Why Cafe Imports Switched to ROEST for Sample Roasting
A smoother workflow. More control. Better consistency.
Cafe Imports, one of the most respected green coffee importers in the world, recently made the switch to ROEST roasters across all their global coffee labs. After only a few months of testing, they chose to make ROEST their main sample roasting equipment.
Two ROEST L100 Plus roasters in the Cafe Imports Europe lab
With thousands of samples roasted each year, from the U.S. to the EU and Australia, Cafe Imports needs equipment they can rely on. In their U.S. lab alone, they roast over 6,500 samples annually. The Berlin and Melbourne offices roast numerous samples for customers, where consistency and precision are non-negotiable.
Why they made the switch
According to Ian Fretheim, Director of Sensory Analysis:
“We don’t choose equipment based on looks or hype. We need performance, efficiency,
and very little room for error. ROEST delivered.”
The switch wasn’t just about features. It had to work under pressure. Their EU lab transitioned during their busiest season: with Ethiopias, Kenyas, and Centrals arriving at once.
Madeleine Avakian-Salvaggio, EU Sensory & Samples Technician, recalls:
“We were nervous about switching during peak season, but the transition was smooth. Within a week, we were back to full speed. ROEST improved our workflow, roast profiles, and efficiency. I can’t imagine the lab without them now.”
Real improvements in the lab
ROEST has helped Cafe Imports:
Improve roast consistency with automatic first crack detection
Save time with rapid cooling and reset functions
Cut waste using smaller, more flexible batch sizes
Support new team members with easier training and remote monitoring
“ROEST gives us more control with less effort,” says Ian. “It’s changed the way we work.”
Pictured: Madeleine Avakian-Salvaggio, EU Sensory & Samples Technician
A smart investment for serious labs
At ROEST, we know that coffee labs don’t have time for experiments that don’t work. That’s why we build equipment that performs under real-world conditions.
Café Imports’ experience shows what we hear from labs around the world:
ROEST is more than a roaster—it’s a precision tool that transforms daily operations.
Whether you roast 100 or 10,000 samples a year, ROEST can help you do it better.
Learn more about ROEST sample roasters and transform your lab work flow today!
Not sure which ROEST sample roaster to get? Check out this article on the difference between the L100 Ultra and L100 Plus.
