Ground Local: Five coffee roasters to sample this winter
Ground Local: Five coffee roasters to sample this winter:
Hatchet Coffee Roasters Boone
Customers at Hatchet can enjoy some food (sandwiches, baked goods) along with freshly-brewed cups of java; by-the-bag blends are available at the café or on their website. At Hatchet, giving back to the community is important, with percentages of select bags sold benefitting the Blue Ridge Conservancy over the years, and local recovery groups post Helene. This winter, look for Hatchet’s Holiday Magic blend of Ethiopian and Brazilian coffees that make “a sweet and fruited candy-like cup”. For Valentine’s, the Heart Blend “creates a chocolate-covered cherry sort of vibe.” 150A Den Mac Dr.; www.hatchetcoffee.com
Notorious Coffee Roasting Company Marshall
Boasting several locations to enjoy freshly brewed coffee or purchase by the pound, Notorious also has a presence at the Weaverville Tailgate Market that’s open year-round on Wednesdays. And owner Jeff Lowe is trotting out a special coffee blend for this winter. “As winter’s chill sets in, find warmth in a cup of Notorious Coffee’s Holiday Blend,” he explains. “Crafted from a rich harmony of Central American and Indonesian beans, this medium roast—with a touch of dark roast—offers a perfectly balanced flavor with subtle, smoky notes that linger with every sip.” 3811 Little Pine Rd Marshall; (828) 575-4150; www.notoriouscoffee.com
Little Guatemala Morganton
A niche coffee shop/roaster/café, Little Guatemala was created by North Carolina native Erica Ramazzini and her husband Christian. The roaster sources its coffee from three regions in Guatemala: Antigua, Huehuetenango, and San Marcos. Not only does Little Guatemala offer traditional food at its brick-and-mortar location off Main Street, they also sell quite a bit of authentic Guatemalan chocolate. Their 70% dark chocolate bar is made from cacao originating in the area of Alta Verapaz. 810 East Union St.; (828) 475-6593; www.littleguatemala.com
Blue Ridge Bootleg Coffee Sylva
A native NC mountain man, Matt King draws on that cultural heritage and career as a songwriter and touring musician to create brews that appeal to a wide range of coffee aficionados. Bootleg brews small batches that are barrel aged. Whether by the pound or pour, the roastery in Sylva’s historic district offers, in addition to coffee, sweets and pastries, live music, and more, all set in a warm, rustic environment. Check out their house-made syrups, including Jalapeño Caramel, for a little spice in your life. 582 W. Main Street; www.blueridgebootleg.com
PennyCup Coffee Asheville
The company’s roaster and wholesale operation is in the heart of the River Arts District, but they have four other shops around Asheville. PennyCup Coffee is a small-batch roaster committed to ethically sourced coffee, notes Morgan Blanton, Wholesale Accounts & Marketing Manager. Founded in 2013 by Amber Arthur and Bill Tanner, it’s named after the rebel-rousers of the 17th century who gathered to sip endless cups of caffeinated coffee and engage in revolutionary rhetoric—all for a penny. PennyCup doesn’t vary its menu too often, but Blanton says each location has its own specialty drinks, and its own vibe. Multiple locations and phone numbers; www.pennycupcoffeeco.com