Speckled Ax

Speckled Ax opened as a coffee shop in Portland, Maine in 2012, after its founder Matt's part-time coffee life won out over teaching. Its roasting is unusual: a vintage Italian Petroncini roaster fired with local hardwood.

On roast days the fire is started with matches and kindling. The process is manual, though each roast is tracked with thermocouples and a computer to replicate the best profiles. Speckled Ax buys coffee at prices far above the fair trade minimum and roasts two or three times a week. It offers certified organic blends, single origins and monthly subscriptions online, and wholesale.