On my days off, I love exploring new coffee places. But, when I am working I’ll make it a point to do a quick google search and find a coffee pit stop. Most of the new cafes and roasters that I discover are through Instagram and suggestions from friends, but this time I was very surprised when the recommendation came from somewhere I didn’t expect.

On my way back home from work, tired, sweaty, and casually searching on Google Maps, the Roast Story popped up on the far corner of Khawaneej. Debating to myself if I should make the drive, out of my way from home, I scoped it out on Instagram to get a feel of the place and what they offer. I spot a ROEST and I knew instantly that this might be worth the drive after all.

If you don’t know what a ROEST is, it is a sample roaster with a very useful feature - Automatic Crack Detection. Look at it, it’s a thing of beauty, and it makes me want to start roasting. Another reason I wanted to go this roastery was because of the name. You are reading it first here because I am looking to start another segment on the website called The Coffee Story, a post on that later.

Surrounded by warehouses, this place was hard to miss - a literal green painted parking in front of the warehouse assigned for charging a Tesla, and a giant metal monolith in front. Was this the same pillar that mysteriously appeared and disappeared in the Utah dessert? You’ll have to ask them.

Walk in to this place and you are greeted by a giant tree in the middle of the warehouse. High ceilings, white all around you, and tons of natural light coming in. This is the ideal place I prefer to get my work done. To be lost in the vast expanse of the mind. Hard to get distracted here.

Started about four months ago, Alvin took the time to show me around the roastery. The owner has a number of cafes in four of the seven Emirates called Retro 7. I have tried the one in Arabian Center last year, Ethiopian single shot espresso roasted by Tres Maria at the time. They roast for their cafes and I am excited to see more of their beans around the UAE.

What coffee did I order? Since it was late in the evening, a flat white was an obvious choice to start off. This was a classic Brazilian, with notes of chocolate and nuts. No complaints there and I enjoyed the drink very much. Their coffee menu did leave me a little puzzled. Their milk based espresso drinks are perhaps the lowest in any of the specialty coffee places I have been to.

You might make the assumption that lower prices for the consumer meaning lower quality beans perhaps? I assumed as well and it’s not the case here. I can’t wait to pick up some coffee next month to brew at home. On the filter menu, there was a selection of Ninety Plus Coffee but i opted to go for a honey processed Colombia Castillo on the V60 recommended by Alvin. This coffee was very syrupy, with notes of red fruits and solid sweetness of honey.

The Colombian did not leave my mind, even though it’s been 2 weeks since my visit. I didn’t have a chance to share a few words with the roaster, and appreciate the coffee he was roasting. This is not another warehouse roastery cum cafe, also serving drinks on the side. Their coffee speaks volume, and I enjoyed the Colombian to the last sip.

Coming back to the ROEST, this is the first time I’m seeing it in person, and the team seemed to love it. It has a very small form but the factor around it is huge. They use it to sample roast their coffee before loading the greens in to the mammoth - the 15kg Giesen! Classic black, which had a separate bean loading unit, and a destoner.

Had a great discussion about coffee in general with some of the baristas here. They are very passionate about brewing and having fun at the same time. A good conversation over a great cup of coffee, will leave a lasting impression. I remember them well, especially if I’m meeting someone new for the first time. That’s what coffee is for me, it helps to connect and build relationships.