I am creating this page to highlight the absolute best cafes across Arizona. Third wave coffee is a beautiful artisanal movement treating coffee as a complex culinary ingredient rather than a basic commodity. A true third wave coffee shop places all the focus on origin transparency and direct trade sourcing. The most skilled third wave coffee roasters favor light roasts. This roasting style highlights the vibrant natural flavors drawn from the specific soil and climate where the bean grew. You will also notice these cafes usually move away from “dessert style” drinks or heavy syrups (a choice that lets the pure coffee shine). I carefully curated this guide for anyone hoping to find a hidden third wave coffee near where they are. It is the perfect resource to finding third wave specialty coffee while you explore the finest third wave coffee shops our state has to offer.
Manual pour over brewing is arguably the best method for highlighting the delicate floral and fruity notes of light roasts. The Hario V60 offers a clean and crisp cup and is the most popular tool. It uses a cone shape to control water flow. The elegant Chemex utilizes ultra thick paper filters. These filters remove natural coffee oils for visual and flavor clarity. The flat bottom Kalita Wave promotes an even and consistent extraction across the entire coffee bed.
I like to compare specialty coffee to a premium steak. You probably would never order an expensive cut of beef and ask the chef to cook it well done (or burn it). Roasting good coffee too dark ruins the delicate flavors hidden inside the beans. You completely lose the bright fruit notes and unique regional characteristics. This is exactly why the best roasters stick to light and medium profiles.
I always look at the processing method. The two main styles are washed and natural (“honey” processing falls in between). Washed coffee is exactly what it sounds like. Farmers pick the coffee cherries and soak them in water for a set period. This soaking dissolves the fruit skin so it easily breaks away. With natural processing, farmers leave the whole cherries out in the sun for days or weeks. The sun slowly dries and breaks down the fruit. This second method brings out extra wild flavors that washed coffee simply cannot match. The slow fermentation under the sun forces those deep fruity notes to infuse directly into the bean.
I always look for shops that prioritize flavor balance over volume. You can usually tell a cafe values this ratio if they only offer one size for hot drinks. A barista extracts a precise amount of espresso for every cup. Adding too much milk to a massive cup would completely drown out the coffee. Offering a single size means you can expect the calibration to be absolutely perfect.
I love comparing single origin coffee to fine wine. The beans develop completely different flavors depending on their exact country and region of origin. Environmental factors change everything. Different soil, water, elevation and temperature contribute greatly to the final taste in your cup.
I look for a few specific details when I visit a new cafe. The concepts below help me decide if a shop truly belongs on this list.
This section is under construction. Please check back soon.
Finding great coffee should be an inspiring experience. My name is Ozzy and I personally vet and curate the best independent coffee shops and roasters across Arizona to make finding the perfect coffee shop easier.
Arizona Coffee Directory
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