Coffee talk: What's your favorite brand of coffee?

Im pretty sure there are no Tim Hortons in Houston. Last time I had it was when I was in Canada- that stuff is awesome. Their version of the frappuccino was so much better than Starbucks, I was blown away.

 

In Houston, Fontana Coffee Roasters is some of the best available. I live in Austin and get it from a friend of the owner, but I'm sure you can find it around town. Seriously. I'm a coffee freakin' nerd. These guys are legit:

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2010/02/houston_coffee_scene_fontana_c.php

 

for whole bean coffee, House of Coffee Beans is awsome. Everything they have was not roasted more than 7 days ago at their own facility. Great locally owned shop that roasts their own beans. They travel all around to visit farms and know the growers personally. Nowhere else can you learn everything about what you are buying from the farm to bag.

 

LOL, you seriously believe that?

 

I believe it. The owner gave a lecture at my wife's culinary school, and they import from all over the world and make a point of establishing relationships with farmers. I live in one of the most coffee-centric cities in the US, and I hold House of Coffee Beans in higher regard than almost every other roaster up here.

 

So they go to south america and talk to farmers? Why would they do that?

 

I know the owner has gone to South America, India, and other locations to procure beans and establish relationships with farmers. I'm not saying he has met every single farmer that grows the beans they use or that he goes to see them every year. Places like Starbucks have regional procurers that handle all of that stuff. House of Coffee Beans is much smaller in nature and establishes relationships with their providers. I'm assuming they can also help dictate growing conditions for their beans by doing this.

But you're being an asshat and dismissive of this amazing bean shop. Clearly, you haven't been or spoken to the owners or the people who work there.

 

Yeah clearly.

 

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Kopi Luwak... when only the finest in beans pooped by a mammal and costs $300/lbs. will do...

 

It's called an origin trip. It's not something uncommon for a roaster to do. They get to check out a grower's operation, cup the beans, and reach a deal on prices. The head bean from Fontana is in Zambia this week for such a trip.

 

Organo Gold , also comes with Organo Gold Jamaican Blue Mountain

 

Someone explain the appeal of coffee. It all tastes horrible to me

 

Highly overrated. Seriously.

 

I love the dunkin donuts original blend with some french vanilla coffee mate.

 

Katz's coffee.

I get it at the Eastside Farmers Market on Saturday mornings...unless I've had a gig Friday night!

 

Lavazza Crema a Gussto in the Moka Pot.

 

No. I worked in Calgary for a bit, and got addicted. You can find it in some grocery stores, though. When I see it, I usually buy three or four tins.

 

I'm quite surprised by that. For someone who has been there, I don't understand your stout disbelief that the owners would travel to meet the farmers who grow their beans. As JaWindex said, it's called an origin trip. If I still lived in Houston, I would be buying all of my beans from the House of Coffee Beans.