The Coffee Roaster was established in 1987 by Richard Healy with the goal of providing customers with the finest, freshest, and most meticulously roasted coffee found in the world, inspired by his experiences in Central America. Located in Sherman Oaks, California, this small-batch coffee roastery has been serving the community for over three decades with a passion for the art of coffee roasting.
The company's philosophy centers on sourcing the finest green coffee beans from around the world, working with respected coffee brokers and purchasing directly from distinguished farms. They understand that, like fine wine, the quality of coffee is determined not just by its region of origin, but by the specific growing conditions—the soil, sun, and surrounding habitat that influence the flavors of the fruit. Most of their offerings are organic, certified or not, as they believe that when the habitat supports healthy plants, there is little need for the pesticides and fertilizers common to large commercial crops.
The Coffee Roaster uses a 100% manual roasting process on their original Diedrich 12 kilo coffee roaster, conducting a personal interaction with each batch of coffee they roast. Unlike larger coffee roasting companies, they deliberately roast small batches to ensure customers receive the freshest beans possible. Every morning, they roast using their senses of smell, sight, and sound to achieve the perfect roast on each bean in the batch.
Their signature offerings include the Milano Blend, originally built around traditional espresso styles found in Milan, which maintains a round and rich character while adding sweetness from carefully selected beans. This popular blend is used for their in-store espresso service. They also feature seasonal offerings and an Anniversary Blend created to celebrate their milestone years in business.
The Coffee Roaster operates as a community-focused establishment, welcoming new customers and encouraging visitors to sit, relax, and enjoy great coffee or tea alongside interesting conversation. Their roaster serves as the centerpiece of the shop, allowing customers to sense the soul of the coffee they drink by experiencing the roasting process firsthand. Open daily from 6am to 6pm, they maintain a commitment to quality and freshness that has defined their business for over 35 years.