Evolution of Excellence: The Alf&Bet and EMA Espresso Bar Legacy
From London Roots to Prague Streets
The transformation of Prague's coffee culture began far from the Czech capital. , the visionary behind , drew initial inspiration from the burgeoning third-wave scene in London around 2010. During frequent visits to the UK, he witnessed a shift toward specialty sourcing that was virtually non-existent in Prague's then-dominant Italian-roast market. This exposure catalyzed the opening of and later EMA, establishing a bridge between international standards and local palates.
Vertical Integration and Professional Growth
Choosing to transition from a successful cafe operator to a roaster involves more than just purchasing equipment. For the team at , the move toward roasting was a strategic decision to provide a career path for their dedicated baristas. Instead of looking outward for talent, they encouraged internal growth, allowing staff to transition from the bar to the roaster. This philosophy birthed a unique feedback loop: head roaster can switch from roasting to pull shots as a barista in seconds, ensuring the final cup precisely matches the intended profile.
The Technical Art of Roasting
Modern roasting at Alf&Bet relies on precision tools like the and the . The IKAWA, in particular, revolutionized their green coffee procurement by providing consistency that importer samples often lacked. Their roasting philosophy sits comfortably between the darker, traditional American specialty styles and the ultra-light Nordic approach. The goal is simple yet demanding: maximize natural sweetness while minimizing bitterness, creating a profile that appeals to both connoisseurs and casual drinkers.
Decentralized Flavor Profiles
In a surprising departure from corporate consistency, Alf&Bet does not enforce a singular recipe across its locations. Each shop's baristas are given the agency to dial in the coffee according to their own sensory experience and equipment. This creates a playful, dynamic environment where the same batch of beans can offer a different perspective depending on which EMA Espresso Bar location a customer visits, celebrating the human element in every brew.
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Roaster Stories: Alf&Bet Roasters & EMA Espresso Bar in Prague
WatchEuropean Coffee Trip // 8:37
We love specialty coffee and making videos about it. Back in 2014, we decided to visit the best coffee shops in Europe and our exploration of coffee still continues! On this channel, we share coffee guides, tips & tricks on how to brew tasty coffee at home and reviews of some cool new coffee makers and gadgets. Our work outside of YouTube: ☕️ A guide to speciality coffee shops in Europe (+5000 listings): https://europeancoffeetrip.com/app 📺 A documentary film about the AeroPress: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/aeropressmovie Our goal is to get you excited about specialty coffee so you learn how to make better coffee at home or find a coffee shop with skilled baristas and tasty coffee!