Made at the Cottage is a cool little shop in Elkview that welcomed coffee shop Bee Box Coffee recently.
The coffee shop has a number of flavor combinations, which is really fun. Whether that is lavender, vanilla, and honey or maple and hickory smoke. I love the Almost Heaven, which is praline and caramel. Bonus points would have been given if I could get it frozen and blended.
I ordered a delicious brown sugar boba, which was nicely balanced with sweetness - not too much. I love a chewy tapioca boba.
Grade: A
Dapper & Stout takes coffee seriously.
"Espresso Drinks feature our locally roasted signature Ensemble Blend. The combination of four coffees from around the globe are masterfully selected and tailor roasted with espresso preparation in mind. The richness stems from Brazil & Ethiopa. The balanced, smooth flavor experience completes the roast with the addition of Costa Rican & Guatemalan beans."
This coffee shop is beautifully polished and feels very high-end. From the lighting and the finishes to the layout and bakery options, the space is refined while bordering on cocktail bar vibes.
They offer coffee drinks of all kinds, including: lattes, cappuccinos, macchiato, Americanos, cold brew, tea, mocha and more.
I ordered a large iced caramel latte. It was good and as expected. Not too sweet, a tad bitter, but fairly refreshing as well.
we also had a number of grab and go pastries that were already packaged. I found a croissant that looked pretty good, so I went for it.
The croissant was a bit too dry for my taste; maybe I should've known better with it being prepackaged.
The two together, though, made for a decent start to the day.
Grade: B
Grindhouze Coffee is a local roaster offering several types of coffees. I recently purchased some of their products from Etsy to try out and add to my collection.
They offer Ethiopian, Costa Rican, Peruvian and Aurora's blend.
All coffee is dark roast and whole bean.
Ethiopian coffee has flavor notes of blueberry, peach, and watermelon.
Costa rican coffee has flavor notes of chocolate and citrus.
Peruvian coffee has flavor notes of chocolate and walnut.
Aurora's blend is a fan favorite. This blend combines all three flavors of Ethiopian, Costa Rican, and Peruvian coffees to host a perfect combination of chocolate, caramel and berry notes.
Have you tried them yet?
"The Village Coffee Roastery is one of the oldest independent coffee houses in Arizona and has a proud history of utilizing science and technology. Opened in 1996 by Craig Sellmen, a chemist, the Village was the first in the United States to employ technologies to minimize human error. In 2006 Craig retired and sold the coffee shop to longtime customer Lisa Stroud who had an extensive background in Restaurant Development and management. Over the last 22 years the Roastery has experimented with the finest Arabica beans from across the world, bringing out the natural essence of the region from which it comes," reads the website.
Espresso
Our espresso is a handcrafted 5-bean blend allowing a multi dimensional flavor that is unsurpassed.
Yirgacheffe
Yirgacheffe is considered among the finest coffees from anywhere in Africa. A complex flavorful coffee, with hints of citrus and fruit in the top notes, Yirgacheffe’s rich flavor is balanced by its moderate body, while delighting the senses with its aroma and lingering aftertaste.
Sidamo
The flavor of Sidamo is alluring and complex. Gentle floral scents waft from the cup, imparting a tart and a complex fruitiness. The crisp acidity gives it a lively finish and leaves you wanting more.
Harrar
This coffee is noted for its resemblance to a dry red wine and full bodied presence. The flavor is amazingly layered with subtle hints of berry and mocha with an earthy backdrop.
Sumatra
Sumatra is noted for its lush, sultry earthiness. The coffee is full bodied, complex and delivers a smooth finish.
Mexico Chiapas Jacinto
Chiapas notes a mildly rustic sweetness with a brown sugar aroma. The coffee has a moderate brightness and is fairly short in the aftertaste.
Costa Rica
The flavor of Costa Rica is sweetly smooth, full bodied and pleasantly acidic. The coffee is noted for its nutty undertones, clean aftertaste and balance.
El Salvador Santa Leticia Borbon
This coffee notes a bold chocolate flavor with hints of berry in both taste and aroma. The flavor is delicate, bold, rich and clean.
Guatemala
This coffee notes a surprisingly rich coffee with a vibrant flavor. Guatemala is medium in body, with a sharp acidity and spice like after taste.
Village Blend
A 3 bean handcrafted blend. This blend is perfectly balanced and offers a smooth and layered flavor.
Colombian
The flavor of Colombian is chocolaty and slightly fruity. This coffee notes a sweet aroma with a floral hint. This varietal is heavy in body and well rounded.
Tanzanian Peaberry
The Tanzanian Peaberry notes deep richness, the flavor is bright and lively. This coffee is Light bodied with a winey acidity. The Tanzanian Peaberry is an intense flavor for the palette.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is a lighter bodied coffee with delicate notes, depth, complexity, and brightness. The range of flavors and subtleties of this cup give it a sophisticated character.
Celebes
The deep-toned flavors and maple-syrupy body sets Celebes apart, and results in a stunning, clearer taste. Celebes notes low acidity, great body and a deep brooding flavor.
Panama Boquete
Panama is a brightly toned coffee with a vivid floral aroma and clean fruited note. This coffee is smooth, balanced and light in body with a maple after taste.
The coffee shop has plenty of pastries and sweets in addition to the drinks. Plus oatmeal, bagels, burritos and more.
This spinach and feta lattice pastry was not only beautiful, but it was also flaky with a smooth and creamy interior.
To balance out all of that savory, I snagged a slice of banana bread. Banana bread is one of my favs - when it's moist. And, this one was definitely sweet and moist.
The frozen caramel latte rocked my world. I think maybe because it was extra frozen. So, it was super refreshing in this hot part of the country.
