(Read more about our Single Origins Bar here.)
And in case you needed even more exciting news–it is Monday, after all–Think Coffee is now selling our very own single origins selections by the half-pound! That way, if we brew something in-store that you think is especially great, you can take a bag home with you! Why caffeinate with something sub-par?
1. Amaro Gayo, Ethiopia
A holdover from last week, we can’t get enough of this new crop. Roasted by Equator Coffees in San Rafael, this palatable coffee is a favorite among coffee-minded and laypeople alike. Producer Asnakech Thomas is Ethiopia’s only female miller-exporter, and she processes some truly special coffee. Cinnamon toast with a side of blueberries, the aroma is fantastic. A must-try.
2. Tarrazu, Costa Rica
These beans from the Don Mayo Estate Microlot are family-farmed and, frankly, pretty outstanding. This coffee is pizzazzy like pineapple with a generous splash of soy sauce.
3. Daterra Sweet Blue, Brasil
Tastes like chocolate covered summer cherries and vanilla bean. This coffee is lush and oh-so-creamy. Often brewed as espresso, we like it as is.
4. Las Delicios, El Salvador
White peaches, star anise, Baker’s Cocoa and sweet, sweet flowers. Warm and fuzzy, a cup of this is like Sunday afternoon at the park with your dog.
Available at any of our locations. Come try a cup, and ask your barista about Farmer Dividend!
For our Single Origins Bar, Think Coffee partners with roasters who purchase beans from small-scale farmers, often too small to be Fair Trade certified. In order to ensure that all of the farmers who produce our coffee receive above-market prices, we’ve come up with our own coffee purchasing program called Farmer Dividend.
Here’s how it works: We determine the amount of coffee sold through our Single Origins Bar and calculate the farmer’s “dividend,” a minimum of $1 for every pound of roasted coffee. We then put this amount back into the hands of the farmer – no strings attached. The entire dividend goes to the farmer whose hard work went into these great coffees.
Stop by one of our Single Origins Bars for more information. For a list of what’s available today, check out this week’s Single Origins selections.
Did you know we change our beer & wine menu seasonally? Well, we do. We actually get some really great stuff, and we focus on stocking as many local, organic, biodynamic and sustainable varieties as possible. (The cheese plate’s not bad either.) Happy hour is from 7-8, daily.
Coffee gets us through our day, but wine through the night!
Our coffee guy has chosen some fantastic new beans this week. Can’t decide which you’d enjoy the most? Ask your baristas about their favorites–we love to help you choose. (Read more about our Single Origins Bar here.)
1. Amaro Gayo, Ethiopia
Roasted by Equator Coffees in San Rafael, this palatable coffee is a favorite among coffee-minded and laypeople alike. Producer Asnakech Thomas is Ethiopia’s only female miller-exporter, and she processes some truly special coffee. We stock this one often because everyone likes it. (Berries, you know.)
2. Tarrazu, Costa Rica
Beans from the Don Mayo Estate Microlot are farmed by Hector Bonilla and his family. Roasted by the masters at New York-based Plowshares, this coffee is pizzazzy like pineapple with a generous splash of soy sauce.
3. Huila, Colombia
From a tiny farm run by Henry Serrato Artunduaga, this 49th Parallel-roasted bean is clean, clean, clean. Refreshing like cucumbers and slippery-sweet like syrup, you’ll find it goes down easy, with no aftertaste. Caramel, mixed fruit, and fudge. Yum!
4. Roblar, El Salvador
These beans are grown by Vickie Dalton and her husband Francisco using cutting edge techniques (it has to do with how the cherries are pulped!) and then processed in a plant that reduces its energy input by powering off parchment skins and tree prunings. Tart green apples and jasmine or hibiscus. Balanced, fruity, and thick, it is expertly roasted by San Fran’s Ritual Roasters.
They sell out, so don’t wait!
For our Single Origins Coffee Bar, we feature some of the best coffees around. To do so, we partner with roasters who purchase beans from small-scale farmers all over the globe. The menu is rotated weekly and each cup is brewed individually, just for you.
As a reminder, we’ll try to post our new choices each week. In case we don’t, though, you’re always sure to find something tasty and tempting. Our employees love talking coffee, so stop by any of our locations today to give one a try. Don’t miss out!
You can watch Sarah Leslie and other competitors in the NE Regional Barista Competition streaming live at www.usbaristachampionship.org. Ms. Leslie, of Think Coffee, competes Saturday, March 20th at 1:26pm. Neil from TampTamp is performing at 2:30pm on Friday, March 19th.
“New York Is Finally Taking Its Coffee Seriously,” The New York Times March 10, 2010
Here’s our review!
All three Think Coffee locations are large and well run. The espresso is a custom Italian-style dark blend from Porto Rico Importing. More interesting are the brewed-to-order coffees made with beans from different artisanal roasters.
248 Mercer Street (West Fourth Street), Greenwich Village, (212) 533-3366; 1 Bleecker Street (the Bowery), NoHo, (212) 228-6226; 123 Fourth Avenue (East 12th Street), Greenwich Village, (212) -614-6644, thinkcoffeenyc.com.
Best wishes to Sarah Leslie from Think, and Neil Oney from Tamp Tamp at this weekend’s Northeast Regional Barista Competition!
Ms. Leslie’s signature drink features lemon pepper ice cream and Epic Espresso from Vancouver B.C.’s 49th Parallel in an affogato sure to impress even the most discerning judge!
This year the event is hosted by Barismo Coffee, George Howell Coffee Company, and New Harvest Coffee Roasters in Boston, MA March 18-21.
The competition will be held at The Somerville Center for the Arts at the Armory 191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143.
Becca Fisher 
Claire Miller 
and Sarah Leslie (Think Baristas) competed in the NYC Throwdown “Rosettas for Relief” on February 25, 2010.
The competition raised over $2,000 in donations for Rebati, a program developed to provide mental health care to survivors of the earthquake in Haiti.
Sarah Riley filmed competitor’s latte art live
and streamed the event online. 50 people logged in to check out the event, and there were 100 coffee community folks in attendance.
A great time was had by all 
while outside the snow was falling! There were endless buckets of Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale. At the night’s end, we left a steamy storefront and found streets covered in snow. Thanks to Joe for hosting the event, and Sam Penix for putting it together.
Thanks to Neil Oney for capturing the night in photographs!
Think Coffee Barista’s Sarah Leslie and Claire Miller will be competing Thursday night in Round 1 of Rosettas for Relief!
Round 1 is a latte art competition between NYC Baristas.
The winner will proceed to a national level competition.
All proceeds from this event are going toward Rebati, a program to help earthquake survivors from Haiti.
