This is the point where things become incredibly serious in our establishment, no smiling allowed, no speaking, no fun, as we demand strict concentration from our barista... Just kidding of course, however, we are in fact very specific about the source of our roasted beans, meticulous about where our roaster acquires the green beans, and attentive to the preparation process in the café to ensure that each cup tastes like perfection every time.

THE EXECUTION OF THE PERFECT ESPRESSO SHOT

Starting off, let's delve into why our One14 barista meticulously weighs the portafilter twice – first empty, then with the freshly ground coffee, followed by measuring and timing the extraction process to ensure the ideal amount of liquid reaches your cup at the prescribed speed. By keeping track of these metrics, we can identify any environmental impacts on the grind, such as room temperature fluctuations affecting the coffee beans. If the numbers are not up to standard, you may witness us actually dumping the shots down the drain (don’t worry, it will be worth it) and recalibrating the grind size to match the conditions, ensuring that the espresso can deliver that perfect, smooth taste. This precision is key in guaranteeing consistency in the quality and flavour, and is why we encourage our team to take the extra time when it is needed to deliver a proper coffee.

OUR BEANS

Our coffee beans are locally sourced from the renowned Local Chemist, Dan Connelly, based in Kelowna within the Okanagan region. With an 18-year dedication to the coffee industry, Dan provides us with the delectable "8 track" blend, a medium to dark roast featuring luscious notes of black forest chocolate cake. Using a 100% electric, zero-emission roaster, Dan crafts these direct trade beans without a carbon footprint. "8 track" embodies the pinnacle of a dark roast without compromising the beans' integrity by burning the bean like many roasters do for their dark roast, stopping the roast before the cusp of the burning point creates a smooth and rich dark flavor profile. You can purchase these beans in bags to take them home, with large savings for those who bring their own containers. Additionally, we offer Dan's light roast "Bars" for purchase, allowing you to savour the lighter flavours at home as well.

Why do we value direct trade? This approach enables The Local Chemist to strive for fair compensation for coffee farmers by bypassing middlemen who may not offer a fair price, even if they are considered a trademark “Fair Trade” by finding loopholes. By sourcing green coffee beans from small farms, in small batches, and sourcing from someone who personally visits these farms to connect with the farms, Dan ensures it is a personal and supportive process for the families on the other end. Due to the seasonal nature of bean growth, small farms lacking large-scale operations can only supply beans for part of the year, so the team adjusts the sourcing accordingly which is why you will see beans from different locations and families depending on the time of year.