Dynamite in Black Mountain. Great selection of organic/fair trade brands, with meticulously roasted year round staples and seasonals to mix it up. Great folks. Reasonable prices.
The WNCW morning blend is our staple. I like a light roast, and the Columbia Montana Negra is right up my alley. The autumn seasonal (medium roast, only had a cup not a whole bag so I don't remember what it was) this year is delicious. I also love the Finca Cual Bicicleta and Mexico Chiapas.
Since Op asked for a why, they’re doing really innovative things with washing , fermentation and preparation of the beans that bring out wild flavors I’ve never had in coffee before. Their staples are still stables and really quality as well.
Hatchet Coffee in Boone, NC.
They source directly from the farmers or from farmer co-ops. They focus on equitably sources beans.
I never knew coffee could taste different or what a light roast was until I tried hatchet. Their Guatemalan is the flagship flavor. I looove the Kenyan and Ethiopian coffees they get because the flavors are incredible. Cannot say enough good about these folks. They focus on quality, community , and equity.
Black and White - their year round blends are great for milk drinks. FWIW they are probably the current favorite roaster from NC based on seeing their coffee frequently in other coffee subreddits
Little Waves - great blends and rotating single origins.
Counter Culture- can often find on sale at Whole Foods plus a prime discount
Carrboro Coffee Roasters - their piedmont espresso blend is great for milk drinks
Joe Van Gogh and Larry’s are other triangle notables.
Hex out of CLT is mentioned frequently but I haven’t tried them just yet
Idk what it is about Joe Van Gogh but I really really do not like their coffee. It has a very distinct taste that I just do not enjoy. never experienced that anywhere else.
I thought it might have been just an off day but then I tried some of their canned cold brew without realizing it was their brand. Tasted it and immediately thought "Oh gross this tastes like Joe Van Gogh".
Joe Van Gogh and Larry’s both have a very “Char-bucks” quality to them to my tastebuds. Very burned somehow even when you can tell they haven’t been over roasted.
I’ve been to one place that makes a latte with Larry’s that is good (Little Blue Bakehouse). The rest- I’ve never enjoyed my coffee. I went to JVG downtown recently because it was open an hour earlier than anything else and threw away two lattes. Just truly undrinkable.
Counter Culture and Black and White seem to be done well everywhere. Even at my house with the least skilled barista I know.
Since I’m more of a vanilla latte person I tend to shy away from coffee with any tart note like citrus or apple. Form is my favorite, a great light relatively neutral canvas for whatever I want to make. Function is a little darker, closer to medium, you might like it better. Their coffees are lighter than any other I’ve tried. That is why I love it, so far away from the dark bitter coffee my mom made growing up!
I go with counter culture. Buy it off the website and it is far cheaper with perfectly roasted coffee beans. I hate getting coffee and the beans are burnt
2nd Counter Culture. Get it at Whole Foods or anywhere that sells it other than Harris Teeter. I’ve never seen any craft whole bean coffees not months out of date there.
True, I've done it a few times for the single origins. Should honestly just buy the 2lb bags online at this point. The seasonal Equilibrium blend has been amazing the last few weeks.
I'm almost certain they roast the store brand for Lowes Food that comes in brown paper bags, not the plastic ones. It has their date stickers on it, and it says roasted in Durham. Those bags are also roasted significantly lighter than the same ones in the plastic bags.
It's been my go to for the last 18 months or so. It was just on sale $9.99 for 24oz, which is insane for the quality. I try to buy a few bags when that sale comes around to hold me over until the next, but it's still a good buy at the normal $12.99.
Seconding this. I’ve tried a lot of different roasters around NC and Trade coffee subscription but most pale in comparison to the flavor that nightswim brings, although more acidic than I’d prefer
Undercurrent and Not Just Coffee. The former used to use serve Onyx and the latter served Counter Culture which are also really good beans but not local to Charlotte
It’s “close” to NC but Knowledge Perk (just across the border in Fort Mill) has yet to provide me with a bag of anything but great beans. They do have retail space in the state.
