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need coffee. If this is your first conscious thought before you even roll out of bed, you are not alone. Fifty-four percent of Americans drink coffee every day.
The $ 40 billion-a-year coffee industry has practically become a national pastime in the U. S., and this winter coffee drinkers will warm their frozen bodies with an average of three cups per day.
Its roots in American culture go back as far as the birth of our country. The British government’ s high tax on tea and the subsequent Boston Tea Party pretty much guaranteed coffee’ s place at the table in the Colonies. In 1824, Thomas Jefferson called coffee“ the favorite drink of the civilized world.” In the new millennium, according to the National Association of
Coffee, after crude oil, coffee is the most sought commodity in the world. We can thank Starbucks for introducing the masses to the world of coffee vernacular like grande, frappe and macchiato, and for addicting the next generation of hot beverage drinkers to the roasted bean’ s alluring aroma.
We can also thank the caffeine conglomerate for a surge in cozy coffeehouses where we can quench our cravings at locally owned establishments like Brew Ha Ha, Brick House Coffee and Coffee Culture.
The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine( LECOM) originally started Coffee Culture as a study center for their medical students but decided to open to the public six years ago.
Pretty much any coffee you can think of— from espresso and lattes to a plain cup of joe— is on the menu. Plus it has a nice selection of freshly baked muffins, cookies and danishes.
“ People come for the atmosphere and the great-priced coffee. It’ s cheaper than the chains in the area and we have a very friendly staff,” says Coffee Culture manager Tom Enssley.
The free Wi-Fi attracts many college students as well as professionals who use Coffee Culture as a place to work or have meetings.
The Brew Ha Ha Espresso Bar and Eatery opened in Colony Plaza in 2013 and has been keeping the west side happily caffeinated since.
The coffee shop boasts fresh-brewed coffee that is roasted in-house. The hot beverage menu is an exhaustive and creative list of coffee and tea creations. One of the most popular is the Mayan Mocha, which is a blend of coffee, cayenne and other spices. On the tea side, the Purple Haze— green tea with lavender— is one of the reigning favorites.
Brew Ha Ha manager Jesse Cammarata takes pride in the product and makes sure each barista is fully trained to speak on each coffee and to make consistently good drinks. They especially excel at the latte.
“ The perfect latte starts with the espresso shots. They have to have the right grind and pressure, which creates a crema foamy layer on the espresso. Then the steaming of the milk has to be right. You have to not only heat it, but also give it texture with the air. That thickness allows for the latte art on top, which makes a great presentation,” says Cammarata.
Brick House Coffee on West 26th has that indie / hipster coffeehouse vibe. With free Wi-Fi, you can a enjoy a few caffeine-filled hours lounging in a club chair or read a book from the stocked bookshelves.
The hot beverage menu is one you might expect, with the usual suspects like espresso, lattes, chai, etc., but there are a few surprises. You can order beer, wine or a signature cocktail at Brick House, making it the perfect place to catch up with a friend.
For the commuter or mom with a car full of kids, Brick House Coffee also has a drive-through window so you can get your java fix without leaving your car.
The Daily Grind room is also available for rental, with pocket doors that can close to separate it from the rest of the café for privacy. n
“ People come for the atmosphere and the great-priced coffee. It’ s cheaper than the chains in the area and we have a very friendly staff.”
Photo by Angela Magee. Photo by Angela Magee.
Millcreek | Winter 2016 | icmags. com 63