Tandem Coffee Roasters

Subject: Tandem Coffee Roasters
Location visited: East Bayside, Portland, ME
Rating: 6+ [see key]

There are always a few roasters that seems to defy geography when it comes to wholesale accounts. Tandem Coffee Roasters became known to me over ten years ago (it might even be more) just in me visiting coffee shops nowhere near their home base in Maine. Having had a myriad of positive experiences with their beans, I put them on my list awhile ago to visit one fateful day.

That day finally came recently when passing through on my way south after a lake vacation in the northern wilds. I found the original Tandem location on a sunny afternoon, with a pleasant breeze rustling the leaves and people out and about visiting the cafe. The interior of the shop is cozy, with a decent amount of seating and a vintage charm that speaks of (something like) an old mechanic shop lovingly refurbished.  

As for my coffee that day, I had single origin Colombians via espresso and drip. The espresso pulled short/medium with brown crema, smacked of chocolate, lemonade, raspberry, rye toast, cherry candy and sweet spinach, proving robustly sweet and nuanced. The drip infusion also delivered fireworks, with notes of passion fruit, caramel, croissant, apricots, mineral water and a little red pepper. 

Having an unusual chunk of time to kill, I hung out with the family at a shaded picnic table for a while, enjoying the drinks and Portland summer weather. If you happen to be in the area, or lucky enough to be near a Tandem wholesale customer, definitely make it a point to enjoy some of their coffee.