We learned quickly in Baja California Sur that dirt roads can lead to some of the best culinary experiences. That was indeed the case with Baja Beans Roasting Company, a palapa topped coffee oasis that Alec and April Tidey opened in a former restaurant to end 2010.

The Tideys previously lived in Vancouver, in another B.C. Alec played pro hockey for the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL and San Diego in the WHL. His friend owns and operates Vancouver based Bean Around the World, a coffee chain with 22 links. Wife April was an interior designer who installed the cafe’s tiled counter and blackboard menu.

Alec roasts beans on a 12-kilo 1980 Probat and said, “When we roast, the whole town knows it.” The aroma from fresh roasted coffee would no doubt be effective in drawing visitors.

Behind a tiled counter, barista Hesed Najera made me a pourover of Marago, from Puebla.

Marago, Alec’s roasting, and Najera’s preparation contributed to my trip’s most balanced cup.

My espresso combined two of Baja Beans’ signature blends: Baja Midnight (medium roast) and Pesky Dark, and it displayed more bite and acidity than sweetness.

Najera pulled the shot on a three-group La Marzocco espresso machine.

They recently sourced coffee from a town in Guerrero called Huixtepec, which grows at about 6000 feet elevation. Alec met the third generation farmer, Julio, at a Mexico City trade show, and bought 6.5 tons, a big investment that seems to be paying dividends, as evidenced by steady lines and buzz.

April Tidey bakes cakes, cookies, croissants, quiche and more in-house. It may have been whole wheat, but her cinnamon roll was pull apart, with a healthy dose of cinnamon and a liberal amount of sticky pecan-studded caramel.

Her buttery almond croissant was another hit, with almond scales and rich almond paste.

The Tideys may be new to Baja, but they’ve already turned Baja Beans into a destination. The patio is like a tropical lounge, they have the best coffee and pastries in the area, and they even host an organic farmers market, complete with live music and brunch, on Sundays.

Our visit to Baja Beans was part of a Baja California Sur tour sponsored by Baja.com.