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Your coffee machine might be electric, but your coffee beans probably aren't - unless you're buying them from Queenstown roastery Ryder.
Most coffee roasteries still rely on gas, but Ryder was the first in New Zealand to invest in a German machine called a Probat P05e, the electric version of one of the world’s most well known roasters.
As master roaster, relationship manager and founder Sam Bright says, quality has always been the most important thing and the electric tech now offers it.
"We've become immensely better at our craft by learning this technology to benefit our coffee at the other end and we think it's gone really well."
The roaster is basically like a hair dryer and offers on demand heat, unlike gas heated drum roasters which typically take 30-60 minutes to properly warm up. This saves energy and time. And, much like an induction cooktop, it also offers greater control, better air quality and lower emissions.
Ryder's electric roaster is fairly small and does 5kg at a time but, given how well the first machine has gone, Bright says they are currently looking at upgrading to something bigger.
It has also opened up a new all-electric espresso bar in Frankton's industrial estate (conveniently located right across the road from the Queenstown Electrification Accelerator office), so pop in and get a taste of the future and see the roasting in action if you're in the neighbourhood.
Political Power has gone local! Dr Nick Smith, mayor of Nelson and ex-National Party minister, is an early adopter when it comes to electric machines but, through his efforts with the council and his close involvement with the Ratepayer Assistance Scheme, he's also embracing one of Rewiring's core mantras: once you've electrified your own life, electrify someone else's life, too.
Read moreDownloadWhether it's the growing number of electric buses, new electric trains for the lower North Island and City Rail Link, or new electric ferries, we love seeing more electric transport options in our big cities. It's also good to see some of our smaller cities like Palmerston North, Timaru and Nelson going electric and, as is almost always the case, the drivers reckon it's better on electrons. At the Electrify Nelson expo, we spoke with one driver Lee about the city's electric buses. And he definitely wouldn't go back to diesel.
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