why not take the opportunity to work with a local roaster, one which you admire (I suggest that you visit them all, and pay to try their product), settle on one which you like / and / or think that you can work with, then work on developing a relationship with that roster. That way when something goes wrong at the very least you have local expertise to call upon. You may even be able to deliver valuable feedback to the roaster in terms of developing your own blend (although I'm all about single origin these days!) after all, its much easier to jump in the car, or, better still, on the pushie, and head down to the roasting facility to have a nice warm cuppa and a good old chat, that it is to fly, to try and iron out any differences you may have besides, long distance relationships are hard work at the best of times for my money, keep it local, and keep it real ACG
