Coffee & Tea
It is hard to walk around Columbus without a cute little coffee shop or peaceful tea salon catching your eye. After having previously established favorite coffee and tea shops back home in Michigan, I was eager to go explore new places to find a new coffee shop I could hold close to my heart here in Columbus.
What is the remedy to a long, stressful day for a pair of sisters looking to wind-down? Zen Cha. Ever since tea was discovered in third century B.C., its calming effects have crossed country lines, spreading its benefits to the masses, including my sister and I here in Columbus, Ohio. After a walk to the Short North, Samantha and I entered Zen Cha already avid tea lovers. With its warm interior sweet aroma, we were both already feeling more relaxed as we took our seats. Back home in Michigan, my favorite tea shop was a little place called Chocolatea where the loose leaf teas were self-serve; Zen Cha eluded a much more professional vibe. Your order, consisting of food or tea (or both) was taken and delivered. After surveying the tea menus, Samantha decided on the “Stress Relief” tea, while I opted for a German tea entitled “Black Forest” which was flavored with apple, sunflower petals, passion flowers, rose petals, raspberry pieces, and strawberries. Being a veteran of Zen Cha, Samantha was sad when the tea was not delivered in beautifully crafted tea pots, rather to-go cups due to the influx of customers from Art Crawl. Regardless of the less than appealing cups, the tea was amazing. Too hot to drink, I took the lid off, let the steam escape, and a deep ruby tea was exposed. The fruity aroma wafted through the air. All my senses felt calmed. My surroundings were warm earthy tones pleasing to the eyes; there was light instrumental music softly playing in the background of hushed conversations; the tea was rich in flavor, sight, and smell, and its warmth immediately soothed. I had only tried one tea, but I already know Zen Cha is a place I can rely on at the end of a rough day. Not only will I be returning, but I hope to bring along some fellow tea enthusiasts to enjoy the relaxing nature of Zen Cha. My recommendation can only go so far, so I encourage everyone to go for themselves rather than simply listen to a tea lover spew over-emotional words at them.
Coffee & Tea: Part 2
Columbus is teeming with specialty coffee shops serving everything from the “Roald Dahl” to the classic con panna. You can’t venture far without a cute or intriguing coffee shop catching your eye. For those who seek a coffee shop with a little more character and spunk than Starbucks or other chain coffee shops, Columbus’s coffee scene definitely does not disappoint.
Kafe Kerouac, located on N. High Street, eludes the chill, laid-back vibe. It could be described as indie and hipster being filled with records, video games, and books available for purchase. The workers sport botanical tattoos, edgy piercings, bushy beards, and friendly attitudes. Although the atmosphere may be a bit overwhelming at first, it is worth the visit for the creative character of the place. All the specialty drinks are named after famous writers such as Jane Austen and Roald Dahl (a coffee drink with vanilla and peach flavors – highly recommended). Come for the coffee and stay for the entertainment – whether that is live music or poetry readings on Wednesday. Kafe Kerouac offers an alternative setting where students can become involved in various activities, or simply enjoy interesting coffee drinks. It is definitely a place I will be returning to, especially to see my friend Mary Kate read her poems again.
In addition to Kafe Kerouac, I also visited Stauf’s one chilly evening. Although the iced mocha was delicious, the place was crowded, loud, and there was barely a seat available. I probably wouldn’t spend too much time here, especially if my goal was to get some studying done. If I were to go back, it would be for the coffee. On the other hand, One Line Coffee was much less crowded, and the atmosphere was enjoyable, with open seating spaces and soulful music playing in the background. The baristas were full of personality and have nearly perfected their coffee-making skills. The only downside to One Line Coffee is the price, because the coffee is such high quality, the prices are equally as high. My fellow ENR friend, Jessie, opted out of buying anything, and instead decided to simply take in the vibes.
My last coffee stop was marked clearly by the giant coffee cup on the roof: Cup O’ Joe. Cup O’ Joe was a really pleasant shop to hang around in. The Mojoe Cool was composed of coffee and chocolate milk, and it is safe to say it didn’t disappoint. The barista was always open to explaining and recommending drinks, which was very helpful when trying to decide between so many delicious sounding drinks. I had a really fun time here with my mom and sister. Unlike many of the other places, I can see myself returning to possibly get some work done. Cup O’ Joe is probably placed higher than most coffee shops if I were to recommend a place to go to a friend.
It was nice to venture to all the different coffee shops around Columbus and the Short North to try to find the one that fits best with my lifestyle and personality. My favorite aspect of this experience was feeling like a professional coffee connoisseur after visiting and tasting so many unique coffee beverages. Although I knew Columbus had a big coffee scene, it wasn’t until I explored all the various shops that I truly grasped how large the coffee community is. I feel like nearly every coffee lover can find that one coffee shop that they can show favoritism towards. After experiencing the coffee atmosphere of Columbus, I feel like I may try to explore another passion of mine: desserts.
To anyone attempting to dive head first into the coffee scene of Columbus should not be afraid or intimidated of the possibly strong vibes given by many of these coffee shops; you may find that you fit with a coffee shop atmosphere you didn’t think you would. Proceed with an open mind and eager taste buds.
Kafe Kerouac
Stauf’s
One Line Coffee
Cup O’ Joe
