What is it about our devotion to coffee that makes it so indispensable?
Is it the flavor or aroma, the moments of peace it instills as we relish it or the superpowers it imbues once the caffeine kicks in? It’s surely a little bit of everything that makes it one of the world’s favorite drinks.
When it comes to our beloved bean water, many consider themselves casual connoisseurs. If you’re always in search of the next best cup, these Northeast coffee roasters are some of the finest in the game, perfecting blends that quickly become an integral part of their customers’ daily habit.
But first, let’s take a brief look at how coffee came into our lives.
Meant to “Bean”
An estimated 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed each year. Without it, many of us lose focus and may not otherwise function like a normal human.
But it’s so much more than a quick energy boost or morning ritual. Coffee is loaded with powerful antioxidants to improve health and brain function, and may affect metabolism, inflammation and one’s sensitivity to insulin.
This famed pick-me-up is steeped in 1,500 years of history, too. Legend has it that an Ethiopian farmer noticed his goats wouldn’t sleep after eating berries from a particular tree. Word quickly spread of the stimulant, and by the 1000s, the Arabian Peninsula began to blend the seeds (beans) with animal fat to make a snack bar, then roasted them to drink in the 1200s. Beans were finally being sold by the 15th century.
Public coffee houses were called “Schools of the Wise” as they became the center of social and cultural activity and communication, according to the National Coffee Association of the U.S.A., and by the 17th century, European travelers to the Near East raved about the beverage. However, some considered coffee “the bitter invention of Satan,” and only papal approval allowed coffee to escape controversial condemnation in 1615. It was even banned in the Ottoman Empire until 1839.
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Download NowOnce coffee replaced beer and wine in the morning cup, work performance not surprisingly improved, and opinions shifted.
When the Dutch successfully cultivated beans in the late 1600s in Sri Lanka, they were smuggled or carried abroad, including to France, Portugal, Brazil and New Amsterdam (now New York City). In the Northeast, it topped tea’s popularity when Boston Tea Party rioters launched tea reserves into Boston Harbor in 1773, and Thomas Jefferson is rumored to have said, “Coffee – the favorite drink of the civilized world.”
Though the variety of coffee beans is as plentiful as grapes for wine, 60% of coffee as we know it is the arabica varietal, with origins in Ethiopia – versus the African robusta strain, making it one of the world’s largest commodities.
If all this has you craving a sip of Joe, take a look at what’s brewing at these Northeast coffee shops.
Top Northeast Coffee Roasters
Connecticut
Zumbach’s Gourmet Coffee, New Canaan
You can smell the freshly roasted coffee beans before you even open the door of this Fairfield County institution. Once inside, the magnetic appeal of its six or more drip coffees and espresso takes over, as do the oven-warm muffins and collage of college flags on the ceiling. Take your cuppa to go and stop by its monthly Caffeine and Carburetors events. Cash only.
Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea, Branford
Willoughby’s has been roasting the finest fair trade, organic arabica beans for nearly 40 years. Its impressive international lineup of single origin and blended coffees originates from destinations including Panama and Kenya, as well as Bolivian co-ops that support social welfare of coffee bean farmers. The result is a heavy, rich aroma, with smooth body and sweet milk chocolate flavors that will woo you.
Massachusetts
Monsoon Roastery, Springfield
This environmentally conscious roaster has a walk-up espresso bar to grab a can of beans (try Liquid Sunshine’s strawberry and caramel undertones), a hot or cold beverage (an Iced Americano or hot latte will hit the spot) and breakfast sandwich on the go. Fresh international coffees are roasted daily, then packed or brewed in a building that composts and uses 100% wind energy.
Gracenote Coffee, Boston
Gracenote Coffee is all about making coffee that tastes good. Seems simple, but it’s their unique analytical approach that really makes the difference. Sourcing only the best coffee available, Gracenote pairs each type of coffee bean with its own roasting process to get the most distinct flavors out of every batch. Buy online to try for yourself or visit one of their two locations, both located in Boston.
New Jersey
Grover’s Mill Coffeehouse, West Windsor
Sit outside this fair trade and community-centric coffee house on Saturday mornings and enjoy its live music while sipping your organic arabica coffee. It offers myriad styles, from single origin Peruvian Penachi to house blended javas, sourcing from family farms then small-batch roasting for premier flavor profiles.
