Cost of the Roasting Overview and Concepts Workshop is $350 for those registered for the 5-Day Business + Barista Workshop immediately proceeding or following this Workshop. Currently registered attendees call 800.655.3955 to register at this reduced rate.

Do you want to learn more about what it takes to roast excellent coffee? Are you thinking of adding craft roasting to your coffee bar, or want to take your coffee education to the next level? This workshop is the perfect introduction to the world of coffee roasting and will provide you with a great overview and theory of what is involved in micro-roasting coffees from around the world. A great entry-level workshop for coffee retailers and home roasters.

Class runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Catered lunch included in workshop cost.

Roasting Equipment

• Exploring differences in types of Roasters: Fluid Bed/Drum
• Transfer of heat within each system
• How dynamics of each roaster affects the results in the cup: Basic Acidity/Body/Flavor understanding and how roast time affects these balances
• Economics/ Maintenance

• Storage
• Detecting Age

• Roasting theory from Brazil to Bali and in between
• Regional differences including Regional Characteristics, Bean Density, Elevation, Processing Methods

• Discussion of Espresso Blend evolution
• Regions: role in blending
• Concepts of Pre-Blending vs. Post-Blending

Justin Johnson is the former green coffee buyer and head roaster of World Cup Roasters in Portland, Oregon. While with World Cup, he applied his passion for roasting and his love of espresso blending and won Karnataka Plantation Indian Coffees 2007 Espresso Blending Challenge. He is actively involved with the planning of Northwest Roasters Groups educational courses and does on-site roasting consultation for both air and drum roasters.

Brandon Smyth first worked at a small roastery 12 years ago and has been in the specialty coffee industry ever since, traversing the West Coast while working at the most prestigious cafes, coffee importers and small batch craft roasters, including Stumptown Coffee Roasters in Portland, Oregon. He is accomplished roaster who has roasted several of the most expensive and unique coffee varietals in the world. Brandon has continued his pursuit of roasting knowledge through the rebuilding and installation of several vintage coffee roasting machines. He is an owner, head roaster and coffee buyer for Water Avenue Coffee Roasters in Portland, Oregon.