In the Pacific Northwest excellent coffee is everywhere, and java drinkers take the quality of their brew very seriously. Olympia is brimming with excellent local coffee and knowledgeable baristas. We took to the streets to find out why our local baristas think that coffee in our community is so fantastic.
Graeme Smith, a barista at Dancing Goats Espresso, says that it’s because the customers have such a high appreciation of coffee. “The customers all really want good coffee and have high expectations for Pacific Northwest coffee, especially local coffee roasters. We’re the front of the world in coffee. It’s really the customers who are asking for the higher quality, and so that is what allows us to brew great coffee.” Graeme recommends ordering a doppio (a double espresso). “Straight espresso – it’s the most flavor you can get from coffee,” he says.
Cassidy Gaver, barista at downtown Olympia’s Batdorf & Bronson, says the quality, traditional coffee they serve keeps customers happy. “I think it’s so good because there is a lot of competition, so that means that we really have to be the best,” she says. “I also think our customers know what they want. It’s definitely a higher standard. The macchiato (espresso with a bit of steamed milk) is a great choice. You really get to sample the coffee. We like to do things traditionally here and really let you experience that coffee culture. Our drip coffee is always really good, too.”
Alex Coxen serves up Pacific Northwest roasted coffee at Caffe Vita and he says that the Washington climate is conducive to the coffee culture. “I’m from Port Townsend, and saying it’s the weather sounds so cheesy, but I think it’s true. I’ve lived in hotter places too, and I’ve actually abandoned hot coffee for periods of time, but it just feels really good here,” he says. Alex’s recommendation for the perfect cup of joe? “Espresso whether straight or in a short Americano is how I prefer it,” he shares. “The cappuccinos are really good too.”
Lucy Sherman of Olympia Coffee Roasting says that the customers drive the quality coffee culture. “I worked as a barista for three years in New York City, and I think the difference here is it’s not a grab and go kind of culture. People actually ask me questions about the coffee. They want to know what’s going on with the business. They are invested in us as much as we are invested in them. On the East Coast it’s kind of a ‘get me my caffeine so I can survive the rest of the day,’ mentality whereas here it’s more personal. People are willing to invest in quality. People are willing to try new coffees and really hold on to their coffee shop and their coffee roasters. It’s a little more of a culture here than it is anywhere else in the world,” she says.
Alex Cooper and Bella Snow serve up coffee with a smile at Mud Bay Coffee Company. When asked why Northwest coffee is such a phenomenon they agree it’s the weather. “It’s something unique to the Northwest. I lived in Austin, Texas before this and there’s nothing, no coffee shops other than Starbucks, and it’s just a wholly different environment here,” Bella says. “I have friends from all over the world and they associate the Northwest with rain and coffee,” Alex says.
Owner Ken Campbell adds, “I think it has to do with the climate. It’s also a social setting. We want it to feel like your living room, and it’s more of an experience. It’s more of a craftsmanship here – the customers, the coffee shops, and the roasters are more educated about coffee here. There’s more of an attitude of buy local in the Northwest too.”
Lacey’s Schoolhouse Coffee is a newcomer to the Thurston County coffee scene and its artisan approach is being embraced by the community. Baristas Kaleb Klaus has been serving at Schoolhouse Coffee for over a year and shares, “What I love about Olympia’s coffee scene is that despite the popularity of coffee throughout the Northwest, it remains unique. It’s about people just as much as it is about coffee. That’s the culture that we have embodied at Schoolhouse Coffee as well, we are all about amazing coffee and our amazing community.”
Olympic Crest Coffee Roasters is just that – a roaster first and foremost with a focus on consistent, quality roasting to provide a perfect brew every time. The company offers fundraising opportunities, custom roasting and a comfy café and convenient drive thru. “Our long damp winters here in the Pacific Northwest are one of the reasons for our coffee culture,” shares owner Chuck Kennedy. “Another is how friendly the people in the Northwest are. We like to gather at local coffee shops for socializing and we fill the need by providing a locally owned coffee shop that is family friendly.”
There’s a Thurston County coffee shop and a satisfying beverage to suit everyone’s tastes. Whether you’re sipping an iced latte on a hot summer day, enjoying several cups of drip coffee on a chilly winter morning, or tasting espresso in the fall, Olympia showcases the excellent Pacific Northwest coffee scene. Get out there and experience local coffee today. There’s a friendly barista waiting to prepare the perfect drink just around the corner.
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