While mid sip in a Midtown coffeehouse early one morning (let's be honest, it wasn't that early), I had an idea. If I spend most of my time enjoying and finding new places to enjoy a warm cup, why not do something resourceful while I am at it? That is when the idea began to brew for The Sacramento Coffee Tour. It is a comprehensive tasting tour that will unfold over the next few weeks, aiming to narrate a story of all that the Sacramento grid has to offer. Now before I get into the details, let me tell you that I am a student and work in Midtown. So some of my tastes in a coffeehouse may vary from yours, but this series will aim to be as objective as possible.

First, this won’t be a list of pro's and con's about certain local coffeehouses; if you want that you can go to Yelp. Instead, this will be telling you a story, a narrative of Sacramento and how coffee plays a part in that story. What makes a great Sacramento coffeehouse and how are our coffee places distinctly “Sac”? Are they just a carbon copy of Bohemian hipster scenes from the Bay Area, or do they have a touch of something unique? These are the questions I am looking to answer, and while doing so, will enjoy as many warm brews as possible.

Before embarking on said tour, criteria must be established.

- Drink -
First we have the coffee; let's not deter from what makes a coffee shop, it’s ALL about the coffee. All coffee, all the time. I will generally order a small dark roast or house blend. You can generally gauge a coffeehouse’s quality based upon their house roast. Many places forget about the staple and focus on frilly drinks and sugared teas, which are great if you’re into that kind of thing. The goal is to understand Sacramento's coffee culture and I don't want to waver from this. I will also order either a mocha or latte to get a taste of how they can handle these as well. I plan to stick to the Midtown grid and surrounding areas, as it seems to be the hub for Sacramento's coffee culture, but am willing to make exceptions for a great cup.

- Crowd -
People make a place we all know this. People can either be the draw or can drive certain clientele away from establishments. A key component of the Sacramento Coffee Tour is to ask who frequents the shops. What is the staff like? Will you feel more comfortable here in a three-piece suit or your favorite corduroys? These are the questions that need to be answered.

- Place -
Location can make or break a business. Is there easy access to parking? How about inside - is the ambiance inviting? Most coffee houses aim to create patrons out of locals right from the gate, so we are focusing on architecture and style.

As it stands, these are establishments I will venture based upon recommendation.

- Old Soul Coffeehouse

- Tupelo Coffee

- The Naked Lounge

- The Java Lounge

- Cafe La Boca (not in the Midtown area, but I’m making an exception)

- Chocolate Fish Coffee

- Temple Coffee

- Capitol Garage Coffee

Everyone is encouraged to drop a comment and let me know your favorite spot and I may add it to the list.