I wrote a blog 10 years ago about making the decision to start drinking coffee. Here's the link if you're interested... I wasn't a coffee drinker and the social buzz around coffee was still in its infancy. Nothing like it is today. I didn't like the taste of coffee, so I masked it with sugars and creams and predicted that I'd acquire a taste for it like my grandma told me adults do.
Since writing that blog 10 years ago, I've become somewhat of a "coffee snob" and more sophisticated than I did in my pre-coffee years.
I've probably had a majority of my coffee at big franchises like Starbucks or Caribou, however, I enjoy most those quaint little coffee houses that roast their own beans, make their own syrups and carefully craft every drink on the menu. I've had some dandies and thought I'd take a stab at my 10 most memorable cups of coffee in the last 10 years. Disclaimer: I don't know how to give coffee reviews and I'm a legit poser when it comes to understanding the ins and outs of coffee (although I've watch a few documentaries). The coffee listed below is a real list of the drinks that pop into my head when I think of the best coffee I've ever had. Nothing more.
1. The best cup of coffee that I've ever had, hands down, came from Dixon Coffee Company in Rapid City, SD. A few years ago, we took the long way home from Colorado Springs so we could see Mt. Rushmore. Liz and I spotted a cute little coffee truck in the parking lot of a grocery store with a long line, so we gave it a shot. I ordered a caramel latte and she went with a vanilla latte with half the syrup. It could have been a combination of many things other than the coffee, but we still talk about those drinks and long to go back to Rapid City for Dixon's.
2. Last summer the World Team Trials were in Raleigh, NC and our hotel was two blocks from Jubala Coffee. I stopped there several times in the three days that I was there and was introduced to an unforgettable coffee and lemonade concoction that changed my outlook on summer drinks for the entire Summer of 2019.
3. We make regular trips to Prescott, WI to visit our favorite local coffee shop - Twisted Oak. I've had many great experiences there with my bride and others who visit us. My drink of choice is the Paul Bunyan. It's a latte with organic maple syrup.
4. Liz and I had a special date night a few months ago and went to Minneapolis and tried a fun little restaurant. After the meal, we walked through the city and enjoyed being sans children and we got some late night coffee at Spyhouse Coffee on Nicollet Ave. I ordered their signature "Spygirl." It was a delicious lavender and vanilla latte (with almond milk).
5. I will include another Spyhouse drink on my list because we went with several others, including our boys. I thought outside the box and got their advertised special with golden turmeric and oat milk. It was interesting and I enjoyed it.
6. Just last week we ventured around Minneapolis and found a Peace Coffee cafe in Wonderland Park. I chose their seasonal option called the Harvest Moon Latte. It was a latte with brown sugar and pureed squash with almond milk and some additional spices. It was incredible. I've already recommended it to others and will be going back soon.
7. We visited Alaska two years ago and drove a few hours outside of Anchorage and made a stop in Talkeetna to try the famous Spinach Bread. Liz and I were more excited about the breakfast burrito that was on their menu. Next to that Airstream food truck was Conscious Coffee. They jammed a ton of character in that little building and made a great drink for us, especially for a rainy morning.
There are a few international memories, too:
8. A few years ago we stayed at the national training center in Paris, France called INSEP. This little coffee experience makes the list because it's memorable, not because it was a good cup of coffee. One of my athletes encouraged me to purchase a little espresso for 1 Euro. It came in a paper shot glass-sized cup and was the strongest taste of anything I'd every put on my lips. Needless to say, I didn't finish the 2 ounce drink. I set it on the desk in my room and I took a nap. When I woke up, the gasoline-like espresso had eaten through the paper cup.
9. If you ever get the opportunity to try traditional Turkish coffee, it's a must. The World Championships were in Istanbul in 2011 and we drank a lot of Turkish coffee at little street side cafes (along with "street meat"). They grind the beans very small and brew it with sugar. I'm pretty sure the beans remain in the coffee when you drink it. It's a special texture and extra frothy. Good stuff.
10. I have to "name drop" the Olympics in this post because there was a very small coffee option outside the venue in Rio called Café Leão. It was a unique specialty coffee brand launched by McDonalds in Brazil. It was the only place that I could find coffee besides the Nescafe truck next to my apartment. It was actually very good and a fun little portable coffeehouse.
There are more, of course, especially Duluth Coffee Company and the several in Colorado Springs (Switchback) or Fargo (Beans serves each drink with a mini doughnut). Liz and I were excited about Colectivo in Madison last weekend, too. I try to collect stickers from all of these coffee shops along with the memories. I'm still on the hunt for my first cup of kopi luwak. I'm sure that one will get its own blog. Coffee has been a new and exciting part of our lives and we enjoy the camaraderie mixed in with the mystery of trying new drinks and places.
Happy National Coffee Day. FYI, October 1st is "International Coffee Day."
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