Boulder, Colorado, is renowned for its thriving coffee culture, and it’s no surprise that the city boasts some of the best coffee shops in the state. Several factors contribute to the widespread popularity of coffee in Boulder and the exceptional quality of its coffee shops. First and foremost, Boulder’s demographic makeup plays a significant role. The city is home to a diverse population of students, academics, tech professionals, and outdoor enthusiasts. This eclectic mix of residents fuels a strong demand for coffee, with people seeking caffeine for various purposes – whether... Read More

Coloradoans love their coffee.  Our state has been identified as one of the top places to live if good coffee is important to you.  According to a Gallup Poll, coffee consumption habits of Americans have remained relatively unchanged since 1999, with most people consuming slightly less than 3 cups per day.  Over the years, coffee has been touted as a healthy beverage and demonized as bad for you, but drinking plain coffee in moderation can benefit your health in both the long term and short term. Studies suggest that caffeinated drinks like coffee can improve motor and cognitive performance,... Read More

Part love letter, part visual treatise, A Film About Coffee is a beautiful documentary that explores the growing field of specialty coffee. It’s a short but comprehensive film that ebbs and flows from roastery to farm to café. With interviews from industry professionals around the world—including company owners, champion baristas, seasoned growers, and dedicated buyers—this food doc covers many bases to prove the importance of ethically sourced and skillfully crafted coffee. By showing the hard work and passion it takes to make a great cup of coffee, A Film About Coffee asks viewers to... Read More

Rosacea is a skin condition characterized by redness and often small, red, pus-filled bumps on the face. Over 3 million people are estimated to have rosacea and the signs and symptoms may flare up for a period of weeks to months and then diminish for a while. Rosacea can be mistaken for acne, an allergic reaction or other skin problems. The cause of rosacea is unknown, but it could be due to a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. A number of factors can trigger rosacea by increasing blood flow to the surface of your skin. Some of these factors include: Hot drinks Spicy foods Alcohol Temperature... Read More

As I’ve previously mentioned, coffee “beans” (seeds or pits) grow in moderate climates across the world on what’s referred to as the coffee belt. Coffee trees, which are actually more like tall bushes, are pruned short though they can grow to be over 25 feet tall. They are covered with waxy dark green leaves and blossoming fruit—of green, red, and yellow color—known as cherries, which grow along its branches. The beans or seeds are picked from inside the fruit once it’s ripened. While there are many different species of coffee plants, the two species that are commercially cultivated... Read More

Coffee is a popular beverage enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. Its popularity can be attributed to a number of factors, including its stimulating effect, rich taste, and versatility. Many people also enjoy the social aspect of coffee, with cafes and coffee shops serving as popular gathering places for friends and colleagues. One of the reasons why coffee is so popular is its caffeine content. Caffeine is a natural stimulant that helps to increase alertness and improve concentration. For many people, a cup of coffee is a crucial part of their morning routine, helping them to wake up and... Read More

One of the major issues in the coffee industry is sustainability. In every aspect and area of the business—from the farm to cup—there is room for growth when it comes to energy and waste management. The future of coffee (like any commodity dealing with climate change) depends on the ability of farmers, roasters, baristas, and customers to make smart decisions that favor long term sustainability goals. As consumers, we can choose to buy coffee from roasteries that participate in direct trade with farmers and cooperatives invested in environmentally sound growing practices. We can also make the... Read More

In Boulder, foliage is changing along with people’s outfits and appetites. Fall alters eating habits and restaurant menus along with the colors and temperatures of the city. Hearty foods made from autumnal produce like butternut squash and sweet potatoes, along with sweet treats like pumpkin pie and hot apple cider, are the order of the season.     Coffee tastes also shift with the seasons. Many coffee drinkers begin to crave toasty or velvety seasonal-flavored beverages as Fall progresses in to Winter. Autumn is when the pumpkin spice latte is king, or at least that’s how many major... Read More

  From the precision of performing an autopsy to the precision of pouring the perfect cup of craft coffee, a former medical student traded in his scalpel for coffee beans. Meet Brice! Born and raised in Boulder, this Colorado native holds true to his roots and opened a craft coffee house in Louisville with the humbling and overwhelming support of friends, neighbors and locals. It’s with undeniable passion that Brice runs his business, “I wanted to create a safe and friendly environment for communities to gather,” and it is very apparent. Brice strives to educate customers with a vast... Read More

There’s a common misconception that tipping is a generous act and that 10% of the bill should suffice. Unfortunately, we don’t live in an economy that justifies that train of thought or math. As the battle for restaurant workers to earn a living wage continues, it’s crucial for American consumers to remember to tip food servers—and tip them well—every time they dine out or order in (you should tip delivery people too). Food service employees depend on tips for their livelihood and customers who think tipping is optional are either totally oblivious or just cheap. In some states,... Read More

