Let Me Introduce You To Storyville Coffee

22 posted on May 22, 2009

POSTED IN: Blog Posts

I’ve been waiting a long time to share what I feel is one of the best kept secrets in the coffee industry: Storyville Coffee Company.

I discovered Storyville several years ago in an ad in Paste Magazine (which goes to show there is still a place for traditional print ads targeting a specific demographic). Their mission to “save the world from bad coffee.” A lofty goal that I support wholeheartedly.

I checked out their web site and was immediately drawn to their excellent design and iconic logo of the little boy flying his toy airplane. Their challenge to “drink the truth” and videos like this intrigued me.

Choosing the coffee I wanted to try was simple since, according to their site, they have only one flavor: fresh.

Our philosophy is: keep it simple and make it great.

We don’t offer an assortment of roasts, blends and flavors; we ship only one coffee. Although we think flavors like amaretto, almond, hazelnut, cinnamon, pumpkin and mint have their place in the world, we believe the best flavor for coffee…is coffee.

Storyville offers two versions of our signature blend: Prologue, the original, and Epilogue, the Swiss Water Process decaffeinated.

My coffee arrived a couple days later. When you buy Storyville coffee you’re buying more than just perfectly roasted beans, you get an experience. The beans come in an attractive package complete with a short DVD course which teaches you how to get the most out of every freshly brewed bean. As a designer, I was impressed at the attention to design and detail that went into their packaging.

Brewing The Perfect Cup of Coffee

I should start by saying that if you want a good cup of coffee, the right brewing method is essential. My good friend and mentor bought me my first French Press and I’ve been hooked ever since. If you don’t have a French Press go pick one up and taste the difference. Here’s a good article on what to look for in a French Press (mine is a Bodum).

Those of you who already have a French Press may be surprised to know that it may already be telling you something about the freshness of your beans. When you pour your hot water over your ground beans in the bottom of the French Press you’ll see something called a “bloom.” The size of the bloom will depend on how fresh your beans are.

One of Storyville’s defining characteristics is its fresh, perfectly-roasted beans shipped express to your door with a roast date and recommended consumption date printed on the label. This ensures that you’re enjoying the best flavor possible.

Give It All Away In May

Storyville Coffee Company has already partnered with Mars Hill Church and donated tens of thousands of dollars to their downtown church plants. Earlier this month Storyville announced their boldest philantropic effort yet. In the face of a difficult economic climate, they made a radical business decision: Instead of scaling back, they will “Give it All Away in May.”

Throughout May, Storyville will donate 100% of revenue, up to $1 million, to International Justice Mission, supporting work around the world to rescue victims of slavery, trafficking and other forms of violent oppression.

Taste The Truth

If your only experience with coffee has been the burnt, over-roasted beans that most companies pass off as “fresh-roasted” then you need to wake up and smell the coffee…real coffee.

I should note that I receive no compensation for this post. I’m not paid for my endorsement. I just enjoy telling others about great products and Storyville is definitely one of them. If you love good coffee, I’m confident you’ll love them too.

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 22nd, 2009 at 8:48 am and is filed under Blog Posts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

10 Comments

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May 22, 2009

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1 Cherith said:

Wow! Great post. I know it’s just about coffee but BJ and I have become quite the coffee tasters. We try different brands and “flavors” and yes, we MUST french press them all! I’m impressed to see that they, as a company, are going outside of themselves and basically trusting in God for a whole month and giving to what they see as vital and important to stop. Which I also believe in that. (see the movie “taken” amazing)
Anyways, more power to this company. I would love to buy a bag and support them and not the “other” coffee people…
“It’s just a big bag of Hate!” LOL

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May 22, 2009

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2 Sean B. said:

Brad, this is an amazing post. I have been a barista (baristo?) for several years and love companies that stand up for good coffee. The ad was incredible.

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May 22, 2009

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3 Kyle Kite said:

Wow, they look like a great business.

I dig their logo as well.

Another coffee company you may be interested in checking out is Ugly Mug Coffee out of Memphis.Their coffee, their design, and their mission are all awesome.

