47. College Town Coffee: Inside the World of Coffee Culture

SUMMARY: In this episode, hosts Aaron and Ben dive into an insightful conversation with Andrew Schmunk and Paul Tostberg from Coffee Culture, highlighting the unique dynamics of running a coffee shop in a bustling college town. Paul and Andrew share how the presence of a large student population influenced their decision to establish Coffee Culture in Corvallis, emphasizing the importance of adapting to seasonal shifts in customer flow and sales. They discuss their strategic approach to staffing, drawing from a talented pool of college students and the challenges and benefits that come with it. The conversation takes a deeper turn as they explore their meticulous process of training baristas, the significance of creating robust standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the continuous effort to improve their coffee brewing methods. Andrew, with his background in food science, sheds light on the scientific precision and experimentation involved in perfecting their coffee brewing process, from grind size adjustments to pulse settings on brewers. Listeners will gain a unique perspective on the intricate world of coffee roasting and brewing, learning about the importance of consistency, measurement, and taste in delivering the perfect cup of coffee. The episode wraps up with a discussion on their approach to customer education, providing simple yet effective guidelines for brewing coffee at home.   Minute by Minute: 0:00 Introduction 2:42 Choosing a college town 6:52 Hiring not for experience, but personality 10:08 Winning systems 16:26 Secrets from the coffee lab 30:48 A bit about Tri Cities heat