An unroasted coffee bean by another name.....

What is an unroasted coffee bean by another name?  Why, they're called green beans. 

What are green beans?  They're coffee beans that have been hand picked, wet processed, dried fully and then crushed to make our favourite brew. The major difference between regular coffee and green coffee is that green coffee is not roasted whereas brown coffee that people usually consume is roasted. Green coffee beans stay much fresher in an unroasted state, therefore produce a fresher brew.  As of 2010, Brazil was the world leader in the production of these types of beans.  We love you Brazil!

So, what am I going on about all this stuff for?  Well, "Green Bean" Coffee Roasting Co. happens to be the name of a magnificent cafe in Oakville's downtown square.  It celebrates its 20th year of successful operations in Oakville next year. 

They usually offer two types of coffee daily by the cup; Costa Rica and Ethiopian Yirgacheffe.  My favourite is the Costa Rica, but the latter is also very good.  I usually alternate them when I go there to do some writing.

As you would expect, you can also purchase their beans by the pound.  They also offer a full array of coffee drinks, teas, and an expansive food and desert menu.

For a fresh experience, as well as fresher beans, make your way to the Green Bean.... for coffee you won't be disappointed in:)

Yes, I've Bean There.......

Downtown Oakville has a number of fantastic coffee places, a few of which I'll profile in further posts.  One of these is Bean There Gourmet Coffee Fine Tea, located north on Reynolds St. just off  Lakeshore Road in the downtown core. 

Owned by Brett Titus, one of my Dad's long time running partners, the coffee at this establishment is superb.  The beans are from Reunion Island Coffee, and they offer a whole slew of different roasts and flavours.  These are available by the cup ($1.38 for small to $2.35 for extra large) or for purchase by the pound ($12-13/lb). 

My favourite is the Vanilla Hazelnut and the Privateer Dark (dark roast).   You can also get more complex coffee drinks (cappuccinos, lattes, mochachinos) if you so desire.  An ample food menu is there to choose from too if you want a bite to eat with your coffee. 

Overall, a highly recommended coffeehouse if you're hanging out in downtown Oakville and need a quick pick me up of the caffeinated variety.  Tell me, is there any other kind? lol

Can I get away with one more cliched phrase?  Alright.......I've Bean There, done that.....and you should too!

Cafe Nirvana in Bronte

CJ's Cafe is an amazing little cafe tucked away in Bronte, near the harbour.  It's located on Lakeshore Road, on the south side, just before you get to Bronte Road. 

Always a great selection of coffees (both by the cup and sold per pound), they're all 100% organic and fair trade.   My favourite in the Cafe Femenino,  but of course I'm also a sucker for the flavoured coffees, so the Vanilla Hazelnut offered here is beyond reproach. 

And yes, there is a CJ!  A local artist when she's not tending to her cafe, her bright and vivacious personality always make it a pleasure to come in for a coffee (and if you're in the mood, a nice selection of food items too).

Seriously, do yourself a favour and hightail it over to CJ's Cafe!

Whole Foods.....NOT just for organic foods

Do yourself a favour and stop by the Allegro Coffee Espressobar at Whole Foods market on Cornwall Road in Oakville.  Their coffee beans come from the Allegro Coffee Company and they are 100% organic and free trade.  They always have a few different types of coffee to choose from daily, so you can really indulge your "coffeeholic tendencies".  Perhaps that's just me:P   

My personal favourite coffees are the Mexican Zaragoza (with hints of cocoa, bing cherry and citrus) and the Guatemalan Antigua (with notes of chocolate, toffee and citrus).  You can buy it by the cup ($1.88 for the medium, $2.30 for the large) or in bulk ($15.99 per lb).

The next time you're out shopping for any organic wares at Whole Foods, make sure you grab a coffee you'll remember for quite some time.

A Broken Cup that holds good coffee......

I was up in Chapleau this summer, which is about 2 hours east of Wawa, on my way to Wakami Provincial Park.   Historically a division point for the Canadian Pacific Railway and home to the largest Game Preserve in the world (7000 square kms) the town now if fairly small and rather uneventful. 
But as usual, I wanted to get a coffee, so I tried out what turned out to be a wonderful little coffee shop on Birch Street East (their main street) in town.  It's called the Broken Cup Coffee Shop, and their dark roast coffee is absolutely incredible.  They also offered a light and medium roast which I'm sure were equally good.  For nearly a toonie, a way to ease the boredom and experience a taste of heaven on the streets of Chapleau. 

Grocery store coffee anyone?

Stop by Longos' own Aromate Cafe at Dundas and Trafalgar in Oakville for a real treat in a cup.   Their Aromate Black coffee is absolutely outstanding.  The large size (or Supremo) is only $1.50 so its also a really great value for a really great cup of joe.  Not only is it enjoyable and affordable, it'll keep you wide awake through the drudgery of your weekly grocery shopping.   Bottoms up!

Going Loco in Gore Bay....

Another great place to enjoy coffee is in Gore Bay, on Manitoulin Island.  It's called Loco Beanz, and its a small chain of coffeehouses across the island.  They have two other locations in Little Current and Manitowaning.

Their coffee comes from St. Joseph Island Coffee Roasters, whose beans are all 100% fair trade certified.  I tried the St. Joe's Maple Magic, one of their flavoured coffees, and was extremely impressed.  My Dad tried out a dark roast, Winter Solstice, and positively raved about it.  Coming from a man who is not all that keen on coffee to begin with, that is certainly high praise.

To get there, just go north from the GTA on Highway 6 to Tobermory, on the outermost tip of the Bruce Peninsula, and take the Chi-Cheemaun ferry across to South Baymouth, Manitoulin Island-total crossing time two hours.  Then drive northwest on Highway 542 to Gore Bay (or to the other two towns).

Loco Beanz is definitely worth checking out if you're up that way in the future.