50 years
For this 2020 Earth Day, I thought I’d share four coffee roasters whose name is a nod to the features of Earth and its characteristics that allow it to grow and produce specialty coffee.
1.Airship Coffee, Bentonville, Arkansas
The most I’ve known about Arkansas while growing up is that my mother was born there. In recent years, I’ve discovered more about the states natural resources. A robust list of things to do includes outdoor activities like fishing, hiking and cultural points of interest. These and more are only enhanced by enjoying the state’s fresh air along with in-state roasted coffee.
Air is crucial to the production of coffee and for alluring a drinker’s nose, wherein after smelling it, one wants to consume it for its many pleasure. Airships mission is to take its coffee to the heights, “above and beyond” to honor the people making the coffee, support their understanding of it and its ability to provide ritual meaning in our cups.
Given this, coffee whose aroma fills the air ever so sweetly is the expectation and promise of Airship.
Buy Lima Norte, Peru, Tasting Notes: Golden Delicious Apple, Macadamia Nut, Cocoa
2. Land and Water, Santa Rosa, California
Two things that make up the basics of coffee are embedded in this brands name: land and water. Based in Santa Rosa, California, a city I’ve yet to visit but eagerly await the opportunity to, I discovered this specialty coffee roasting company while exploring in-state roasters that I’d yet discovered.
Their philosophy is a seed to cup, honoring source while “unearthing exceptional coffees.” What struck me most about them is their idea around land and water’s ability to provide an adventure for us humans as expressed in their about page. I’ve ordered my first bag of coffee in honor of supporting a brand whose name aims to honor and sustain our earth.
We all could use a little love and spiritual respite in this slowed down reality.
Buy Godspeed, Africa + Central America, Tasting Notes: Almond, Orange, Milk Chocolate
3. Maru Coffee, Los Angeles, California
When I think about the fear of messing up a beautiful coffee with my at times amateur brewing techniques, I use to feel this way when it came to ordering a Maru coffee and always opted to have one at the shop instead. I credit Covid-19, with forcing me to not only brew more of my own coffee, but dialing in the science that gets my coffee to meet my palate.
MARU’s name is from the Korean language and literally means mountaintop as defined on their website. Elevation plays a significant role in the growth, production and quality of specialty coffee. Usually, higher altitude coffees benefit from external effects that produce an internal product, a bean that has distinct sweetness as an earth grown fruit.
For the spring season of it, my next order arriving is a washed processed coffee that will bring a floral and melon sipping for my midday backyard hangs.
Buy Ethiopia Wuri, Gedeb: Tasting Notes: Lemonade, Rose Tea, Watermelon
4. Water Avenue, Portland, Oregon
On my first ever trip to Portland, an eventual coffee pilgrimage I would later proclaim, I observed and visited more coffee shops in my one-week trip, than I felt like I had, up until then in my entire life. This is likely an exaggeration, but then, it seemed like it. Fast forward six years to 2020 and I’ve surpassed that experience with visiting multiples of coffee shops in a day often when I’m out exploring abroad or in the states.
Enter Water Avenue, a coffee roaster and shop, that I visited then and still remember to this date. A local driven business who writes that it believes in “environmental, social and economic stewardship,” it’s fitting that its named after the property coffee can’t do without water. This farm direct coffee next up on my order list, derives from Water Avenue’s passion for clear and clean waterways in Oregon. I can get with that.
Buy Blue Creek, Central + South America, Tasting Notes, Hazelnut, Milk Chocolate, Hint of Navel Orange