The Victoria area Homeroasters Guild

Thank you for starting this forum.

I'm just getting nicely into roasting my own coffee and at this point, doing it on the cheap, i.e. I use a popcorn popper a la 'sweet maria's' but the results so far are very pleasing to the palate.

A couple of things:
I'm trying to source green beans locally but having limited success. My list of preferences makes me look pretty fussy but I'm not, really. I'd like to find a reliable source of fair-trade organic decaf green beans. I'm not far enough in to know which coffee region appeals to me best. If other roasters already have a good source, I'd be keen to know. Colin, I checked out the GreenBeanery.ca website and it looks good but there is the shipping. It could be a source if a group buy reduces shipping costs.

Second, I do have Columbian hydro-decaf green beans right now from Level Ground in Saanich. I do a really dark French (espresso pretty well) roast and the capuccino tastes fantastic. But the odd thing is, I'm getting some kind of neuroligical reaction when I drink the coffee. Almost a headache or lightheadedness. To the point where I'm really conflicted about continuing to use it. Has anyone ever had that kind of reaction to the coffee? Level Ground claims to be fairly traded but they don't have certification that I can see. Also, I'd pay a premium for organic coffee if I can get it in a decaf.

Cheers,
Donna Lindenberg
Victoria

I'm pretty keen to try roasting for the first time. Getting pretty good at pulling espresso shots finally, and would love to figure out what it takes to roast great tasting beans