[dropcap]After[/dropcap] acquiring the building beside its coffee roastery on Admiral Boulevard and connecting the two spaces, Topeca Coffee Roasters began brewing a project that would work toward filling a gap within the specialty coffee industry. And thus, the Topeca Instruments Division (TID) was created: an industrial-style, open space with exposed brick walls and concrete floors that hosts classes and certifications for baristas, roasters and coffee tasters.
“Along with classes for the nerdy home brewer,” Mitch Murry, brand strategist for Topeca Coffee Roasters, adds. “Your average Joe who wants to learn more about his cup can come in and learn how to brew better at home, or even find out what it takes to open up his own coffee shop.”[pullquote]”We implement higher quality steps at each point of the supply chain, so that when buyers demand better quality coffees, we can provide it[/pullquote]
Topeca Instruments Division was inspired by Topeca’s continued effort to make Tulsa and the surrounding region a leader in coffee quality and education.
“The name for the lab stems from the nostalgic feeling of exploration and discovery we find through our scientific heritage,” Murry says. “We find it extremely fitting for what Topeca is achieving with the lab.”
With similar certified teaching labs offered across the country, the goal of TID is to hold classes and exams more frequently and at lower costs.
“Some labs provide maybe 10 classes a year, and we are looking at doubling to tripling that number, providing two to three classes a month,” Murry says. “Topeca Instruments Division [also] aims to bring a complete class to exam solution regularly for our industry. You no longer have to wait three to four months for the next batch of classes to be offered.
“ … Professional coffee training is fairly expensive,” he continues. “Food, transportation and all those accouterments add up. In order to help assist the needs of the student, we are providing free lodging downtown, lunches and coordinating transportations through shuttle services at the hotel.”
TID is just one more step Topeca has taken to invest in employees and coffee training, ensuring high quality within all areas of the industry.
“We implement higher quality steps at each point of the supply chain, so that when buyers demand better quality coffees, we can provide it,” Murry says.
First Saturday Cuppings
Monthly cuppings are offered at TID the first Saturday of every month for $10. TID welcomes its community to learn how Topeca Coffee Roasters taste-to-buy its coffee, as well as how they source it.
