Cuppa Cuteness, I mean Joe

Cruising along interstate-70 west, we decided to take a detour and stop in the ski-friendly town of Breckenridge. It sits at an impressive 9,600 feet and is surrounded by breathtaking mountains. Walking through the quaint town - which prepared for the Pro Cycling Challenge that passed through later that afternoon - we discovered Cuppa Joe.

Top-rated of the Breckenridge coffee houses on Yelp, this small neighborhood shop was located in the top right section of a two-story building. Upon entrance, we instantly noticed the regulars engaging with the baristas and a few residents reading newspapers while sipping their coffee.

Although we were on a “coffee tour,” we decided to branch out by tasting two of their tea blends. The relatively warm weather prompted us to ask that the teas be placed over ice.

I ordered the Tulsi Infusion and Ashley chose to try the Num Nectar. Both teas were black but boasted different flavors. We both actually decided that the Num Nectar tasted better than the Tulsi because it featured a stronger taste.

However, the iced teas were perfect for the warm August day. We sat and absorbed the atmosphere of the shop, which notably favored its regular customers.

That being said, the baristas still welcomed us into the shop. But we simply did not enjoy the same type of intimate conversation that we experienced at Paramount Cafe, for example. 

The furniture and details of Cuppa Joe provided color and character to the shop. We sat in  heart-shaped metal chairs at a bright, adorable lavender table. We noticed the full window sill right next to us which held unique bottles and jars of colorful glass pieces. 

The bar - where all the magic happens - mixed metal elements with wooden countertops and floors. Chalkboard menus displayed the coffee and tea choices - a common trend we noted in a majority of the shops we visited on the road trip. 

In fact, new independent coffee shops seem to keep popping up in every major city and state, which is one reason why we held such an interest in embarking on this coffee tour. According to a blog titled, “Next Hipster trend”:

While we are still recovering from the whole Starbucks craze, smaller and more specialized shops are beginning to take their place on the thoroughfares and in the empty storefronts of emerging Americana, selling Americanos…and it’s become such a trend that even Starbucks has taken notice.

This local shop - in the middle of the gorgeous mountains and along an adorable main street - refreshed us with flavorful iced teas but did not impress us in the same way other shops had. 

We tried to not lose heart. 

Little did we know, but our favorite shop of the day was still to come. An unplanned stop brought us our third and best coffee house of this particular day in swanky Vail, Colo. 

-Allison

'Crema' of the crop

Downtown Denver houses an urban cafe by the name of Crema Coffee House. Based in the outskirts of the metropolis, this shop combines contemporary and traditional elements, and offers a great cup o’ joe. 

Filled with wood-paneled walls, exposed brick and even a few chandeliers, Crema immediately perked our interest. The shop was unique in that the metal furniture and subtle decorations contrasted with the wooden and mixed-element walls in a great way.

At Crema, all coffees are brewed with french presses - which is our favorite method, by the way - and so we took the opportunity to order two cups of an Ethiopian blend.

Fun fact: coffee originated in Ethiopia in the 1500s, and today, coffee is the second most valuable commodity in the world. In fact, more than 50 percent of Americans consume the beloved beverage that originated in the African country. Ok - enough of the history lesson - let’s get back to the coffee shop under review. 

Crema brews coffees from a variety of roasters, including - but not limited to - Boxcar, Dogwood, Intelligentsia, Novo and Stumptown.

While tasting the coffee that originates from the birthplace of java, we couldn’t help but enjoy the hipster and urban atmosphere.

The medium-bodied roast delighted our taste buds as we admired the simple touches throughout this shop. Our favorite detail - we must admit - was the menu, which they engraved into the wooden wall.

It was unique and just plain awesome. 

The barista at the register, unfortunately, was not as friendly as we hoped she would be. The tattoo-covered woman was less than amused by our road trip and our fascination with Crema. She just shooed us along. 

She was - just a wee bit - rude. But I guess we had to encounter a barista like that eventually. Not everyone is as excited about coffee as we are. 

Again, it is unfortunate but true.

The french press logo and graffiti-laden wall of the exterior of the shop were so hipster and urban, and we loved it. 

But Crema only filled the beginning of our day that actually revolved around our favorite thing - yep, coffee. 

This particular day of the road trip, we visited three - count ‘em, three - coffee shops during our trek through the great state of Colorado.

We departed Denver after spending a night in a delightful hotel and headed to Breckenridge - 9,600 foot elevation, here we come.

-Allison

A shop of 'Paramount' significance

In our minds, the only redeeming aspect of Cheyenne - actually the entire section of WY we drove through - was Paramount Cafe. Nestled in the middle of downtown, which was probably only 10 blocks in radius, this gem of a coffeehouse provided us with good coffee, good conversation and great memories. 

I apologize for the sappy inflections, but this shop was wonderful. 

A hipster paradise, the shop abounded in vintage portraits, antique furniture and trendy baristas. They welcomed us - the weary travelers that we were - and immediately became jealous of our road trip.

The female barista even asked if she could join. We, of course, said yes. 

While she did not actually embark on our adventure with us, we had a great conversation with her and the other barista about our shared love of coffee.

I ordered an iced whole milk white mocha with almond syrup. Ashley ordered the same, but with coconut syrup instead. 

We surveyed their techniques as they mixed the espresso, syrups, milk and topped the drinks with ice. The finished results were delicious.

Sitting in the unique chairs, we couldn’t help but realize how much we enjoyed the shop. We awarded it the honor of being our second favorite, only surpassed by Coffea Roasterie in Sioux Falls.

