A Hidden Diamond: Roast, Inc.

Roast, Inc.

4825 Trousdale Pk., Suite 211

Nashville, TN 37220

(615) 730-8074

www.roastinc.com

Among Nashville coffee shops, there had been a huge gap, and most people didn't even know it. Almost every shop and cafe, as good as they were, offered nothing blends. As good as blends are, they are extremely uniform.

I heard of Roast, Inc., and being the adventurous type that I am, I tracked it down, and it was well worth it. First, they let me in and served me even before they were officially opened. I looked in, and they waved me right in. They showed me their single cup roasts, they taught me about new roasts and letting roasted beans sit for a day, they let me sample a couple of their coffees, and they were a pleasure to spend time with.

They are the first place I know to have cupping events, which is a lot of fun, and definitely a learning experience. they have expanded to work several of the local Farmer's Markets, like the South Nashville Farmer's Market and Franklin Farmer's Market.

Roast, Inc., also focuses on Cup of Excellence coffees, which finds the best coffees throughout the world, via jury selection, and then sells them via auction. These sing cup roasts are absolutely the cream of the crop.

If I sound like a advertisement for Roast, Inc., it's because the place is so different, and such a great experience that literally almost can think of nothing bad to say about them. They have erred on an order slightly, which I didn't push because they had been so generous and helpful. Beyond that, I have nothing negative to say.

Roast, Inc., is a bit tricky to find. Hit Harding Pike east from I-65. Turn right on Trousdale Pike. Follow about a quarter-mile to until you see a little strip mall in a box shape. Roast, Inc. is in the right corner.

This is the coffee shop to visit when you're in the S. Nashville area.

Some Random Thoughts

I just have some random thoughts concerning the Nashville Coffee Scene:

1. Cold Brew Coffee has taken Nashville by storm. One year ago, no one did it. Now I can't find a place that doesn't do it (I haven't checked on Starbucks, but I have no intention of finding out). If I don't get an iced coffee to find out, I still ask. And it's not just the high-end places; even the cheaper coffee places seem to have switched to cold brewed. Amazing.

2. Why is it that the mall areas are completely bereft of coffee places? Rivergate has nothing; Cool Springs has nothing; Bellevue has nothing; even 100 Oaks only has one place (Sam & Zoe's) and that's not well known outside of that area. Even Green Hills has nothing unless you go north to Hillsboro Village, northeast to Belmont, or East to Franklin Pike area. Never forget: Starbucks doesn't count.

3. Cupping Events are beginning to appear intermittently in Nashville. Newcomer Roast, Inc., cups regularly, as they roast single beans instead of blends. Cupping is useless for places that use blends, whether they roast their own, or buy roasts from outside. West Side shop Dose is getting into the cupping game with single bean roasts, also. Expect this to be a trend for those places that use and develop single bean roasts.

4. Nashville Coffee Co. is definitely not returning to the Nashville Farmer's Market. I never had a chance to try it, and that's a shame. I hope that another shop will fill the place, because a local coffee place would be a great partner in the Market.

5. Look for vendors at the regional farmers markets. South Nashville Market, Franklin Farmers market, West Nashville Farmers market all have at least one shop represented. Check them out as you gather fresh produce.

Check back later in the week for the regular reviews.