Ask the Roaster - Julian from 39 Steps

How was the Roastery founded, what was the inspiration?

The Roastery was founded in 2018, the idea behind the business actually started taking shape in early 2017.

The inspiration was simple, it was curiosity. The founders were enjoying a cup of coffee at a cosy coffee shop, and the discussion quickly turned to the broader business of sourcing, roasting and making coffee. How does a business successfully do all this, from a specialty coffee perspective?

What's your favourite part about working at the Roastery?

We are fortunate in that we have a large space and we were able to design it to our needs - even on a busy production day we can complete different tasks without bumping into each other. We have enough space for roasting, packing, cupping and teaching, comfortably at the same time. And it doesn’t get cold during winter, something that is unusual for a warehouse.

What's your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest professional moments were becoming a Q Grader, and becoming 2016 UAE Cup Tasters champion, and later, 2017 WCT quarter finalist.
I am usually awful at latte art, so when I manage to draw a decent rosetta, it makes my day!

What three words best describe your Roastery?

Friendly - Dynamic - Clean.

What’s your favourite place to enjoy a coffee, and what coffee would that be?

Tasting and analysing Coffee is big part of what we do every day. We are a bit over conscious about what we are producing, making the experience of drinking coffee at work a bit too analytical at times (never 100% of course, we are not robots).

So, I really enjoy coffee when I am not thinking much about it, like when I am having a nice filter coffee at breakfast with the kids on a Saturday, or a delicious take away flat white while strolling in the park.

Finally, what Dog & Hat combination would you choose?

A Chihuahua in a Greek orthodox kalimavkion.