Trail Mix is our bonus episode format — shorter, more experiential. In this first one, Matt heads to 4A Coffee Roasters in Newton, MA for a morning with founder Alan Draper to learn the roasting process firsthand.

Alan walks through an entire roast of the Silk Route blend — from charging the drum to first crack to the cooling tray — then sets up a side-by-side cupping of an Ethiopian natural and a Honduras washed.

Show notes:

• 4A Coffee (order online): https://www.4acoffeeroasters.com/
• AeroPress (Alan's recommended home brewing method): aeropress.com
• Rainforest Alliance (responsible sourcing certification Alan mentions):  ...