The Hunt For Good Coffee Continues
November 4, 2021
My love and understanding of coffee have only grown since my last coffee shop review, and I am excited to share some of my new finds and updates on coffee shops that continue to make the top of my list.
Artisan Culture
Offering in-house roasted coffee, solely alternative milk, vegan, gluten-free pastries, and immunity-boosting mushroom powders, Artisan Culture continues to provide a unique space for The Woodlands area after a year of business. They not only support local Artisans and serve fresh coffee, but they promote sustainability with zero-waste composting, a 10% off ride-your-bike discount, and zero-emissions, electric-roasted whole bean coffee from over ten origins. Whether you are craving a craft latte with house-made, organic syrups or a simple pour-over or americano, Artisan Culture has got it covered. As they take pride in the craft of each drink, patience is key with each visit, but the wait is worth it. Artisan also offers customizable beverages, from the coffee bean to the addition of flavors and spices, all for the affordable price of $3.96. My recent go-to’s at Artisan is an iced Americano made with their Guatemala beans or an iced Falling Fig Latte, part of their Fall Special menu, either made with Matcha or espresso. If coffee is not your thing, they also offer Steamers, Italian Sodas, and teas.
Blue Door Coffee Company
Offering much more than a delicious, consistent cup of coffee, this parlor coffee shop is a good choice for a light brunch, casual meeting, or study sesh with the option of sitting in private pods or the lively cafe setting. The friendly staff will accommodate you even when they are busy and make an effort to remember your face. Their house-made pastries and baked goods are phenomenal, changing with the seasons while offering gluten-free and vegan selections. Their espresso is so smooth that I order double the shots in my latte, making for a creamy, refreshing drink. My regular order alternates between a half-order of avocado toast on locally made bread with an iced shaken matcha latte with honey, cinnamon, and oat milk or a warm spinach puff with a stout iced latte with honey, cinnamon, and oat milk.
Summer Moon Coffee
I can usually tell a slight difference in the flavor of coffee from different shops, and Summer Moon has a distinctly unique flavor that has gained them enough popularity to franchise across texas and surrounding states. This unique flavor is due to their unique roasting process involving an open flame in a one-of-a-kind brick roaster. For a chain drive-thru, they pay attention to details, and it shows, from their cozy interior design to the craft of each drink. When I first visited the newly opened Conroe location, I left unimpressed with the drink I ordered and confused by the ordering process as they characterize each latte by the amount of their “moon milk,” which is their brand of sweet cream. I still do not fully understand the ordering process, but my eyes are opened each visit, and my order is refined. So far, my favorites are the shaken espressos with honey, cinnamon, and oat milk (as you can see, these are my go-to ingredients) and their matcha latte with honey, cinnamon, and oat milk.
Golden Hour Coffee & Tea
Like Summer Moon, I had to give Golden Hour a few tries before making my mind up about their coffee. After trying their iced americano, my recent opinion is that their coffee has a rich, full-body flavor, with mild acidity, making it easy to drink and refreshing. I have only recently begun drinking americanos to appreciate the flavor of coffee without all of the added goodies, and I make a point to try one from each shop before making my mind up so that I can evaluate the quality of their coffee. The environment of Golden Hour offers an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere that enhances the experience of grabbing a coffee. The vibe I get reminds me of a modern coffee shop in the city where you can escape from the bustle in a peaceful environment. If you hesitate to visit coffee shops due to your distaste for coffee, I would highly recommend Golden Hour as they take pride in the tea just as much as their coffee, offering over ten different varieties of tea. I am a fan of their matcha lattes.
Conduit Coffee
Conduit Coffee is tucked away in the depths of the Woodlands, making for a secluded experience with artfully made drinks. If their pristine espresso doesn’t get you hooked, maybe their adorable shop dog will. However, they offer much more than coffee, as they incorporate innovative seasonal drinks into their menu, such as my personal favorite ‘The Mad Hatter’ made with oat milk, blue spirulina, hibiscus syrup, and Matcha. It made for a gorgeous and refreshing drink, but they change up these specials monthly, and I can only cling to the hope that they’ll bring it back next year. In addition to these imaginative beverages, they offer locally made takes on nostalgic treats, such as giant vegan pop tarts and cookies. Their breakfast sandwich and overnight oats are perfect for a quick bite with your coffee.
