You’ve probably heard someone recommend a coffee tour, and thought “sure, that’s a great idea.” As the days pass and the hectic pace of life chugs on, you notice you haven’t booked that coffee tour yet. Or, at least, that’s the position I found myself in. Until Andrew surprised me with tickets to a coffee tour in Tampa.
Here is my takeaway from the St. Pete Coffee Tour that took place in Tampa: there is so much more to coffee than just beans brewed in the Mr. Coffee machine you bought at Walmart. There is a community waiting to engage you in all things coffee, whether its brewing methods or exotic coffee beans. St. Pete Coffee Tours is the entry point into this community, and with a stellar tour guide and fellow connoisseurs, there is no lack of answers to your caffeine questions.
Coffee in Its Rawest Form
In your coffee tour, you’re going to experience coffee in all its glory without crutches like milk and sugar to dilute it. That’s right–get your tastebuds ready because you’re going to be picking apart the flavors of several different coffees and brewing methods. You will learn from your tour that coffee is an all-encompassing experience (if you haven’t already), and you will be utilizing your senses to smell and taste the quality of the coffee. And trust me, the coffee you’re going to taste is quality.
Your senses will surprise you, some coffee is riddled with hints of chocolate and berries, and some are so strong you can hardly pick apart its elements. You will be able to get up close and personal with the coffee beans in different climates, for example, you will smell the beans on their own, and you will do the same when they are damp with hot water. To summarize, your olfactory bulb is going to be put to work.
The Coffee Tour Shops
Each coffee tour seems to hit about 2-3 shops in its duration, and you will be able to witness a unique and VIP presentation by the baristas of each. On the tour I was on, we hit three vital veins of the coffee scene in Tampa: Caffeine Roasters, Foundation Coffee, and LPCX Cafe and Bakery. I’ll give you a rundown of each.
Caffeine Roasters
When we entered Caffeine Roasters, we were already in awe of the furnishings. This cute coffee spot is adorned with a large “C” Centerpiece with a glittering display of lights. There are fitting decorations around the shop as well, such as vintage cameras and those oh-so-adorable “filter coffee not people” signs that can be found in other coffee shops, such as Bandit in St. Pete. When the tour began, we were met with a very nice barista and our tour guide, who began to demonstrate what three brewing methods could produce from the same variety of coffee beans.
Fact #1 that I learned: espresso is not a type of coffee, it’s a brewing style. Bags of coffee labeled espresso are suggesting a brewing style that complements it best. I feel like this is a no-brainer but I was still amazed.
Foundation Coffee
This one has already been featured on the blog in my post Where to Grab Coffee in the Tampa Bay Area, where I reviewed some of my favorite spots in Tampa. Needless to say, I was very happy that this shop was on the itinerary.
At Foundation, we entered to find an array of different coffee beans in cups along with a kind barista that explained the process of cupping. The coffee beans, which were later combined with hot water, were arranged from lighter roasts to darkest. In our experience, we all lined up to catch a whiff of the assorted beans in two conditions: while they were wet and while they weren’t. For an experienced coffee tester, the coffee could be broken down into its essential ingredients just by scent alone, think earthy scents of berries and cacao.
Fact #2 that I learned: cupping is essentially coffee tasting, and coffee tasters are really talented. Professionals are called “Q Graders,” and they’re the pros at comparing and contrasting the characteristics of different cups. You can try it at home too! Here’s a quick guide for cupping at home.
LPCX Cafe and Bakery
This cafe was a hidden gem not far from USF, and that means I’ll likely be there often. Upon entering the cafe, we were met with another very generous barista who was more than happy to give us a glimpse into the coffee of his country: Columbia. At the long table set up for us, we experienced Columbian coffee beans and the coffee they comprise. Andrew and I tested two coffees with beans sourced from trees grown at high elevations in Columbia, and we were stunned with the quality and the stark differences in their aromas and flavors.
Do you know the smell of coffee? That generic smell that signals “coffee!” in your brain? We thought we knew what it smelled like, but we learned there isn’t just one stereotypical scent because there is a science to brewing coffee, and every variety of beans combined with an array of brewing styles creates endless possibilities.
Fact #3 that I learned: Coffee is cultural, it’s a proud symbol of the countries who produce it. Take a minute to think about where your caffeine comes from the next time you’re ordering at one of these fabulous coffee shops.
Is This Tour for Everyone?
This is an easy one, YES. Whether you’re looking to dip a toe into the coffee community or simply brush up on your knowledge, this tour is for you. If you’re a caffeine lover, enthusiast, or even a casual sipper, there is definitely a takeaway from this experience.
To wrap it up, this tour is a must for the St.Pete/Tampa coffee community.
You can find tickets to book your next coffee tour here.
Have you tried St. Pete Coffe Tours? If yes, what coffee shops were on your route? Let me know below!