Episode 04
Roast, Grind, Repeat: Greg Stivers, the Life of a Chicago Coffee Alchemist
About the Episode
In this rich and aromatic episode of The Big Dig Chicago, we sit down with a legendary Chicago coffee roaster Greg Stivers who’s been perfecting his craft for 40 years. From the hiss of the first roast to the soul-soothing scent of a morning brew, our guest shares the journey of building a life around beans, blends, and bold flavor.
We dive into the art of intentional roasting, coffee as a connector, and one roaster’s journey from sourcing beans in African highlands to roasting and brewing blends at O’Hare Airport—before finally hand-roasting in Chicago’s Chinatown. A story rich with flavor, community, and the pursuit of the perfect cup.
Pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup, and get ready for a warm, caffeinated conversation about legacy, love, and life through the lens of a roaster’s flame.
About the Guest
Stivers Coffee sets itself apart from the competition with single-origin coffees, creative blends, varietal degrees of roasting, and custom flavoring. The Picasso approach to medium-batch roasting makes it difficult to replicate. You network, we roast. No dated stock. Unlike larger coffee firms with less passion for perfection, Stivers Coffee is so fresh, local customers are astonished by the coffee's warmth upon delivery. As roast- master, since 1985, Greg Stivers has acquired an unrivaled passion for roasting and flavoring. Stivers Coffee excels in both. Quite simply, "You call, we roast." Maximum freshness, quality and emotional connectivity to the coffee beans are traits successful in the transition of coffee from "the crop to the cup." Learn more at Stivers Coffee.