It was just a cool shop. The clientele relaxed without a care in the world as they sipped their lattes in Paramount-provided ceramic mugs. The shelves of mugs donned witty signs which noted the tendency of customers to refer to cup sizes in Starbucks terms. 

Coffee lovers can rejoice in the fact that this charming spot is placed in an otherwise awful state. If I am ever forced to go to that part of the state again, I will stop at Paramount. 

-Allison

Just Average, Not so 'Alternative'

Rolling hills, fields of grass, and a seemingly infinite highway brought us to our second coffee stop: Alternative Fuel Coffee House in Rapid City, S.D. Walking to the shop, we appreciated the brick storefronts and large window displays of the historic downtown street. 

The outward appearance of the coffee shop created excitement in both of us. We hoped for another impressive encounter, like that of our Coffea experience. 

We walked in and were greeted by a woman who we assumed to be the owner. She kindly offered to give us beverage suggestions. But first, we wanted to take note of the interior of the shop. 

Filled with tables and a few leather chairs, the shop seemed like a simple and ordinary coffeehouse. The only visually interesting aspect of the shop was the illuminated painted logo on the brick wall. 

Nothing was extraordinary, including the coffee. 

I ordered a hot white mocha with caramel sauce, a suggestion from the owner. Ashley chose her go-to beverage of a whole milk latte with one raw sugar. She also got a black tea with mango syrup and boba. 

My white mocha was average and actually, too sweet for my liking. Ashley did not enjoy her latte, either. Ashley said it was flat, lacking froth and dimension. 

She commented that it was simply steamed milk, without the proper foam and flavor. The tea was also disappointing when we tasted it later during our drive.

The shop was cute, but nothing interesting or unique. 

When researching what it takes to make a good latte, and the correct way to steam milk, I stumbled upon a website, called Whole Latte Love, which sells coffee machines and offers advice for baristas.

   Steamed milk definitely tastes better than milk heated any other way. It is sweeter because your tongue reacts instantly to the decreased surface tension. Steaming the milk can be a drudge or one step on your path to culinary glory. It’s serious chemistry, too. In addition to violently and rapidly heating the liquid, steam alters the physical characteristics of milk proteins in a process called denaturing. Changes are taking place on a molecular level in the milk but the results are cosmic. And, of far more interest to you and me, steam-denatured milk can become something quite fascinating — something cold milk simply cannot. Steamed milk can be inflated, built up into a swollen, lofty lattice. That is, it can be turned into an extraordinarily cool thing: foam.

It is important to consider the way in which milk is steamed. The sweetness, or flatness, of milk in a latte makes all the difference. We learned that firsthand.

Next stop: Cheyenne, WY. 

-Allison

Coffee: Lead the way...to South Dakota?

Two coffee-loving baristas, who also happen to be roommates, set out on a four day road trip from Minneapolis to Los Angeles with one goal in mind -- to visit and critique a different coffee shop at each stop on the route. 

The first destination, Sioux Falls, S.D., brought us to the home of Coffea Roasterie. But with its location in the middle of South Dakota, our first thought was: how extraordinary can a coffee shop in the middle of South Dakota be?

It turns out: it can be pretty impressive.

Boasting “Cafe without Compromise,” the locally-based shop roasts their own beans, thereby ensuring the freshest coffee. Unlike other java companies, local shops like this one take pride in adding personal touches to every drink they serve.

Coffea Roasterie, in particular, should be commended for its bean roasting process. Not only do customers experience a freshly brewed drink each time, but they also support a local business, instead of giving their money to coffee giants such as Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf or Peet’s Coffee. 

Combined with modern and cozy elements, comfortable leather chairs, and fireplaces throughout, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Along with customers who engaged in casual reading and work, the shop filled with friends who conversed while enjoying their lattes. 

People who frequent independent coffee shops are notably different than those who visit Starbucks daily for the ever-so-cliche Caramel Frappuccino. They seek lattes full of character and specialized elements. 

The smiling and friendly baristas suggested a Masala latte, made with Chai tea and espresso, and a Soyia Miel, consisting of lavender tea and honey. 

The drinks were magical. 

Sweet espresso, correctly steamed milk, and added personal touches created cups of enjoyment. 

A latte from Starbucks pales in comparison to the lavender cup of warmth from the baristas at Coffea. The depth and precision of each beverage impressed us. 

Comprised of classic latte art designs, the two beverages ranked as some of the best lattes we ever tasted. Needless to say, Coffea Roasterie began a great start to the coffee journey across the country.

We love daily cups of coffee, not unlike millions of other young adults in the U.S. Curiosity led us to discover how many other people our age are also addicted to the beverage.

According to the 2013 National Coffee Drinking Study, conducted by the National Coffee Association:

Most adult coffee drinkers said their lifelong habit began during their teenage years. In fact, 54 percent said they began drinking coffee between 13 and 19. Another 22 percent reported their coffee cravings started between the ages of 20 and 24. This means that 76 percent of adult coffee drinkers began drinking coffee by the time they were 24.

The study also stated how between 2010 and 2013, the number of 18-year-olds to 24-year-olds who drink coffee each day rose from 30 percent to 41 percent. Clearly, the love of coffee spreads like the plague among young adults.

The detail that sets our love of coffee apart from the majority: we plan to open an independent coffee shop. It will be called A&A Cafe and will source coffee from small farms in Guatemala, a place where we both visited and fell in love with. 

The future is planned. The present, however, will consist of continuous coffee shop visits and the tasting of hundreds of different types of blends. We visited seven shops on the road trip, but continue the coffee tour while in California. Each post will detail another coffee shop visit, as well as current coffee news and facts. 


-Allison