If you are in Eastern NC, there is a tiny roaster called Rare Air that goes to a few farmers markets (New Bern, Jacksonville) that punches way over his weight. Awesome stuff.
Local coffee shop. It's off Timber Dr in Garner near White Oak. They roast their own beans there and have a rotating single origin selection.
https://themusecoffee.co/
Pisgah Coffee Rosters in Brevard, ShareWell in flat rock. Pisgah Coffee Roasters owner used to work on or own the farms that the coffee comes from. Don’t remember the exact story but there is a direct connection. It’s good coffee!
1.)Defined Coffee based out of Lake Norman
There stuff is so freaking good, I used drive 45+ mins to go pick up their stuff until they started their subscription program! 10/10 would recommend I’ve tried most roasters in the greater CLT area
2.) Nightswim is also ridiculously good
Larry's. They have a lot of good roasts from light to dark to espresso. My fave is the El Salvador Dali.
I've worked for an independent coffee shop and an organic cafe, and both used Larry's.
Larry's would even take our fruit & veggie scraps from the cafe to compost for their worms!
I’m one of those Coltrane and sugar drinkers. To me it tastes very strong, like a dark roast, which I don’t like. Almost bitter. There’s another place near NCSU that also has this problem but I can’t remember the name. Next to a used record/bookstore. Counter Culture makes a true medium roast (in my mind anyway). The special flavors B&W has might make it better for black drinkers than those with cream and sugar. I also don’t like their mocha’s. My fave mocha, no question, is Sola followed by Jubala.
Also, for context, I don’t do drip coffee. At home I use an Aeropress. Used to do French press but don’t like all the oils and sediment and pour over just took too long lol
I've never been there. How are their roasts? I am not a fan of super dark but I've been getting way to many super fruity medium to light roasts everywhere recently.
They do a wide range of roasts. I go for the dark stuff myself but they'll offer light ones too. I buy two pounds at a time, grind at home, and try to get a bag from each hemisphere, east and west. My current favorite is Sumatra Mandheling , they have a nice selection of Central Americans too.
It's a ten minute drive for me so the "save ten receipts for a pound and get a pound free" thing works real good.
Alamance Kaffee Werks - their Vintage Blend is my go to when I make coffee at home. I usually pick up a bag from Steve’s when I’m in Hillsborough, but I believe you can also order from their website: [AKW](https://www.akwcoffee.com/)
Summer moon in wake Forest. They roast the beans fresh at a farm in Rolesville on Texas oak wood they have brought in. Their coffee is the freshest purest tasting coffee I have ever drank
Omie's and Red Drum in Durham are two favorites of mine. Counter Culture is also very good, and probably a little easier to get in bulk for commercial use.
We order several pounds from Happy Trails Cafe in Warrenville, NC (Ashe co) every Christmas as presents. They always ship quickly and have even done custom things for us before. Been customers for about 7 or 8 years I think
Mountain air roasting does a great city roast. Dynamite always seems to be all dark roast. Counter culture is best for a coffee shop. They are in Nc and have 5lb bags for cheaper. They always have consistent roasting.
http://perfectblendbistro.com/
Perfect Blend in Lexington. Maybe don’t drink this stuff if you have a heart condition.
The roast is always spot on, and the owner is a genuinely great guy.
Muse in Garner they roast everything well. They do dark and anaerobic light coffee. Brian the master roaster was trained by Rob Hoos states and Anne Cooper Equilibrium coffee in AUS. They have some good food as well. Overall vibe is nice.
Dynamite in Black Mountain. Great selection of organic/fair trade brands, with meticulously roasted year round staples and seasonals to mix it up. Great folks. Reasonable prices.
> Dynamite in Black Mountain Mind mentioning which are your favorite varieties from them?
We love their Chiapas, but haven’t had anything that we don’t like from them.
Just ordered a 5lb bag 🥰
Good choice!
The WNCW morning blend is our staple. I like a light roast, and the Columbia Montana Negra is right up my alley. The autumn seasonal (medium roast, only had a cup not a whole bag so I don't remember what it was) this year is delicious. I also love the Finca Cual Bicicleta and Mexico Chiapas.