Coffee4Change aims to raise funds to aid local workers in Haiti, Honduras, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and Uganda. The money raised will help ensure that coffee farmers are utilizing the most effective business models and environmentally efficient techniques to grow and sell their crops. It sounds like an excellent way to support the prosperous future of ethical and sustainable coffee. You can get behind this great fund raiser for as low as the price of a cup of coffee. Check out the campaign’s website for more details.  Read More

The Denver magazine 5280 is highlighting the city’s ever-growing craft coffee culture in its latest issue. In addition to local cafe recommendations, the cover story also includes at-home brewing instructions and two glossary of terms for words you’re likely to find either on a bag of beans or on a coffeeshop menu. Not to self-promote conceitedly, but the magazine spread reads like a handy summary of my past posts here on this blog.  5280‘s list of recommendations ​is definitely worth ​reading, especially if you’re looking for a new spot to enjoy a cup of joe.... Read More

If I could host my own travel show, I’d drive across the United States visiting the best specialty coffeeshops and independent bookstores or public libraries that America’s cities have to offer. But since I don’t believe my tv dreams will come true, I’m going to share two wonderful spots in Downtown Denver instead, where you can pick up a book and head over to a nearby café to read it. Tattered Cover & Mercantile I don’t care how trendy or touristy it is, because Union Station is a beautiful place and I can’t fault its visiting crowds. If you go on a weekday, after Summer has ended,... Read More

With the recent opening of Ink! Coffee on Larimer and 28th, Denver’s River North Art District (RiNo) continues its food and coffee supremacy. RiNo, which is technically a part of the Five Points neighborhood, is already a nationally recognized food hub. The new location from the Aspen-based Ink!—one of Colorado’s biggest coffee chains—will most likely only fuel RiNo’s status as a popular culinary center. Ink! will be competing with two other coffee shops on Larimer Street—Huckleberry and Crema. On nearby Brighton Boulevard, coffee lovers will find two other options: Wystone’s at Industry... Read More

“Click, clack, click, clack”.. You are standing in line at Amante Coffee and you peer behind and expect to see a horse, or maybe a girl in high heels. Actually maybe it is a tap dancer. You first look down  and notice glossy white shoes, high socks, and the most muscular legs you have ever seen on a chick. As you continue to gaze up you soon realize that this hairless girl is actually a transvestite! The perfectly smooth legs had you thinking one way, but the tight spandex shorts quickly revealed the other! You continue to scan upward and soon realize that this transvestite is actually... Read More

The affogato is a beautiful concoction that blends the sweet creaminess of ice cream with the robust intensity of espresso. The simplest type of affogato consists of one scoop vanilla ice cream or gelato with hot espresso poured over it, although I’ve also tried some more decadent versions too (see photo below). While add-ons like chopped nuts, chocolate sauce, liqueur, fruit, or whipped cream can be delightful, I’m a purist who prefers just the two main ingredients. Even if you do like additional toppings, both the espresso and ice cream should still be fresh and tasty on their own. Unfortunately,... Read More

Colorado is edging towards a full shutdown as it was announced that non-essential workplaces must cut their workforce in half starting this week, sending yet another wave of people to sit at home. While you may be tempted to just live your life as you normally would, it’s best to stay at home to help #flattenthecurve so we can all get back to a normal life sooner rather than later. That being said, sitting at home can be boring and stressful for a population that’s hooked on their morning kombucha and yoga class, so here’s 7 ways to stay sane while staying inside. 1. Consider... Read More

One of my favorite things to do is go to cute local coffee shops on occasion! I love the variety of coffee shops, each one having a different little pizazz and style; makes paying $5 for a coffee (kinda) worth it if it’s a cute shop with a good atmosphere. In Boulder, there is no shortage of great coffee shops, and here are a few of the best. 1. The Laughing Goat Ah, The Laughing Goat is a favorite of the Boulder coffee scene and it makes sense why. A nice location a few blocks off of the busy Pearl Street Pedestrian Mall, the Laughing Goat is a nice little oasis. They have a tiny cute patio... Read More

Food Hall Boulder Food Hall to Open in Boulder in October Hidden Yoga Hidden Gems: Come Play At Nederland’s Mountain Yoga Haven Coffee in Cap Hill 3 Coffee Shops to Try in Capitol Hill Denver Local Arts Mouse Couch  Read More

The holiday season is here and there are plenty of great gift choices for the active cannabis consumer! In fact, there are so many options to choose from, we’ve compiled a short list of some of the best cannabis products and accessories for the active cannabis consumer in your life. All of these have been tested and hand-picked by cannabis athletes to ensure the best possible gifts for those who enjoy cannabis and being active. Every item below can also be purchased online, and legally shipped anywhere in the US! Stigma Activewear Stigma is on a mission to shatter the lazy stoner stereotype... Read More