After growing up on Cape Cod, I followed my two older brothers west and landed in Eugene, to attend the University of Oregon. It was there that I fell in love with the food and beverage scene, from the restaurants focused on locally sourced ingredients to Willamette Valley pinots and micro-brewed beer. After college, I became a craft beer brewer for Rock Bottom Brewery, which eventually took me to Portland, Oregon, and then to Indianapolis. While on the West Coast, I was able to experience the beginning of the “third-wave” of coffee, which is the movement to get away from overly roasted coffee beans. By lighter roasting you are able to bring out the inherent flavors of the bean rather than just the “roast” flavor.
In Portland, I lived a few blocks from Stumptown, a wildly successful roaster/retailer, where I saw for the first time a real passion for each coffee made. At first, I just thought the baristas were just really slow and inefficient as lines snaked out the door! Coming from the East Coast I was used to Dunkin Donuts slinging “regulars” like they were going out of style. What I realized at Stumptown is that each coffee drink was made with precision and intention.
After being exposed to different origins and flavors in coffee, I knew there was so much more to explore and learn so I began experimenting and roasting coffees from around the world as I transitioned out of the craft brewing industry. My ongoing passion to create a fine product for your consumption has resulted in Limelight Coffee. I hope you enjoy each and every sip.
— Liz Laughlin, owner/roaster
