It's the Beans, Coffee, That Is

[weinoo]

Can anyone point me in the right direction. I'm looking to buy high-quality, freshly roasted beans. Intellegentsia, Counter Culture, Stumptown, Gimme, etc. would all work.

Where should I go?

[Rovers2000]

I would check out China Town Coffee Co. (http://chinatowncoffee.com/blog/). I know they have Intellegentsia teas and what not. I've never picked up freshly roasted beans there, but I would think it'd be a good bet (or give them a call to double check).

[JPW]

Mitch,

I'm no coffee expert, but have you tried one of our local roasters, Mayorga?

[DaRiv18]

Intelligentsia: Chinatown Coffee on H St NW or SOVA on H St NE. G Street Food also carries it but not sure if retail.

Counter Culture: I get mine at Bolla, next to Old Ebbit Grill on G Street. It closes at 4pm though. The other stores where I used to buy CC have closed, so not sure. EDIT: Big Bear Cafe in Bloomingdale offers it too, for a more traditional coffeehouse setting.

ME Swing's: DC's oldest roasting operation. They are to coffee beans what Ben's is to chili. Trying to be subtle here . . .

EDIT: Sidamo roasts their own coffees, too, Ethiopean style. Cool spot.

There is an intriguing Bourbon that I liked on L Street, near that Eli's Gathering Place that you visited. High quality beans, but I had to ask for the fresh ones.

[JPW]

ME Swing's: DC's oldest roasting operation. They are to coffee beans what Ben's is to chili. Trying to be subtle here . . .

I think that that is a very accurate comparison.

[Scott Johnston]

Intelligentsia: we order our's mail order http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/

I would check out China Town Coffee Co. (http://chinatowncoffee.com/blog/). I know they have Intellegentsia teas and what not. I've never picked up freshly roasted beans there, but I would think it'd be a good bet (or give them a call to double check).

[youngfood]

Sidamo roasts their own coffees, too, Ethiopean style. Cool spot.

Seconded. They roast their own beans daily. Go pick them up on a Sunday afternoon at 2:00 and watch the traditional Ethiopian Coffee ceremony they do weekly. As a bonus, you are supporting a local, family-run small business. How can you beat that?

[Buckinghamilton]

Tryst sells their House Blend (made from Counter Culture beans). Open City might, too - not positive.

[Billy DeLion]

My favorite is Misha's in Old Town

[porcupine]

While we're at it, does anyone know of a place to buy high quality unroasted beans?

[Beto]

Why don't you write or give me a call? I'm a micro-roaster located in Finksburg, MD and roast only after I received the order. A couple of my coffees were favorably reviewed in the Washington Post.

My company is tiny, nowhere near as large as Counter Culture or Intelligentsia, but on quality, I believe that we're every bit as good.

-Jeff

[weinoo]

While we're at it, does anyone know of a place to buy high quality unroasted beans?

Now that, I'm going to mail order for:

Sweet Maria's

[saf]

Have you tried Fresh off the Roast? Petworth's own fresh roasted coffee! I know it's available at Qualia, on Georgia and Randolph.

http://www.freshofftheroast.com/qualia.html

[weinoo]

Thanks for all the responses. For my first purchase of beans here in the district, and because I was sorta heading in that general direction, I stopped at SOVA, at 1359 H St. NE. I was delighted to find freshly roasted Stumptown beans (at least 4 varieties which had been roasted 3 days earlier) and had a nice converstion with the owner, whom I believe is Frank.

Says that they're the first place in DC to carry Stumptown beans, and plans on getting in freshly roasted beans on a weekly basis. Also in stock was at least one variety of Intellegentsia.

I'm sure that everyone knows this, even though I didn't - but driving on H St. is a bit like driving on the unpaved Baja. Lots of fun and excitement.

[Beto]

Thanks for all the responses. For my first purchase of beans here in the district, and because I was sorta heading in that general direction, I stopped at SOVA, at 1359 H St. NE. I was delighted to find freshly roasted Stumptown beans (at least 4 varieties which had been roasted 3 days earlier) and had a nice converstion with the owner, whom I believe is Frank.

Says that they're the first place in DC to carry Stumptown beans, and plans on getting in freshly roasted beans on a weekly basis. Also in stock was at least one variety of Intellegentsia.

I'm sure that everyone knows this, even though I didn't - but driving on H St. is a bit like driving on the unpaved Baja. Lots of fun and excitement.

Frank Hankins, the owner of Sova, is good people and has a real dedication to quality.

[stupidusername]

Thanks for all the responses. For my first purchase of beans here in the district, and because I was sorta heading in that general direction, I stopped at SOVA, at 1359 H St. NE. I was delighted to find freshly roasted Stumptown beans (at least 4 varieties which had been roasted 3 days earlier) and had a nice converstion with the owner, whom I believe is Frank.

Says that they're the first place in DC to carry Stumptown beans, and plans on getting in freshly roasted beans on a weekly basis. Also in stock was at least one variety of Intellegentsia.

Though not in DC proper, Boccato Gelatos in Clarendon has Stumptown coffee beans for retail purchase.

[Nichole]

Grape + Bean in Old Town has Counter Culture beans (and a Clover machine). They have a pretty good selection that rotates frequently. I don't drink much coffee, but when I do, I make the trip across the river for a cup from the Bean.

Peregrine Espresso on the Hill also has Counter Culture beans.

[marketfan]

Grape + Bean in Old Town has Counter Culture beans (and a Clover machine). They have a pretty good selection that rotates frequently. I don't drink much coffee, but when I do, I make the trip across the river for a cup from the Bean.

Peregrine Espresso on the Hill also has Counter Culture beans.

Cork Market on 14th just north of S carries Stumptown roasted beans....

[Scott Johnston]

I tried Stumptown for the first time this weekend and was very impressed.

[DaRiv18]

Have you tried Fresh off the Roast? Petworth's own fresh roasted coffee! I know it's available at Qualia, on Georgia and Randolph.

http://www.freshofftheroast.com/qualia.html

I think their website has changed, and I never realized it was called Fresh Off the Roast before, always thought it was just Qualia coffee (but you're right, now I see it on the label). http://qualiacoffee.wordpress.com/

At any rate, just wanted to acknowledge that I have been very happy with their beans of late, and I bypass more convenient venues for me to go to Petworth. Often times the beans I get have been roasted that day, on the premises. As I type, I'm enjoying an excellent Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Kochere, starts out light and teases acid, but finishes with a satisfying chocolate roundness.

[ScotteeM]

Since this thread has been updated, I'll throw out my two cents for Sommo Coffee. I've been buying their various offerings through a buying club for more than a year now, and I really enjoy them. The website lists retail outlets and offers online ordering. They are local (Reston) and roast to order.

[porcupine]

...and for fans of Blue Bottle beans, you can find them at Grape + Bean. They arrive every Thursday or Friday, so don't make a special trip on, say, Wednesday to get them or you may be disappointed.