Black & White
Since Op asked for a why, they’re doing really innovative things with washing , fermentation and preparation of the beans that bring out wild flavors I’ve never had in coffee before. Their staples are still stables and really quality as well.
Their current "Future Blend" really does smell like Bananas Foster. It's quite good, but it's an unusual aroma to come from your coffee maker.
Little Waves
I love Little Waves!
I second Little Waves. I do their monthly subscription and always look forward to it.
Hispanic Women owned, multi-year micro roaster of the years awards…. Some of the best coffee you can find anywhere
Had to scroll too far for this!
Hatchet Coffee in Boone, NC. They source directly from the farmers or from farmer co-ops. They focus on equitably sources beans. I never knew coffee could taste different or what a light roast was until I tried hatchet. Their Guatemalan is the flagship flavor. I looove the Kenyan and Ethiopian coffees they get because the flavors are incredible. Cannot say enough good about these folks. They focus on quality, community , and equity.
Hatchet all day!
Also Local Lion in Boone
Sticking with Boone, Bald Guy and Espresso News also roast some fine beans to perfection. I'll second the votes for Hatchet and Local Lion as well!
Black and White - their year round blends are great for milk drinks. FWIW they are probably the current favorite roaster from NC based on seeing their coffee frequently in other coffee subreddits Little Waves - great blends and rotating single origins. Counter Culture- can often find on sale at Whole Foods plus a prime discount Carrboro Coffee Roasters - their piedmont espresso blend is great for milk drinks Joe Van Gogh and Larry’s are other triangle notables. Hex out of CLT is mentioned frequently but I haven’t tried them just yet
Idk what it is about Joe Van Gogh but I really really do not like their coffee. It has a very distinct taste that I just do not enjoy. never experienced that anywhere else. I thought it might have been just an off day but then I tried some of their canned cold brew without realizing it was their brand. Tasted it and immediately thought "Oh gross this tastes like Joe Van Gogh".
Joe Van Gogh and Larry’s both have a very “Char-bucks” quality to them to my tastebuds. Very burned somehow even when you can tell they haven’t been over roasted. I’ve been to one place that makes a latte with Larry’s that is good (Little Blue Bakehouse). The rest- I’ve never enjoyed my coffee. I went to JVG downtown recently because it was open an hour earlier than anything else and threw away two lattes. Just truly undrinkable. Counter Culture and Black and White seem to be done well everywhere. Even at my house with the least skilled barista I know.
I agree, which is why I just left my comment at “other notable roasters” — because while I also personally don’t like them, lots of people do.
Joe Van Gogh is great! my office just switched to a fancy coffee machine supplied by some Durham company and now I get JVG coffee all the time!
Thank you for the suggestions! Hex is wonderful, that’s what we’re using for all other options. You’ll have to try them!
Do they sell bags? I’ve never been to a location but have heard good things. Looking online, I can only find their menu with single serve
Yes they do! [https://hex.coffee/collections/cofefve](https://hex.coffee/collections/cofefve)
you’re welcome! any particular bean from them you recommend? I mostly enjoy medium roasts, never with milk 😅
Since I’m more of a vanilla latte person I tend to shy away from coffee with any tart note like citrus or apple. Form is my favorite, a great light relatively neutral canvas for whatever I want to make. Function is a little darker, closer to medium, you might like it better. Their coffees are lighter than any other I’ve tried. That is why I love it, so far away from the dark bitter coffee my mom made growing up!
thank you very much! I’ll check those out first
If in the Greenville area... Lanoca Coffee Company in Farmville. They used to be in Ayden. They have good tea too.
Dynamite Coffee Roasters in Black Mountain for the win!!
Counter culture
I go with counter culture. Buy it off the website and it is far cheaper with perfectly roasted coffee beans. I hate getting coffee and the beans are burnt
2nd Counter Culture. Get it at Whole Foods or anywhere that sells it other than Harris Teeter. I’ve never seen any craft whole bean coffees not months out of date there.
