Roasting coffee -- make that roasting coffee well -- is like alchemy. Something magic happens when the heat is applied. Each coffee bean region has distinct characteristics, and various roasting techniques emphasize those characteristics in different ways. These four Central Ohio coffee roasters know the subtle joys of fresh roasted coffee. They experiment and play, discovering flavor nuances for us to savor in the morning and throughout the day.
1. Cafe Brioso
Photo by Carol Ottolenghi
68 N. High Street., downtown Columbus
(614) 228-8366
M-F: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat.: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sundays
Coffee can be as complicated as wine. Jeff Davis, owner and master roaster at Cafe Brioso, relishes the complexity. You can see it in his face when he talks about it: Coffee is a passion.
Davis learned to roast coffee at Stauf's in Grandview. He opened Cafe Brioso in downtown Columbus in 2001. His original idea was to sell coffee and espresso with some food on the side. But he underestimated the need for Downtown eateries. Cafe Brioso soon became known for tasty, creative recipes, as well as the coffee it sells to individuals and local restaurants. Davis enjoys the restaurant side of his business. But coffee is the passion.
(614) 228-8366
M-F: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat.: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sundays
Coffee can be as complicated as wine. Jeff Davis, owner and master roaster at Cafe Brioso, relishes the complexity. You can see it in his face when he talks about it: Coffee is a passion.
Davis learned to roast coffee at Stauf's in Grandview. He opened Cafe Brioso in downtown Columbus in 2001. His original idea was to sell coffee and espresso with some food on the side. But he underestimated the need for Downtown eateries. Cafe Brioso soon became known for tasty, creative recipes, as well as the coffee it sells to individuals and local restaurants. Davis enjoys the restaurant side of his business. But coffee is the passion.
2. Stauf's Coffee Roasters
Photo by Carol Ottolenghi
1277 Grandview Ave., Grandview
(614) 486-4861
M-Th: 6:30a.m.-11p.m.; F: 6:30a.m.-midnight; Sa: 7a.m.-midnight; Su: 8a.m.-10:30p.m.
Stauf's, the grand-daddy of Central Ohio coffee roasters, sits in the middle of Grandview's "Bank Block," one of the earliest regional shopping centers in the U.S.
When you walk past the cafe tables outside and enter the shop, you are greeted by an impressive display of coffee brewers, grinders and pressers. Buckets of fresh-roasted coffee sit ready to be scooped. Knowledgeable staff is ready to help you sniff, discuss and pick your choice. They also warn you if a roast needs to mature a day or so longer.
Stauf's sells to many local restaurants, and owns two other local franchises: Cup'O Joe and MoJoe Lounge.
(614) 486-4861
M-Th: 6:30a.m.-11p.m.; F: 6:30a.m.-midnight; Sa: 7a.m.-midnight; Su: 8a.m.-10:30p.m.
Stauf's, the grand-daddy of Central Ohio coffee roasters, sits in the middle of Grandview's "Bank Block," one of the earliest regional shopping centers in the U.S.
When you walk past the cafe tables outside and enter the shop, you are greeted by an impressive display of coffee brewers, grinders and pressers. Buckets of fresh-roasted coffee sit ready to be scooped. Knowledgeable staff is ready to help you sniff, discuss and pick your choice. They also warn you if a roast needs to mature a day or so longer.
Stauf's sells to many local restaurants, and owns two other local franchises: Cup'O Joe and MoJoe Lounge.
3. Caffe Apropos
Photo by Carol Ottolenghi
443 W. 3rd, at the corner of 3rd and Michigan, south of Battelle
(614) 294-5282
M-Th: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; F: 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sa: 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Su: 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Anton Wood laughingly likens coffee roasters to "mad scientists." Wood, owner of Caffe Appropos (yes, that's with two "f"s), began roasting coffee beans for himself and friends in 2003. Two years later he decided to leave the corporate world. He loved roasting coffee, finding fine wines and beers, and testing ice creams. So, he decided to combine them all. The result? A European-style espresso bar with wifi, a liquor license and a cozy fireplace area.
(614) 294-5282
M-Th: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; F: 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sa: 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Su: 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Anton Wood laughingly likens coffee roasters to "mad scientists." Wood, owner of Caffe Appropos (yes, that's with two "f"s), began roasting coffee beans for himself and friends in 2003. Two years later he decided to leave the corporate world. He loved roasting coffee, finding fine wines and beers, and testing ice creams. So, he decided to combine them all. The result? A European-style espresso bar with wifi, a liquor license and a cozy fireplace area.
4. yeah, me too
Photo by Carol Ottolenghi
3005 Indanola Ave., just south of Studio 35
M-F: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat.: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Sundays
Fresh-roasted, French-pressed coffee is what it's all about for "yeah, me too" business partners Sam Brown (pictured) and Jovan Karcic. Their small storefront on Indianola, just south of Studio 35, doesn't have chairs for customers to linger in. There's no espresso machine.
The stripped-down approach works for Brown and Karcic. They opened in 2005, and business has grown by word-of-mouth. They don't advertise. There's no fancy website to order from. They don't even have a store phone. They just have coffee. By the cup or by the pound. Just fabulous coffee.
M-F: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat.: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Sundays
Fresh-roasted, French-pressed coffee is what it's all about for "yeah, me too" business partners Sam Brown (pictured) and Jovan Karcic. Their small storefront on Indianola, just south of Studio 35, doesn't have chairs for customers to linger in. There's no espresso machine.
The stripped-down approach works for Brown and Karcic. They opened in 2005, and business has grown by word-of-mouth. They don't advertise. There's no fancy website to order from. They don't even have a store phone. They just have coffee. By the cup or by the pound. Just fabulous coffee.