People love coffee. Especially along the West Coast. The Pacific Northwest has seen the rise of many coffee giants that have changed the way we view our daily brew.
Some believe that its prevalence out here has to do with barometric pressure, while others think that it gives our laid-back lifestyle a bit of pep.
Having spread all over the Arab (Arabia) world from Yemen and exported to Europe from the port city of Mokah (Mocha), to the origins of Western coffee culture originating in Italy or France, we find ourselves deeply steeped in a love for the stuff.
If you are a coffee drinker, you are somewhere between a semi-regular enjoyer or a downright addict. You may need a certain amount to get through the day or have countless rituals surrounding your cuppa o鈥� dirt. From a Timmy鈥檚 double-double to a latte at The Ledge, coffee lovers abound.
I sat down with Tim Knutton of Counterpart Coffee to get the scoop on coffee鈥檚 new wave, which we are seeing inklings of here in Squamish.
According to Knutton, coffee culture is shifting from your basic cup of brew to a more evolved experience. Due to our proximity to Vancouver, we are starting to see more refined elements of enjoying the beverage than in times gone by. Terms like direct trade, pour over, single origin and cold brew are becoming commonplace. We are starting to experience lighter roasts for more subtlety and flavour than the old 鈥渢he darker the better鈥� staple.
Downtown, we have recently welcomed the addition of 1914 Coffee Company. Owner Mike Chapman offers a revolving roaster caf茅 like many more avant-garde coffee houses do in the big city. He works with different coffee roasters much like a restaurant might serve an ever-changing list of wines. He is passionate about this iconic ancient beverage, hailing originally from Ethiopia where it grows wild, and if he is not busy, he can tell you more about coffee than you ever dreamed.
Chapman is much like his counterparts (haha) over at our local roastery who are fascinating to talk to about our daily go-juice. Knutton and his partner Emily Lehnan (both in life and java) had moved to 麻豆社国产to climb when they decided to open a roaster. What they thought was going to simply be a hobby has turned into a blossoming start-up supplying beans locally to Chapman at 1914 Coffee Company, Zephyr Cafe, Quest University and Ground Up Climbing Centre, as well as area enthusiasts.
According to Knutton, there have been a lot of home barristas coming out of the woodwork since they opened. Local folks with pretty high-end machines who are passionate about their daily brew. One such fellow buys between five and 10 pounds of green beans from them a week for his home use.
鈥淲e hear a lot of stories from 麻豆社国产residents about their coffee experiences around the world,鈥� says Knutton. As the outdoor recreation capital of Canada, our adventurous community has had experiences of coffee from Thailand to Jamaica, Italy to France and has come home with a thirst for a more elevated experience than what was once available.聽
While Squamptonians鈥� love for coffee may be attributed to wanting to be fueled up for adventures, it may also be shifting to something slightly more refined. A desire for the finer things in life and an esthetic experience, as opposed to just getting caffeinated.聽
The new wave of coffee takes time. Like a fine meal or a well-made cocktail, people are starting to slow down and take the time to enjoy the experience instead of just hitting the drive through.
Counterpart has recently opened a coffee cart they affectionately call 鈥淏umpy.鈥� Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at their location in the oh-so-happening business park. In addition to coffee drinks, they are serving up a few kinds of yummy jerky and baking from the newly opened Tall Tree Bakery to be found on Queen鈥檚 Way.
So if you are in the mood to get a glimpse into this whole new world of coffee culture, head over to the cart or stop by 1914. These guys are all on the cutting edge of a brave new world of bean juice, and we are lucky to have them.