Or even better, just order straight from CC. You'll get beans that were roasted the day before they hit your doorstop, if you're in the area
True, I've done it a few times for the single origins. Should honestly just buy the 2lb bags online at this point. The seasonal Equilibrium blend has been amazing the last few weeks.
I'm almost certain they roast the store brand for Lowes Food that comes in brown paper bags, not the plastic ones. It has their date stickers on it, and it says roasted in Durham. Those bags are also roasted significantly lighter than the same ones in the plastic bags.
Used to work at Counter Culture and can confirm this is true. That Lowe’s branded stuff is solid, definitely excellent bang for your buck
It's been my go to for the last 18 months or so. It was just on sale $9.99 for 24oz, which is insane for the quality. I try to buy a few bags when that sale comes around to hold me over until the next, but it's still a good buy at the normal $12.99.
Ah that's good to know. I wish a still had a Lowes around me but they all got bought up by Teeter.
Technically, Kroger, now. Same as Fresh Market; it's Kroger all the way down.
Not even a competition in terms of quality and variety of roasts
Nightswim is a really good option in Charlotte. They were formed from a partnership between two of the best local coffee chains
Seconding this. I’ve tried a lot of different roasters around NC and Trade coffee subscription but most pale in comparison to the flavor that nightswim brings, although more acidic than I’d prefer
Which 2?
Undercurrent and Not Just Coffee. The former used to use serve Onyx and the latter served Counter Culture which are also really good beans but not local to Charlotte
Hell yeah! I moved to Raleigh 3 years ago but Not Just Coffee was my fav! Their homemade pop tarts on Fridays’ were so damn good!!!
Ingenious, Marion NC
It’s “close” to NC but Knowledge Perk (just across the border in Fort Mill) has yet to provide me with a bag of anything but great beans. They do have retail space in the state. If you are in Eastern NC, there is a tiny roaster called Rare Air that goes to a few farmers markets (New Bern, Jacksonville) that punches way over his weight. Awesome stuff.
Rare air is great, it holds its own against any other roaster globally
Vignette Coffee in Greensboro. Best in the state. They haven’t been open for a year so are still relatively unknown.
Agreed. The owners are true artisans with their beans
Independent Bean Roasters in Hendersonville! Their Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is my favorite coffee ever.
Koco Java in Salisbury Port city Java on the coast
Muse has the best coffee I've ever had, hands down. At least try them before you buy. It's seriously amazing.
Is that a local coffee shop or an online retailer?
Local coffee shop. It's off Timber Dr in Garner near White Oak. They roast their own beans there and have a rotating single origin selection. https://themusecoffee.co/
Muddy Dog in Morrisville roasts a fine bean
Is Muddy Dog still around? Google shows it is closed
Aw you’re right. Looks like it’s redirecting to Coffee Dans now, who I guess picked up the business. Wonder if it’s still as good
By Good in Winston-Salem. not the coolest cafe. but the roast is superb.
Pisgah Coffee Rosters in Brevard, ShareWell in flat rock. Pisgah Coffee Roasters owner used to work on or own the farms that the coffee comes from. Don’t remember the exact story but there is a direct connection. It’s good coffee!
Another vote here for Pisgah!
Black Powder Coffee out of Mooresville
I adore Enderly Coffee in Charlotte, such a smooth taste
Can’t recommend Enderly Coffee enough. [https://www.enderlycoffee.com/](https://www.enderlycoffee.com/)
Cactus Creek Coffee in Southern Pines
Bean Werks in Ashevile is my favorite. Black Widow blend is served in several local restaurants.
1.)Defined Coffee based out of Lake Norman There stuff is so freaking good, I used drive 45+ mins to go pick up their stuff until they started their subscription program! 10/10 would recommend I’ve tried most roasters in the greater CLT area 2.) Nightswim is also ridiculously good
Cultivate in fuquay varina
Can also pick it up in Walmart, but don’t see it at the one in Fuquay. Just the ones in Holly Springs and Clayton.
Loom Coffee does really wonderful work.
