How Boram Um & Ben Put Are Redefining Coffee Roasting with Stronghold
Coffee roasting is evolving rapidly, with technology playing a crucial role in refining precision and consistency. Two leading coffee professionals, Boram Um and Ben Put, are at the forefront of this transformation. As Global Ambassadors for Stronghold, they bring their expertise and vision to the global coffee community, setting new standards for innovation and efficiency in coffee roasting.
Innovation and Precision in Roasting
Boram Um, known for his expertise in competition-level coffee, highlights Stronghold’s role in shaping the future of roasting. He believes Stronghold’s precise heat control and automation allow roasters to extract more complex flavors with greater consistency.
“Stronghold is synonymous with innovation. Their technology-driven approach ensures every roast meets the highest standards,” Boram states. He emphasizes that features like auto-replication and data-driven roasting enable roasters to achieve uniformity across different locations, whether in Brazil or Japan.
Ben Put, another highly respected figure in the coffee industry, echoes these sentiments. He describes Stronghold’s electric roasting technology as a game-changer, providing deeper control over flavor development.
“With Stronghold, we are no longer limited by traditional roasting constraints. The ability to fine-tune heat sources independently unlocks new flavor possibilities,” says Ben.
Automation and the Future of Roasting
Both experts agree that automation and AI-driven roasting will shape the future of the industry. According to Boram, automated systems will reduce human error and optimize roast profiles, allowing professionals to focus more on sensory development and quality control.
Ben adds that electric roasting technology will dominate the industry, making sustainability and efficiency key factors. He believes Stronghold’s commitment to data-driven precision positions it as a leader in this transition.
Stronghold’s Role in Competitive Coffee
Stronghold’s impact extends beyond commercial roasting into coffee competitions, where precision is crucial. Recent World Barista Championship winners have leveraged Stronghold’s technology to achieve clarity and balance in their brews.
“In any competition, balance, clarity, and quality matter most. Stronghold provides an edge by delivering consistency in every batch,” says Ben.
Scaling Roasting Operations: The Journey from S7X to S9X
Renowned coffee roaster Matt Winton shares his experience with Stronghold’s roasting systems. Having started with the S7X, an 800g-capacity electric roaster, he highlights how its automation and user-friendly interface changed his approach to roasting.
“The S7X allowed us to maintain high-quality consistency while simplifying training for new roasters,” he explains.
Now, after two years, his operation is expanding to the S9X, an 8kg-capacity roaster. Despite the increase in batch size and airflow control, he finds the transition seamless, thanks to Stronghold’s standardized interface and precise control features.
Looking ahead, Matt is excited to see how Stronghold’s latest addition, the S2, will complement the lineup, offering a scalable solution for small and large batch roasting alike.
The Future of Coffee Roasting
With automation, AI-driven roasting, and data-backed precision shaping the industry, Stronghold continues to redefine roasting standards worldwide. For professionals like Boram Um, Ben Put, and Matt Winton, the brand represents the future of coffee roasting—where innovation meets consistency.
