Newberg’s Best Americano

By: Zoditu Schwind            

The Coffee Cottage, Chapters Books and Coffee, and the Coffee Cat Coffeehouse are the go-to cafés in the area. However, which has the best ambiance and cup of joe? 

Newberg’s Coffee Cottage offers both indoor and outdoor seating. As sunny days give way to the overcast and cold, its indoor seating is cozy. It has an invitingly open floor plan dotted with wooden chairs and circular green tables. The walls are off-grey with a deep Turkish blue accent, a color from the conception of teal and denim. There is a mosaic trim of colorful ceramic shards, marbles, watch faces, and other trinkets. The décor inside the café is artfully organized. Paintings in the impressionist-style hang on the walls. The residual brush strokes in the paintings give movement to the landscapes.  From the books and computers spread on most of its tables, the quiet undertone attracts students.

A $2.75 12oz Americano served in a wide-rimmed white mug rests perfectly within my cupped hands. It exudes warmth. The aroma of the coffee is faintly acidic but is barely noticeable. It’s the Cottage Blend, roasted by Caravan Coffee, which claims to have hints of cedar, molasses, and pipe tobacco. With the first sip, there is a light espresso flavor, but the water and coffee tastes immiscible; their respective molecules remain wanting as lovers. Unfortunately, the pipe tobacco flavor overpowers the aftertaste, but even this bold flavor quickly evaporates. This medium-roast cup of coffee is preferable when hot. Once chilled, the acidity becomes too strong, and my throat constricts.

Ambiance: 7/10

Americano: 4/10

Photo courtesy: https://coffeecottage.net/

Chapters Books and Coffee sits on the corner of North College Street and Pacific Highway West. Its floor-to-ceiling windows flood the café with natural light and afford customers a view of Newberg’s pedestrian life. Wooden framed photos of Newberg in its black and white years hang on the walls. The colors of the café are simple: red brick, white walls, and black wooden chairs and tables. The cashier’s counter is in the back of the café, and the path leading to it is lined with crafts and books for sale. One-third of the space of the café is a booklover’s paradise. The latest display of books calls like a siren to passing customers. The gentle hum of conversation creates a semi-study atmosphere. Younger locals and college students are Chapter’s general frequenters.

Their $3.00 12oz Americano is served in a tangerine-colored mug. The Jaime Ventura blend, by Bespoken Coffee Roasters, is from Honduras and is said to have notes of “strawberry, cranberry, [and] nutty cocoa.” Warming my hands around the mug, I can smell the coffee’s acrid aroma. From the first sip, there’s an earthy settlement on my tongue. It doesn’t last. Initially, I’m hopeful that the aftertaste will hint at a berry or nutty flavor, but I’m disappointed at its flatness. Though the acidity is low, the overall espresso flavor blend was anticlimactic.

Ambiance: 8/10

Americano: 5/10

The Coffee Cat Coffeehouse is a little hole in the wall in downtown Newberg next to an art gallery and optometrist. Inside, the high ceiling and low hanging dimmed lights offer warm vibes. The rusted corrugated metal counter, old coffee sacks, and brick accent wall add to the eclectic nature of the coffee shop. In regards to furniture, it is thrift shop heaven. Mismatched tables line one side of the café. The back offers couches of varying colors and sizes. One alcove is furnished with two comfy, paisley upholstered armchairs. An old ‘50s farm truck depicted on a shower curtain hangs on one wall of this cozy nook. The buzz of conversation fills the café, and notably, its customers are generally middle-aged.

The $3.00 12oz Americano is made from the Benevolence blend roasted by Flag and Wire. Like the furniture, the coffee mug is original. There is an ice-skating flamingo wrapped in Christmas lights on the front. Lifting the cup to smell the coffee, I see that the lip of the cup says, “I am Dreaming of a Pink Christmas.” No, I’m not. It’s October. Unfortunately, the coffee isn’t very aromatic. The Benevolence blend is said to have a chocolate-y flavor. With the first sip, the flavor is subtle but noticeably tastes like unsweetened cacao nibs. Running the coffee over my tongue, it has a smooth buttery texture. After swallowing, there is no residual acidity, but the memory of the cacao butter taste teases my tastebuds. Finishing the cup, the delicacy of the coffee leaves me feeling satisfied.

Ambiance: 9/10

Americano: 8/10