At First Crack Coffee Roasters, we believe every cup of coffee holds a story — one that begins at the farm, passes through skilled hands, and culminates in your cup. Continuing our mission to build a thoughtful and informed coffee community, we recently hosted The Brew Lab in collaboration with the Surat Coffee Community, represented by Pooja Agarwal.

The event brought together home brewers, enthusiasts, and coffee lovers for a hands-on exploration of how understanding coffee at its roots can transform the way we brew and appreciate it.

Reading Between the Lines: Understanding a Coffee Label

A coffee bag isn’t just packaging — it’s a roadmap. Each detail on the label, from origin and variety to process and altitude, reveals a part of the coffee’s journey. During the session, our founder walked participants through how this information can guide brewing choices and elevate the experience in the cup. Understanding whether your coffee is washed, natural, or honey-processed can help predict sweetness and body. Knowing the roast level and altitude helps refine your recipe — adjusting grind size, brew time, or temperature to unlock balance and clarity.

“A coffee label tells you more than where it’s from — it tells you how to make it shine.”

Microlots and Nanolots: The Art of Precision

One of the most engaging topics at The Brew Lab was understanding microlot and nanolot coffees — two terms that often intrigue even seasoned brewers. A microlot is a coffee from a specific terroir — a small plot within a farm that expresses unique character and quality whereas a nanolot, on the other hand, is about experimentation — it’s where producers test new processes, varietals, or ideas in extremely limited batches.”

While every microlot qualifies as specialty, not every specialty coffee is a microlot or nanolot.

Microlots represent precision and terroir expression; nanolots showcase innovation and the producer’s creative spirit. Both reflect the evolving craft and commitment that define modern specialty coffee.

Brewing the Ratnagiri Estate Lots

At the heart of the session was a guided brewing experience featuring three microlots from the celebrated Ratnagiri Estate and one surprise nanolot , one of India’s pioneering producers of specialty coffee. Each coffee was brewed, tasted, and discussed collectively — not as a competition, but as a sensory exploration.

Participants discovered how altitude influences the cup profile - High-altitude lots offered bright acidity and floral complexity. Lower-altitude lots revealed a syrupy sweetness and rounded mouthfeel.

The focus remained on understanding and appreciating the diversity of flavors, aroma, and texture, rather than judging or ranking the coffees.

“Every coffee has a story to tell — if you brew it with awareness, you’ll hear it in every sip.”

Community, Curiosity, and Connection

The Surat Coffee Community, led by Pooja Agarwal, played an integral role in shaping the event’s open, conversational tone. The session evolved into a genuine exchange — a two-way learning experience where every participant contributed perspective, curiosity, and insight. Moments of discovery filled the room — from realising how grind size affects extraction to identifying tasting notes unique to each lot. It was a reminder that great coffee is built on connection, shared knowledge, and appreciation.