Two Rivers Coffee, Arvada
With a mixture of dread and excitement, I took the first sip.
“What would you like?”
“What would you recommend?”
“Well, what kind of coffee do you usually order?”
“I don’t.”
I was relieved when my blunt statement was not met with incredulous disbelief or uproarious laughter. Despite my determination, I was trepidatious about this first venture in the coffee world. I had to meet my foe and make a friend of him. I was willingly sacrificing my sense of taste on the altar of reform. If this first event met with disaster, my little quest could come to an abrupt and final end. With a confident smile, Eric accepted the challenge.
Eric is the owner of Two Rivers Coffee, an inviting little coffee shop in Arvada. The setting was perfect for coffee appreciation to makes its debut… a beautiful Saturday afternoon… doors wide open to the fresh springtime breeze. Eric’s first selection was his signature Mocha Latte. With a mixture of dread and excitement, I took the first sip. It tasted like coffee. Pushing past my instinct, I concentrated on tasting every subtle flavor. It was very mellow, with a hint of mocha, slightly sweet, dark, with a bitter coffee aftertaste. I had this incredulous thought, “I can’t believe I’m drinking coffee!” Surprisingly, I not only drank the entire latte, I actually enjoyed it. I can’t say for sure how much I enjoyed the flavor, but the elation at conquering my coffee revulsion made up for any unpleasantness. Of course, it wasn’t black coffee, and judging from the chocolaty residue left in the bottom of the cup, the coffee had a lot of flavor enhancement, but it was coffee nonetheless! When it was done, Eric revealed his secret ingredient. He uses a sea salt mocha to combine the classic sweet and salty contradictions.
Two Rivers Coffee brews only Novo coffee, which is locally grown and roasted, and has been consistently voted as one of the top five coffees in the nation. Every cup of coffee is brewed individually, from beans that were roasted within the previous two weeks. This provides the freshest possible coffee at all times. Taking a few minutes of his time, Eric described his approach to coffee. He said that coffee, like wine, has nuances you should be able to taste. What you put in the coffee is important, but you should be able to enjoy coffee for itself. I told him my purpose, and that Two Rivers Coffee had been recommended as a good place to start. He responded, “This is a good place to start, and this is a good place to end too. This coffee in particular, I can drink for the rest of my life.”
For contrast, and to round out my coffee expedition, Eric offered me a cup of Anyetsu – an Ethiopian blend, roasted only four days earlier. I was told to expect undertones of rich chocolate and blueberry. It was very black, very dark and very rich. I have struggled with a way to adequately describe that first sip, and it eludes me. It’s bitter harshness made me cringe, and then subsided. After acclimating myself to it somewhat, I found that I was indeed able to taste the berry undertone – not initially, but in the aftertaste.
I don't know how those flavors come about. I think perhaps it has to do with either something that grows near the beans, or something added in the fertilizer. I suppose some beans have a flavor bred into them as well. Though, how a coffee bean can end up with a hint of blueberry, without having blueberry in it, is beyond me. Even if blueberry bushes grew all around the beans, I am sure the blueberry roots don't taste like the berries. Very interesting. I know I could research it in about two seconds, but it is much more fun to hear from you...
Postscript. Two Rivers Coffee merged with Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters in 2019. As of the time of the repost, January 2021, I have yet to visit the rebranded cafe.
ORIGINAL COMMENTS
Anonymous, April 8, 2011 at 11:17 AM
I guess I will have to take a trip to Arvada and try this stuff! Sounds very inviting.
Anonymous, April 8, 2011 at 11:22 AM
I'm glad Eric took care of you. He's a good guy and always willing to share his knowledge and expertise in coffee. I find he makes one of the best lattes around. A perfect blend of the milk and the espresso, not too sweet, not too strong. I've actually never tried his mocha, and will have to give it a try next time I am in. I'm actually surprised he recommended the Anyetsu for a first timer. I find that to be a very "rich" flavor of bean. I thought maybe he would have recommended a very mellow one to start you out on your quest. But I defer to his expert judgement :). A good writeup though. I would recommend trying some other Novo roasts as well before your quest ends. Maybe I will talk to Eric about ordering me some more Ojo De Agua so I can give you a sample. Unfortunately they only do special orders for that roast. I'm not sure if Novo downtown stocks it in the shop either.
-Nathan
~Annette, April 8, 2011 at 11:34 AM
Glad you started writing Rachel. I have a blog in the works but I am not ready to keep it going yet. I am too busy right now but maybe next month I will get it up.
UnknownApril 8, 2011 at 1:15 PM
Link to Novo http://www.novocoffee.com/
Link to Two Rivers Coffee http://www.tworiverscoffee.com/
Anonymous, April 9, 2011 at 7:33 PM
Great story, glad you are experiencing both black and flavored coffee choices. I have been to Two Rivers, great coffee place.
Cathelina
Jennie, May 15, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Hi Eric! I have a group of 10 women that would like to meet on a Tuesday night (May 31st.) We are looking for a warm inviting location and I LOVE your coffee shop! I am not into one those "regular" places (ie Starbucks, Panera- who said those words anyways!) Would you be willing to stay open on a Tuesday night until 8:30? Please let me know!!!
Thanks so much
