Where do we even start when choosing tools for our roastery? There are an incredible number of options from basic and inexpensive -to complex and costly. In the most recent issue of Roast Magazine, today's guest, Kat Melheim gives us an outline of tools and resources through the entire roasting process that can help clarify this dilemma.
Kat Melheim (she/her) is a roaster, barista, artist, and writer. She founded Coffee People Zine, a publication that celebrates the creativity of the coffee community, in 2018. Through her work in the coffee industry she has been fortunate enough to travel, meet exceptional people, and taste delicious coffees all over the world. Kat strives to connect with others, share what she's learning, and entertain with joy and enthusiasm.
On today's RoR episode we will be diving into the subject of getting the right tools for you specific roasting operation,how Kat's own career has been helped by having or lacking resources, and her advice to us on how we should approach developing ourselves as technicians and artists.
Lots of wonderful thoughts and insights here. Enjoy!
Links:
www.coffeepeople.org
Instagram: @coffeepeoplezine
Instagram: @coffeekatheryn
Instagram: @roasterkat
Kat's YouTube channel!
On this episode of RoR from Roast Magazine
- Her career path in roasting
- Resources and opportunities that helped her
- Prioritizing tools by impact
- Importance of roaster "Quality of Life"
- Discerning what is essential for your context
- Levels of need
- Importance of time on the roaster
- Being a taster
- Taking care of your body
- Kats Recommended tools
- The importance of feedback and communication
- Advice for growing as an artist and technician
Subscribe to Roast Magazine!
www.roastmagazine.com
Related Episodes:
RoR #1: A Conversation w/ Anne Cooper of Equilibrium Master Roasters
RoR #2: Exploring Quality Control w/ Spencer Turer of Coffee Enterprises
RoR #3: Making Contingency Planning a Reality w/ Andi Trindle Mersch of Philz Coffee
RoR #4: Practical Thermal Dynamics w/ Candice Madison of Royal Coffee / The Crown Oak
RoR #5: Time and Color in Roasting w/ Morten Munchow of Coffee Mind"
RoR #6: Buying Less and Doing More w/ Ever Meister
RoR #7 Illustrative Sample Roasting w/ Mike Ebert of Firedancer Coffee Consultants
ROR #8 How Post-Harvest Processing Impacts Flavor w/ Siva Subramanian and Byron Holcomb of Olam Food Ingredients
Keys To The Shop : Equipping Coffee Shop Leaders