. We dry roast using ambient air to cool our coffee, preserving freshness by limiting moisture.
We strive to maintain minimal roasted inventory to offer the freshest product possible. Our Journeyman roasting program is constantly evolving, supported by our engagement with the Specialty Coffee Association. We maintain a close relationship with the Roasters Guild, staying connected to new roasting ideas and innovative tools.
Fresh Green Coffee/Fresh Roasted Coffee
Delivering freshly roasted coffee to our customers is central to our roasting philosophy. Specialty coffee offers a unique experience, and freshness is a key component. We prioritize expediting shipping of our raw coffees after harvest and minimizing time after roasting to ensure maximum freshness. Many consumers are unaware of the significant impact of age on coffee quality, both post-harvest and post-roasting. Traditional coffee manufacturers often neglect this, resulting in stale products on store shelves. Our focus on freshness is integral to our green buying and roasting philosophy, ensuring our customers enjoy the true taste of fresh coffee.
As emphasized in our green buying philosophy, coffee is a fruit and should be sweet. Whether it's a coffee with a pronounced tartaric wine-like acidity or one with a viscous body and subtle acidity, we roast to preserve and enhance these qualities. Our roasters' controls and airflow settings allow us to adjust profiles to highlight the coffee's natural characteristics.
We embrace a general S-curve profile known in the coffee industry, adjusting our roast profiles to suit each coffee's unique attributes. We meticulously record and adjust our roasting process to ensure the desired outcomes. Our success is measured by cupping and continuous experimentation.
Consistency for us means consistently high-quality coffee. While our blends are designed to maintain relatively consistent taste profiles, we embrace the natural variations in our single origins. Our coffees may vary slightly from one period to the next, but they will always be clean, sweet, and fresh, delivering the special experience our customers expect.