With nearly 23 years of experience in the beverage industry, Stumptown Coffee knows a few things about caffeinated drinks. The company’s flagship store opened in Portland, Oregon, in 1999, and it has since opened locations in Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and New Orleans.
But it’s not just hot coffee that runs through its veins. It was one of the first brewers to experiment with cold brew coffee in nitro cans, leading to many awards over the years. Crowned Roaster of the Year for 2006, Stumptown’s founder Duane Sorenson doesn’t skimp on quality. He reportedly set the record for the highest price ever paid for coffee beans. That’s only a small part of why it’s popular.
The name “Stumptown” might sound strange to anyone outside of Oregon, but it’s steeped in history. The state is known for its vast expanses of forest, and there was a lumber boom in the late 1840s around Portland.
Trees were cut down at such a rapid rate that the logging companies couldn’t spare any workers to remove the tree stumps. This created an eerie landscape, leading to Portland receiving the nickname Stumptown.
Stumptown Coffee was one of the early innovators of the cold brew process. Instead of making the coffee with hot water, it is brewed with cold water and usually has a longer steeping time, generally from 12 to 24 hours.
The whole coffee beans are steeped in room temperature water and filtered out afterward with a paper filter or metal sieve. The concentrate is mixed with more water and milk and often contains chocolate.
The cold brew technique originated in Japan many centuries ago, but Stumptown Coffee took it a step further. Initially, the company bottled its cold brew coffee, but it quickly moved on to storing it in kegs. Then, almost against everything we know about coffee, Stumptown started to serve the brew with nitrogen and eventually made it available in nitro cans.
While you can now make your own cup of cold brew coffee at home, the company has a large selection of whole and ground beans for a hot beverage. Single-origin beans and blends span a wide flavor base.
You can find subtle notes of nectarine, melon and jasmine in Stumptown’s Ethiopia Mordecofe, while there are cacao, black currant and clove flavors in the Indonesia Muhtar. If you prefer a blend, there are hints of raisins and citrus in Hair Bender.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mountain Whole Bean Coffee
This 12-ounce bag of whole coffee beans is the perfect introduction to Stumptown’s coffee. The blend has notes of citrus zest, caramel and hazelnut to produce a smooth flavor. It is best served as an espresso but goes down just as well as a daily brew.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
KitchenAid Cold Brew Coffee Maker
For something different, this cold brew coffee maker is an excellent choice. By mixing 2 ounces of coffee concentrate with every 6 ounces of flavored milk, water or ice, you’ll have a refreshing cold beverage. It makes up to 38 ounces of coffee and can stay fresh in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Black + Decker One-Touch Coffee Grinder
It’s best to use a whole bean grinder such as this one to make a great cup of coffee. It has stainless steel blades and a bowl, and the one-push button makes it easy to change the grind consistency. The blades only turn on when the grinder lid is locked in place, and it can also grind herbs, spices and grains.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
The Yeti Rambler is a convenient choice if you take your coffee on the go. It holds 20 fluid ounces, and the lid uses Yeti’s strong magnets to stay in place. The tumbler is dishwasher-safe, and the Dracut coat of durable color won’t fade, peel or crack.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Bodum Bistro Coffee Mug (2-Pack)
These elegant coffee mugs are made from scratch-resistant, mouth-blown borosilicate glass, and the insulated design keeps your drinks at the right temperature. Each cup is dishwasher-safe and can hold 10 ounces of hot or cold liquid.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
If you can do with some coffee inspiration (or know someone who can), this coffee cookbook is perfect. It contains over 200 coffee recipes with professional tips on how to brew a fantastic drink. It covers everything from mochas, cappuccinos and espressos to iced coffee and cocktails.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Charlie Fripp writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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