From roasting the beans himself to extracting the perfect shot, Cullimore enjoys exploring different flavours and methods while using ethical practices.
Cullimore's life took an unexpected turn after the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes when devastation shut down the entire CBD. In a bid to find stability, he transitioned from the world of cocktails to the realm of coffee. As Cullimore delved deeper, what started as a temporary measure soon became a lifelong passion.
"The most rewarding part is the learning and the teaching," said Cullimore.
"The more I learned about coffee, the more I realised how little I knew. Every day, I learn something new, big or small."
His start as an espresso machine technician naturally progressed into roasting. In 2024, he began Rad Roasting Co.
At Rad Roasting Co., Cullimore has one priority: providing the community with quality coffee beans with a decreased eco-footprint.
"We care deeply about the environment. We deliver to all our local customers in reusable buckets, so there is little to zero packaging waste," explained Cullimore.
Cullimore prioritised purchasing coffee from ethical farms with fair wages and sustainable practices. He also tries to counteract excess waste within the coffee industry, such as equipment being thrown out long before its due date.
"We supply our customers with fully refurbished second-hand espresso machines. Other companies constantly offer customers brand new equipment, and that's not a sustainable model."
When asked for advice for upcoming roasters, Cullimore suggested mastering the basics and becoming an excellent barista. Before beginning the journey into roasting, a good understanding of how to brew coffee and the complexities of each flavour is vital.
Although a Natural Process Indonesian bean is his current favourite due to its rich and chocolatey notes, Cullimore recognises Brazil's impact on the industry, which has the most extensive plantations and processing plants in the world.
Aside from conquering the world of roasting, Rad Roasting Co. is sponsoring the Rad Roasting disc golf team, which competes in events across New Zealand.
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