Modcup Coffee, Jersey City
This coffee has come a long way since 2012 when it was roasted in a garage and sold curbside from a cart. Now it’s in three Jersey City locations as well as South Korean cafés. Modcup’s Gold Label Single Origin from Kenya is so good it has a wait list, but you can enjoy its experimental Ecuador Typica that uses anaerobic and cold fermentation processes (just like wine), or its delicious seasonal single origin Colombia Cumbarco.
New York
Aldo’s Coffee Company, Greenport
Since 1987, Aldo Maiorana has been brewing his premier javas and baking famous biscotti and scones for fans across New York and the globe. His Italian and French upbringing mixed with international travels to inspire the coffee’s old-world styles that transcend trends. It even drove Starbucks out of town. Enjoy his signature Orient Espresso blend, or any of his single-origin organic coffees roasted daily.
Abraço, New York City
This simple yet classic menu hasn’t changed much since established in 2007, but it still draws a queue. Its traditional macchiato stains the espresso with a teaspoon or two of milk, while its delectable cappuccino is a double with steamed milk and foam. Try kaffe mit schlag, a fresh-roasted coffee of the day with whipped cream and its famed olive oil cake.
Rhode Island
Cooper’s Cask Coffee Company, East Greenwich
Sumatra Lintong beans at Cooper’s Cask are aged in Rhode Island’s Sons of Liberty single malt whiskey barrels to infuse coffees with sweet tobacco and woody earth overtures with a hint of vanilla and caramel. This means you get an enriched coffee that widens to a long whiskey finish for that extra push through the day. Purists will delight in the Single Origin Series, from destinations like Costa Rica and Tanzania.
The Coffee Guy, Newport
With no brick-and-mortar location, this hyper-local roaster offers home delivery or pick-up at farmers markets for customers to experience the freshest small-batch blends. Try a 32-ounce growler of the trademark cold brew concentrate, Aquidneck dark roast coffee or Sumatra French roast for an exotic personality.
May we suggest pairing your coffee with one of these local doughnuts or bagels?
Tell us about your favorite Northeast coffee roasters in the comments below.
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Greenwood Lake Roasters, Greenwood Lake NY
Organic, single-origin, freshly roasted. The best coffee ever!
You have totally left out those coffees from NH and Vermont, particularly Peet’s Coffee.
In Union NJ try Bagels & Beans
Close to 5 points in Union
They have the best Bagels
What about Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont?
The Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters are very big on Cape Cod, Ma. They have expanded to 3 locations. Sandwich, Chatham and Brewster. The Sandwich location serves the best empanadas to go with your coffee!! The people working there really care about coffee and take their time to make it right. You can buy their coffee in the bag all over the cape and even some places in Boston. So good you must try when you come to the Cape!
You missed Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters in Sandwich, Chatham and Brewster, Mass. They serve the best coffees from around the world here on Cape Cod.
The fact that you don’t include Fazenda in Dedham, MA tells me you just wrote a story to write a story, not actually knowing about these places.
Fazenda Costa Rica Conquistador will change your coffee life forever.
Ever been to Davios at Terminal C at Logan Airport (JetBlue)? Fazenda.
Brubaker’s in Keene, NH.
King’s Coast Coffee in Bohemia, on Long Island. Hands down the freshest, best coffee on the Island. The rotating Roaster’s Choice is always good, and allows you to try different regions every month. In house drinks rotate seasonally, with syrups made fresh in house as well. This place is a hidden gem, and needs to be on everyone’s radar.
We love Snowy Owl in Sandwich, MA and Brio Coffeeworks of Burlington, VT. Look forward to trying some of the others on the list that have been mentioned in the comments here!
I agree! Snowy Owl started in Brewster and grew to buy its own property in Sandwich. They have a tiny place in Chatham, too.
Ms. Annie Sherman; your article was very informative but I think you missed Utica Coffee Roasting “Wake the Hell UP” Brand.
The coffee is great and its shipped to loyal coffee drinkers all over the USA.
Thank you for listening. A very long term AAA member.
I am surprised that you did not mention Coffee Exchange, a coffee roaster and cafe that has been in business since 1984. In addition to serving a great cup of coffee in a nice space, they also sell whole beans, snacks and implements. The owners were very early to join the “Fair Trade” train, founding Coffee Kids, the first non-profit organization specifically dedicated to help improve the lives of coffee farmers and their families, and The Coffee Trust, with a broader focus of support and a narrowed geographical focus.
