Brewing the Perfect AI: My Journey in Crafting a Coffee Roasting GPT

Introduction

In the ever-evolving world of coffee roasting, staying ahead of the roast curve is both a challenge and a passion. When GPTs (Generative Pre-trained Transformers) first became available, I saw an opportunity to merge my love for coffee with cutting-edge technology. This is the story of how I embarked on a journey to create a GPT model trained specifically on the best coffee roasting knowledge—an adventure filled with learning, innovation, and a few unexpected twists.

The Spark of an Idea: Combining Coffee and AI

The idea was simple yet ambitious: what if I could train an AI model to assist coffee roasters by providing expert advice, roasting profiles, and troubleshooting tips? With GPT technology opening new doors, I envisioned a specialized tool that could become an invaluable resource for both novice and seasoned roasters.

Gathering Trusted Coffee Knowledge

To build a model worth its weight in beans, I needed to source the most reliable and insightful information available. I scoured the internet for trusted coffee blogs, experts youtube videos transcripts, and authoritative articles. The goal was to collect a diverse range of high-quality content that covered every facet of coffee roasting.

Diving Deep into Roasting Profiles

Understanding that roasting is as much an art as it is a science, I focused on collecting detailed roast curves and profiles from the roasters I had personally used—Diedrich, Probat, and Mill City machines. These profiles served as the backbone of the training data, ensuring the AI could offer nuanced advice tailored to different equipment and roasting styles.

An example of a roast curve used in training.

Building a Specialized GPT Model

With the data in hand, the real work began. I dove into the world of data scraping and JSON file creation, meticulously organizing the information to train the GPT model effectively. Each piece of data was carefully vetted and formatted, a labor-intensive process that deepened my appreciation for both coffee and AI technologies.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Despite the effort, the specialized GPT model didn’t gain the traction I had hoped for. Many users defaulted to general GPT models, unaware of the specialized training data that made my model unique. However, the journey was far from a loss. I gained invaluable skills in data handling and a deeper understanding of both coffee roasting and AI development.

The Road Ahead: Sharing and Growing

Though custom GPTs didn’t take off as expected, it opened doors to new possibilities. I’m now exploring ways to integrate this specialized knowledge into accessible platforms, perhaps even collaborating with other coffee enthusiasts and technologists. The goal remains the same: to enhance the coffee roasting community through innovation.

Conclusion

The fusion of coffee roasting and AI holds immense potential, and my journey in crafting a specialized Coffee Roasting GPT model was an exciting exploration of that. However, what I’ve truly discovered through this process is that the heart and soul of Spiritus Coffee lies in our “sip in the moment” ethos. Just as we encourage slowing down to savor every sip, our roasting process is deeply rooted in the present—guided by sound, smell, taste, and intuition as they unfold during each roast. Introducing too much technology into this mindful practice takes us away from the sensory experience we cherish.

That said, we remain curious and open to experimentation, always seeking new ways to elevate the coffee we roast. Our goal is to use every tool, including technology when appropriate, to fully unlock the potential of the beans we source. This allows us to ensure our customers receive an exceptional coffee while staying true to our principles of mindfulness and craftsmanship. At Spiritus Coffee, we balance innovation with tradition, ensuring every cup reflects the dedication and care we pour into every roast.

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