From specialty drinks last week, we bring you designer drinks! Designer drinks encompass many different sensory aspects, like aroma, taste and aesthetic. The quality of the drink is influenced by various factors such as the type of coffee beans and how the beans are ground. Many steps are taken into consideration when looking into the brewing process, which then impacts the offer of various hints and subtle notes that contribute to the overall taste. Different coffee beans from areas around the world offer different flavors, and coffee aficionados may have their preference in taste profiles, from the acidity of the coffee to the roast.
Do you know where your coffee beans are from? One of the hallmarks of designer cafés is their transparency with where they source their products and how they make them. Explaining the flavor profiles of coffee beans ethically sourced from Colombia or Guatemala is a common occurrence at high-end cafés. Knowing where your drink comes from elevates the experience for many people, creating a connection with the person consuming, the beverage itself and the process and work that went into how it was created. Many designer drink shops will allow the customer to choose their type of coffee beans or tea and even the brewing method used to make their beverage.
Culture Coffee is a specialty coffee shop that is located at 216 St. John Street in Lewisburg, next to Fisher’s Meat Market, and is open every day except Tuesdays. Owned by Vicente Ramirez, Culture made an appearance on the scene when the coffee shop was brought to life in November of 2023. The inside of the space is clean and minimalistic. The main area is an open space with a bar where the drinks are made. On either side, there is space for customers to sit and enjoy their drinks, chat with friends or do work.
The menu at Culture Coffee is more limited than many other coffee shops in town. They specialize in more high-end coffee, touting the option of various different brewing methods for their coffee, such as V60, CHEMEX and XARA. Culture’s menu features all of the classic espresso-based drinks from a cappuccino to a macchiato to a cortado. Culture is also known for its Instagram-worthy specialty tea and coffee drinks with flavored matcha and espresso tonics that are nothing if not aesthetically pleasing. We ordered a small caramel latte and a strawberry matcha that were not only delicious, but picture-perfect.
Overall, we give this a 4.1 out of 5 stars. With excellent drinks, though on the pricier side, this was an experience worth repeating!
Flavor: The flavor of the latte was unmatched with the perfect balance of sweetness and complex coffee notes. Even as inexperienced coffee drinkers, we could immediately tell that the quality of coffee was top-notch. On the other hand, the strawberry matcha was a bit heavier on the strawberry and less so on the matcha. Despite this, the strawberry wasn’t too sweet and balanced the bitterness of matcha. It tasted similar to strawberry yogurt and, while it was harder to mix, the flavors meshed well.
Fun: The moment we saw our drinks, our phones were out ready to take a picture. From the pink and green colors of the strawberry matcha to the latte art on the coffee, the combination of the drinks was aesthetically pleasing. Perfect for a story on Instagram or a snap to friends!
Fame: Culture Coffee is a locally owned small business. With only one location in Lewisburg a few blocks from Market Street, customers need to know where to go to find this hidden gem. We didn’t have to wait long for our drinks, and the service was amazing, with kind and courteous baristas making our drinks. When we visited this spot on Friday morning, it was quiet, with only a few other customers.
Funds: With the small caramel latte coming out to about $5 and the strawberry matcha at over $7, we think that the drinks are definitely on the pricier side. Other drinks on the menu fell within this range, depending on the drink itself, the size and the add-ons. For your everyday cup of coffee, Culture Coffee may be harder on your wallet, but if you’re in the mood for a good quality drink, the price is definitely worth it!