Journey to the Championship!

We did it! Our head roaster Sam Kayser took 5th of 30 competitors at the qualifying event in Knoxville, TN. He will be advancing to the Championship round in Seattle, WA in April. We hope to win the national title as the nations best coffee roasting company. Sam will have to present two special coffees at this event, impressing the judges with his approach to flavor and balance.

​What is involved in competing? We received a unique unroasted (green) coffee from an importing company and had to perform many experiments to determine its quality. We measured density, moisture content & size rating. Using this information, Sam determined his approach to roasting this special coffee. After his first batch, we waited 48 hours, tasted the coffee in a traditional cupping format, and dissected its flavor, acidity, aroma & balance. After tasting, he made a few adjustments to his next batch and repeated the process. Once Sam had chose the best approach to the coffee, he documented his roast profile and articulated it into an involved speech, showcasing the unique coffee and his particular take on the flavor.

​The Judges blind tasted the coffee and recorded their objective opinions. Sam then gave a presentation about the coffee and his objective opinions. Hopefully the opinions of both parties would align and the judges would validate the science of Sam's roast profile. They did! The judges were impressed and Sam made the cut, placing 5th and earning a pass to the next round. Follow Sam in his journey to the Championship in Seattle!!