Coffee Science
In the heart of New Orleans, Coffee Science is redefining what it means to roast exceptional coffee. Led by Tom Oliver, the shop uses Bellwether’s electric, ventless roasters to produce high-quality coffee while staying committed to sustainability. In our recent conversation with Tom, he shared how Bellwether has transformed his business, from reducing costs to delivering top-tier, ethically sourced coffee. Here’s a look at how Coffee Science and Bellwether are shaping the future of coffee roasting.
“The Best of the Best, Curated for You” – Quality Without Compromise
For Tom, Bellwether's coffee isn’t just fresh – it's the best quality you can get. “The quality is top-notch because it’s already curated by experts,” he explains. Bellwether’s Marketplace brings together some of the finest coffees in the world, making it easy for businesses to offer their customers a premium product. Whether you’re following Bellwether’s expertly crafted roast profiles or making adjustments, you're starting with superior beans.
“Anything you do to tweak it just makes the product better,” Tom says. This ability to customize the roast means that every batch is not just consistent but exceptional, providing customers with a coffee experience that’s truly elevated. “We call that lagniappe in New Orleans – a little something extra.”
“It’s More Than 50% Savings” – The Economics of Roasting
One of the most compelling reasons Coffee Science switched to Bellwether was the financial savings. “You’re paying $10 to $14 a pound wholesale for roasted coffee. In Bellwether’s Marketplace, you’re down to $4 to $5 a pound,” Tom notes. This dramatic reduction in coffee costs translates into significant savings, allowing smaller businesses to operate with more financial flexibility.
For Tom, these savings meant he could experiment with a wider variety of coffees without overcommitting to large quantities of beans. Bellwether’s Marketplace offers curated, high-quality green coffee in smaller, 24-pound boxes, making it easier to try new flavors while avoiding the risk of excess inventory.
“Day One, Plug It In, and You're Roasting Coffee” – Accessibility for All
For Tom, Bellwether's electric roasters have completely simplified the roasting process. “If you just want to roast and don’t know how, plug it in, and you’re roasting coffee on day one,” he says. The all-electric, ventless design means that even small cafes can begin roasting in-house with minimal setup and no additional permits. Whether you’re a seasoned roaster or new to the craft, Bellwether makes it easy to start producing artisan-quality coffee. “One person in our shop can roast 350 pounds a week,” Tom shares, demonstrating how accessible and scalable the system is.
Bellwether roasters are designed to be user-friendly from installation to operation, allowing anyone to produce consistent, superior coffee with every roast regardless of experience level. But the benefits don’t stop there – even seasoned professionals can fine-tune every aspect of the roast profile for a truly customized product. “You can tweak the profiles for any roast level,” Tom explains. Whether you’re using preset profiles or adjusting the roast manually, Bellwether ensures your coffee is always fresh and full of flavor.
“This Is Feel-Good Coffee” – Sustainability and Community Impact
At Coffee Science, sustainability is a priority, and Bellwether’s approach to ethical sourcing and environmental impact aligns perfectly with their values. “The people who sell the coffee are fairly compensated, and the people who buy it are fairly compensated,” Tom explains, emphasizing the importance of community in every cup of coffee.
Bellwether’s electric roasters are not only energy-efficient, but their curated green coffee marketplace helps create a sustainable future for everyone in the supply chain. “This is feel-good coffee,” Tom says, highlighting that sustainability is built into every aspect of the process. By reducing the carbon footprint of coffee roasting, supporting women’s co-ops, organic farms, and following best practices that promote fair wages through initiatives like Living Income Pricing, Bellwether enables businesses to provide great coffee that’s also ethically sourced.
“Just Do It. Roast Some Coffee.”
For Tom Oliver and Coffee Science, Bellwether has transformed the way they roast and serve coffee. From cost savings to quality control, accessibility, and sustainability, Bellwether offers a solution that fits businesses of all sizes. As Tom says, “It’s all positive cash flow. Just do it. Roast some coffee.”
With Bellwether’s innovative roasting technology, Coffee Science has not only improved its coffee offerings but has also created new revenue streams and embraced a sustainable future. It’s clear that Bellwether is not just changing how coffee is roasted—it’s changing the entire coffee industry.
