John Watt & Son has been roasting coffee in Carlisle since 1865, when the business began as a grocer's shop on Glover's Row. More than 150 years later, it's still a Carlisle favourite, with a café on Bank Street and a roastery on Blackfriars Street, and it's one of the independent UK roasters we currently work with at Blue Coffee Box.
Its blend recipes have been developed and handed down over generations, and they're still closely guarded. We caught up with Peter Johnston, a director of John Watt & Son, to find out more.
Interview with John Watt & Son
How did you get started in the coffee business?
"I have served coffee across a number of businesses. When we were looking to start our own business, the one we found had a coffee roasting side to it, and we decided that provided the best opportunity for us to develop and grow."
What does your roasting set-up look like, and how has it changed?
"We have moved from roasting on a gas-powered 1952 open-flame roaster to a modern 15kg roaster. We roast four days a week at our Blackfriars shop, ideally roasting to order for our customers."
Does your roaster have a name?
"Lola, after Lola in the Kinks song, because of the challenges we had getting the initial roast profiles set up and the roaster working properly."
What's your favourite brewing method?
"V60, because it's not too faffy, it's great for adding to the compost bin, and it produces a great cup of coffee."
Which coffee origin is your favourite?
"The one I'm drinking currently. Each coffee has its own distinct taste, and I try to enjoy each one."
What's your favourite part of roasting coffee?
"The challenge of developing the green bean to produce a cup of coffee that people want to buy."
What makes your approach different?
"We bought a business that was 150 years old, so we had a rich heritage of roasting and sourcing ethical coffee. We've done our best to enhance and maintain our original roasts and blends."
What does the future look like?
"We see ourselves as custodians of John Watt & Son. It's Carlisle's oldest coffee roaster and retail shop, founded in 1865, and our aim is to secure a future for the business so that it's still going strong long after we've gone."
What advice would you give to new roasters?
"Enjoy talking to your customers, because they know what they like. They may not like everything you roast, because of personal taste, but they will tell you what they think, and that feedback is invaluable."
When you travel, do you quiz other coffee shops about their methods?
"Yes, but we relax and take it all in."
Visit John Watt & Son
If you're in Carlisle, drop into the café on Bank Street. You can also find out more on the John Watt & Son website.
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