Solid State Newsletter // July '23
Stories and news from our cafe in the heart of the Upper West Side
welcome
Welcome to our first newsletter! Here you’ll find information on our latest coffees, exciting updates about the shop, exclusive promotional offers and helpful advice on anything and everything related to making coffee. We also aim to bring you interesting stories that may or may not be related to coffee but will be sure to spark a lively conversation over your next cup. In this issue, we feature a story about a species of coffee you’ve probably never heard of as well as a write up on a fascinating podcast all about the main ingredient in that coffee you love so much... water. We hope you’ll find this newsletter to be a useful addition to your inbox.
NEWS AND UPDATES
Fourth of July Online Sale
Use the promo code INDEPENDENCE15 for 15% off all online sales this weekend.
Subscriptions Available Now
We launched a subscription service!
Sign up to get coffee on your schedule for only $20 a bag!
Sign up for a 6 month or 12 month subscription to save even more!
What's Up, NY?
You can spot us in the most recent episode of What's Up New York! Check out our new seating area and hear from our staff in the video below!
Katapy
Coffee Releases
This summer, we're releasing three coffees at once. The last of which is something a little different.
First, is the 18 Rabbit, which marks the beginning of a new partnership for us. 18 Rabbit, named after an ancient Mayan king, is a collective of farms in Honduras owned by the Zelaya Ontreras family. The owners of these farms are very intentional about their practices, with a focus on organic farming and naturally rejuvenating the soil. The result is a syrupy, full-bodied cup of coffee that we adore.
The Mwampalala Co-op has been featured on cold brew since it dropped at the beginning of June. It's notes of dried fruit and low acidity has made it an ideal cold brew for the hot summer. We have a DIY recipe available here! This co-op was formed in 2018 in Tanzania. The 117 active members have collaborated to build their own wet mill, plant shade trees, and intercrop with other food staples.
In addition to those amazing single origins, we have a brand new program to announce...
This lot from the Vergel Estate in Colombia is a competition-winning anaerobic processed coffee. With a higher price tag, this is the first in our new series of Hi-Fi Single Origins. It will be available in the cafe exclusively as a pour-over. In addition, we'll be offering a limited number of 8oz retail boxes. Make sure to ask about it next time you come in.
Cafe Expansion
After a long wait, we have expanded the cafe! Tucked in the back, we have an inviting space with plenty of seating where you can catch up with friends or get a little work done. As always, we're open 7am-4pm every day. Have a seat, drink a great cup of coffee, and explore our expanded food menu.
Education
Liberica: The Future of Coffee
If you’ve spent any time talking to baristas, you must have heard about the diversity in coffee. Different regions of the world, different processing methods, and different varietals can all produce many varieties of flavor. However, even all that diversity is more limited than you may think. Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world, right behind oil, but over 95% of that entire market is dominated by two species, arabica, and robusta. However, as climate change threatens both species with extinction, coffee professionals have started looking for alternatives. One alternative that has gained prominence is coffea liberica, the Liberica plant.
Beyond Hydration: Our Complex Relationship with Water
Got water? Chances are, not enough.
Simply put, Americans need to drink more water per day. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine suggests that healthy adults drink between 11.5 and 15.5 cups daily (about a gallon), but we fall short of that goal by half.
DIY Cold Brew
Learn to make our delicious summer cold brew at home! Featuring our cold brew star, the Mwampalala Co-op.