Over the past month, I’ve considered altering my coffee routine. It’s not about changing the quantity, but rather the flavor of the coffee pods I’ve been using for some time now. Previously, I had a Blue Bottle Coffee subscription, grinding their monthly roasted beans and brewing with a French press. However, due to expenses, I switched to Keurig coffee pods from the local grocery store. While affordable and decent, the taste has become monotonous.

Occasionally, I’ve enjoyed good coffee while out on trips or weekends, and I’d like my home coffee to emulate that flavor instead of the pods’. This doesn’t refer to Starbucks coffee, as I find its burnt taste unappealing. A standout example is Roosevelt Coffee Roasters in Columbus, which serves a delightful oat milk latte with honey. Their smooth coffee flavor is what I prefer over the bitter taste of locally acquired options.

Currently, I drink one cup of Everyday Dose—a mushroom-based coffee substitute—which I enjoy with some sweetener. My second morning beverage is usually a coffee pod. Recently, I’ve tried a different dark blend from the same store to enhance the flavor profile, but it’s too intense.

I look forward to visiting Twin Valley Coffee—a local roaster popular in the area—but their odd hours and crowded space make it challenging. Hopefully, I can try their coffee soon. Additionally, I recently visited Stolen Sun Brewery, who primarily makes beer, but also roasts their own coffee. I was excited during my visit yesterday to try their Ethiopian coffee, as I prefer it over South American varieties. Unfortunately, they were out of the Ethiopian blend and I was left disappointed with the Costa Rican blend I ended up with. If I can’t find anything locally, I might consider rejoining the Blue Bottle subscription.

I’d really like to grind my own coffee again, as it’s part of the overall morning preparation experience that could benefit from a bit more structure. Plus, I certainly enjoyed the flavor of that coffee more than my current rotation of coffee pods.