Senior Project - Caffeina

What a wonderful surprise this place was, atmosphere, taste and all. While researching which local coffee shops to include in my five I had yet to visit, this popped up near the top.

I had actually driven by about a week prior, the outdoor sign immediately catching my eye. "CAFFEINA" written in roaring 20s-esque font, was spread conspicuously across a not-so-conspicuous grey block of a building, tucked behind State Street. My curiousity was piqued, so naturally, I took to Google.

Caffeina is a coffee roasting company based in Boise, Idaho, with two locations. One lives on West Overland Dr. and the other on State St. Lucky us. Although voted one of the best coffee shops in all of Boise, they serve far more than just coffee. They brew their own craft beer and kombucha, alongside serving an array of pastries and a fairly substantial food menu.

Toast, burritos, bowls, sandwiches and other small bites populate their menu. Not to mention, as does their diverse selection of smoothies, teas, kombucha, alcoholic beverages and can you guess? Coffee.

In this instance, we made an exception to the rule and ordered a matcha latte instead. If not previously mentioned, my goal with this exploration is to experiment by trying a variety of coffees. I mean, the project is called "Operation Coffee" after all.

That being said, this variety also include non-coffee drinks. My goal is to gain a diverse experience and to be able to make educated recommendations from this. For example, what alternative drink options to they offer? We know the coffee is good but how well can they prepare a non-traditional latte? What recommendations can I make to readers whose first choice isn't coffee and/or who are caffeine-free?

So- do I recommend their matcha? Simply put in two words; hell yes.

"Come inside, get lost in the art of coffee and the romance of brewing methods."

The barista lit up when I informed her of my project and said she wanted to put a spin on the drink's presentation. I'm not sure if it's evident from the photos but she used the matcha powder to create a little heart on top. I loved it- no pun intended.

I ordered my $3.85 (+tax and tip) matcha latte hot and with almond milk. Be aware that their almond milk is vanilla flavored by default, so if that's not your 'cup of tea', I recommend ordering another one of their alternative milk options. Don't quote me but from my memory, they also serve soy and oat milk.

Luckily, I'm both a fan of vanilla and had never tried a vanilla flavored matcha before, so I was sold. I'm so glad I went ahead and ordered this because it is one of the best matcha lattes I've ever tried. I took the first sip and sank into my chair. It felt like a warm hug.

I prefer my matchas with just a pinch of sweetness, not too much to where it masks the earthyness of the tea itself. Although flavored, this drink had just the right balance of sweet and savory. The vanilla was such a nice addition and I can definitely see myself ordering vanilla matchas in the future.

Now we know that the drinks are good, how does the atmosphere stack up?

As eloquently stated on Caffeina's website, their "passion is coffee, and [their] obsession is life, nature and health." Their space embodies this beautifully, as it's filled to the brim with plant life, earthy tones and natural elements, like mixed metals, woods and brick. A cozy, at home feeling greets you at the door, as well as their bubbly and accomodating staff.

The rapport they have with their customers and co-workers is telling of just how homey of a culture this place has. Regulars' orders being placed before a word even exits their mouth, customers cozying up on the couches, warm drink in hand and deep in conversation, bellowing laughs being shared between baristas, and a table of college students studying hard, adjacent to two cyclists taking a reprieve over a game of chess. The space is large and of open concept, so feel free to get comfortable and stay awhile. In three words, open, outdoorsy and comfortable is how I would describe the atmosphere. Five beans.

The only major ding Caffeina receives is in the accessibility category, as both of their locations are approximately a fifteen minute drive from campus and downtown, Boise. Prefer to ride your bike? It's doable but expect to carve out about an hour to travel there and back. All in all, would I come here again? Already have. Do I recommend it? Yes. Study here, write here, laugh here, make a home here.