Miami’s Coffee Scene:
Okay, folks, gather ’round. Let me tell you about the time I nearly face-planted on Biscayne Boulevard because I was too busy inhaling the scent wafting from a local coffee roaster. True story.
See, I’ve been on a mission lately. A caffeinated mission, if you will. I’ve been scouring Miami-Dade for the best local coffee roasters, and let me tell you, it’s been one heck of a jittery ride.
Why local roasters, you ask? Well, apart from the fact that I’m a sucker for that fresh-roasted smell (hence the near face-plant incident), there’s something special about knowing the person behind your morning brew. Plus, have you tasted coffee from beans roasted last week versus three months ago? Night and day, my friends. Night and day.
So, grab a cup of whatever you’re drinking (though after reading this, you might want to upgrade), and let’s dive into the wonderful world of Miami’s coffee roasters.
Panther Coffee: The One That Started It All
First up, we’ve got Panther Coffee. Now, I remember when they first opened in Wynwood back in 2010. I thought, “Great, another hipster coffee joint.” Boy, was I wrong.
Joel and Leticia Pollock, the masterminds behind Panther, aren’t just coffee roasters. They’re like coffee whisperers. They source beans from small farms around the world, and I swear they must sing lullabies to them or something because the flavors they coax out are insane.
I once asked Joel about their roasting process, and he talked for 30 minutes straight. I understood about 10% of what he said, but his passion was infectious.
Pro tip: Try their cold brew. It’ll ruin all other cold brews for you, but it’s worth it.
Per’La Specialty Roasters: The Mad Scientists
Next up, we’ve got Per’La. These guys are like the Bill Nye of coffee roasting. I’m pretty sure they have more fancy equipment than NASA.
I met Paul and Chris, the owners, at a coffee festival last year. They were geeking out over some new roasting technique, and I stood there nodding like I understood what the heck they were talking about. But here’s the thing – their enthusiasm is contagious. And their coffee? Out of this world.
They do these public cuppings (fancy word for coffee tasting) on Saturdays. I went to one and left buzzing like a bee on espresso. Good times.
Argyle Coffee Roasters: The Fort Lauderdale Rebel
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. “Hey, isn’t this supposed to be about Miami-Dade?” Well, rules were made to be broken, people. And Argyle’s coffee is worth breaking rules for.
Mitch and Alane, the couple behind Argyle, are like coffee evangelists. They’re all about educating people on where their coffee comes from. I once spent an hour chatting with Mitch about coffee processing methods. My girlfriend thought I’d been kidnapped.
Their Ethiopian Yirgacheffe? It’ll make you see sounds and hear colors. Just saying.
Great Circle Coffee: The Eco-Warriors
Now, let’s talk about Great Circle Coffee. These folks are on a mission to save the world, one coffee bean at a time.
I met Sergio, the founder, at a farmer’s market. He was talking about shade-grown coffee and I was like, “Dude, all coffee is grown in the shade. It’s a plant.” Shows what I know.
Turns out, shade-grown coffee is way better for the environment. Who knew? Well, Sergio knew. And now I know. And their coffee tastes good too, so it’s a win-win.
Brewing Buddha Cafe & Arthouse: The Multitaskers
Last but not least, we’ve got Brewing Buddha. These guys are like the Renaissance men of the coffee world. They roast coffee, they serve coffee, they display art. I’m waiting for them to announce they’re also a yoga studio or something.
I stumbled upon this place by accident. I was looking for a new cafe to work from (because apparently, I hadn’t had enough coffee that day), and I walked into Brewing Buddha. The smell hit me like a truck. A delicious, caffeinated truck.
Daniel, the owner, is this super chill dude who knows everything about coffee and art. I tried to impress him with my newfound coffee knowledge, but he just smiled and nodded. I think he could tell I had no idea what I was talking about.
Their Nicaragua roast, though? It’s like drinking liquid sunshine. If sunshine tasted like coffee. You know what I mean.
So there you have it, folks. My highly caffeinated journey through Miami’s local coffee roasters. Is this list complete? Heck no. Miami’s coffee scene is growing faster than I can keep up with. But these places? They’re a good start.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go make another pot of coffee. All this writing has made me thirsty. Stay buzzy, Miami!