Where can you find the best cup of coffee in Washington?

- Where do you shop for fresh coffee beans to brew up in the kitchen?
- Is there a connection between ambiance and taste at local coffee shops?
- What international flavors are you enjoying? How does Iranian, Ethiopian, or Turkish coffee compare?

On Wednesday (July 29th), Kojo will be exploring the specialty coffee market and the colorful ways it's changing American coffee culture. Help us compile a list of recommended local cafés, top-notch baristas and crazy coffee varieties to try out.

Right now our guest panel includes:

Peter Giuliano, Director of Coffee and Co-Owner, Counter Culture Coffee
Ric Rhinehart, Executive Director, the Specialty Coffee Association of America
Ryan Jensen, Barista, Peregrine Espresso (Capitol Hill)

Any other recommendations for guests?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brendan Sweeney (WAMU 88.5) on July 29, 2009 at 10:36am: Thanks for your comments and suggestions! We flagged them for Kojo and integrated them into our new Food and Wine map.

Please check it out and let us know what you think: http://wamu.org/programs/kn/extra/food_and_wine/; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeremy Hotchkiss on July 29, 2009 at 1:36pm: Sova Espresso on H St. NE is my favorite coffee spot. I went to school in Chicago and fell in love with Intelligentsia Coffee. Sova is the only place in the DC area that serves Intelligentsia, and as a result, has become one of my favorite coffee stompin grounds.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jason Novak (WAMU 88.5) on July 29, 2009 at 1:48pm: Has anyone been to Bourbon Coffee at 21st and L that the caller just mentioned? I'm intrigued!

Also, for any other curious listeners I had to google the "misty valley" coffee mentioned at the start of the program (the one where they have to stir the ripe beans as they dry in the sun...for three days!). The full name is Idido Misty Valley Yirgacheffe.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christopher Dougherty on July 29, 2009 at 1:54pm: Brendan, the French have it right Pressing it make a consistent tasty stout brew from any whole bean freshly ground every time.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dave Gwathmey on July 29, 2009 at 2:24pm: If you are in Alexandria, stop by GRAPE + BEAN.
At G+B each cup is custom brewed on the Clover.
Idido, Kuta, Finca Nueva Armenia, and Rwandan coffees mentioned on the program are also available.
see website for info www.grapeandbean.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lionel Gahima on July 29, 2009 at 2:35pm: Last week was the grand opening of Bourbon Coffee. A different kind of coffee shop.
Pure arabica coffees from Rwanda. For coffee lovers, this is the place to go in DC.
The ambience and decor are just amazing. Check them out at www.bourboncoffeeusa.com
and the location is at 2101 L street NW. You will enjoy the experience. Shoot me some feedback when you get there.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ibc on July 29, 2009 at 5:43pm: Christopher Dougherty said:
Brendan, the French have it right Pressing it make a consistent tasty stout brew from any whole bean freshly ground every time.

Well, true. If you like silt and overextraction.

If you want the perfect cup of coffee, you'll need to use something like this, or a filter holder directly into an insulated carafe.; ▶ Reply to This