Family-run coffee roastery roasts beans

KLANG, Selangor: Entering a nondescript old wooden factory at the end of a partially paved road, just 10 minutes from Klang town, Selangor, one would be hit almost immediately with the smell of smoke caused by wood burning and the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans. Behind the wooden doors is a coffee roastery that roasts its beans the old-school way by hand and using a wood fire. Tan Loon Chuan, 65, of Chuan Hoe Coffee Factory, roasts coffee beans the same way he had been taught by his father.

Tan started the family business in 1959 and has kept it going to this day. It was really hard at first when we started. Tan told CNA that they learned how to roast coffee slowly. Tan starts off by weighing the beans he is going to roast for the day. As the roaster starts, so does the old mixer for the 2 in 1 and 3 in 1 coffee blends he produces for clients. Tan said he does not use any measurements. He has 40 years of experience in the business with him when he makes the blends.

From checking the flame to see if it needs more wood to burn, to watching the beans every now and then to get the perfect roast, Tan said he does it all himself. He continues to check the beans until he is satisfied with how the roast turns out.

Tan said that many cafes in Kuala Lumpur -- Malaysia's capital city order their beans from him. Tan said that his customers are discerning when it comes to the taste of the beans.

Many people have told him that coffee tastes better when the beans are roasted over wood fire as opposed to the modern gas roaster. It costs a bit more to purchase the former. Tan said he continues to do most of the work at the coffee roastery, even though his son helps in certain areas. I will continue to work for as long as I can. That depends on whether that person is willing to do it, said Tan. He said it was tough, with his workday starting at 8 am. Tan said that it is gruelling work due to the heat, and he ends his work day at 2 pm or 3 pm. He said sometimes we stop at 1 pm because we can't take it anymore.