Some Random Thoughts

I just have some random thoughts concerning the Nashville Coffee Scene:

1. Cold Brew Coffee has taken Nashville by storm. One year ago, no one did it. Now I can't find a place that doesn't do it (I haven't checked on Starbucks, but I have no intention of finding out). If I don't get an iced coffee to find out, I still ask. And it's not just the high-end places; even the cheaper coffee places seem to have switched to cold brewed. Amazing.

2. Why is it that the mall areas are completely bereft of coffee places? Rivergate has nothing; Cool Springs has nothing; Bellevue has nothing; even 100 Oaks only has one place (Sam & Zoe's) and that's not well known outside of that area. Even Green Hills has nothing unless you go north to Hillsboro Village, northeast to Belmont, or East to Franklin Pike area. Never forget: Starbucks doesn't count.

3. Cupping Events are beginning to appear intermittently in Nashville. Newcomer Roast, Inc., cups regularly, as they roast single beans instead of blends. Cupping is useless for places that use blends, whether they roast their own, or buy roasts from outside. West Side shop Dose is getting into the cupping game with single bean roasts, also. Expect this to be a trend for those places that use and develop single bean roasts.

4. Nashville Coffee Co. is definitely not returning to the Nashville Farmer's Market. I never had a chance to try it, and that's a shame. I hope that another shop will fill the place, because a local coffee place would be a great partner in the Market.

5. Look for vendors at the regional farmers markets. South Nashville Market, Franklin Farmers market, West Nashville Farmers market all have at least one shop represented. Check them out as you gather fresh produce.

Check back later in the week for the regular reviews.