Today we will dive into my favorite local coffee roaster :)!
Iowa Coffee Roasters and Beans Teas and other Things are owned by the same owner. Awesome service on both sides!
Iowa Coffee Roasters is the commercial side where all that fantastic roasting takes place, and Beans Teas and Other Things is the consumer side where you can get so many goodies!
Let me tell you how I found out about Iowa Coffee Roaster. I had been doing the rounds of Cedar Rapids, Marion, and the Hiawatha area. I kept finding a taste that I liked, especially when it came to espresso. After building a relationship with the local coffee shop that we love, I asked where they source their espresso, and thus the introduction to Iowa Coffee Roasters.
I headed down to the storefront shortly after. I was greeted by the owner Lee. Very kind and pleasant. He quickly saw my passion for coffee and gave me a tour of the location (Talk about 2nd-mile service!) As I have gone back multiple times, I can honestly say every interaction has been a joy, and each team member is very kind and welcoming.
I was pleasantly surprised that they not only had Coffee/Espresso, but they also had Loose leaf tea, Syrups (I love the Monin brand he carries), Powders, Chai Tea, Smoothie Mixes, and even Brewers on the consumer side! If you are a tea drinker, love fresh coffee beans, or are looking for that premium dark roast for Espresso, you have to check them out!
When it comes to Coffee or Espresso, they most likely have something that would fit your taste. Some of these include Single Origins, Infused Coffees, Blends, Decaf (I love their process), Cold brew, and more.
Now, let's get into some of the nitty-gritty details of why I like this roaster so much.
The technology and roasters they use give a very consistent roast. These are two 5 kilo Ambex roasters. The newest one, red is named Lucy, and the gray one, Ethel. Ethel was the first roaster that Lee used and continues to be good ole faithful to this day with some TLC. If you have ever found a roast/bean you like, there is nothing more disappointing than losing that taste/flavor and not being able to order or achieve that superb taste again; that is just one of the reasons I love this location.
•Solvent and Chemical Free•
This is a big deal to me. Many roasters use solvents and chemicals to flavor their beans, which also has an environmental impact. Not here!
•Water Processed Decaf•
Another massive point for me! Again, this is a chemical-free process and keeps the depth of flavor I search for. The flavor profile is fantastic! It also removes 99.9% of the caffeine. Pretty cool, yea?
•Why do I drink decaf?•
Well, once you hit a certain age, drinking coffee after 1 pm (or in my case at least) tends to keep me up until 1 or 2 am. This doesn't set me up for success the following day.
•Private Label & Custom label•
If you are a coffee shop looking to try a new roaster or want a private/custom label, Lee will come to your aid and work with you to obtain the taste and profile you're looking for. So now you can get a custom/specialty roast that can cater to your wants and needs.
If you're on the hunt for some super fresh coffee/espresso beans, I challenge you to either stop in or order online. I guarantee you won't regret it; I know I haven't ;). Currently, I am a pound-a-week type of guy :P. That's beans used, not gained… or is it? ;)
#espresso #tea #coffee #syrups #supportlocal #decaf #coffeeroaster
I came in with my family a few weeks ago and the girl working was amazing! So friendly and helpful. Thanks to her recommendations we all got coffees and teas that we love!
I've been looking for a place to buy fresh beans for years since I read about the improved flavor qualities. This place not only has a wide variety of freshly roasted beans varying in flavor and region, but they also have an accommodating & knowledgeable staff. They also sell pre packaged pouches for an extremely easy and delicious cold brew. Prices are very reasonable for what you're getting. I'd give these guys more stars if I could. If starting your day with an incredible cup of coffee is important to you pay these guys a visit.
