Photo Credit – Sarah Jackson

Be it the amazing aroma and rich delicious flavour of a really good cup of coffee, or the relaxed and inviting feel of a cozy coffee shop, everybody seems to have their own reasons for why they love the spot they love. It’s our insatiable love for that tasty little bean that spawned local coffee guru Sarah Jackson to launch YEG Coffee Week, which kicks off March 7th and runs through the 15th.

Many Edmontonians may remember Sarah from her days running her own small coffee shop on Whyte avenue called Luzzara, or her current gig at Leva. She’s got an infectious enthusiasm for coffee, among other things, which sometimes manifests itself into some absolutely atomic high-fives when things get really out of control (I’d highly recommend consulting a doctor before engaging in a Jackson high-five though, as the recoil is akin to a bazooka).

YEG Coffee Week founder, Sarah Jackson

I’ve asked some prominent Edmontonians to share some coffee-related thoughts with us in the spirit of YEG Coffee Week, and I’ll even chime in with a thought or 2 of my own.

Here’s the esteemed list of panelists:

Andrea Beca- Andrea is 1/3 of the hilarious new Sketch Comedy trio Friends Without Benefits.

Scott McKeen- First term City of Edmonton Councillor for Ward 6 and former journalist with the Edmonton Journal.

Kari Skelton- Co-host of the “The Wake-Up Show with Jason and Kari” on Up 99.3 radio.

Ryan Jespersen- Host of “The Ryan Jespersen Show” on 630 CHED radio and in-game host for the Edmonton Oilers.

Jennifer Crosby- Co-host of “Global Morning News”, and Noon News. Currently on maternity leave with her first child.

Where is your go-to coffee spot in Edmonton, and what’s your drink of choice? 

Andrea– My favourite spot for coffee is probably Transcend. If I’m in the mood for something sweet, I’ll usually go for a vanilla latte, but I also love plain ol’ lattes. I’m vegan, and I love that Transcend has the option of soy or almond milk, because I like to switch it up.

Scott– First of all, my favourite coffee place is defunct. I used to hang around the 12th Street Bistro, a lot. Single guy, living in the big city, needs a coffee place to hang.

Now I love Credo and its lattes. Theirs are done at the PERFECT temperature. Some corporate stores do their lattes way too hot and scald the milk, as well as the sensitive bits in my mouth.

Kari– I’m all over Edmonton when it comes to feeding my coffee addiction. I love the atmosphere at Leva (that’s also where we buy the descaler for our espresso machine at home), I buy my beans at Cafe Tiramisu and I love the Almond Milk Chai Latte at Remedy on 124th. I’m still dying to try Nate Box’s new place, Burrow.

My coffee drink of choice is a Coconut Almond Milk Latte. I also love Matcha Green Tea Lattes.

Ryan– May I choose a few? I’m a big fan of Credo on 104th Street (and now 124th Street!), Transcend Garneau and Elm Cafe. I keep my order pretty simple – a good, strong Americano every time.

Jennifer– My go-to coffee shop is dependent on where I find myself.  If I’m settling in to write or read for a bit, I love Leva and Da Capo (the old Da Capo was a longtime favorite too). Credo on 104.  I’m excited to see Remedy expanding to the Southside.  And when I’m at or near Global, it’s coffee and a meat and cheese croissant at the Italian Centre. Wherever I am, my drink of choice is a plain old latte.

Phil–  My current favourite is District Coffee Company, though Leva is a close second. I always order an Americano, even though I’m a Canadiano through and through.

What’s more important to you in a coffee house- having the highest quality coffee, or a great atmosphere?

Andrea– I have to admit, I’m not enough of a coffee connoisseur to stress about it too much. For me, coffee is either a social thing – a time to catch up with friends, meet new people, etc. – or it’s a quiet thing – a time for me to be out of the house, working on writing. So, I like places that have great atmosphere, comfy seating, and prime people-watching.

Scott– Coffee shops with great coffee always have great atmosphere. There is an artisan’s way with coffee in great coffee shops. That same philosophy is applied to the decor.

I’m not fussy about it being gorgeous. I like homey and a bit of elbow room. Thus, I’m thrilled with the new Credo on 124, which allows more room to stretch the legs out.

The key to atmosphere seems to be a sense that I’m in an authentic place where coffee and community are celebrated and welcomed. The style aesthetic can be quite different, place to place, but there is that ‘feel’ of being in a place where it’s OK to sit and visit over a coffee.

Kari– As much as I am so picky about my coffee, I’m going to say atmosphere. I love spending hours catching up with a friend at a coffee shop. There’s something very “in the movies” about it. Even if the coffee is that bad I can still pick a pastry or different drink off the menu to satisfy me while I enjoy my time.

Ryan– I guess it depends if I’m staying or going. I could care less about atmosphere if the coffee stinks…but I’d be less likely to discover excellent coffee in a total dump. My favourite spots in town really understand the need to provide both!

Jennifer– I’m not any kind of expert on types and styles of beans and pours, but I love a coffee shop atmosphere. That solitary time in a busy space.

Phil– I’m not much of a “hang around the coffee shop for hours” kinda guy, therefore great coffee and efficient service is most important to me. Also, coffee always tastes better to me in a to-go cup. Why is that?

Who would be your fantasy coffee date, and why?

Andrea– It’s hard to choose just one! So, for today, I’m going to say Lucille Ball. She’s an absolute heroine of mine. But I feel like if she were going for coffee, she’d need a cigarette, too, and I’d join her even though I don’t smoke because it’s freakin’ Lucille Ball, so we’d better wait for summer and a nice patio somewhere.

Scott– My fantasy coffee date would likely be with Daryl Katz, in which I get to regale him with all my ideas of how to fix the Oilers.

Or the buddha. The buddha would be great. I’d push about four cups of coffee on him and say: “OK, now try to sit still and meditate for 20 minutes, Mr. Enlightenment.”

Kari– I think I may have experienced one of my fantasy coffee dates already. Biking through Bali, my husband Ryan and I came across a Kopi Luwak operation in one of the villages. Beans excreted from wild Asian palm civets. Sounds nasty but it’s delicious. It was really neat to pick up a couple of pounds of this highly sought after coffee directly from the source. Any chance to shop local!

Ryan–  My wife Kari, obviously! (She’s going to read this, right?) We invested in a beautiful Saeco espresso machine a few years ago and it’s changed our lives, especially the early mornings. Coffee together on a Saturday or Sunday morning is one of our favourite traditions. That said, my most memorable coffee date of all time was in Ethiopia in 2009. I was invited to take part in a traditional coffee ceremony upon arrival in a remote village. It was an absolutely amazing experience, speaking directly with the growers and watching the beans go from green to roasted, ground, and poured!

Jennifer–  This is such an era of change politically – right now I’d choose to meet the Premier for coffee to talk election call timing and taxation troubles. “On the record,” of course.

Phil– I’d say former play-by-play man Rod Phillips. I could sit and listen to stories of the 80’s Edmonton Oilers for hours, and Rod seems like a great story-teller. Listening to someone as passionate as Rod is always inspiring, regardless of the subject.

Now that some of Edmonton’s most interesting personalities have weighed in on their picks, I’m curious for you all to share yours in the comment section below. Happy sipping!

Baconhound is an Edmonton food blog, focusing on the best restaurants and dishes in Edmonton and beyond. Phil Wilson is also host of the Edmonton, Alberta based food podcast, Off Menu.