The Curve

Welcome to The Curve

CEPros' storytelling, news, and education hub of Coffee Equipment Pros.

In roasting, we play with the delicate balance of heat and airflow during each roasting stage. And when we plot these as data points on a curve, we get information that helps us consistently produce the ideal flavor profile for our coffee.

When we write about roasting, we cover a variety of topics that, just like an S-curve, provide roasters with valuable insights that can influence and improve their roasting journey—from equipment features to roasting topics, business and marketing, coffee beans and origin, coffee culture, roastery profiles, trends, industry and CEPros news, and more.

Enjoy our line-up of current articles written by our editorial team, connected by our shared love of all things coffee.

OUR LATEST: The Art & Business of Coffee Blends

Pushing Boundaries for Coffee Worth Remembering

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CEPros Project: Skyrocket Coffee

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Technicians Are Your Best Insurance Policy In Modern Roasting

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Coffee Consultants Can Help You Bring Your Roastery Start-Up To Life

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Loring's Roasting Raptors Help Your Roastery Soar

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MUST-READ: Preparing Your Space for New Roastery Equipment

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The Roastery Start-Up Equipment Guide You Need

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CEPros Project: Greater Goods Coffee Co. + Exploradora Coffee
  • Feb 1, 2024
  • Rick Davis
CEPros Project: Greater Goods Coffee Co. + Exploradora Coffee

Here’s a fun story about one of our used Loring S15 Falcon sales. It illustrates the unexpected twists that arise when helping a roaster find a new home, in this case, a new "nest". It also highlights how our close-knit coffee community helps bring the right people together to make the sale.

What is Blonde Roast Coffee? Let's Explore the Lighter Side of Roasting
  • Jan 31, 2024
  • Jamie Cattanach
What is Blonde Roast Coffee? Let's Explore the Lighter Side of Roasting

Roast level, as you know, is a spectrum, and what each coffee roaster means by “blonde” can differ. Blonde coffee refers to beans pulled from the roaster just before or after first crack. (And, as you also know, blonde coffee is not the same as white coffee. When roasting coffee only halfway through, the roaster pulls it to create a white coffee.)

Coffee Bag Sealers and Weigh-Fill Machines: Enhance Efficiency and Quality in Your Coffee Roastery
  • Dec 12, 2023
  • Kristi Anderson-Runge
Coffee Bag Sealers and Weigh-Fill Machines: Enhance Efficiency and Quality in Your Coffee Roastery

Coffee bag sealers and weigh-fill machines aren’t just equipment; they’re the guardians of quality, the custodians of consistency, and the reason your customers’ experience with your coffee is nothing short of exceptional. This article explores why coffee bag sealers and weigh fill machines are more than just cogs in the roastery wheel. They’re the dynamic duo working hard to ensure your roastery’s coffee packaging success. 

Embrace the Cold Brew Revolution in Your Roastery or Café with a Commercial Cold Brew System
  • Nov 15, 2023
  • Kristi Anderson-Runge
Embrace the Cold Brew Revolution in Your Roastery or Café with a Commercial Cold Brew System

There’s no denying it: Cold brew has never been hotter. While the classics will always have their place, one caffeinated contender has increasingly been creating ripples in the coffee industry — and that’s cold brew. In this article, we look at the rise of cold brew and its money-making and money-saving benefits, consider what to look for in a commercial cold brew system, and provide our recommendations. 

K-Cup Filling Machines: It’s Time to Cash In on This Popular and Profitable Option
  • Oct 18, 2023
  • Kristi Anderson-Runge
K-Cup Filling Machines: It’s Time to Cash In on This Popular and Profitable Option

K-cups are popular AND profitable — and demand is growing, especially for local and regional offerings. The timing couldn't be more perfect to enter the single-serve coffee market. In this article, we explore why your coffee roastery or business should seriously consider entering the single-serve coffee market — and the K-cup filling machines you’ll need to support your new K-cup product line.

CEPros Project: Indies Coffee
  • Sep 27, 2023
  • Kristi Runge
CEPros Project: Indies Coffee

In our industry, we encounter remarkable individuals. In the realm of coffee roasting, it's inevitable. Then, occasionally, we meet someone truly exceptional — like Brandon Jones. We met Brandon in early 2023 because he and his wife Carla needed a roaster to bring their vision of a combination roastery and speakeasy space to life. This vision would also help support independent artists, children with disabilities, and veterans.

7 Reasons Why Coffee Roasteries Should Consider A Used Coffee Roaster
  • Sep 18, 2023
  • Kristi Anderson-Runge
7 Reasons Why Coffee Roasteries Should Consider A Used Coffee Roaster

In the dynamic world of coffee roasting, where innovation is a constant companion, roasteries are faced with crucial decisions when it comes to commercial roasting equipment. The heart of any coffee operation lies in its roaster, and selecting the right one is key. While the allure of a shiny new coffee roaster is undeniable, there's a compelling case to be made for considering a used commercial roaster. 

cafe owner smiling in front of coffee bar
  • Sep 13, 2023
  • Kristi Anderson-Runge
Unlock Tax Savings for Your Coffee Roastery with IRS Section 179

Are you a coffee roastery looking to expand or upgrade your roastery equipment? If so, you're probably aware of the substantial investments required to keep your operation running smoothly. However, there's good news for roasters: IRS Section 179 can be a game-changer for your business, particularly if you're considering purchasing new or used roasters and roastery equipment before the end of the year.

roaster manually scooping roasted beans into a coffee bag
  • Aug 31, 2023
  • Kristi Anderson-Runge
Choosing Manual and Automated Packaging for Your Coffee Roastery: 5 Deciding Factors

Packaging is more than just beans - it's your brand's story. Dive into the world of choosing between manual and automated coffee packaging with us. From boosting production to nailing consistency, we break down 5 key factors to help you decide.

Making the Leap to Automated Packaging: 5 Factors for Choosing a VFFS or Premade Pouch Machine for Your Coffee Roastery
  • Aug 31, 2023
  • Kristi Anderson-Runge
Making the Leap to Automated Packaging: 5 Factors for Choosing a VFFS or Premade Pouch Machine for Your Coffee Roastery

Delve into the world of automatic coffee packaging machines and discover the factors that influence your choice between VFFS and Premade Pouch machines. From speed to sustainability, we've got you covered.

The Diedrich Difference: IR Series Offers The Repeatable Roasts We Crave
  • Jul 27, 2023
  • Kristi Anderson-Runge
The Diedrich Difference: IR Series Offers The Repeatable Roasts We Crave

Isn’t it grand to live in a time when coffee-roasting professionals have access to such a wide range of advanced roasting machines? There are so many roaster brands — each designed (and with big claims) to bring out the best in your beans. Among the crowd, the Diedrich IR Series stands out as a testament to innovation, craftsmanship, and dependability. 

The Great Gamble: New or Used Coffee Roaster?
  • Jun 14, 2023
  • Kristi Anderson-Runge
The Great Gamble: New or Used Coffee Roaster?

Purchasing your first or next commercial coffee roaster is not an inexpensive task. You’re easily looking at five figures on a good day, so it’s entirely natural to seek out an affordable used coffee roaster for sale. And that’s especially true if you’re just starting out or roasting on a budget.