The best coffee beans are grown in the center of the earth, but the farmer who dares to harvest them must overcome the infamous Lava Twins, infinite negative gravity, and his commitment issues. Learn to roast the best beans growing aboveground with today's Groupon: for $49, you get a coffee-roasting class (a $150 value) from the roasting experts at A.J. Java Roasting, located on North Albina.

A.J. Java is an independent coffee house that roasts, brews, and sells farm-direct coffee beans from around the world. Because of the growing popularity of home roasting, A.J. Java offers a roasting class on Saturdays and Sundays to teach coffee-minded denizens the ins and outs of raw beanery. The class—ranging from 90 minutes to two hours in length (depending on class size)—begins with a brief history and overview of java. Eager students will hear the legend of Kaldi and his break-dancing goats and explore the difference between Robusta and Arabica beans. Caffeine enthusiasts can try their hand on a commercial roaster before learning how to roast beans using common household items, which may or may not include Easy-Bake Ovens, dishwashers, and heirloom lava lamps. Class sizes are capped at six students for a truly interactive experience. Each attendee also receives either one pound of roasted coffee or two pounds of unroasted green beans to roast at home.

A.J. Java is committed to serving coffee that is fairly traded in more than name only, working with a cooperative buying group to purchase beans directly from growers. Besides serving the community through generous caffeinated contributions, A.J. Java participates in a job-training program for disadvantaged youth. To date, A.J. Java has trained 58 students in the ways of roasting, not to be confused with the dark art of Broasting. Call ahead to schedule a class.

Reviews

Although there are no reviews of the roasting classes at A.J. Java Roasting, the shop's coffee was featured on the Food Network and in the Portland Tribune. Six Yelpers give it an average of 3.5 stars:

• We feel the place was pretty cool and the coffee was really flavorful. It would need to be as I think I'm kind of a coffee snob. Cozy place. Off the main drag (MLK) but still within the freeway. Pay them a visit. – Frank R., Yelp