Coffee Love: A New England Art
Everyone who reads my blogs knows that my passion for coffee is deep and strong.
I just love the complexity of different beans and blends. I love the originality of coffees from all different regions of the world. They are all so unique. Some are rich and smooth and chocolately; others taste of berries or citrus; some are earthy giving off flavors like tobacco, bitter, earthy and verdant. Coffee is like wine in a sense. There are rituals involved in the making of, the preparation of and the aging of. There are connoisseurs who spend years perfecting blends and roasting methods or traveling the world in search of the perfect bean. It is all so fascinating. Coffee may not grow in New England climates, but I believe the soul of coffee is in New England. People in New England know what to do with their coffee, to bring it to the next level. Everywhere you go in New England you can find excellent coffee. Even gas stations serve up Green Mountain Coffee and McDonalds has Newman’s Own Organic Coffee. But the real unique ways of preparing coffee are found in the local coffee shop in those picturesque towns in Vermont or Massachusetts. No matter how small the town is, you can always find a local coffee joint. There are Starbucks to be found of course, but people generally prefer their local coffee place. There is excellent competition between coffee houses which for the consumer means there is great coffee to be had around every corner.
That was one of my major goals of our recent trip to New England. I wanted to go back to all my favorite coffee joints and boy was it ever a treat!
Jenn’s Top 5 Coffee Joints in New England:
Now you have all heard me sing the praises of Lisabeeen coffee. Lisa is an artisan of coffee roasting. She is constantly trying different blends and perfecting her art of coffee roasting. Since I am fortunate enough to be very close friends with this amazing woman, I know she is a perfectionist in general, meaning this coffee obsession of hers reaps the benefits. Roberto and I were able to spend a few days with her and her partner Nicki, one of my closest friends at their home in Bennington, Vermont where she showed us her artistry.
Last summer Lisa built a roaster from a gas grill. She lovingly roasts each batch to order and the result is something you just cannot get anywhere else, period.
It is the only coffee that needs absolutely nothing in it, unless you like a little steamed milk. The flavors are distinct and delicious. Not only that, but when she makes a latte for you (her specialty of the house) she pours the most ingenious coffee art – see the kitty!
She has won several competitions. So please do yourself a favor and contact her so you can get your own delicious hand roasted beans! Also if you are in Bennington and enjoy punk, check her blog for dates that her and Nicki’s band BITCH KITTY might be playing.
Mt. Joe To Go
New England has a wonderful tradition of coffee shacks. Little tiny huts along major roadways that you can just drive up to and get a delicious cup o joe or an amazing coffee creation for very little. There used to be a little shack near where I used to work called Northern Lights that had delicious maple lattes. It has since changed hands, but I am happy to see that it remains a coffee shack. There was another in Jacksonville, VT that Roberto passed everyday to go to work. It was painted bright orange and there was an older gentleman behind the counter that had all the local gossip and imported bagels from New York City where his daughter lived.
There is a new place on Rte. 141 between Easthampton and Holyoke, MA on the mountain called Mountain Joe To Go. My friend Diana told me about it when she picked us up from the airport with one of their mango smoothies in hand. That very day, I had to check it out and I got a frozen Kona Mocha that became my new favorite thing! Makes me want to bring the coffee shack tradition to Florida!
I used to pass Shelburne Coffee Roasters everyday on my way to work from our house in Vermont to my job in Mass. It was halfway and a great way to break up my hour commute. It has a large seating area in the back, but the front end is always packed! They have at least 8 thermoses of coffee set up for self serve and you can get a cup for only $1. They roast their own coffee and have very unique flavors and blends. I am not a fan of flavored coffee usually (unless it is hazelnut) but they have some wonderful ones! During this trip I tried a Chestnut coffee which tasted just like the essence of a roasted chestnut. I also had a Maple Caffee – coffee of my choice, served with steamed milk and pure maple syrup. Delicious. They also bake tarts, muffins. Scones and coffee cakes daily. The ambience is just great.
This café had just opened a few months before we moved to Florida. It was right by my office, so I had lunch there frequently. They have some of the freshest and simple delicious food I have ever tasted (more of that in another post). But they also have great coffee drinks – cappuccinos to be exact. Like many coffee houses in New England every one comes with coffee art. Nice touch.
We had the wonderful chance to go to Little Italy in Boston while we were away. I will be writing an article about it on my TravelCloseup blog. But the beauty of it in the coffee sense was that every few steps there was a coffee place or Bar as they call it in Italy where you can enjoy the real Italian espresso. But it is bitter so be prepared!
kat - October 22, 2007 at 7:17 pm
I love coffee too. Coffee art is becoming very popular here in Japan. These cafes sound lovely!