Baba Beans Roasters in Walpole, MA is fantastic! They are a newer, small business and offer a variety of single-source coffee beans to choose from. Customers can customize their choice of bean and roast level on their Google Form as well. Their coffee is always fresh and the owner (a mechanical engineer) is highly skilled and passionate about coffee roasting and good customer service. Check them out!
Anyone remember Polcari’s in The North End Of Boston?
https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/comments/euo745/itap_of_a_coffee_store_in_boston/
Yes, my dad and mom used to go there once a month
Hampton Coffee Company, on Eastern Long Island, in Montauk, Watermill, Southampton, Westhampton Beach, and Apequogue. great Coffee, clean restrooms, great muffins, and great staff. The only way I exist traveling around the Hamptons.
Ditto! I love Hampton Coffee in Aquebogue. Better than Starbucks!
Aldo’s in Greenport is amazing! Huge lines there in the summer for their stuff. Their scones are worth driving way out of your way for.
We love our coffee from Armeno Roasters in Northborough! https://www.armeno.com
Georgios Coffee Roasters in Farmingdale, NY. Very knowledgeable. Maintains a great selection of whole beans which he and his staff have personally visited the small growers.
Apparently the author didn’t get a day pass into New Hampshire.
Dean’s Beans award winning coffee wins hands down. Delicious organic certified, shade grown and bird friendly, direct farm to roaster, with people centered development, Dean walks the talk… his awards include: Roaster of the Year Finalist: Macro-roaster Category (Roast Magazine, US, 2020); B Corporation “Best for the World” Community (2019); Ethical Corporation Responsible Business Award: Highly Commended Business Leader (First Place for a For-profit Business) (London, 2019);
Flourish Award for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): Poverty Reduction (US, 2019); Greater Boston’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For ® (US, 2018); Oslo Business for Peace Honoree (the “Nobel Prize for Business”) (2013); World CSR Congress 50 Top Social Innovators (Mumbai, 2015); UNWomen’s Community Engagement Award (NY, 2014); Manning Peace and Justice Award (US, 2008); Fetzer Institute Exemplar of Compassion in Business (Assisi, 2006);
Williams College Bicentennial Medal (2006); Specialty Coffee Association Sustainability Award (Seattle, 2004); UNFAO Best Practices Recognition (Rome, 2002); Ethical Corporation Responsible Business Award: Highly Commended Business Leader (First Place for a For-profit Business) (London, 2019);
Flourish Award for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): Poverty Reduction (US, 2019); Greater Boston’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For ® (US, 2018); Oslo Business for Peace Honoree (the “Nobel Prize for Business”) (2013); World CSR Congress 50 Top Social Innovators (Mumbai, 2015); UNWomen’s Community Engagement Award (NY, 2014); Manning Peace and Justice Award (US, 2008); Fetzer Institute Exemplar of Compassion in Business (Assisi, 2006); Williams College Bicentennial Medal (2006); Specialty Coffee Association Sustainability Award (Seattle, 2004); UNFAO Best Practices Recognition (Rome, 2002)
Second Dean’s beans!
What a bizarre random list.
Monkey Joe’s,
Kingston, NY
I love Berkshire Coffee Company in Great Barrington MA but my 2 favorites are not in the NE. San Francisco Coffee Company in SF CA, and Maui Coffee Company on Maui, HI
Are these just companies that financially support AAA? There are numerous excellent independent coffee shops in eastern MA, none of which are listed
Hi Rob and thanks for reading Your AAA Network! None of the coffee roasters in this article have a financial connection to AAA Northeast. While we try to be as comprehensive as possible in articles like these, we do serve multiple states and regions, which makes it difficult to cover them all. But let us know here which coffee roasters in Eastern Mass. we should’ve listed and thanks again.
Bolt Coffee. Providence,RI
No disrespect to those roasters on this list, but The Coffee Exchange in Providence, RI, with its many fair-trade single-source beans, well-designed blends, and extraordinary limited offerings (they had, for a few months, a Honduran natural process bean from a single farm that I still dream about) is the best roaster in RI or New England generally if the many I’ve tried.
Armeno Coffee Roasters, Northborough, MA
Jola Coffee Ship, Caldwell, N. J. Dolce Marie Coffee Shop, Verona, N. J. 07044
Dave’s Coffee in Charlestown, RI.
Aroma Joes has the best coffee as well as other drinks and food. Most are drive thru’s, but the service is great, you order when you get to the window and everything is made fresh.
Deans Beans!! Absolutely the best!!
Armeno Coffee Roasters in Norhborough is a great place to buy fresh roasted beans in many varieties, ncluding some lighter roasts