It's beginning to feel a little more coastal around here. Well, chances are Denver will never know beach or ocean, but there seem to be signs of a culture emerging that is found more readily in European cities and in cities like Vancouver, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco or New York; coffee culture. Crema Coffee House, situated on the Eastern border of the RiNo Arts District recently opened and is on par with a movement that is shifting the way specialty coffee is enjoyed.
Crema is an artisan coffee house; meaning that the coffee is viewed as both a craft and an art form. Owner, Noah Price, also understands the coffee house as a point of community, "Coffee shops bring people together. I get to interact with people of all walks of life, just by serving coffee." Price goes on to explain that we are in a third wave of coffee consumption. The first wave occurred Post WWII, when instant coffee became popularized in households, followed by the second wave of widespread specialty coffee consumption through outlets such as Peet's Coffee and later, Starbucks. This new era or subculture is punctuated by a downshift toward greater appreciation for a palate of flavors, consideration of the full production cycle and a crafted approach to making each cup, all central to the operation of Crema Coffee House. Price utilizes a French press, in addition to the espresso machine rather than brewing standard "drip" coffee, believing that these methods create a fuller and more distinct flavor profile that are often lost in the traditional cup of joe.
Drawing on the similarities between coffee and wine appreciation, Price says there is so much to understand about the complexity of coffee growing and its range of flavors. In order to help navigate a thoughtful product offering, Price works with roaster, Novo Coffee. A Denver-based specialty coffee company, Novo emphasizes what they call a 'connection to origin' relationship between grower and consumer. From the Novo Coffee website, "[tasting] these diverse flavors lead to a deeper discovery of coffee origins, the people who grow and harvest the cherries, the cultures that exist where the coffees are cultivated, and the economic relationships that are formed with each and every coffee purchase."
Price is already well-known for his involvement with local company, DVLP Clothing. At
Throughout the growth of DVLP, however, Price has simultaneously maintained his passion for the culinary arts, one that has been with him his whole life. His father owns the restaurant La Cocina De Luz in Telluride,
Five Points, the neighborhood where Crema is located, is an emerging creative and arts district. Warehouses, lofts, galleries and studios populate the area en mass. Many contemporary design showrooms have established themselves here as well. In recent years, new restaurants such as Snooze and HiRise have also attracted attention to the neighborhood. Crema Coffee House adds to this and is one of the few places in the neighborhood to address coffee lovers, specifically.
Premium coffee and service are not the only reasons to visit Crema Coffee House. Every Tuesday fixed-gear cyclists gather at Crema for "Loops", a casual, but fast, ride through the city. Out of 72 weeks that the group has been gathering, only one ride was missed due to snow. Additionally, Crema participates in First Friday with a new exhibit each month. For the month of January 2010, Crema will be showcasing the work of Jared David Paul. Jared is the founder of numerous art galleries and artist studios in The Art District on
Crema Coffee House • 2862 Larimer • 720-235-2995
Mon-Fri: 7A-7P Sat-Sun: 9A-5P
For more information visit: www.cremacoffeehouse.net.
Owner, Noah Price serving it up. Painting by Sara Ford in the background.
Mmmmmmm, delicious.
Alexandra Horwitt taking 5. Horwitt says Crema is her second home. She helped scout many of the unique furniture pieces and vintage dishes you'll encounter at Crema.
December artist, Jeff King's work.
Mural by "Jolt", owner of Geurilla Garden.
Words + Images: Melissa Belongea
