Blog — best coffee

When we talk about flavor in coffee, we’re never talking about just one factor. From the varietal of bean to the soil it grew in—all the way to how it fermented and dried, and how it was roasted—flavor is a journey, a story in the making. And it ends, most deliciously of all, with a sip from your very own cup.True, we talk a lot about coffee processing: the factor we’ve found to have the most pronounced impact on flavor. And no process is richer in history and tradition than the natural process. An age-old technique mastered first in Ethiopia,...

In case you missed it, last week (September 18-23) was Negroni Week. But is it too late to participate? Never!Last weekend, we celebrated in true Olympia Coffee fashion: by creating our own spins on the classic bitter-sweet, equal-parts cocktail. Typically a spirit-forward drink, the Negronis we crafted in our Columbia City cafe were distinctly missing the booze. Yet not missing out on deliciousness — thanks to a flavor-rich, flash-brewed coffee concentrate made with our Big Truck blend. Oh, and a few noteworthy favorites from our non-alcoholic spirits cabinet. Our U.S. Coffee in Good Spirits Champion Sam Schroeder is off to...

Cold coffee: so hot right now. (There, we said it.) Hot coffee, we love you too, forever and always. But even the die-hard, year-round hot coffee drinker must admit that there’s an undeniable appeal to the cloud-like froth of a cold foam or the alluring layers of an espresso tonic. We’re not here to convert you—only to politely posit that iced coffee can be a compelling base from which to have some fun (and maybe even get a little fancy). Though the height of summer doesn't immediately evoke "layering season," the luscious layers on these dressed-up, chilled-out coffee recipes might...

This week, we're cheering on our resident cup tasting legend Jake Donaghy as he heads to the World Cup Tasting Championships in Athens, Greece! Jake's journey from Olympia Coffee roaster and green coffee buyer to U.S. Cup Tasting Champion has been a wild and exciting ride for us, to say the least. For those following along, you might be thinking, "Wow, what a pro!" You might also be thinking: "How can I get this kind of tasting experience for myself?" Or, possibly: "What's with all the slurping?" Whatever your questions, Jake's here to help answer them! In this quick video,...

Over the next few months, we'll be taking some time here and there to highlight coffee themes we find intriguing, informative, and inspiring—and, y'know, just straight-up fun. So, to start off: welcome to Origin Week, where we're focusing in on some of the countries and regions of origin that produce the coffees we love so much. Beginning, appropriately, with where coffee started: East Africa. Nestled among the picturesque landscapes and fertile soils of countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Burundi, the coffee of East Africa has earned a distinguished reputation for distinctive flavors and unparalleled quality. The region's centuries-old coffee industry...