From market trips to weekend getaways, the Chevy Trax’s versatile cargo space ensures you’re always ready for life’s adventures.
Baby, it’s cold outside. Thus, I find myself wondering, how are we ever going to make it through another winter in Metro Detroit? By warming ourselves from the inside out with a steaming cup of coffee, that’s how.
Whether you’re one of those people who say, ”Don’t talk to me until I’ve had my coffee!” (FYI, if you are, you’re probably a jerk the rest of the day, too), or you’re just an occasional java drinker, there are many coffee roasters in the area to take advantage of. All apologizes to our neighbors of the north, but why guzzle mediocre drive-thru coffee when you can sip a fresh, locally roasted cup? Can’t come up with a good answer? I didn’t think so.
And unless you’re a coffee connoisseur, you might be surprised by the number of coffee roasters not just downtown, but in the Metro Detroit area as well. Let’s take a look, shall we?
Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company, 3965 Woodward Ave., Detroit, is probably the area’s most well known coffee-roasting establishment. The roastery itself is located in Bloomfield Hills, and all of the coffee served at the midtown coffee bar is Fair Trade Certified.
While the coffee, drink and food menu changes often, you’ll always find freshly roasted and freshly brewed coffees, local craft beers, wines, and small plates. In addition to the downtown location, there are additional Great Lakes coffee bars in Bloomfield and Lake Orion.
Roasting Plant, 660 Woodward Ave., Detroit, is a New York transplant—besides the two in NYC, we’re the only other location out there. Grab a coffee from the Roasting Plant and you’ll be drinking a cup of coffee made from the finest beans around, roasted to perfection.
There are several specialty holiday drinks on the menu, including Good Cheer Blend (with spicy clove, red currant and black cherries), Sulawesi Tana Toraja (with spice, caramel and cedar), and Sumatra Red Badger (with wild truffle, cocoa and cedar).
HenriettaHaus Coffee Roasters calls the Rust Belt Market, 22801 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, home, and produces some of the best coffee you’ll drink all weekend long. Since the beans procured from local farmers are available in limited quantities, it’s likely you’ll find something a little different at HenriettaHaus each time you’re there.
Head to the Rust Belt Market this weekend for a cup of joe and you might find yourself drinking Nicaragua Mozonte Finca Oro Verde (“green gold” coffee with notes of chocolate and marzipan), or something equally exotic.
HenriettaHaus coffee has even worked its way into a flavor at Treat Dreams: Coffee & Waffles ice cream made with cold brewed Guatemalan coffee was a huge hit this past summer.
Germack Coffee Roasting Co., 2517 Russell St., Detroit, is, not surprisingly, a division of the pistachio corporation of the same name. The coffee roasting company was established last year, and it’s clear that the Germack family knows what they’re doing when it comes to java.
The coffee roastery and espresso bar is located right next door to Germack’s Pistachio Co. store in Eastern Market. After you enjoy a freshly roasted cup, you’re probably going to want to stock up on some whole beans to take home. Lucky for you, Germack Coffee is available for wholesale, and you can bring home flavors like Holiday Blend, Espresso Blend, El Salvador, and Dark Roast.
Commonwealth Café, 300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, is another popular coffee-lovers oasis, where the beans are roasted behind the counter, right before your very eyes. Each coffee is brewed to order by the cup, so you’re always drinking the freshest coffee possible.
The drink menu is full of espresso drinks, hot drinks, and daily offerings including freshly roasted beans from Guatemala, Ethiopia, Kenya and Colombia.
In addition to the coffee drinks, Commonwealth serves breakfast and lunch every day, as well as brunch on the weekends. You know what this means—grab a book, homework, or rough draft of your latest novel and get ready to camp out.
Chazzano Coffee Roasters, 1737 E. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, has a long history—it was started in New Jersey, then moved to Chicago before ending up in Farmington Hills, and now, Ferndale.
Owner Frank Lanzkron-Tamarazo is so passionate about coffee that he doesn’t serve food at the café. No need to take attention away from the star of the show! Some of which includes blends like Brazil Santos, Nicaragua Jinotega, Guatemala San Marcos and Ethiopia Washed Sidamo blends.
Forget grabbing your coffee at a chain for the remainder of the week. Swing by any of the above coffee roasters and cafes, and you’ll not only savor the taste more, but you’ll also keep your head from hitting your desk mid afternoon.
