Boulder, Colorado
Living in Boulder, Colorado, it should be no surprise that the people dwelling in this area have strong opinions. Everyone here is striving to make a point or cause known. Every soul is searching for some kind of good in this world and every mind has a different perspective on how to make this happen. Living in this kind of city, it comes at no surprise that you would find a coffee shop dreamed, crafted and opened with a purpose.
When you arrive at Ampersand Coffee Roasters, don’t be swayed on your pursuit for coffee by the howls of dogs sharing their grievances. There is a dog boarding house next door but once you break through the doors of Ampersand, their cries are all but forgotten. Art hangs off the walls, framed neatly by carefully placed plants and classic chairs. It’s an art gallery with a purpose. Their roasting equipment stands proud behind a window, begging the newcomer to accept it purpose and to find delight in what it’s roasters have created.
Their menu is simple offering strong espresso based beverages such as Macchiatos or Cappuccinos. If you prefer to stay with your brewed coffee, they offer various forms of pour-overs and nitro’s. If it’s a warm day and you are feeling more adventurous, don’t hesitate to skip your local brewery and come to Ampersand for a tasting flight instead. You can secure a flight of ales and stouts everywhere, but how often are you given the chance to experience a flight of espressos each proudly resembling their origin?
To get a baseline of their coffee, a Sumatra Chemex Pour-Over was chosen. While the water raised to a boil in the background our barista explained this coffee shop’s origin. Opening a year and a half ago, Ampersand aims to “provide high quality coffee supporting women’s empowerment, environmental sustainability and upward spirals”. They achieve this by purchasing beans from female farmers. These women own their farms and rely on them to support the family they are single handedly trying to raise at the same time. While the owner goes to visit the farms, they often find new farms to source their beans by word of mouth. These women farmers will recommend other female farmers they have gotten to know and are also in need of support. This system creates access to new coffee and collaborations for Ampersand while creating the opportunity for another woman to support her family.
The Sumatra coffee, much like the women it’s beans are supporting, announces its presence with strong dignity before backing off with grace. It’s a coffee that’s not messing around but knows the perfect moment to relax and leave you aware but satisfied. It’s flavoring is strong and bold. Much like the paintings hanging on the walls, the Sumatra perfectly blends together the sentiment of rich, earthy soil the morning after rain has fallen while interweaving with cocoa beans. It’s flavor lingers with notes of lavender but don’t be mistaken that this floral upturn wouldn’t arrive without dew still cleaning to it’s petals.
During our time in the coffee shop learning the history of the area and about the small team of 6 who mans the shop, we were gifted a complimentary shot of Ethiopian espresso. We were warned while the pour-over was darker and more earthy, this would take you away with it’s strong blueberry flavoring. While my first slip was tainted with skepticism, I was completely blown away. While the the espresso clung to it’s acidity in keeping it’s citrus flavor notes, it managed to be rich and creamy. The Ethiopian is the product of a small child picking blueberries fresh off the bush and hiding them away for a small treat when no one else is looking. There is no mistaking the promised flavor notes of earl grey and blueberry from the scent that is sure to stick in your nose to the almost smoothie like experience that follows suit.
Ampersand coffee is not the shop to visit if you want to run in, grab your cup of jo and quickly escape back out the door. This is a coffee shop standing for a mission, with coffee best enjoyed in the relaxed environment while motivation sparks within. Every cup of coffee has a story to tell - this coffee shop will make sure that you don’t miss it.
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