Meet the Roaster: Doug from Roastworks
Based in Willand, Devon, Roastworks is an independent coffee roaster that's laser focused on doing things properly. From building relationships with the people growing their coffee to roasting and packing every order at their Devon roastery, the team puts a huge amount of thought and effort into the contents of each bag. They’re also still using a German-built Probat roaster dating back to 1971, which tells you all you need to know about their practical, hands-on approach to roasting speciality coffee.
In this edition of Meet the Roaster, we chat to Doug about his unexpected route into the coffee industry, the challenges facing speciality coffee roasters in the South West, and the Peruvian coffee he’s particularly proud of. We also find out how eclectic trio Daft Punk, Title Fight and Robbie Williams compete for a place on the roastery playlist!
Discover more independent producers in our guide to independent coffee roasters in the South West, or explore our South West coffee subscription to discover speciality coffee from the region.
Who or what first pulled you into the world of coffee?
I found myself with a moka pot in one hand and a rotating monthly single origin subscription from a speciality coffee roaster in the other, so I just cracked on and started brewing long blacks in my kitchen. From there, I started tasting all these wild and crazy flavours; some I liked and some I didn’t, and I had no idea why. My intrigue in coffee only grew as my enjoyment of my current job (non-coffee) quickly diminished, so I decided to jump ship straight into roastery life and that’s basically that!
How did you get involved with Roastworks?
My partner met someone on Bumble for Friends and they immediately hit it off. Turns out, this person’s partner was the Roastery Manager at Roastworks (at the time) and I had just started working for a different Devon roastery. We also immediately hit it off and began a friendship that I’m sure will last a lifetime. Anyway, chatting to him about Roastworks made me excited about what they were doing, the coffees they were bringing in, and their approach to sourcing, so I begged for a job and they found space for me here. He then left the country and left me here in charge of roasting and green buying.
What music are you playing in the roastery at the moment?
It’s pretty much either Daft Punk, Title Fight, or Robbie Williams. Not all in the same playlist, that would be ludicrous (not Ludacris, although his guest appearance on Taio Cruz’s ‘Break Your Heart’ is iconic), but it depends on the day, the mood, and who’s in control of the airwaves.
What advice would you give someone thinking of entering the world of coffee roasting?
Get a job at a roastery. Roasting and packing can get monotonous, but you get free coffee to take home and you’re surrounded by other people just as passionate as you are. Roasteries are a great place to learn about a number of areas of the industry, and through regular cuppings and tastings, your palate will develop more than you ever thought it could, and that’s incredibly exciting too.
Are there any coffee people, creators or influencers you think are worth following?
Not exactly an industry secret, but James Hoffman. I’m not really on socials much so I can’t really recommend any others, but I’m pretty sure if there’s something you want to know about, Hoffman’s got a video about it.
What challenges do you face in the coffee industry, if any?
The rising costs of everything, mainly, including the mad fluctuations of the C market. Also, down here in Devon, there’s a rising number of speciality roasters, which is fantastic to see, but the number of speciality-focussed cafes isn’t necessarily growing at the same rate.
What’s a coffee that you’re particularly proud of?
Peru Velo De Novia. I’m talking a great brown sugary sweetness, lovely light berries kind of acidity, and perfect balance. And you can buy this coffee in Waitrose as well!
What’s the most overrated thing in coffee?
You’re trying to make me say something controversial for a headline and I won’t do it.
Discover Roastworks → visit their official website to find out more about their range of coffees and approach to sourcing.
Find other South West coffee roasters → explore our guide to independent roasters across the region, or try our South West coffee subscription and get coffee from different local roasters delivered to your door each month.
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