I’m a first time commenter. I really enjoy your blog. Thanks.
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May 22, 2009

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4 Chelan Rene’ said:

Ok, here goes!

My husband, Ricky & I have been coffee lovers from day one, over 14 years ago. While dating, we loved the taste of Tully’s. For Ricky’s 20th birthday, I’d secretly planned a train ride from Portland, OR to Seattle, WA so we could spend the whole day together riding the trolley, shopping Pike’s Place and holding hands at Tully’s Coffee Shop at the top of the Space Needle.

But things didn’t really go as planned. I’d not budgeted enough time to get to the train station, assuming I knew the route. Anyone who knows Burnside in Downtown Portland knows it doesn’t let you turn left! I didn’t know Burnside. We were 3 minutes away from the station & 10 minutes from departure time, when at every light, a saw a NO LEFT TURN sign. My heart was racing as panic set in. “They have to let me turn left before that bridge over the Willamette River. They have to.”

Meanwhile, Ricky’s just staring at me, clueless…and helpless.

There was no way to turn to get to the station, and as soon as my tires hit that bridge, I knew my entire day of plans was done for – scrapped…and I involuntarily began weeping. I mean like, shaking, shouldn’t be driving, loud weeping. Ricky’s eyes are like saucers. He thought we were just going out to eat. he tried to comfort me and direct me back over the bridge as I explained the our day was ruined, and we pulled into the lot, 5 minutes after departure.

I looked up at the screen just make sure…and saw…our train had been delayed by a half-hour. Then came more weeping…only this time with rejoicing, dancing, hugging & thanking Jesus for answering my prayer!

We made it to the Space Needle & shared a sweet tall Tully’s latte’ that afternoon. And I have the shots to prove it. Too bad I don’t know how to uplaod them in a comment.

It was the most romantic, rewarding (and emotional) day trip we’ve ever taken.

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May 23, 2009

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5 Shaun Groves said:

Where’s this coffee grown? I don’t see that anywhere on their site.

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May 23, 2009

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6 alece said:

how incredible that they are going to give away 100% of their revenue this month. that’s unheard of. and God will most certainly honor that kind of sacrificial giving.

their logo so reminds me of our own “thrive boy” in the thrive africa logo. i love it. and it makes me miss home.

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May 23, 2009

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7 joseph said:

LOVE great coffee and great coffee companies.

And the French Press is a must.

I will have to order some soon and give it a try.

The other coffee I love to order is a 100% kona from Kona’s own little coffee house JackA$$ Surfer Coffee. The name is a bit crude but the coffee is insane. Very dark and rich.

Cant wait to get my new coffee in the mail! Yeah Storyville.

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May 23, 2009

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8 joseph said:

I have to update myself…my kona coffee I had been ordering has changed names to java on the rock…same great stuff..new name and package.

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May 26, 2009

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9 Brad Ruggles said:

@Shaun – I emailed them and this is what they replied with:

“The Prologue blend secret formula is in the vault! If you are looking for descriptors, it is 100% Arabica beans, designed to be a full bodied, low-acidity coffee. Hints of spice, chocolate, nut and a little fruit. Most people that usually take their coffee with cream say that Storyville is the first coffee that they could drink black. It is smooth and not bitter. Above all, it is enjoyable!

We built our blend on cup quality and buy beans that are in the top 2% of coffee available. We are constantly cupping green varietals, including Fair Trade and organics. So far, we have yet to find a certified coffee that beats the quality of our current blend and is consistent from lot to lot.

Because of this upper 2% top-grade artisanal coffee, we pay a premium price over current certified coffee premiums. We use one of the most respected coffee importers in the world, who only buys from quality farms he has visited personally, who are treating their workers and land fairly, sustainably and with care. A farm cannot produce beans in the upper 2% without adhering to these standards.”
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May 27, 2009

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10 Storyville Coffee said:

[...] Storyville gets great publicity, you drink great coffee (according to my friend Brad, it is great coffee) & IJM gets much needed [...]