Anh - October 22, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Jen, I am a coffee addict also. will search high and low for good coffee. thanks God Melbourne has good coffee, and I feel blessed.
My fav coffee though is the Vietnamese style. I have meant to write about it for a long time but never get around it. Perhaps I really should!
Maryann@FindingLaDolceVita - October 22, 2007 at 9:34 pm
I’m pretty new to your blog and am really enjoying it. That photo of the coffee on top of the page is the bomb!
Peter - October 22, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Great coffee post and I share your sentiments on coffee shops. People…have your coffee at the independants…no Starbucks!
núria - October 23, 2007 at 10:05 am
Hi Jenn, we were missing you! I also rather go to the old and cosy coffeshop at the corner.
My sister brought me from her last trip to Vietnam a pack of coffee… it was really strange for me… it had a back taste of chocolate, can you believe that? Really interesting, do you agree with that Anh?
Figs Olives Wine - October 23, 2007 at 11:25 am
Holyoke’s on my way home to my parents’ house. Sounds like this place might be worth a little detour to get us through the last 90 minutes!
Holler - October 23, 2007 at 12:59 pm
I don’t like coffee, I have never been able to develop a taste for it. I absolutely adore the smell of it though and I did enjoy the post! Maybe I need a trip to New England to be converted!
retno - October 23, 2007 at 2:53 pm
I feel something missing if I don´t drink coffee ^_^.
The photo ( coffee with milk) is so phantastic!
Emilie - October 23, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I like you and your blog very much, but now I’m HUGE fan. Seriously, everything you said about coffee. DITTO. I go nuts for it.
I hope I get a chance to experience New England coffee someday. Midwest coffee=Not so good.
Andy - October 23, 2007 at 11:21 pm
I love coffee also. I have a little shop within walking distance from where I work and I just adore the coffee they have there. The problem though is that it’s within walking distance! 🙂
Toni - October 24, 2007 at 3:04 am
There’s something about cooler climates – coffee houses and conversation just flow easier in them! (And yes, I agree with Peter – must be an independent coffee house!)
The Leftover Queen - October 24, 2007 at 7:16 am
So glad to see so many of you are also coffee addicts! 🙂
Hi Kat! There is nothing like a nice cafe. I am glad you are able to experience them in Japan too. Japan is a real place for foodies, I think.
Hi Anh, I have never had Vietnamese coffee. Is it like Thai coffee at all. I love that stuff! Such a cool treat.
Thanks Maryann and I am so glad you stopped by!
Thanks Peter! Yes, independant coffee is the best by no doubt.
Hi Nuria! You know a lot of the coffees I have tried at Lisa’s have tasted all kinds of different ways, so it wouldn’t surprise me!
Hey Amanda! Really? Where do your parents live? Yes, it is definately worth the stop! It is on Rte 141 between Holyoke and Eastampton – in the same parking lot as the Log Cabin – a huge baquet facility. We fed us and the girls breakfast – bagels and nice coffee drinks for $15.
Hi Holler – trust me, you should go. A lot of “good” coffee like Starbucks is really bitter tasting and lots of coffee is just thin and tasteless. It is not easy to find really really good coffee. I promise I will help you find it! 🙂
Thanks Retno! Lisa does a mean bit of coffee art.
Hi Emilie! THANKS! I am so glad to have found a kindred coffee spirit! Yes, take that trek to New England. You won’t regret it!
Hi Toni! Yes, I absolutely agree.
Holler - October 24, 2007 at 8:48 am
Ok, I will let you point me in the right direction, at least I could have something decent to offer guests then! I don’t think I will be in New England anytime soon, as much as I would love to, so no New England coffee house experiences for me! Pah!
DaviMack - October 24, 2007 at 10:01 am
Ahh, real coffee. Feel the envy from across the Atlantic as I put up with something inferior to TEA, even.
sognatrice - October 24, 2007 at 10:41 am
Well when I make it to New England, I’m definitely bringing this list with me. I love me some coffee as well 🙂
Sylvia - October 24, 2007 at 11:10 am
I am a addict of coffee too.The most part of time that I made a coffee I thought to my self: “This time ,Sylvia, you must be prepare the perfect coffee ” But..never happens 🙁 So…. I continuous in my quest of the perfect coffee made by myself.
Wonderful try,Jenn,and very intersting?
