I am a Geologist and have been working in the petroleum and environmental fields for over 35 years.  My quest for a good cup of joe started on a semi-submersible drilling rig in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico.  Out there, surrounded by hundreds of miles of water, I had some of the worst coffee ever.  I swear it was triple bag burnt, acidic, stomach churning coffee swill.  One 8-ounce cup kept you buzzing for the 36-hour logging runs. But it did a number on your stomach.  It was years later that I took the jump to coffee roasting and realized that coffee is an amazing beverage.  So much more flavor than anything you could find on a store shelf.  I was hooked. Over the years, I guess you could say that I have become a coffee snob.  Also, I have discovered that there is coffee, there is good coffee, and there is exceptional coffee.  Exceptional coffee, like wine, has an amazing variety of flavors that pop out as the coffee cools.  They are really a rare find.

 

I tend to seek coffee that is smooth and creamy with a robust flavor and a hint of chocolate.  All good qualities if you can find them in the same bag of coffee beans.  The hunt is enjoyable.  So join me in the hunt for exceptional coffee.