If there's one thing coffee drinkers take seriously, it's their daily
(hourly?) cup of joe. So caffeine fiends take note: Your boiling, black brew
(some consider it nectar of the gods) can be found outside the coffee house.
Buy It
There must be a correlation between coffee and computers: The number of
java-related web sites is astounding. And thanks to e-commerce, beautiful
beans can be delivered right to your door. This list of online coffee sellers
is but a tiny sampling, but it should get you started.
- Better Beans
Join their "coffee of the month" program and sample beans from micro-roasters across the country.
- Extreme Coffee
Home of Shock Hyper-Caffeinated Coffee, which contains twice the caffeine as your average joe.
- Peet's Coffee & Tea
This Berkeley-based coffee house has been brewing its own java since 1966.
- Porto Rico Importing Co
A warehouse-style store in Greenwich Village that's been importing coffee since 1907.
- Urth Caffe
Go organic with Urth's selection of coffees and teas. (Online ordering is coming soon.) Other organic coffee sellers include Sacred Grounds and Equal Exchange, a co-op that offers gourmet coffee direct from small-scale farmers in Africa and Latin America.
Brew It
Beans aren't the only coffee-related item you can buy over the Internet...
- Whole Latte Love
Find a wide selection of espresso and cappuccino machines for home or business use.
- Roastery Development Group
Every piece of coffee-related equipment you could possibly imagine can be found at RDG -- roasters, grinders, brewers, even tiny stuff like cups and utensils.
- Bunn Beverage Equipment
For the non-espresso drinkers, Bunn offers a range of brewers, grinders, warmers and filters.
- Starbucks
Yes, the mother of all coffee retailers is known for its brews. But Starbucks also sells mugs, machines and goodies like coffee ice cream and candy.
Drink It
Whether it's a hip cafe or a greasy spoon of a diner, javaheads need a Central Perk to call their own. Check out these cool coffee hangouts.
- Wild Goats Coffee and Cafe
A coffee house based in Kent, Ohio, whose comprehensive web site includes menu, prices, coffee tips and entertainment schedule.
- Hestia House
This Santa Barbara cafe is home to Moore Coffee and Tea. The site includes coffee terms, tips and history.
- El Cafetal Inn
Imagine sipping coffee at a country inn in Costa Rica. Now imagine that it's located on a coffee plantation surrounded by water and mountains. Can you say "paradise"?
- The Shopping Place.
Link to tons of online chocolate shops and coffee houses. (It's recommended by The New York Times.)
Sell It
For people who must be around coffee 24-7, hop on the caffeinated bandwagon
and open your very own cafe. But if you'd rather go with a tried-and-true
store, franchise opportunities are available.
- The Coffee Beanery, Ltd
This chain brews up specialty coffee drinks in malls across America.
- PJ's Coffee & Tea Company
This New Orleans-based company has stores throughout Louisiana, Georgia, Florida and North Carolina.
- Diedrich Coffee
At the present time, this coffee house chain is looking for big money investors. But the company is keeping a database of individual players for future opportunities.
Read About It
These online magazines contain everything you always wanted to know about the
bean but were afraid to ask.
- Coffee Universe
This web zine, developed by Bellissimo Coffee Education Group, contains info about every aspect of the beverage. Other all- encompassing sites include Epicure Exchange, Koffee Korner and SmellTheCoffee.com.
- Fresh Cup
Check out current and back issues of the magazine, known as the voice of the Specialty Coffee and Beverage Industry.
- Penny Universities
An interesting site that details the history of coffee houses. (They date back to the 1600s.) You can also buy cool coffee merchandise.
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