Why does nobody talk about those weird little coffee shop in Peoria

I stopped by this hole-in-the-wall place called The Grind House last Saturday because my usual spot was packed, and noticed they roast their beans in a giant cast iron skillet right behind the counter. The owner told me he's been doing it for 12 years and it gives the coffee a smoky, almost nutty flavor that I never expected from a dark roast. Has anyone else tried skillet-roasted beans or is this just a weird Midwest thing?

2 comments

2 Comments

bell.emma1mo ago

Why would you want a smoky flavor in your coffee? That sounds like a trick to cover up burnt beans. I tried a place that bragged about their skillet roasting once and the coffee tasted like I was drinking a campfire. The nutty part was okay but the smoke just ruined it. Most people want their coffee to taste clean and bright, not like someone left it on the stove too long. I bet the owner just doesn't want to buy a proper roaster and calls it "artisan" instead.

the_jana1mo ago

Point you to any coffee snob who thinks burnt is a flavor profile and they'd probably defend it as "complex" instead of admitting the guy is just cheaping out on equipment. Guess paying for an actual roaster would cut into his artisan vibes. I like my coffee like I like my humor, dark but not actually on fire.