In this cute informational video about coffee shop culture in London in the late ’50s and early ’60s, you’ll learn about the origin of the brew, how long you’ll have to sit with that single cup before the café is paying you, and what to wear so as not to incur nasty looks from boys with hair like Kenickie. Plus, you’ll get a glimpse of all the astrologists, painters, actresses, and students who would meet up in these pre-Starbucks coffee shops “to put the world right — or more often, left.” Be you hipster or grandma, kick back with a cup of coffee and click through to watch, and let us know what you think in the comments!
Like most people who spend their days behind a desk, we love our coffee. Last year, we were even inspired enough to make a mixtape about it. And if there’s one thing we know about people who feel strongly about coffee, it’s that they can also be really selective about it. While the world has been overrun with ubiquitous coffee-shop chains, it hasn’t shut out the best local businesses — the special breed of independent coffee house that draws loyal crowds with its style, charm, quirky staff, and often something more.
This month, we got our first taste of new Coffee-mate Natural Bliss — the all-natural way to add a splash of flavor to your brew — and it reminded us how much we appreciate the simplicity of coffee done right, the old-fashioned way. That’s the inspiration behind our roundup of some of the best coffee shops in the nation. We’ve got you covered from coast to coast with our list, but if you’re like us, you probably have even more favorites that we missed. Tell us what they are in the comments!
Ever wonder what your Starbucks barista is thinking as you step up the counter to pick your caffeinated poison? Well, while we imagine they aren’t all mentally categorizing you by age, occupation, gender, and race, at least one of them certainly is. In a hand-drawn chart Consumerist has picked up, one barista breaks her customers down into 15 handy stereotypes, ranging from Asians (black iced coffee) to mechanics (mocha Frappucino, apparently) to Indians (chai). Find yourself of the chart after the jump and let us know whether you’re entertained, bewildered, or offended.
Behold, the seamless combination of three of our favorite things: books, caffeinated beverages, and odd design. No, reader, you’re not hallucinating. This really is a Manhattan coffee shop (a branch of the D’Espresso chain) decorated to look like a library turned on its side. Our friends at Fast Company Design report that “[t]he “books” are actually tiles printed with sepia-toned photos of bookshelves at a local travel bookstore that ring the room, including the floor, walls and ceiling.” The wall on the left (or should we say the floor?) bears a “dark hardwood herringbone pattern.” Another awesome detail: The light fixtures hang sideways from a wall whose windows look like skylights.
It’s before noon on a Wednesday. There’s a good chance you’re not far from your next cup of coffee. Or from your last one. We’ve all become addicted to the delicious goodness and the caffeine high it generates with each delectable sip. It’s no surprise then that musicians have found a love of the deep black drink as well. Maybe it’s not as high on the songwriting subject list as sex or love or breakups or drugs, but some musicians have such passion for the drink that it has made for some tremendous tunes. Here, what we think are the best ones.
Day 3 of YACHT‘s guest-blogging. On Day 1, the band delved into the high-style of Freemason Fashion Week. After revealing Cults You Didn’t Know Were Cults yesterday, YACHT’s Jona and Claire have prepared their Five Favorite Secret Cult Rituals for today.
Time was, you could start a cult, pump it full of esoteric rituals and hush-hush regalia, and — barring any squealers — keep it totally secret. In this day and age, however, secret rituals are secret no more. The cumulative effect of conspiracy theorists, surreptitious camcorder-toters, and YouTube self-publishing has pierced almost all the veils of obfuscation, and we can now peer into the darkness. To boot, the Internet has brought us not only the top-secret rituals, but also those that are simply far-flung, from tribal hero’s trials to pagan circles. Here, we expose our own favorite human rituals. Read More »
Using a tactic that is virtually the reverse of its typical omnipresent cluster openings, Starbucks’ new plan for coffee supremacy is to go stealth by opening up new stores that claim to be “inspired by Starbucks” when, in fact, they actually are Starbucks — after a fashion. 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea is the name of the first Seattle shop, which opened its doors last week. Read More »
Maybe we’re feeling jittery right now, but the adjectives we’re psyched about currently are as follows: light, soft, round, voluptuous, caramel-scented, citrusy, brambly. Brambly? What does that even mean? We got the chance to find out when David Latourell of Intelligentsia Coffee Roaster shared some words and a pot of just-in (“pre-production”) Tanzanian single-origin coffee (meaning that rather than a blend, this coffee came from just one farm) with us this week. Read More »
