Roasting with Wood Fire: The Art of Black Coffee in Missoula

The Heat of the Hearth

Tucked away just off Higgins Avenue on the Hip Strip, the aroma of roasting beans blends with a faint, sweet scent of burning larch. This is Black Coffee Roasters, where the ancient art of wood-fired roasting is kept alive. In a world dominated by gas-powered automated roasters, owner Jim Litz prefers the tactile, unpredictable romance of fire.

A Slower, Better Burn

Jim adjusts the dampers on the custom Italian roaster, letting the wood smoke gently coat the green beans. The wood-fired process yields a deeper, rounder flavor profile, smoothing out acidity and introducing subtle caramel notes that are hard to replicate. It's a Missoula staple that honors both local forestry and the pursuit of the perfect cup.