Try-Me Coffee roasting coffee for 100-years in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — For a century, Try-Me Coffee Roasters in the Bywater neighborhood has been handcrafting New Orleans coffee for local restaurants and neighbors.

WGNO’s Kenny Lopez went to their roasting facility to find out the secret to their longevity.

“We’ve always roasted coffee for our neighborhood. The Bywater, Marigny, French Quarter and beyond. We’ve always roasted for restaurants and coffee shops, so if you’ve eaten at Court of Two Sisters, Cafe Degas, Slim Goodies, or Brocatto’s, then you’ve had our coffee. I’ve always liked to say that we’re the coffee you’ve had, but you’ve never known about,” Co-owner of Try-Me Coffee, Lauren McCabe, who goes by “Mermaid” said.

Bank teller Henry Kepler started Try-Me Coffee back in 1925.

“He started roasting coffee, he went door to door in the Bywater asking neighbors to try my coffee, and that’s how we got our name,” McCabe said.

One of the secrets to their success is their one pound roasters.

“If anyone comes to the door and wants a pound of coffee, this is where we roast it up by hand just for them,” she said.

Jerico Cyres is the master roaster and production manager at Try-Me Coffee. He started working there at 19 years old, and he’s been working for Try-Me Coffee for 34 years.

“It is pretty much the service. Service to our customers and making our customers happy,” Cyres said.

“They are using their five senses. They are looking for when it is done, listening for the crack of the beans and smelling the aroma,” McCabe said.

She went on to say, “I think the reason why Try-Me Coffee is here 100 years later is that we’ve always met the needs of our community and lead them through the evolution of coffee.”

She said they are constantly coming out with new flavors of coffee.

“We have a new half caffeinated mermaid blend, so it is half decaf beans and half regular beans, so it is for a more mellow and smooth experience,” she said.

To celebrate their 100th anniversary, Try-Me Coffee is now offering free local delivery all year for both Orleans and Jefferson parishes.

Also to celebrate its centennial, Try-Me Coffee is launching a limited-edition, “Century Sampler” which includes a French Roast Columbian (full-bodied dark roast), a Columbian with Mild Chicory (New Orleans staple: smooth coffee with earthy depth of chicory), a Rotating Single Origin (Medium Roast highlighting beans from around the world), and a Southern Pecan (Nutty, medium roast classic with Southern character.)

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