Get deep into the world of specialty coffee with Episode 2 of the Half Mile Coffee Podcast. We dive into roasting technology—from drum to air to hybrid roasters—plus practical tips for flash brewing and cold brew coffee at home. We also share some exciting news: the launch of the Idaho Coffee Institute!

🎧 Whether you’re a home barista, café owner, or just coffee curious, this episode delivers high-quality insight with plenty of laughs and lots of actionable info.

In this episode:
• Roaster technology explained: drum, air, hybrid systems
• Understanding first crack, Maillard reactions, and rate of rise
• Cold brew vs. flash brew: which one’s best for summer?
• Brewing Pepe Reserve for max flavor
• How total dissolved solids (TDS) affect taste
• Big news: Idaho Coffee Institute is here!

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#specialtycoffee #coffeeeducation #roastertechnology #coldbrew #flashbrew #homebarista #coffeegeek #coffeegrind #halfmilecoffee #idahocoffee

01:32 – Roaster Technology: Drum, air, and hybrid roasters
10:10 – Roast Phases: Drying, Maillard, Development
17:42 – Roast Profiles: Manual vs. software
25:50 – Consistency, automation & repeatability
29:40 – Cold Coffee Vibes: Cold brew vs. flash brew
33:20 – How to Flash Brew: Tips, ratios & brewing advice
40:55 – TDS Explained: What’s in your cup?
44:10 – Cold Brew Deep Dive: Methods, ratios & why it rocks
52:45 – Cold Brew for Iced Lattes: Better than espresso?
55:50 – Idaho Coffee Institute Launch

Why does specialty coffee cost more than grocery store beans? In this first episode of the Half Mile Coffee Podcast, we break down the real reasons behind the price—like bean quality, labor, and expert grading—and give practical brewing advice for home baristas.

Learn about Arabica vs. Robusta, what a Q Grader does, how we roast for flavor, and how YOU can brew better coffee at home without fancy gear.

Perfect for anyone who loves great coffee and wants to understand what’s in their cup.

🔗 Links:
• Half Mile Coffee: halfmilecoffee.com/
• Interactive Coffee Flavor Wheel: notbadcoffee.com/flavor-wheel-en/
• CQI Q Grader Database: database.coffeeinstitute.org/users/graders/arabica