Grant Allen: Get cooking with coffee (+recipes)

Richard and Tim Goatley are the faces of Altezano Brothers. Photo / Jason Burgess

Two brothers have taken coffee roasting to a new level, finds Grant Allen

The Parisians may be pretty, but after weeks of travel, I can tell you that their coffee doesn't cut the mustard for me.

How spoilt we are and how discriminating we have become about our coffee in Aoteraroa.

These days, you'll be able to find a good coffee pretty much anywhere as you travel around the country .

Richard and Tim Goatly are the faces of the Altezano Brothers. Tim and Richard grew up in Central America so visited plantations seeing how coffee is grown.

They started their business in 1999 with a small roastery cafe in Auckland's Symond St.

They now own three outlets and supply their coffee to around 50 cafes and restaurants.

The brothers bring in single-origin coffees from Brazil, India and Ethiopia but their biggest-selling blend is built around a coffee from El Nazareth farm in the Ahuachapan province of El Salvador. Grower Andreas Giron's family has farmed coffee for generations and had family connections with the Goatly boys.

Andreas joined Richard and Tim to gain a greater understanding of our coffee culture, meaning Altezano now has a unique direct grower/roaster/supplier relationship. Now he knows exactly where his beans are headed. Andreas is part of the story that is making New Zealand a winner in the world of coffee.

In cooking, the rich flavour of coffee stands on its own but also combines well with chocolate, orange, chilli, many spices and nuts. It works with either sweet or savoury dishes.

Recipes

• Pip's Ripe Ribs
• Braised Beef Brisket
• Mocha Mousse with Sichuan Peppercorns