The Perfect Roast: Bringing Together the Blends of Coffeeshops Near Me for My Beat

I'm a traveling joe on the lookout for great coffeehouses and the culture behind each one near me.

Since an early age I have always loved coffee. I would sneak sips from my father's white mug. My face would crumple as I tasted the hot, bitter, black coffee. I pretended to like it because it made me more like my father. Now that I am 21 years-old, I cannot get enough of it. It fuels my long days and pairs perfectly with a sweet scone.

As the opportunity unfolded on choosing a beat, I had to write what I knew: coffee. There is a culture surrounding coffee and cafes that many people do not know about. Working as a barista for three years granted me access to knowledge surrounding coffee, cafes This was my goal: to shed light on the coffee industry through getting to know the coffee shops in the Tri-Cities. Luckily, there are many coffee shops in the area that offer endless opportunities of stories.

On the list of to-do's is writing an event story aligned to my beat. This time of year is busy with events surrounding Valentine's Day. Luckily, there is an event in downtown Johnson City where Early Bird Coffee Company will attend. Early Bird is a traveling coffee business that brings a cup of joe to events in the Tri-Cities. I am looking forward to delighting in a cup of coffee and getting to see how they serve the masses.

Secondly, I must write a profile story about a coffeehouse/cafe. I will focus on the coffeeshops that are right outside of the Tri-Cities for the coffee nomads. The Girl and the Raven Cafe, The Coffee Company, and The Corner Cup are all coffeeshops and cafes on the outskirts of the Tri-Cities that enable one to escape the mundane and try something new close by.

With many coffeehouses in the area, the feature story must present a coffeehouse that offers something different from the rest. It is important to get behind the bean--where does the coffee come from and what sets it apart. Pike House in Johnson City roasts their own beans in house. They will walk us through the process of roasting and how this makes a difference with each cup of coffee. In Kingsport, Hibbert Davis offers a variety of fair trade coffee and teas. I will look into what fair trade means to their coffeeshop and how the process matters. Lastly, I will visit Bloom Cafe and ask about the process of their coffee making--what makes their coffee gourmet? Where does it come from? Moreover, in each of these locations, I will interview people at each coffeehouse and get their feedback regarding their coffee/food.

I look forward to going to small businesses in the area and getting to know more about their passions about bringing coffee to the Tri-Cities. This is a great opportunity to learn more about my community while growing my understanding of coffee and trade.