“Everybody needs sodas and cigarettes and snacks,” says Ben’s Tune-Up co-owner Meg Alt. Now, individuals who work and play downtown have an expedient means to get these items. Ben’s Penny Mart, Asheville’s newest convenience store and hangout, is scheduled to open on Friday, Aug. 15, at 195 Hilliard Ave. adjacent to Hi-Wire Brewing. The hours […]
Chai love: Asheville embraces India’s ancient healing drink
When ordering a chai in the Western world, a customer may receive any number of concoctions. A simple black tea with spices is one possibility, but it is significantly more likely that the beverage will be prepared with a powdered mix of sugar and corn syrup solids, with tea nowhere to be seen on the ingredient list. Fortunately for Asheville residents, local businesses are taking the making of chai back to the basics.
In pursuit of the perfect cup
Whether you experiment with brewing styles and create latte art or simply love the smooth, strong taste of an espresso, a barista jam is something to add to your coffee lover’s bucket list. These events offer a chance for people who work in the coffee industry to mingle, gain more knowledge about coffee and share their love for the […]
Southeastern Barista Jam: A Saturday night out for coffee lovers
Coffee lovers, mark your calendars for this Saturday, May 31, and spend the evening sipping coffee, learning about different brews, and seeing some amazing latte art at The Southeastern Barista Jam.
Home base: Odd’s Café opens in West Asheville
There is a new home on Haywood Road. Surrounded by West Asheville’s popular restaurants, shops and music venues, Odd’s Café, which opened for business on Monday, April 28, hopes to provide a space that can be like a second home for customers.
High Tea Café’s salmon bisque
Nancy Orban is the former owner of High Tea Café and gathering spot for local artists and musicians that was a fixture at 23 Wall Street 1974-1983 — years when vacant storefronts were the norm in downtown Asheville. Several years ago, she wrote The High Tea Cafe No Frills Recipe Book, a collection that includes […]
Fika Files: Biltmore Coffee Traders
Blogger, minister and globe-trotting coffee aficionado Elizabeth Reynolds McGuire spends her downtime checking out local coffee shops and promoting the idea of fika, a Swedish custom of relaxing and savoring a cup o’ joe. Her regular series examines Asheville-area coffee culture one cup at a time. I first visited Biltmore Coffee Traders’ cozy red cottage […]
The fika files: Tidings of coffee and joy
There is a little stone building on Tunnel Road in east Asheville. To me, it has always been a cool-looking building, but nothing more. Historically, it was a meeting place for the American Legion. However, recently I realized that behind that amazing architectural exterior there’s a cozy, bohemian, European-inspired cafe. Honestly, I didn’t know there […]
Dobrá Tea opens in Black Mountain
The tea cooperative, which has a location in Asheville, serves tea and an expanded selection of gluten-free baked goods at 120 Broadway St. in Black Mountain.
Dobrá Tea pours a cup for Black Mountain
Andrew Snavely, the owner of Dobrá‘s Asheville location, will open a second shop near his home in Black Mountain.
High Five: Rebranding a responsible coffee shop
While I chatted with Jay Weatherly at his business, High Five Coffee Bar, he cheerfully greeted half a dozen people as neighbors and friends. He petted their dogs and asked about their days. It was clear that Weatherly has created the type of environment he was after — a community-centered gathering place that puts values into action.
Coffee for a cause
Pisgah Legal focuses on the essentials; the nonprofit offers free legal assistance to low-income people with housing, health-care and safety needs. True to form, Pisgah Legal wants to connect with Asheville over an essential part of most mornings — a cup of coffee. Java for Justice gets the word out about the firm’s services while […]
A tom kha tea treat
The Ursa Minor Coffee truck can be found in the food-truck Lot at 51 Coxe Ave., near the bus terminal. Though the truck serves excellent espresso drinks, we’re also particularly partial to the tom kha iced tea, a nod to the flavors of one of the best soups in the world. No, it doesn’t contain […]