drinkable reno tahoe
ROASTING TRAILBLAZER
Eldorado’s was the nation’s first hotel-resort gourmet coffee program.
WRITTEN BY HEIDI BETHEL
PHOTOS BY SHEA EVANS
We all have our preferences when it comes to that ideal cup of java, whether it’s for a strong, black espresso or a frothy cappuccino. No matter how you order the caffeinated concoction, the quality all boils (or brews, rather) down to one thing … the flawless roast on that delicious coffee bean. This is something that Greg Carano, vice president and general manager of the Eldorado Hotel Casino in Reno, recognized in 1989, when the Eldorado became the first hotel-resort in the U.S. to offer house-roasted coffee and a gourmet coffee program. It’s been pleasing coffee-loving palates ever since.
“Throughout the years, Eldorado has developed a number of different house blends and seasonal favorites. The best thing about roasting in house is that we’re able to control the freshness of our product,” says Mark Sewell, the Eldorado’s coffee roaster. “By doing so, we save money on cost and, most importantly, provide our guests with some of the best coffee around.”
Developing these individual flavors is no easy feat. The roasting process begins in selecting quality coffee beans from around the world. At the Eldorado, these green coffee beans are placed inside a drum atop a series of gas-fired burners.
“The coffee beans are heated to a specific temperature, and eventually those green beans that went in are brown coming out,” Sewell explains. “Every roaster has tricks they use to yield the most flavor from the coffee. It’s part science, part art. The science part is the chemical change in the coffee bringing the sugar to the surface and developing it.”
Under Carano’s guidance, Sewell is responsible for the complete coffee program for the entire property. Each restaurant offers a unique blend with flavor profiles customized to food and dessert offerings.
“For instance, our Italian Festival blend is served in Tivoli Gardens. It’s a little bold but pleasant to drink, with chocolatey overtones, while the coffee in Roxy and La Strada has its own characteristics that pair well with the traditional desserts served in these restaurants,” Sewell says. “It’s endearing to see a guest enjoying a cup of coffee, knowing that my heart and soul went into making it the perfect roast for that place and that moment.”
Coffee can be purchased just outside Tivoli Gardens in the Eldorado Hotel Casino. For details, visit http://www.Eldoradoreno.com.
Freelance writer Heidi Bethel holds a new fondness for the thought and care that goes into developing the perfect coffee to pair with delectable desserts.