Deb - October 24, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Hey Jenn, I adore the smell of coffee, but am not a coffee drinker. But the way you are about coffee, I search out teas. A very popular coffee here in Key West that used to be roasted here is “Baby’s Coffee”. My hubby is a major fan of it and my brother even orders it online, as he lives in Knoxville. They used to roast it here, but got so large that they had to find a bigger facility so they moved to Miami. But the shop is still here on US 1. You may want to check out their website. Glad to see you are safely back home and had a wonderful “getaway”!
marye - October 25, 2007 at 5:10 pm
MMM..COFFEE….
We have a custom roast done for us by a local roaster. It really isn’t that much different in cost and the flavor is wonderful..just what we want, since it is done just for us. 🙂
There is really just nothing like good coffee. Well maybe chocolate and one other thing….
Windy - October 26, 2007 at 5:19 am
It’s a shame that I can’t drink coffee (hand shaking, fast heartbeating rate, can’t go to sleep…). But I do love the smell of it and the coffee look so good there, esp the kitty.
The Leftover Queen - October 26, 2007 at 6:56 am
Bummer Holler! I have to say that the coffee i had whilst in Scotland was not the best and in general coffee in Europe tends to be more bitter – which often times I do enjoy, but I have to be in the mood!
Hi DaviMack. Yes it is true, across the atlantic coffee is just not that great. When I have been there on occassion it was mostly instant. ick! (unless you are having a Greek Frappe! – that is an ingenious use of Nescafe). Tea has its beauty, but for me coffee takes the cake. Thanks for stopping by!
Good Sognatrice! I am telling you, you will love it!
Hi Sylvia! Another coffee addict! Good, I am not alone! That quest for the perfect cup is akin to the quest for the holy grail!
Yum, sounds great Deb. I will have to check them out. I love local coffee people!
Hey Marye!Yes, having it roasted by hand is so good. There is such a BIG difference in the taste! I am so with you on the coffee thing!
Hi Windy! What about decaf? Believe it or not Lisa drinks only decaf as well – but her decaf is THE BOMB – of course because it is what she drinks herself. 🙂
Cynthia - October 26, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Pure liquid love (lol) I am not a coffee lover but I understand the lure
The Leftover Queen - October 28, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Well you can understand Cynthia, because you love tea so much!
🙂
Cris - October 29, 2007 at 7:10 am
Oh I love coffee too!!! I would love to send you some, if you would like to try, please e-mail me your address Jenn. Oh, and you can see pictures of coffee on my photo blog here here. I used to roast and grind our own coffee at home.
The Leftover Queen - October 30, 2007 at 7:12 am
Thanks Cris! That sounds wonderful!
Belinda - October 31, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Athough I like coffee, I am a tea fanatic, to the point of panicking if I’m running low on my stash, generously supplied and regenerated often by my aunt in London. Your trip to New England sounds like such fun, and I’m so glad you got to indulge your passion for “real” coffee while you were there. 🙂
Rick - October 31, 2007 at 10:17 pm
I wish we had some artisan coffee shops here… or more at lest. Ever since I’ve been roasting my own coffee, I’ve given up on expecting a decent iced americano from the chain cafes. I even gave up on another independent cafe that I thought was so good, but really depends on who is the barista on duty. Does Lisa have a blog or website? I’d like to learn more about blending my roasts… Great coffee post!
The Leftover Queen - November 1, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Thanks Belinda! It really was awesome! I can understand any kind of coffee/tea/chocolate addicition! They are all similar in my book!
Hi Rick! I am so glad you stopped by! Lisa’s website is also on The Foodie Blogroll – her website is called Lisabeeen Home Roasted Coffee. Please check her out! She is awesome and glad to help!
Valerie - November 3, 2007 at 9:34 am
Lucky, lucky, lucky. I have yet to have a good cup of coffee or espresso here in Milton, FL. I miss Portland, OR so much and how passionate people were over there about their coffee. 🙁 I’m so glad you enjoyed your time there!
Laura Foley - March 10, 2008 at 3:05 pm
I always stop at Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters on my way to Western Massachusetts. They serve a Mexican coffee with cayenne pepper that is out of this world! I kind of got the same effect at home with my coffee press by adding about 1/4 t. cinnamon, 1 t. cocoa powder, and 1/8 t. cayenne pepper to the coffee. But SFCR has nothing to worry about.
The Leftover Queen - March 10, 2008 at 4:01 pm
That sounds really good! I do love my coffee!
Lesley - April 18, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I lived in New England, Maine to be specific, and found the plethora of Dunkin’ Donuts shops that bragged about their awful coffee discouraging and couldn’t believe that Boston’s Logan Airport only carries their coffee in their shops YUK! The small, independent coffee house is mos def the way to go. If you are ever in Phoenix, AZ try Lux – fabulous coffee house.