craze It’s high time to meet the latest installment of Tampa Bay’s specialty beverage craze. Craft coffee, a relatively new term in the industry, simply defines itself as the pursuit of a highquality java brew. The emphasis is on the story of the coffee, from the origin of the beans to their diverse blending styles. To better understand the phenomenon, we’ve caught up with one particular brick-and-mortar coffee shop making waves in this emerging trend. CAFE VINO TINTO PHOTOS BY YANI RAMOS. FOUNDATION COFFEE CO. PHOTOS BY TIM SOMMER, SOMMER BRANDING. f • Central America: brown sugar, cocoa and spice • Kenya: bright, juicy, tartly sweet • Ethiopia: sweet berry, jasmine and lemongrass oundation Coffee Co., a familyowned establishment located in Riverview and Tampa Heights, has made it their mission to showcase some of the �������������������������������������������������������������������������� To owners Jason and Emily, I indirectly posed a question: Could those of us with tricky taste buds and steadfast caffeine routines really be brave enough to jump on the plain black coffee bandwagon? The answer is a resounding “yes.” Simply put, there’s nothing “plain” about specialty coffee. By foregoing the tempting packet of Sweet’N Low, drinkers are encouraged to savor the nuanced character and distinct notes in each additive-free cup. ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ even be associated with common buzzwords like: Central America, Kenya and Ethiopia. Beyond regional palettes and attentive brewing styles, the small batch roaster remains the most important secret in creating craft specialty coffee. By working with only a small volume of coffee beans per batch, this method offers unparalleled attention to detail and complete control over tasting variables. Small batch roasters carefully discard defective beans while also perfecting temperature, ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� produced coffee, the focus is on quality, not quantity. Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or simply someone who enjoys the occasional buzz, I challenge you to visit one of these great locations and order your next cup black. 12 localsDISH MARCH/APRIL 2017
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