Coffee, coffee, coffee

When Team Charm discusses Charmington’s within our own meetings, we say over and over that we want people to think of us as more than a coffee shop.  That’s well and good, of course, as we intend to have a great food menu and some catering options, especially for our Millers Court neighbors.  But, man, coffee is good.

As I type this, I’m sipping a brew that is helping me stay awake, but does my soul no good, and I’m dreaming of the day Charmington’s brews its first cup.

If all goes according to plan, we’ll be using Counter Culture.  Many of us have worked in other local shops and fielded questions about why we weren’t using a local roaster.  We have nothing against any of the local roasters, but we have so much FOR Counter Culture.

Taste

Counter Culture is what we’ve preferred across the board in taste tests.  Dark roast, medium roast, espresso: Counter Culture’s offerings have been consistently richer, mellower, and more delicious than the competition.

Values

Counter Culture practices Direct Trade with their supplier farmers.  Their minimum per-pound price exceeds the Fair Trade price floor by 19%, and they practice open and direct communication with the farmers who grow the coffee.

Training

Counter Culture offers some great training and education programs for baristas, and since, as I’ve mentioned, we’re mostly baristas with day jobs, a lot of us are chomping at the bit to get better at our craft.

We’ve had great experiences working with Counter Culture at other shops, and we’re definitely looking forward to working with them again.