Stumptown Coffee: Let's Call a Spade A Spade Here
Over the past year, it seems like a lot of restaurants and new coffee shops in NY have been featuring Stumptown Coffee. People really do seem to freak out over it. I understand that the politics of the company are great, but in terms of the quality of the coffee....
Let's call a spade a spade here: It's not that great.
I've had many a cup of the drip coffee and in my estimation it is about as strong as Starbucks, and has some flavor....but to me it tastes "perfumed". There is a floral, perfumey taste to it, but it seems on par with "flavored coffee". Its like they've added "coffee flavor" to their coffee.
It just doesn't have the power or the kick of a great cup of strong cofee like they make at Joe (the great chain of shops in NY), and its a far cry from the true king of West Coast style brewing, Pete's Coffee (That's some crack right there!). These spots make great coffee because they use good beans and know how to brew them. I don't feel that's the case with most of the purveyors of Stumptown, and, yeah, the coffee is kind of like potpouri.
Have you had Stumptown? Any thoughts?
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15 Comments:
I'm from stumptown, and I have to say when I'm home I generally stock up. When I was in college, my freezer was constantly packed with bags of coffee I'd brought from portland.
That being said, I think you need to try it again. You must have had the wrong kind, because at least to me stumptown tastes nothing like flowers.
While I (gasp) do enjoy starbucks, stumptown is smoother, doesn't taste burned, and if one of the only coffees I love black. Iced Americano's from one of their shops have to be a favourite of mine.
Ah, I miss it... I'm too far away now.
Although, like I said maybe you should re-try it... or maybe you should just go to Portland, and embrace the whole experience.
hummus and carrots at 3:26PM on 01/07/09
I've had it. I like it quite a bit better than Pete's which I don't like at all. I like Stumptown's beans generally though the finished cup has a lot to do with how the folks using those beans store them, grind them and brew the coffee.
ccbweb at 3:34PM on 01/07/09
It's spelled Peet's
wookie at 4:17PM on 01/07/09
Yes, yes it is. Peet's. Sheesh, I hate it when I do stuff like that.
ccbweb at 4:45PM on 01/07/09
I think Stumptown coffee is the best. They serve it at Frankie's 457 and I remember remarking at the deliciousness of the coffee and found out that it was Stumptown. Anxiously awaiting their opening in Red Hook, Brooklyn!
EatItBrooklyn at 6:07PM on 01/07/09
the experience of being in Portland to enjoy Stumptown is what sets it apart to me. I don't have much of a desire to drink Stumptown coffee in NYC unless it happens to be at an adorable cafe worth going to... but when I'm out there, I crave it.
Allison Hemler at 7:27PM on 01/07/09
If it good coffee then I'm in. Not really too particular where i get it from.
TheBlue at 7:59PM on 01/07/09
Come on y'all. I am a fan of Joe, but it wouldnt exist if it weren't for the likes of Stumptown. The artisanal coffee revolution just began in NY and its been going on in Portland and Seattle for years. Check out 9th Street Espresso in the East Village on 9th and B (or C?) --They use Stumptown and, yes, you should give it another try. It sounds like you prefer your coffee brewed strong, which is how Peet's brews it. Thats a matter of preference and not a matter of the quality of the beans. To not appreciate Stumptown is to not recognize that they approach coffee from a craftsman's perspective and have been true innovators. Portland has this whole outrageous coffee culture with people who geek out on roasts and roasting processes, travel the world and bring coffee back to the NW and discuss and drink it like wine. Stumptown has been a leader in that arena and has a cool shop there where they do tastings.
Respect is due.
And I am with Hummus and Carrots in the comment that about getting a good cup of coffee at Starbucks or Peets and many other places. Just like wine, it depends on your particular preferences. Maybe the coffee they are serving isnt your preference, maybe it is. Maybe its better in a cappucino, iced whatever you like!
Oh, and Blue Bottle from San Francisco are true innovators too. I was there a few months ago and loved their store down south of Market. Major coffee geeks there too!
DudeLovesFood at 8:00PM on 01/07/09
I've been living in the Portland area for about three years now and people hounded me about Stumptown. They said it was the greatest coffee ever. So, maybe it was a victim of too much hype but the times that I've had it I was seriously underwhelmed. I much prefer the French Market Coffee & Chicory I brew at home.
I've found that people in Portland are ridiculously proud of Portland. More than any place I've ever lived. It's a little bit irritating, to tell you the truth. I mean I love Portland; I wouldn't have moved here if I didn't. But jeez people, get over yourselves.
RegrettableFoodie at 8:50PM on 01/07/09
I think that, in order to appreciate the full glory of Stumptown coffee, you need to have an espresso AT a Stumptown (can't WAIT for the Red Hook plant to open). It will change your life, man.
Jenn at 10:18AM on 01/08/09
@ Jenn: Thanks for your opinion! Can I ask ....In your expreience, what, exactly is so great about the Stumptown espresso when you have it at a Stumptown shop? What are its defining qualities that separate the espresso from what they serve at other espresso joints?
@dudeloves food: Thanks for the info. Maybe you can fill me in...in what ways has stumptown been "true innovators" as you say? I aggree that its all about how a cup of coffeeis made by a shop, but this varries from place to place no matter how good the beans are. Do you know in what ways their beans are different from any other premium/organic coffee retailer?
JudgeFudge at 10:43AM on 01/08/09
It's all about INTELLIGENCIA at Southside Coffee in Brooklyn and in Silver Lake, CA. I promise you JudgeFudge you will greatly appreciate it. The owner (Josh) knows what he's doing. Enjoy
BiltonNY at 3:36PM on 01/08/09
JudgeFudge: Check this article
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/13/dining/13coffee.html
DudeLovesFood at 7:40PM on 01/08/09
I gotta hand it to BiltonNY....Intelligencia is really good at least the location in Silver Lake. The barista made a heart with the foam for my latte, which is something most baristas can't or don't try to do. It's not necessarily the best I've had, but considering most of the crap out there, it's really good. There's a pretty good gelato place across the street if that also interests you. Sorry I don't remember the name.
ymariala at 3:59AM on 06/17/09
Stumptown tastes like it is "flavored" coffee because it has flavors you don't necessarily get in other blended coffees -- or in the case of Starbucks or Peet's, seriously over-roasted coffees.
Try some of those single source, heirloom Ethiopian varietals (I know, I am sick of the overuse of the word "heirloom" too). Those coffees will absolutely blow your mind. The flavor profiles are more like wine than the muddied burnt brews you normally taste.
cafin8ny at 12:02PM on 10/05/09