Gold Box Roasters is one of the UK’s top specialty coffee roasters.
With
- Brewer’s Cup champion baristas
- A licensed Q-graders
and over 20 years of experience in the industry.
Popular in London, Melbourne and Berlin, their coffee bar – with on-site specialty roastery, is a new concept for Newcastle. And they roast at least 4-5 times per week.
During July we featured their coffee and spoke to Erik about how he started.
As head roaster, Erik Ohrstrom, began as a part-time barista. Enjoying coffee he then became a regular consumer but knew little about quality. Working with the roasters, gaining familiarity with the roasting process and raw materials. Sparked his interest in learning more about coffee. Fascinated by how minor adjustments to the roaster had such an impact on the final cup. Almost immediately, he realised that he wanted to become a coffee roaster.
“By combining my senses with the data, I’m able to determine how a coffee should express itself in the final cup.”
Among Erik’s favourite brewing methods is the pour-over.
Besides the Orea brewer, he also loves his “trusty” V60. At home, he usually uses the Moccamaster. Saying it is simple (which is essential when you have small children). It also gives him an idea of how Gold Box Roasters customers might brew their coffee.
Colombian Coffee for Erik
Although Erik enjoys coffee from all origins, he especially enjoys Colombian coffees. He finds them to have a very distinct character and to be easy to drink a lot of. Smooth, creamy, and fruity all at once.
What’s your favourite mug or cup? We all have one don’t we? Erik prefers a classic 6oz d’Ancap cup with a white saucer. It’s a nod to tradition and a joy to drink from, he particularly enjoys the sound of placing a porcelain cup on a saucer.
“Having the opportunity to learn something new every day is one of the most rewarding aspects of roasting coffee. That’s what we love about it: it’s extremely complex.”
The Gold Box Roasters team sources coffee from several reliable importers. With many visits to the farms, they continue to buy from year after year. To succeed, Erik and his team feel committed to
By establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with their importers and farmers the team feels committed to succeeding. They have maintained successful relationships with some of the world’s finest coffee producers. As a result, they have access to some of the most delicious and rare lots available.
“If you are a new roaster looking to start your career, my advice would be to roast as much coffee as possible! Make sure you taste everything and share your thoughts with your peers. To understand why the cup tastes the way it does, refer back to the profile. Plan your day and use appropriate in-between batch protocols.”
Whilst enjoying working and growing the business, Erik loves good food and wine. Alongside DIY projects, and spending time with family. His go-to coffee roasting books include those by Scott Rao and Rob Hoos. He also listens to podcasts and webinars from Cropster and Roast magazines.
“The most important thing is to feel prepared and decisive. Gather as much information as possible, question your approach, and try something new if needed.”
Gold Box Roasters Going Forward
Gold Box Roasters ambitious plans for the future are to open cafés and shops that will help customer connections. As Erik and the team see it, the UK, especially the North East, is full of golden opportunities.
If you are in the area then be sure to look them up. Gold Box Coffee Roasters are growing. They are international and are currently scouting for the next best locations to grace with the finest coffee the world has to offer.
To find out more check out and follow them to find out where they are opening next.
Meanwhile, if you missed this month’s Blue Coffee Box filled with Gold Box Roasters coffee don’t worry, each month we have another delicious coffee, and we offer a taste guarantee if you’re not 100% happy with it.
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