Portland is famous for its coffee culture. The Pacific Northwest has an ideal climate for gathering with a group of friends over an amazing cup of java or sitting (or working) in solitude with a cozy mug of something spectacular. We also have one of the best coffee tours in the nation (please see the Third Wave Coffee Tours ShareOregon post if you would like to learn A LOT about coffee and have a fantastic time).
Case Study Coffee, a key stop on the downtown tour, is a leader in the Portland coffee scene, and if you don’t have time for a whole tour this trip, you can gain a lot of information about the science, technology and passion behind the scenes by stopping in, and you will also get to taste some of the world’s best coffee. Yes, that’s right – the world!
Third Wave is really the key. The term describes a movement to produce the highest quality (and most ethically-produced) coffee at all stages of the process. In Portland, creating artisan, hand-crafted goods are a huge part of what we stand for – that’s what puts the Portland in Portland. Raising the quality of coffee to a specialty good, rather than a part of each day we hardly think about, is what Third Wave is all about. In a nut shell (bean pod?), First Wave coffee is mass-produced. Second Wave coffee takes it a step up to regionally labelled coffee and delicious coffee drinks like lattes and mochas. Third Wave takes the evolution even further to describe coffee that is sourced directly from a farmer and gently roasted to bring out the complex notes of the beans. If you have ever thought of all coffee as having one flavor, Case Study will change your mind about that! Ask about single-origin coffees.
Case Study Coffee works directly with farmers to acquire beans. Their professional roaster is one of the only female roasters in the area. They employ cutting edge technology to produce the most transportive cup of coffee, including their Synesso Hydra MVP machine that controls the amount of pressure that is used in each stage of the extraction process. Additionally, Case Study offers house made syrups – the hazelnut syrup is amazingly delicious!
Case Study baristas are in a class of their own, as well – these guys and gals are artists in their own right, expertly demonstrating brewing techniques during the coffee tours and competing in Barista competitions. And just look at the magic they create at the top of each coffee drink! Real artists.
Watch Case Study’s web site for upcoming events at their three locations!
Who knew - drinking coffee is one of the quickest and best ways to learn about the world.
https://www.shareoregon.com/en/listings/124788-third-wave-coffee-tours-in-portland
Locations and Hours:
Downtown: 802 SW 10th Ave. (Open Monday - Friday 6:30 am – 6:00 pm and Saturday - Sun 8:00 am – 6:00 pm)
Sandy: 5347 NE Sandy Blvd. (Open Monday - Friday 6:30 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday - Sunday 6:30 am - 6:00 pm)
Alberta: 1422 NE Alberta St. (Open Monday - Friday 7:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday - Sunday 7:00 am - 6:00 pm)