espresso subscription: october 2026
This month, La Marzocco Home is excited to introduce Little Amps Coffee Roasters out of Harrisburg Pennsylvania!
Little Amps began in 2010 as the passion project of an indie rocker searching for coffees with the same fun, buzzy qualities as his favorite vintage tube amps. Years later, their small but mighty team is still chasing that same feeling, roasting coffees that highlight unique flavor, thoughtful sourcing, and the hard work of the producers behind each lot.
Their approach to coffee is playful, intentional, and full of personality. They state that they have a never-ending search for great coffee, much like the search for the perfect tone.
friend blend
Origin: Colombia & Ethiopia
Producer: Communal Lot of producers from Santa Maria and Pitalito in Colombia and Haider Aba Mecha in Ethiopia.
Elevation: 1600(Colombia) & 1865-2090(Ethiopia) MASL
Process: Washed
Variety: Caturra, Landraces
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Citrus & Milk Chocolate
Description: Friend Blend is Little Amps Coffee Roasters’ #1 hit, a year-round go-to, the anchor of their espresso program, and a coffee that shines no matter how it’s brewed. Friend Blend is always a fresh rotation of washed-process coffees from Colombia and Ethiopia, roasted for a sweet, balanced cup.
Brewing Recipe
Dose: 19.5 Grams
Time: 30 Seconds
Yield: 45 Grams
Temperature: 200 F
Pressure: 9 Bar
dark star
Origin: Ethiopia
Producer: Abdurahiman Ababulgu
Partner in sourcing: Osito
Elevation: 1950 – 2150 MASL
Process: Natural
Variety: JARC 74110
Tasting Notes: Berries, Milk Chocolate & Jammy
Description: Abdurahiman Ababulgu is a second-generation coffee farmer based in Kedamesa, within the Gomma woreda of Jimma. His farm sits at 1950–2150 MASL, an elevation that contributes to slow cherry maturation and vibrant flavor development.
Brewing Recipe
Dose: 19.5 Grams
Time: 25 – 30 Seconds
Yield: 50 Grams
Temperature: 200 F
Pressure: 9 Bar
Pre-infusion: 5 seconds
tasty coffee and chill vibes.
dialogue with the roastery
La Marzocco Home: Why “Little Amps?” What’s the story behind the name, and does it mean the same thing then as it does today?
Little Amps “The name “Little Amps” comes from our founder, Aaron, and his love of vintage tube amplifiers: small, buzzy, and unique, just like the coffee company he was starting! That indie rock foundation really shaped the whole direction of our company and we continue to have fun.”
La Marzocco Home: If someone was visiting Harrisburg for the first time, where are you sending them after they finish their coffee?
Little Amps “A walk on the beautiful Susquehanna River, the longest river on the East Coast and conveniently just a couple blocks from either shop! After that, if they’re downtown we’re sending them up to the State Capitol building for a tour, then a drink with our friends at Cork&Fork! If they’re on Green, we recommend walking down into midtown to and checking out the Midtown Scholar Bookstore, the Broad Street Market, and of course cap it off with an espresso martini at the High Dive!”
La Marzocco Home: What’s the most “Little Amps” thing that happens regularly in your cafés?
Little Amps “Definitely running into a friend unplanned!! We’re stoked to be a meeting place in the community and especially appreciate impromptu meet ups.”
La Marzocco Home: Describe the vibe of Little Amps from the perspective of a dog that visits every day. What do they smell, see, hear, and look forward to?
Little Amps “This is a great question! Both of our shops see a lot of four legged friends, but Green Street is especially busy with dogs as it is in the heart of a residential neighborhood, with dogs coming around every corner! The first thing most dogs will do, if they’ve been in before, is to head straight to the front door! We often hear of this happening after hours, with dogs being very confused as to why they can’t come in! Once the dog is inside, they’ll typically drag their owner to the end of the bar where they know a treat awaits! Once dog and human treats are secured, dogs like to hang on the corner and see what other friends are coming by.”
La Marzocco Home: What kind of coffees do you find yourself returning to again and again?
Little Amps “We always keep a juicy natural process Ethiopian coffee on, especially from Guji! We also have a deep love for the coffees of Huila, Colombia thanks to our importing partners Osito Coffee and The Coffee Quest.”
