Roasted to Perfection

Reno-Tahoe coffee roasters excel at high altitude.

Written by Megan Barnhard

Coffee starts out as a hard green cherry with barely any flavor. The process of roasting transforms it into the aromatic bean that produces our favorite morning beverage.

Throughout the Reno-Tahoe area, skilled roasters leverage the region’s high altitude and arid climate to give us a wealth of excellent coffee. Here is just a handful of the talented pros providing sought-after cups of joe.

Handmade in Carson City

When you talk to local coffee roasters, you’ll hear one name repeated frequently: the San Franciscan Roaster Co. This family-owned, Carson City-based company produces handmade roasting machines crafted with generations in mind — and a lifetime guarantee. Built from American steel, the machines are beloved for their high-quality craftsmanship and even heat distribution.

Owner Bill Kennedy’s passion shines through as he explains the chemistry and physics of roasting coffee. In fact, the company offers coffee-roasting education as well. To scratch the surface, he notes that while wine has around 250 unique organic compounds, coffee has more than 1,000. That means a good roaster must adjust for myriad variables. Who knew so much science went into your morning cup?

Filling Your Cup

Coffeebar’s Midtown roastery is fueled by responsibly sourced coffee purchased directly from farmers and a mission to work directly with farmers around the world to support their communities and create sustainable practices.

If you lean toward dark roasts, try the Giuseppe, a traditional Italian roast. On the lighter side, the Zephyr roast — featured in Coffeebar’s espresso drinks — has notes of milk chocolate, cherry, and vanilla.

Pick up your beans from any of the 10 and growing locations of Coffeebar, or opt for the subscription program to customize your roast, quantity, and frequency of delivery, and get 10 percent off retail pricing.

“Every cup has a story,” says Coffeebar founder/CEO Greg Buchheister. “It starts on a hillside half a world away, in the hands of a farmer. We’re just the bridge — from their land to your doorstep. When you subscribe to Coffeebar, you’re not just getting better coffee. You’re keeping that connection alive — farmer to roaster, roaster to cup, cup to soul.”

This is an excerpt from the original article, “Roasted to Perfection” published by edible Reno-Tahoe.