Counter Culture Coffee

I feel so lucky to live only a block from here, which is how I stumbled upon it in the first place. I was a little bummed to find out that it was not in fact a coffee shop but a training center for Counter Culture out of North Carolina.
I work in advertising, so coffee and food aren’t my life, but are definitely strong passions. Every friday there are cuppings which are essentially coffee tastings. At first, the cuppings were a little overwhelming, but now that my tastebuds have been edumicated I’m less concerned about not having a ton of experience in coffee.

wow i never knew there was so much to learn about coffee! i have always loved and hated my need for coffee in the morning and never really paid much attention to the art of making a superb cup of coffee. i love my job and am always happy to meet others who love what they do as well. the guys at counter culture have such a passion for coffee that it made me want to learn more! i went to a class with mostly other people who knew way more about coffee than i did so was a bit intimidating but i’ll just have to go back and learn more! what a great place

Back in 95 I opened a restaurant in Raleigh NC. I didn’t drink coffee at the time and my Hippie business partners went to some little coffee roaster in Durham and had a special roast developed for our place.
In 2005 strung out from too much work and too much drinking I succumbed to the powers of caffeine, I diluted two shots of espresso with some foamed milk and the rest is history.
Addictions get a bad wrap, but other than my shaky hands and the mild headaches on occasion this has been a very beautiful partnership with the coffee gods.
A few months ago I was waiting in line for my cup of black when I noticed the sign at Swim café saying, «Counter Culture coffee.» I was in disbelief, like finding a long lost lover. Maybe not the best lover you ever had but your first, you have that special bond. So much respect for the innocence and benevolence of your first time.
A month or so later I strolled into the headquarters on Ada street and gave them my Kitchen Aid coffee maker in exchange for some labor intensive contraption that I never use. What was cool was just seeing how serious they are about educating people in the beauty that is coffee. It took me full circle to 1995, and 2005.
Counter Culture you were my first espresso, my first coffee, and a main ingredient in several baked goods and sauces over the years. I love you, and I am glad you have entered my life. Cheers to the balance of the universe.