# 033 - "Specialization" with Erik Barkley

- Show: [Let's Combinate](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate)
- Published: 2022-05-18
- Length: 1h 10m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-05-18-033-specialization-with-erik-barkley
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/letscombinate/episodes/033---Specialization-with-Erik-Barkley-e1im6li

## Summary

Erik Barkley, Founder and Owner of Tugboat Coffee Roasters, explains the complexities of sourcing, processing, and roasting specialty coffee, emphasizing the importance of direct communication with farms over certifications. He details the rigorous quality control process, including cupping and moisture testing, and discusses the operational challenges of maintaining supply chain consistency, particularly during the pandemic. Barkley also provides practical advice for home brewers, recommending specific grind settings and brewing methods like the AeroPress filter to achieve better results with home equipment.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-05-18-033-specialization-with-erik-barkley#t=0) Introduction: Erik Barkley and Tugboat Coffee Roasters
- [4:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-05-18-033-specialization-with-erik-barkley#t=271) Barkley's Background and Decision to Roast
- [8:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-05-18-033-specialization-with-erik-barkley#t=501) Coffee Processing: Washed vs. Natural Methods
- [15:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-05-18-033-specialization-with-erik-barkley#t=907) Certifications, Fair Trade, and Farm Relationships
- [20:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-05-18-033-specialization-with-erik-barkley#t=1208) Shipping Risks, Moisture Content, and Warehousing
- [26:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-05-18-033-specialization-with-erik-barkley#t=1591) Cupping, Sample Roasting, and Quality Control
- [35:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-05-18-033-specialization-with-erik-barkley#t=2102) Tanzania Peaberry and Supply Chain Management
- [44:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-05-18-033-specialization-with-erik-barkley#t=2692) Consumer Buying Advice and Grading Systems
- [52:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-05-18-033-specialization-with-erik-barkley#t=3171) Home Brewing Tips: Drip, Pour Over, and Espresso
- [1:04:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-05-18-033-specialization-with-erik-barkley#t=3857) Recommended Books and Other Roasters

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Tugboat Coffee Roasters (company)
- Starbucks (company)
- Blue Bottle (company)
- Stumptown (company)
- Intelligentsia (company)
- AeroPress (product)
- Scott Rao (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 19 - Craighton Berman, Founder of Manual (04/16)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2014-04-16-afterschool-podcast-episode-19-craighton-berman-founder-of-manual-04-16) (Core77 Podcast)
- [201: A Look Inside Boulevard Brewing's Innovative Approach to Beer, Live from Kansas City with Adam Hall](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-09-03-201-a-look-inside-boulevard-brewings-innovative-approach-to-beer-live-from-kansa) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [051: Launching a turmeric-based alternative to coffee, Samantha & Elaine of Midas Cup](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-05-02-051-launching-a-turmeric-based-alternative-to-coffee-samantha-elaine-of-midas-cu) (Product Startup)
- [La Colombe Coffee Roasters: Todd Carmichael and J.P. Iberti. A Brotherhood Built on Coffee (2020)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-01-12-la-colombe-coffee-roasters-todd-carmichael-and-j-p-iberti-a-brotherhood-built-on) (How I Built This)
- [La Colombe Coffee Roasters: Todd Carmichael and J.P. Iberti](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-07-20-la-colombe-coffee-roasters-todd-carmichael-and-j-p-iberti) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-05-18-033-specialization-with-erik-barkley. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Let's Combinate.