Current Crop, a coffee roaster on Magazine Street in New Orleans, has introduced an espresso bar alongside its long-standing coffee classes. The shop, which opened in March 2023, aims to cater to diverse preferences with roast-to-order beans and educational sessions. This expansion responds to customer demand for ready-to-drink options.
Current Crop, located on Magazine Street, has specialized in coffee classes since its opening in March 2023. The business recently marked its three-year anniversary and launched an espresso bar to complement its core offerings. As the first brick-and-mortar location under parent company Coffee Bean Corral—an online store in Jackson, Mississippi, focused on unroasted coffee—Current Crop provides 70 varieties of beans.
Catherine Mansell, director of product and programs, emphasized the shop's inclusive approach: “to have something for everybody. Everybody’s roast level preferences are incredibly different. So, the goal is to be able to figure out what you like.” Staff assist customers in selecting beans rather than allowing self-browsing, as Mansell noted: “It’s not really [a place] where we’re just going to let you walk through and sort of look through 70. One of us is going to chat with you and find a good recommendation for you.”
The roast-to-order service allows customization by origin and roast level, with options for pickup or shipping. The new espresso bar features various espresso drinks and eight pour-over selections, priced from $6.50 to $8.50 for premium beans. Signature items include the chocolate-covered strawberry latte and the NOLA Humidity, blending lavender and vanilla.
Education remains central, with classes priced at $50 each covering roasting, cupping, and brewing. The Introduction to Home Roasting teaches light, medium, and dark methods, with beans to take home. Coffee Cupping explores flavor notes across roasts and origins, while Beginner Brew Methods explains variables like grind size, water, and temperature affecting taste. Advanced $60 sessions include Coffee Cocktail Creation with a mixologist and pairings for pastry or chocolate.
Roasting fees are $3 for a half-pound and $5 for a pound, plus bean costs. A loyalty card offers free roasting after ten visits, and memberships provide benefits: $10 monthly for free roasting and 15% discounts, or $100 annually.