Ask the Roaster - Jose from Ineffable Coffee

How was the Roastery founded, what was the inspiration?

Ineffable Coffee Roasters kicks off as a project through which we aim to help shed a different light on the Spanish coffee culture. Specially in the south where traditionally we have been forced and trained to drink overly dark roasted and bitter tasting coffee, not to mention Torrefacto, a practice common in Spain and mostly banned in other countries for its harmful effect on health, where sugar is added to the roasting process resulting in a carbonised and burnt layer coating the beans. We practically grew up drinking this type of coffee and therefore didn’t know any better until we came in contact with specialty coffee while living and working in different countries such as South Africa, Turkey and the UK. This contact with such a different version of coffee inspired us to not only fall in love with coffee but also motivated us to one day return with the intention to help change and improve coffee culture at home. The name, Ineffable Coffee Roasters is inspired by a feeling, causing much emotion, especially pleasure that goes beyond words. It is something unique that breaks the norm. This was how we experienced specialty coffee the first time we tried it. Anyone who has ever tried a really good cup of specialty coffee will be able to relate to this Ineffable moment that we speak of, since it usually leaves a mark on you. You realise that you have had a lot of coffee throughout your life but nothing quite as sweet and impressive as this. The sensation is indescribable. It is sweet but it has no added sugar, it has acidity but it is pleasant, it has a silky texture on your tongue and none of the roasty bitter flavours that you have always wrongly associated with coffee. You like it, you love it, and you want more. You will never look at coffee in the same way again. For us, it has become a priority to keep looking for this Ineffable moment and to introduce others onto the beautiful world of Specialty Coffee.

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

My favourite part is cupping production roasts with the team and sharing impressions. This is where all the work we do in terms of sourcing, training, and preparing becomes tangible.

What's your proudest accomplishment?

I think our proudest moment has been organising the Andalucia AeroPress Championship, which took place for the first time in history in our region in 2018. And was repeated this year 2019. It was a massive success with 34 competitors (the most competitors in all of Spain) Also contributing to make the Spanish AeroPress championship the biggest (in terms of competitors) in the world. For us in Andalucia it meant that we have a strong specialty coffee community and we are very proud of this!

What three words best describe your Roastery?

Transparent - Thorough - Quality-driven

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

On top of a hill, after a little hike with friends, preferably brewed on an AeroPress with some Kenian beans ;)

Finally, what Dog & Hat combination would you choose?

Sausage dog in a Sombrero Cordobes