When we decided to feature Vienna in our January Kaffeekiss box, reaching out to Matthias at SQR was an easy choice. The beauty of the coffee community is found in the collaborative spirit – roasters recommending others, driven not by competition but a shared love for coffee and a collective desire for industry excellence. It's like a rising tide lifting all ships, and our connection to Matthias unfolded just like that. He came highly recommended by a fellow roaster and we were so happy to meet him.
Serendipitously, our visit coincided with a "meet the roaster" event featuring Matthias and his SQR coffee colleagues at a local cafe. Matthias greeted us warmly and his genuine passion for crafting quality coffee was immediately evident. When I asked about his journey into coffee, he shared how nights of enduring bad coffee during his previous IT career sparked his venture into the world of coffee – a sentiment I could relate to working in the film industry and drinking my fair share of bad coffee! Matthias showed us their current roasts, explaining the intriguing concepts behind each. The "berry" roast always comes from Ethiopia, though producers may vary, while the "Cream" celebrates the rich, complex single-origin Colombian coffee. The "Juice" is always a vibrant coffee from Kenya. While tasting our way through various batch brews and a lovely flat white, we also had the pleasure of meeting other team members. Mikey skillfully pulled espresso and poured beautiful latte art, and Regina brought along the charming SQR mascot, "Blue”, a sweet blue merle sheltie. The experience was a perfect blend of coffee exploration and genuine connection.
I asked Matthias some questions to learn more about SQR and the team, and the excellent coffees they have in their shop. We're thrilled to showcase SQR's Vienna blend in our Vienna box!
Nicole: How did you get started in Coffee? When did you start roasting?
Matthias: I embarked on my coffee journey around a decade ago. After enduring a string of disappointing coffees, the quest for something better led me to Benjamin Graf, whose knowledge and passion for coffee left me in awe. The "coffee virus" got me, and in 2021, after couple of years of volunteering at the Vienna Coffee Festival and working as a barista at Carl Ludwig Cafe, my friend Xavier Comas persuaded me to turn my coffee passion into a serious endeavor.
N: When we met, you shared that you are now working on the board of the Specialty Coffee Association of Austria. What does this work involve?
M: Being part of the Austrian SCA Team since 2023 is a fantastic role. We oversee all SCA competitions and contribute to the coffee community in Austria, building bridges and fostering a shared love for specialty coffee.
N: Tell us about the name of your Roastery. How did you decide to call it SQR?
M: Our philosophy revolves around Handcraft, Commitment, Sustainability, and Innovation—four elements that form a square, or in our case, SQR (Sourcing, Quality, and Roasting). It's the convergence of these principles that turns a square into a well-rounded concept.
N: You have a series of blends named after European cities. We fittingly chose Vienna to be in this month’s box. What other cities do you have and how are you representing them with coffee?
M: Beyond Vienna, our blends include Amsterdam, Triest, and Napoli. Each city encapsulates a distinct coffee experience, mirroring the coffee culture and flavor preferences of its region, from the lighter roasts in the north to the typical Italian flavors in the south.
N: What do you enjoy about creating blends as opposed to single origin roasts?
M: Blending allows us to orchestrate a symphony of flavors, creating a harmonious and balanced profile. It’s a creative process, akin to crafting a wonderful cuvée, where the best of all coffees shine together in our cups. In my view, a blend is not any less "valuable" than a single-origin coffee. Both have their advantages and their own rightful place in the world of coffee. Each brings its unique character, offering diverse experiences to coffee enthusiasts.
N: Tell me about your “only one bag” coffee that you offer. I think this is a very unique approach.
M: "Only & One" epitomizes a one-of-a-kind coffee experience. We reserve just one bag of this exclusive single origin, ensuring that our customers savor a truly unique and rare taste from each country. It adds an element of excitement and discovery to the coffee journey. Once it's gone, we embark on the next wonderful adventure.
N: As we mentioned, this month’s Vienna box features your Vienna Blend. What did you particularly like about this coffee and how would you describe it?
M: Our Vienna Blend pays homage to the rich tradition of Viennese coffee culture. With carefully selected beans and masterful roasting, we've crafted a coffee that captures the soul of this fascinating city. Gustav Klimt would have delighted in it, as each aroma is a true masterpiece.
Experience the elegant character and harmonious balance of our Vienna Blend. Every sip is like a stroll through Vienna's picturesque streets, accompanied by the sounds of classical music and the aroma of freshly baked apple strudel 😋. Vienna Blend is a celebration of rich, chocolatey notes with a hint of almonds and cherries.
N: What is your favorite brew method or brewing tips for this particular roast (Vienna blend)?
M: Our Vienna Blend is a slightly modern interpreted espresso, so we recommend making it in a portafilter. For simplicity, we stick to the basics:
- Temperature: 92°C
- Dose: 18-18.5 grams for a double espresso
- Time: 25-27 sec
- Water: 38-40ml out
Life is complicated enough, so coffee should be very good and simple for you to enjoy every sip in the morning or afternoon 😊.
N: What is something that you are looking forward to in this new year for SQR?
M: As we're at the beginning of our journey, we're eager to learn more about coffee, meet awesome people, and, of course, support and initiate more exciting projects like KAFFEEKISS. So, let’s see what the future brings, but we're ready #wearebornready.
Thank you Matthias and the team at SQR! We’re so happy to be sharing your beans with our fellow coffee lovers!
Photos by Mike Superski
