TRENDS
CULTURE CLUB
Two coffee roasters fire up the beans in Taylor and Hutto
Eastern Williamson County is buzzing with more than high-tech energy as it boasts two homegrown coffee roasters. Each source their beans from around the world to deliver unique single-origin and custom-coffee blends to area coffee drinkers.
Haciendo Coffee Roasters will throw open its doors in early September in a new storefront at 116 W. Sixth St., next to the Talbot Commons Pocket Hotel.
Hutto’s own Mossy Rock Coffee offers a selection of ground, whole bean and even K cup options at area farmers markets and online.
MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS SHINESDOWNTOWN
In 2020, Tasha and Billy Wiginton began their journey with an air popcorn popper and some green coffee beans from Uganda. Since then, Haciendo Coffee Roasters has been a staple at area farmers markets.
“We take pride in addressing the lack of representation for Latino or minorityowned roasters and coffee shops within the coffee industry, despite their significant contribution to coffee cultivation,” Billy Wiginton said.
According to Wiginton, Haciendo Coffee Roasters is more than just coffee; it’s what you do as a person within a community to make a difference.
“Our mission is to bridge this gap, connecting you with the rich cultural heritage from which coffee emerged while embracing your own roots in the process,” he said.
POWERINACUP
Haciendo Coffee Roasters works with small-scale growers from Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Brazil and Ethiopia to get the freshest beans to roast.
“We buy coffee directly from farmers or exporters who work directly with the small farmers to get their beans discovered,” Wiginton said.
According to him, farmers send sample beans to the couple, and then they roast and brew using different methods to taste variations in a coffee crop or a region.
“The beans come from single-estate family-owned farms, single washing stations that producers or exporters have a stake in, or co-ops that work with exporters to blend the beans from smaller farms,” Wiginton added.
Since he sources at the grower level, he and his wife “opt for farmers and producers who are leading the way in sustainable efforts,” he added.
IN-HOUSE ROASTING FOR THE FRESHEST CUP
After learning with the popcorn popper, Haciendo Coffee Roasters upgraded its equipment in the last four years. It receives coffee beans raw, or green, and stores them in an airtight container in a temperature and humiditycontrolled space. According to Wiginton, they utilize a 7-kilogram all-electrical air roaster, upgrading from their 1.5-kilogram roaster.
“The batches take anywhere from eight to 10 minutes depending on the bean and roast level,” Wiginton said.
The beans are then cooled in 90 seconds with an automatic bean cooler. According to Wiginton, this process keeps the coffee very aromatic.
When asked about his favorite coffee, Wiginton settled on their Tres Hombres, named after his late father, as a tribute to his love of coffee and one of his favorite bands, ZZ Top.
Haciendo’s Mas Fuerte Que La Muerte is a customer favorite. It utilizes a Columbian Pink Bourbon, honeyprocessed bean.
WHAT’S IN STORE AT THE HACIENDO COFFEE ROASTERS
Taking cues from mid-century modern design and Mexico City cafes, Haciendo Coffee Roasters will offer a mix of bar seating with tables and chairs, free Wi-Fi and lots of electrical outlets. Outside, guests will find tables.
Haciendo Coffee Roasters brews its coffee with the hot-drip method. For coldbrew drinkers, it will offer its signature brew as well. The espresso roast will be used for barista-style drinks such as cortados and lattes.
Those ordering single-origin coffee can choose a pour-over option, which allows guests to watch the brewing process unfold. Haciendo will also offer a selection of pastries.
Hours will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday starting in early September.
HUTTO’S MOSSY ROCK COFFEE
Hutto boasts its own coffee roaster, Mossy Rock Coffee. Owner Nick Pierce’s story mirrors many who started out coffee roasting. He developed a taste for exceptional and ever-more expensive coffee and thought, “I can do this for less.”
Starting with an air popcorn popper, Pierce roasted his first beans. Mastering this, he soon upgraded to a 1-kilogram roaster, sourcing his beans from a U.S.based importer.
His friends and family were soon hooked.
ACUPPAFORTHEHOMEBREWER
Operating a home-based business, Pierce started selling at area farmers markets. Mossy Rock Coffee offers java from Mexico, Peru, Ethiopia, Costa Rica and Sumatra, mostly single varietals, along with a couple of blends.
“My blends use the single-origin coffee I get in order to provide a premium blend coffee,” Pierce said. “I needed to come up with a blend to show pride in my little town that has become a very large town, so now I have a JJ’s Hippo Blend that has become very popular.”
The mascot for Hutto High School and the town is a hippo.
According to Pierce, Nick’s Blend mixes the Sumatra Mandheling and Bali Blue Moon. The JJ’s Hippo Blend includes beans from Mexico and Peru with a fruity and nutty flavor, finished with dark chocolate notes.
Mossy Rock Coffee is available at the Sun City Farmers Market 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at Hutto Farmers Market, 5-9 p.m. at Food Truck Friday at The Hippo Escape, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at The Domain Farmers Market and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Hutto Silos Farmers Market .
Pierce also offers free local delivery — within 20 miles — at MossyRock.com.
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