Grade: A
JOJO Coffeehouse is a breakfast and brunch restaurant that is known for its coffee flight.
A flight is typically small samples of various wines or beers. So, the concept of incorporating it into another craft drink - coffee - is a natural progression.
At JOJO's, the flight consists of five iced coffees:
- Cold Brew
- Mocha
- Latte
- Carmel Macchiato
- White Mocha
My favorites were the caramel macchiato and white mocha, likely because they were the sweetest ones. But they also had a bit more complexity on my palate that I enjoyed.
"The JOJO Coffeehouse blend is a signature blend with chocolate and berry notes. It very balanced and medium acid. In fact, when choosing the JOJO blend, we did several blind taste tests with local and national competitors. The coffee blend we selected was number one or two on every blind taste test survey making it the clear fan favorite and choice as our signature JOJO coffee & espresso. Try the JOJO special, and original coffee flight which includes white mocha, ice latte, mocha, caramel macchiato, and espresso shot. JOJO is not your typical coffee shop, at our coffeehouse you can enjoy your coffee with friends or family while enjoying live music, breakfast & brunch," reads the website.
To go with all of that caffeine, I ordered some breakfast tacos.
They consist of three flour tortillas, scrambled eggs, pepper jack cheese, bacon, onions, tomatoes, and sour cream with avocado on the side. I also added some fresh berries on the side.
These were pretty tasty. There was a freshness to them, rather than being heavy with too many ingredients or bold flavors. Instead, they were light and refreshing and a great way to start the day.
Grade: A
This small-batch coffee roaster has a unique twist. Not only does Bean Theory Coffee create tasty coffee, but they also aim to teach classes on coffee brewing, roasting, and more from a scientific perspective. Based in Poca, Bean Theory can be found at local events and online.
TipTop, arguably West Virginia's premier coffee shop, recently moved just a few spots down the block in Thomas. And, I figured now was as good a time as any to visit.
I say premier coffee shop because it set the mold in the Mountain State for good, consistent, simple coffee in a trendy - yet comfy - space. This all remains true in their new space.
There are clean, modern spaces, local art, warm tones and a standard menu that includes cold brew, pour over, espresso, americano, cortado, cappuccino, latte, hot chocolate, cider and more.
I ordered a spiced cider and one of their strawberries & cream pastries. I loved the warming flavors of the drink paired with the light, fresh pastry. Neither too sweet, but enough to satisfy the craving. You really can't go wrong with any item here. The coffees are bold, the pepperoni rolls were solid and the pastries are classic, yet inventive.
Have you been?
Grade: A
Another trendy Morgantown coffee shop coming in hot! But this one isn't totally new to the game. Stone Tower Brews has locations in Buckhannon, Bridgeport and now, of course, Morgantown. The signature blue-hued coffee shop joins the likes of several fairly new coffee shops in the college town fighting to keep college kids caffeinated.
I have always been fond of this mini coffee shop chain because they also place an emphasis on local art and culture, as well. They often bring a funky side to their shops - whether that's the artwork on the walls or music.
Their list of specialty coffees is long. So many different combinations! I searched the menu for something involving caramel but landed on the campfire mocha, because s'mores are also a favorite. But I don't think you could go wrong with any of the classic combos. This drink was delightful - definitely a rich chocolate background but pops of sweet marshmallow made it.
I also had a breakfast taco, which was basic with scrambled eggs, potato, cheese and sausage. I would have loved a Stone Tower spin on it with a delicious sauce to pull it all together. But that didn't stop me from polishing off my order.
Grade: B
On one of my adventures out west, I found myself in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and in need of caffeine.
Scooter's Coffee is a midwest-based coffee drive-through that offers up a standard slate of options: hot coffee, iced coffee, blended coffee drinks, smoothies, teas and even some food.
I ordered:
"CARAMELICIOUS® BLENDER - SWEET SIGNATURE - Our sweet signature drink fuses world-class espresso with rich, velvety caramel sauce, blended in our ice cream base. This classic is topped with fluffy whipped cream and drizzled with caramel sauce. Such a treat."
"PEACH MANGO QUENCHER - Here's the plot: Peach meets mango, mixes with energy-giving green coffee extract, and quenches your thirst happily ever after. This Quencher is amazing with a base of black tea! It's also available with lemonade, water, or coconut milk. Juiciest story ever. The end."
"SPICY SAUSAGE BURRITO - We jam-pack our warm, soft tortilla with spicy sausage, fluffy scrambled eggs, red peppers and our supremely smooth white cheddar cheese, melted like your heart will be, after you taste this burrito. It’s a zesty way to get your protein going for the day."
Each one of these were pretty good in their own right. The blended caramel drink was on the sweeter side – even for me – which made me love it even more. The refreshing fruity drink was a nice break from all the creamy fattiness of the coffee drink. and even the burrito was decent; I wish it held up a bit better and filled out the tortilla more, but it was a good cross-country morning snack, nonetheless.
Grade: B
Matewan is best known for it historical significance, but it is seeing a resurgence in popularity with ATV tourism, as well. that means small shops like Chit and Chat Coffee are popping up.
The shop has an old-school diner vibe with vinyl seating and checkerboard floors. At the front, there was a case full of sweet treats. And to the side, there was a menu full of coffee options.
And by options, they have approximately 5 million different flavors from cupcake and marshmallow to blue raspberry and honey.
I (shockingly) went with a frozen caramel coffee drink. This was pretty tasty, though the texture was a bit grainy. Maybe it was the iciness, but it wasn't completely smooth.
I do love that this place exists, and I look forward to trying them out again on my next visit.
Grade: B
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