A black tea made from the yaupon holly, the only known caffeinated plant indigenous to North America, is creeping onto Asheville store shelves and coffee shop menus.
Feeling Fancy: Madison Has Heart hosts 3rd annual Fanciful Flea fundraiser in Marshall Feb. 13
To help its neighbors in Madison County manage these costs, local nonprofit organization Madison Has HEArT is hosting its third annual Fanciful Flea event on February 13 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Marshall Island Studios in downtown Marshall.
Winter warmers: Comforting drinks for Asheville’s chilly season
From sipping chocolates to cayenne-infused coffees, Asheville businesses are whipping up warming drinks to chase away the winter blues.
Gerber Village gets a Great Harvest Bread Co.
Great Harvest Bread Co., brings handmade loaves, made-to-order sandwiches and sweet baked offerings to South Asheville beginning Friday, Jan. 22, when the company celebrates its grand opening.
PennyCup Coffee opens downtown in the YMI Building
Just months after opening its first storefront on Depot Street, the local coffee roaster has launched a new café and retail space downtown.
Medea’s Espresso & Juice Bar hosts community holiday celebration
On Saturday, Dec. 19, Medea’s Espresso & Juice Bar will celebrate the holidays and kick off the cafe’s new nonprofit venture — and the community is invited.
Vortex Doughnuts gives back to coffee-growing community with new partnership
This month, Vortex Doughnuts and 1000 Faces Coffee are raising awareness and encouraging conversation about coffee farming and sustainability through a partnership with nonprofit organization The Chain Collaborative. A special pour-over bar at Vortex’s South Slope shop is part of the plan.
Conscious party: Free Planet Radio to perform at Hadaya Toys’ fundraiser for Syrian refugee children
The candlelit evening will also feature photos, spoken word and several short video presentations depicting previous aid trips taken by Hadaya’s founders; a silent auction of gift cards to local businesses; and Habibi baklava, Roots hummus and other refreshments.
Small bites: Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn celebrates one year
Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn is offering fans free popcorn and more during the company’s first anniversary celebration. Meanwhile Standard Pizza Co., has a new downtown location; Asheville’s gluten-less population convenes for an educational event; Black Mountain Ciderworks is throwing a Halloween bash and Bomba is rolling out a multi-cultural menu.
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features two café business plans born from the Waking Life controversy.
Small bites: Taste of Our Carolina Foothills festival nears
An upcoming foodie event in Tryon highlights culinary delights from the Carolina foothills. Asheville eaters, on the other hand, can check out WNC Garlic Fest, Posana’s benefit dinner for ASAP’s Growing Minds Program, Ashley English’s canning class or Wild Wing Café’s stein-holding competition. Plus, food writer Jonathan Ammons talks about one of his favorite Asheville restaurant appetizers.
Smart bets: Jim Bizer and Jan Krist
The duo opens Mountain Spirit Coffehouse’s eleventh season at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m.
Small bites: Bikers and burger lovers unite at Dave’s 209
Dave’s 209 is serving up burgers and hand-dipped shakes to locals and visitors in Hot Springs. Meanwhile, Asheville will soon host a soil-building class, Noble Cider’ grand-opening party and a brain-food trivia game.
Taqueria with a twist: Chef Patrick Abernathy talks Chupacabra
Chef Patrick Abernathy has spent the past 15 years working at notable Asheville eateries, but Chupacabra Latin Café in Reynolds Village is his first solo project.
Three for tea: Dobra comes to West Asheville
With the opening of its third Asheville-area tearoom, Dobra proves that WNC is developing a love for tea.
In photos: Firestorm Books & Coffee serves up some anarchy on Haywood Road
Firestorm Books & Coffee is back. And though the doors are currently open — the coffee flowing and the pages turning, the 7-year-old cooperative will host its official grand opening celebration on Sunday, July 12.
Hot days, cold brew: Asheville’s iced-coffee artisans
Cold-brew coffee isn’t difficult to make, but it takes time and patience. As outdoor temperatures rise, local baristas work to keep up with demand.
Red Ginger Dimsum & Tapas to open on Patton Avenue in October
A local restaurateur is preparing to serve her take on the flavorful dim sum small plates with an open kitchen concept this fall.
PennyCup Coffee Co. opens a cafe, tasting room
PennyCup Coffee Co. opened the doors to its brand-new Depot Street café and tasting room on Monday, June 29, providing the River Arts District with another community hangout space.
In photos: Bikes and Coffee Crawl
Saturday’s Bikes and Coffee Crawl allowed bicyclists to choose their own routes as they trekked from one coffee shop to another for a caffeine-fueled tour of Asheville.
Quick dish: Spicing it up with AppalaChai
When it comes to chai, local tea makers Katie Ames, Tommy Winant and Joel “Windfox” Boyle don’t cut any corners. Through their year-and-a-half old business, AppalaChai, the three owners are committed to their mission of honoring the tea’s ancient Indian roots.