Espresso in Tacoma, WA

Talk about your favorite cafes, local barista events, or plan your own get-together.
User avatar
Chert
Posts: 3537
Joined: 16 years ago

#1: Post by Chert »

There is an old thread by this same subject (could be merged).

I think the Tacoma scene merits description. I say so because I discovered The Narrows Espresso by Bluebeard coffee. I bought a bag of The Narrows espresso out of the coffee lane at the Tacoma Coop (the roaster café had closed by 6 pm on Christmas Eve.) It was fresh and the espresso, sweet, milk chocolatey with a layer of vanilla cherry fruit. (18 grams 10 sec preinfusion 40 sec total extraction on the Astoria lever). There are at least two other local roasters, Valhalla and Terminus, neither of which I have tried.
LMWDP #198

User avatar
kaldi61
Posts: 266
Joined: 9 years ago

#2: Post by kaldi61 »

Valhalla does great work, and is my #1 in Tacoma. Their cafe part is very small, just a few tables up front, but when I used to go there (I don't live in Tacoma now, but I love to visit), it would be impossible to make it out the door with my beans, without several shots from their Synesso.

Bluebeard also does excellent work roasting, and has a larger cafe with skilled baristas.

Terminus is new, and I have no experience.

For a small town, the coffee scene is way better than most.
-Nelson

LMWDP #506 "It's not just for breakfast anymore."