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In this interview with Joo Sung-hyun from 180 Coffee Roasters, we explore the principles behind gentle roasting and the transformative impact of data-driven roasting techniques. Learn how precision, philosophy, and technology converge to create consistently exceptional coffee.
Hello, I'm Joo Sung-hyun from 180 Coffee Roasters, a roastery founded by Lee Seung-jin. Our name symbolizes a complete shift in perspective toward specialty coffee.
My roasting approach focuses on fully expressing the inherent flavors of the coffee rather than altering or adding to them. Excessive heat can damage coffee beans and mask their natural characteristics, so our core philosophy is gentle roasting, ensuring every flavor comes through clearly.
I've been roasting since 2006 and greatly respect Lee Seung-jin, whom I consider my sole roasting mentor. He provides extensive support in roasting practices and coffee research, understanding that experimentation involves significant resources. His generous support for coffee, equipment, and software expenses has created an ideal environment for our growth. Our roasting philosophies—"no damage" and "ETeRR"—stem from his insights into moisture management in coffee roasting.
Many people highlight competitions as growth opportunities, and I certainly found this to be true. Participating in roasting competitions was transformative for me. Winning a domestic competition naturally boosted our sales and supply volume.
Before the 2017 WCRC competition, I was unaware of roasting log software. At the world competition, I saw competitors extracting valuable data from roasting curves using software, sparking my curiosity. Afterward, I delved deeply into roasting profiles.
Using roasting software significantly changed our operations. Previously, roasting issues went unnoticed until customer complaints emerged. Now, by closely examining roasting data, we experience fewer complaints and handle them effectively. Typically, issues are related to espresso extraction, allowing prompt solutions. This improvement has significantly reduced labor costs and enhanced business efficiency.
Compared to coffee extraction, mastering roasting requires patience and perseverance. The cycle of roasting, tasting, adjusting, and retesting can span days or even months, making consistency and dedication essential.
I emphasize in my classes that roasters with comprehensive data excel. Whether results are good or bad, detailed data collection drives continuous improvement. Manually tracking roasting processes or relying on memory alone is challenging, so using precise tools or software that document the entire roasting process—typically lasting 8 to 13 minutes—is beneficial.
Detailed data ensures consistency, particularly in environments with multiple roasters, ensuring reliable results regardless of who operates the equipment.
After attending the WCRC, I recognized the importance of roasting software and began using Cropster, popular among competitors. However, our roastery operates several machines for research and education, and Cropster’s pricing model required individual payments for each machine, becoming costly, especially for less frequently used equipment.
I also explored Artisan, a free software. While using both Artisan and Cropster, I wanted to integrate their data but found Cropster's rising fees unsustainable as our usage increased significantly.
Eventually, I discovered Firescope, a Korean-developed software highly recommended by fellow roasters. Artisan’s limitations included slow responsiveness and difficulties in data sharing due to its file-based system. Firescope matched Cropster’s usability and significantly surpassed Artisan, demonstrating extensive roaster input through its intuitive design. This convinced me to fully switch to Firescope.
From my experience, Firescope matches Cropster’s capabilities and substantially outperforms Artisan. Before canceling Cropster, our monthly fees reached nearly 2 million KRW (around USD 1,600). Firescope offers comparable features at a fraction of the cost.
Firescope’s strength lies in its performance and intuitive, roasting-specific design. Being locally developed also provides responsive customer support, timely updates, and quick maintenance.
I recommend setting roast profile graphs to high sensitivity. While some may find the noise on the Rate of Rise (RoR) graph distracting, I consider it crucial for closely monitoring coffee behavior during roasting.
In my opinion, roasting software is essential, providing insights into processes otherwise invisible. Artisan’s main advantage is cost (free), though it lacks detailed features. Cropster’s major drawback is expense. Firescope represents the most balanced option, and I highly recommend it to roasters seeking consistency and continuous improvement.
The insights shared by Joo Sung-hyun illustrate how embracing data-driven roasting practices and intuitive software like Firescope can significantly enhance both efficiency and consistency. By combining thoughtful roasting philosophies with precise technology, coffee professionals can elevate their craft to new heights.
Elevate your coffee roasting. Discover expert tips, industry insights, and innovative techniques. Start your roasting journey today!