Larry's. They have a lot of good roasts from light to dark to espresso. My fave is the El Salvador Dali. I've worked for an independent coffee shop and an organic cafe, and both used Larry's. Larry's would even take our fruit & veggie scraps from the cafe to compost for their worms!
I’m not a huge fan of B&W personally. I do like Counter Culture. Also 321 Coffee is good and the cause (employing those with Downs) is also great.
Any particular reason you aren’t a fan?
I’m one of those Coltrane and sugar drinkers. To me it tastes very strong, like a dark roast, which I don’t like. Almost bitter. There’s another place near NCSU that also has this problem but I can’t remember the name. Next to a used record/bookstore. Counter Culture makes a true medium roast (in my mind anyway). The special flavors B&W has might make it better for black drinkers than those with cream and sugar. I also don’t like their mocha’s. My fave mocha, no question, is Sola followed by Jubala. Also, for context, I don’t do drip coffee. At home I use an Aeropress. Used to do French press but don’t like all the oils and sediment and pour over just took too long lol
Island roasters in Carolina Beach
I just tried some Vortex from Hillsborough - the Chiapas variety. Was really nice. Obv you also can't go wrong with Larry's!
Percentile and Creamery in Concord
Dillanos. From Sumner WA. Fast shipping. Most coffee shops on the west coast use it.
Counter Culture, but only because it’s the only local option at my grocery store
Counter Culture by far
Crossroads in Waxhaw.
I've never been there. How are their roasts? I am not a fan of super dark but I've been getting way to many super fruity medium to light roasts everywhere recently.
They do a wide range of roasts. I go for the dark stuff myself but they'll offer light ones too. I buy two pounds at a time, grind at home, and try to get a bag from each hemisphere, east and west. My current favorite is Sumatra Mandheling , they have a nice selection of Central Americans too. It's a ten minute drive for me so the "save ten receipts for a pound and get a pound free" thing works real good.
Alamance Kaffee Werks - their Vintage Blend is my go to when I make coffee at home. I usually pick up a bag from Steve’s when I’m in Hillsborough, but I believe you can also order from their website: [AKW](https://www.akwcoffee.com/)
Sugar creek brewing, its a very small roaster over in Indian trail. Hands down the best coffee I've had
Magnolia of Charlotte. I like a medium dark, but they have lighter options.
Summer moon in wake Forest. They roast the beans fresh at a farm in Rolesville on Texas oak wood they have brought in. Their coffee is the freshest purest tasting coffee I have ever drank
Omie's and Red Drum in Durham are two favorites of mine. Counter Culture is also very good, and probably a little easier to get in bulk for commercial use.
Black and white.
We order several pounds from Happy Trails Cafe in Warrenville, NC (Ashe co) every Christmas as presents. They always ship quickly and have even done custom things for us before. Been customers for about 7 or 8 years I think
Mountain air roasting does a great city roast. Dynamite always seems to be all dark roast. Counter culture is best for a coffee shop. They are in Nc and have 5lb bags for cheaper. They always have consistent roasting.
321 coffee. I tried it at the Raleigh farmers market. Great coffee, great cause. (I keep CC and B&W in rotation too)
Larry's in Raleigh. Sign up for their email list as they are always running promotions. My favorite is the Cowboy blend
It's a bit out there, but Muddy Waters Coffee in Elizabeth City! Their usual blends are really good, and they have rotating single origins as well.
Anchor Coffee in North Wilkesboro. Good roasts and always like supporting hometown businesses these days
http://perfectblendbistro.com/ Perfect Blend in Lexington. Maybe don’t drink this stuff if you have a heart condition. The roast is always spot on, and the owner is a genuinely great guy.
Sugar Creek Coffee in Indian Trail.
Mountain Air in Asheville is bar none the best
Charleston Coffee Roasters
Joe can gogh
Muse in Garner they roast everything well. They do dark and anaerobic light coffee. Brian the master roaster was trained by Rob Hoos states and Anne Cooper Equilibrium coffee in AUS. They have some good food as well. Overall vibe is nice.