Fair Trade: New Coffee Order

Just wanted to let you all know that I have placed a new order for coffee. Please see my blog page for more info: Solar Roast on MySpace.

Fair Trade Coffees

Due to increased interest in Fair Trade Coffees, I have begun the steps to order more Fair Trade varieties. After all, Solar Roast wants to be the most socially conscious coffee roaster. From now on, I will purchase Fair Trade coffees as a priority, and only if not available will I purchase non Fair Trade coffees. Thank you all for your interest and support of livable wages for growers and roasters too :).

MySpace

Because this news page is a bit difficult to update, I have opened a MySpace account. MySpace is an online community where people can browse blogs and photos, and share ideas. To access the Solar Roast MySpace account please click here: Solar Roast on MySpace.

SolFest 2005

I just got back from SolFest 2005 in Hopland, CA. where we had a small booth displaying Helios 2.0, and information on Helios 3.0. Solfest was a wonderful experience where my brother and I met hundreds of people who loved Solar Roast,and love what we are doing for the environment. It is time stop burning gas!! And with your support, Solar Roast will continue to grow, and make a mark! Thank you all for your continued support!!! -Mike

Our new Roaster...

the Helios 2.0 is done! Check out some photos!

Helios 2.0 has been completed!

Our new coffee roaster is operational and in use now! We have been able to achieve higher roast temperatures, and shorter roast times! This means more coffee for you, and more coffee to share with the world! How wonderful!

Helios 2.0 Under Construction

Thanks to all of your loyal support, Solar Roast is pleased to announce the construction of our second Generation Coffee Roaster (Helios 2.0)!! Photos coming soon.

And then there was Coffee!

Just when you think the heavens have opened up, and rain will fall for weeks, there is a break. And we have coffee, and we have sun! Thank you for all the Sun Dances! (I know I did a few.) -Mike

Pre-Order Now

Due to POOR WEATHER Solar Roast has reverted back to Pre-Order mode. This means you can place your order now, and you will be placed into a que. All coffees will be shipped immediately upon roast. Thank you for your patience. And please do a Sun Dance for us!

Out of Stock

Solar Roast has sold out! We are currently out of stock. Poor weather has kept the sun from shining in Southern Oregon, and coffee cannot be roasted until the next sunny day. I look forward to serving you again soon. Please e-mail if you would like to set up a pre-order.

Solar Roast is now available!

We are proud to announce that Solar Roast is now available for purchase at the Co-Op store in Corvallis, Oregon. Located at the corner of Grant and 29th Streets. Stop in and say I want Solar Roast!!

Due to the tsunami...

Sumatra is unavailable for the time being; it has been replaced with Papua New Guinea. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Solar Roast has been published!!!

Home Power magazine has published an article (found on page 86-87 of issue 105: FEB-MAR 2005) on Solar Roast. The magazine can be found for purchase at all fine magazine stands! Check it out, it is truly an exciting thing!

INTRODUCING THE PRE-SEASON SALE:

At Solar Roast we are opening the store for coffee sales before the season starts. You will be able to purchase our coffee at a discounted price, for shipment once the Roasting season begins (Monday, April 4th, or earlier).

Solar Roast would like to thank all of you fine folks for making the trial period of Solar Roast a success. Due to the high demand for Solar Roasted coffee, we have now SOLD OUT of coffee for the season. When the spring sun starts shining, the coffee will start roasting! Please stay tuned for more updates.

Solar Roast has started the process of moving our operations from the cloudy North West, to Sunny Southern California. Please bare with us as the transition is made. WIth any luck more coffee will be available in March!

After much debate, Blend 4 has finally been given a name. And we at Solar Roast are proud to introduce the 'Willow Springs Blend' now available to purchase. Click on the Purchase link above for more information!

A recent photo of Mike Hartkop roasting the finest coffee for your enjoyment!! Much of the typical day whilst roasting is taken up by monitoring the sky for weather variations.

Watching the clouds form and pass is important, as the slightest degree of cloud cover creates heat variations. It is the job of the Roastmaster to adjust the heat of the drum according to the clouds.