What discussion of coffee roasting would be complete without a chance to sample the coffee?
Let's head a few doors down the street to the Simple Pleasures Cafe!
The best way to begin is to quote from their website: "The cafe is one of the oldest Bohemian Coffee Houses by the beach in San Francisco. Our customers come from all over the world to enjoy our exclusive coffees and unmatched atmosphere." Website
Well, that's just a teaser - they have live jazz almost every night, excellent coffees freshly roasted down the block and many kinds of teas. Also beer & wine. They serve lots of bagels and sandwiches, pastries and more. Board games and books on the shelf help pass the time for many of the regulars. The realities of a neighborhood institution - people who grew up in the neighborhood before moving across the country drop in to see old friends, grown up kids back from college say hi, people stop at the door to savor the smells of roasting coffee.
A quick look at their reviews on Yelp reveals a cross section of the neighborhood. People grow to love the place. The casual visitor more accustomed to the Starbucks pack'em all in atmosphere may feel a bit out of place in a cafe where people actually know each other, but those who stay long enough find it a home away from home.
Before we go, I can't resist a final comment about the coffee business:
About arabica and robusta beans: Arabicas contain less caffeine and are fairly fragile - growers in all countries must deal with infestations of "rust" (less caffeine means fewer defenses against invasive organisms) - so prices are higher because of the higher spoilage rate and special care required. Robustas originate in Central Africa and are immune to rust - thus less expensive to grow. As we can see from the roasting information, each has its place, so one is not "better" than the other. Blenders choose from the characteristics of each bag they receive and mix to create a consistent taste.
Special thanks to Ahmed Riad and Simple Pleasures Coffee Roasting Co.
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