Charleston Living Magazine Nov-Dec 2023

Estuary Beans & Barley
equipment used by less than 0.5% of coffee roasters in the U.S. Fireroasting
coffee beans yields lower acidity and better smoothness.
“Our coffees come out far less bitter than others as the transactional
process over fire reduces chlorogenic acid buildup,” Young said.
Big Kick Coffee prides itself on its distinct flavor profiles. Peruvian
coffee has notes of caramel; Indian coffee tastes like peanut butter;
Guatemalan coffee emits chocolate and Brazilian coffee resembles
buttered popcorn.
“I don't even need sugar or cream in this coffee. It's so good. It's so
smooth,” is a common reaction among those who sip Big Kick’s blends.
Young roasts beans with all five of his senses, fixating on the roast color
and taste. His favorite blend is the Italian Espresso, which he drinks daily.
Follow along on Instagram at @bigkickcoffee
King Bean Coffee Roasters
Kurt Weinberger sparked his interest in coffee while stationed with
the Navy near Seattle. Starbucks had recently launched, exploding
the local coffee scene. Weinberger returned home to the Lowcountry
with a passion for specialty coffee. King Bean Coffee Roasters
launched in 1994, committed to supplying South Carolina with
quality coffee.
“Coffee is a relationship business from bean to cup,” says Bethany
Hill, King Bean's brand ambassador. “We've cultivated great
relationships in our 29 years that allow us to source great beans from
all over the world in equatorial regions known as the Coffee Belt.
Roasting is a skill that brings out the best of a particular coffee.”
Richie Young, head roaster, roasts to find the sweet spot in temperature
that brings forth the bean’s best characteristics.
Hill’s favorite blend is the Nicaragua Mataglapa, grown in the
volcanic soil and high elevation of the Matagalpa region.
“Nicaraguan coffee is known for its mild acidity and smooth
finish. It comes as a medium-bodied coffee with a bright floral finish.
You can taste hints of caramel and dark chocolate,” notes Hill.
Customers can buy coffee by the cup or bag at King Bean’s
Roastery Cafe at 3939 Dorchester Road in North Charleston or
shop online. Follow along on Instagram at @kingbeanroaster.
Highfalutin Coffee Roasters
Adam Hunt worked in a cafe post-grad while trying to figure out what
career direction to take. In 2018, Hunt and his wife moved to Charleston
from New York City and purchased an old cafe and roastery. Highfalutin
Coffee Roasters in the Avondale area of West Ashley was born.
Highfalutin works with importers who collaborate with farmers
and cooperatives in countries of origin to source green coffee, specifically
seeking out exceptional micro lots that are clean and sweet with
floral and fruity flavors.
“We roast coffee to achieve a naturally sweet cup while maintaining
the acids that provide the complex flavors we enjoy,” said Hunt.
“You can greatly manipulate the flavor of coffee through roasting, but
we think that what is more important is the agricultural processes.”
The secret to roasting good coffee is buying good coffee. Sip on
Highfalutin at one of their two shops, in Avondale or on Harborview
Road on James Island or order directly at highfalutin.com.
Hunt’s favorite blend is a Mossto fermentation from Wilder Lasso
in Colombia. “It's an experimental fermentation where they added
juice from a previous coffee's fermentation to this coffee's fermentation
tank to kick-start the growth of desirable microbes and organisms,
resulting in an incredibly sweet and syrupy cup,” explains Hunt. Follow
along on Instagram @highfalutincoffee.
Estuary Beans & Barley
An estuary is a “partially enclosed coast body of brackish water with one
or more rivers or streams flowing into it and with a free connection to the
open sea.” Founded in 2019 on John’s Island, veteran-owned Estuary Beans
& Barley sources high-quality ingredients to roast coffee and brew beer.
Scott Harrison always harnessed a passion for craft beverages
before meeting his friend-turned-mentors at Vail Mountain Coffee
and Tea in Vail, Colorado, who helped pave the way for Estuary’s cafe.
Estuary purchases green beans from a local coffee importer. Most
blends are single origin based from Guatemala, Costa Rica, Indonesia
and the Congo of Africa.
Estuary’s small-batch roasted coffee ​is sold at local restaurants
and retail spaces such as Blackbird Market, Stono Market and Tomato
Shed Cafe, and Storey Farms. It is also sold by the bag and cup at its
Johns Island location, but bags are often sold out. While Charleston
may think of Estuary as a brewery, they continue to spread the word
about their quality coffee program. Follow along at @estuary__co •
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