La Prima—Good to the Last Drop

By: Mary Miller

On the first Saturday of every month at 10 AM, La Prima Espresso on Smallman Street hosts a behind-the-scenes roasting tour. It’s a fun way to learn about coffee, see the roasting process and understand the reasons behind the high cost of quality beans.  Oh, and the smell in the building is unbeatable.

La Prima’s coffee connoisseurs share all of their knowledge about coffee importing, organic and fair trade growers, and types of coffee beans. Guests get to sample a few different varieties of freshly brewed coffee and then observe the roasting of a 25-pound batch of beans. Who knew that there were just a few seconds between the perfect roast and burned beans?  Not me.  The whole coffee blending and roasting process involves lots of skill and experience.

This is a great way to spend a few hours and the perfect way to take a little break from the frenzy of Penn Avenue in the Strip on a Saturday.

To sign up for La Prima’s next tour, call   412.565.7070 or register online at http://www.laprima.com/roaster-tour.html. The cost is $10 per person.

Mary Miller is a registered dietitian and food writer.  Her company, The Fork and The Road, take guests on culinary adventures throughout Western Pennsylvania. Check it out at www.theforkandtheroad.com