3 Coffees & Teas We're Drinking Right Now
The cool thing about being home – besides all the mostly guilt-free online shopping we’re doing – is that we’re trying more coffees and teas than we might have otherwise. Shopping small and shopping local has taken on new meaning in the age of quarantine.
Since we’ve started the process of roasting ourselves, we’ve discovered firsthand that there’s something extra special about putting your heart into products this way. We swear you can taste the difference.
We’re obsessed with tasting the love others have poured into their blends. Here’s what we’re drinking right now:
Black & White Roasters, Wake Forest, NC - The Classic, Colombia | Peru
When we visited North Carolina at the end of 2018, Jeronica was on a mission. She went to try Black & White. Once she got there, they were so generous and helpful, we came back home with more bags than we could fit in our suitcases! She hasn’t stopped talking about them since, which is why our CFO ordered her a few more bags just a couple of weeks ago.
In addition to The Classic, we also got a Gesha. Black & White Geshas are sold at reasonable prices which allows more people to try it. Geshas (or Geishas) are typically on the costlier side, which can be prohibitive. On more than just this point, you can tell how much Black & White cares about advancing coffee quality and culture. Who doesn’t love that?
Kenz Coffee Roasters, Saratoga, CA - Ethiopia Qonqona and Guatemala Antigua
Our first experience with Kenz was when the micro-roaster showcased at Voyager Craft Coffee in Santa Clara, CA. Our relationship deepened with Kenz after we both participated on an entrepreneurship panel at Campbell Coffee House just last year.
The care and attention put into Kenz roasts is undeniable. Upon drinking our first cup, we immediately tasted blueberry notes so strong we had to confirm what we’d tasted by going back to check the flavor profile on the bag. And sure enough! Blueberries! Anyone who enjoys the complexity of coffee will love Kenz. Not to mention, they're just great people.
Jeddah’s Tea, Durham, NC - Somali Daallo Blend Concentrate, Spiced Black Tea
We were recommended Jeddah’s by a good friend of ours who lives in Durham. As soon as shelter-in-place hit, she reminded us about the tea room, which made ordering their products even sweeter. (They also have Bay Area roots, which was an unexpected surprise.) Jeddah’s has been super transparent about what they need to keep operating through this time – down to the number of products they must sell a day: 40.
We appreciate that transparency. We ordered three. For the last few days, I’ve been sipping on their delightfully flavorful spiced black tea concentrate. It’s sweet, without being overwhelming. It works hot or cold, but I’ve been drinking it hot by just adding water. This morning, I filled a teapot to drink it as it cools while listening to Erykah Badu and writing. Total post #verzuz mood.
—
What else should we be drinking right now? What are you drinking right now? (We’ve got wine covered, but those suggestions are always welcomed as well!) Send us your recs here or on any of our social channels.