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FoodHomeWellness

8 Coffee Brands Making Peet's Look Like Yesterday's News

Steve McClain

Steve McClain

Co-Founder @ Marmalade

Published on: November 17, 2024
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The American coffee scene has evolved dramatically since Alfred Peet first started roasting beans in Berkeley back in 1966. While Peet's maintains its spot as a familiar name in coffee culture, we're fascinated by the emergence of innovative roasters and coffee brands that bring fresh perspectives to sourcing, roasting, and brewing. If you're ready to venture beyond your usual coffee routine, we've found eight brands that offer compelling alternatives to mainstream options.
From woman-owned roasters in Vermont to cold brew specialists in California, these companies represent different approaches to creating exceptional coffee experiences. Let's explore what makes each one intriguing and how they're reshaping our expectations of what coffee can be.

Brio Coffeeworks
: Vermont's Light-Roast Revolutionaries

In a state where dark roasts once reigned supreme, Brio Coffeeworks is leading a quiet rebellion. This woman-owned specialty coffee roaster, founded by Magda and Nate Van Dusen, has introduced Vermonters to the brighter side of coffee through their carefully crafted light roasts.
We're impressed by their transparent approach to coffee education. Their Burlington facility doubles as a learning hub where visitors can watch the roasting process while exploring various brewing equipment. The Tasting Gift Box they've created feels like a coffee workshop in a box, offering a journey through different origins and flavor profiles that might make you question everything you thought you knew about coffee.

Why we like Brio Coffeeworks

  • 1

    Woman-owned business

    Supporting diversity in the coffee industry

  • 2

    Educational focus

    Transparent roasting process and tasting experiences

  • 3

    Light roast specialists

    Bringing new flavor profiles to a dark-roast region

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Bruvi
: Silicon Valley Meets Single-Serve Coffee

Coffee pods haven't exactly won over specialty coffee enthusiasts, but Bruvi's reinvention of the category has our attention. This Beverly Hills startup has tackled the two biggest criticisms of pod coffee – mediocre taste and environmental impact – with some seriously clever engineering.
Their B-Pods pack in 40% more coffee than standard pods and incorporate a bio-enzyme treatment for faster breakdown in landfills. The BV-01 Brewer itself reads like a tech startup's answer to coffee brewing, with precision temperature control and the ability to produce seven different styles of coffee. While we're typically skeptical of pod systems, Bruvi's emphasis on both taste and sustainability makes us wonder if they've cracked the code for convenient, quality coffee.

Why we like Bruvi

  • 1

    Eco-friendly innovation

    Bio-enzymatic pods for reduced environmental impact

  • 2

    Versatile brewing

    Seven different coffee styles from one machine

  • 3

    Enhanced pod design

    40% more coffee than standard pods for better taste

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Dona
: Brooklyn's Spice Whisperers

While Dona might seem like an unlikely alternative to Peet's, their methodical approach to beverage crafting deserves attention. Operating from their Brooklyn workshop, they've elevated the concentrate game with a dedication to slow-steeping and small-batch production that coffee purists can appreciate.
Their Masala Chai Concentrate exemplifies the kind of attention to detail we love seeing in specialty beverages. The commitment to sustainability runs deep here – they're composting over 40,000 gallons of food waste annually. Under Amy Rothstein's leadership, Dona has built direct relationships with producers while maintaining an unwavering focus on quality over rapid expansion.

Why we like Dona

  • 1

    Sustainable practices

    Composting 40,000+ gallons of food waste annually

  • 2

    Artisanal process

    Slow-steeping and small-batch production methods

  • 3

    Direct sourcing

    Strong relationships with spice and tea producers

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Canyon Coffee
: LA's Mindful Coffee Curators

When models and musicians start coffee companies, we tend to raise an eyebrow. But Canyon Coffee, founded by Ally Walsh and Casey Wojtalewicz, has proven itself as more than just another lifestyle brand. Their approach to coffee focuses on the meditative aspects of brewing, encouraging a slower, more intentional relationship with our morning ritual.
Their Bona Pourover Kettle transforms the simple act of heating water into something almost ceremonial, with its precision spout and thoughtfully designed wooden handle. The recent opening of their Echo Park location suggests they're successfully bridging the gap between online brand and community gathering space.

Why we like Canyon Coffee

  • 1

    Mindful approach

    Emphasis on slow, intentional coffee rituals

  • 2

    Community focus

    Physical space for coffee culture connection

  • 3

    Design excellence

    Beautiful, functional brewing equipment

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Groundwork Coffee Co
: California's Organic Coffee Pioneers

Remember when organic coffee was considered niche? Groundwork Coffee Co has been championing sustainable practices since before it was cool, evolving from a quirky Venice Beach bookstore into a beacon of environmental responsibility in the coffee world.
Their Organic Classic Cold Brew showcases their ability to maintain artisanal quality while scaling production. The 24-hour steeping process yields a smooth, full-bodied coffee that needs no additives or sweeteners. We're particularly impressed by their solar-powered roasting facilities – a reminder that size doesn't have to compromise sustainability.

Why we like Groundwork Coffee Co

  • 1

    Sustainability pioneer

    Early adopter of organic coffee practices

  • 2

    Solar-powered roasting

    Environmentally conscious production methods

  • 3

    Artisanal scaling

    Maintaining quality while growing operations

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Atomic Coffee Roasters
: The Cyclist's Coffee Company

Founded by professional cyclists who brought their competitive drive to coffee roasting, Atomic Coffee Roasters approaches bean selection and roasting with an athlete's precision. Their Massachusetts facility serves as both production space and experimental laboratory, where they're constantly fine-tuning their processes.
Their partnership with the Baratza Encore Grinder shows their understanding that great coffee requires proper tools. The recent "Singletrack" blend collaboration with the New England Mountain Bike Association reveals how they're weaving coffee culture into active lifestyles while supporting local communities.

Why we like Atomic Coffee Roasters

  • 1

    Athletic precision

    Professional athlete approach to coffee roasting

  • 2

    Community partnerships

    Active collaboration with local organizations

  • 3

    Quality equipment

    Focus on proper tools for optimal brewing

Angie G

Angie G

04/26/24

A great product, simple and safe enough for my toddler who wants to “help” to actually help.

Steve McClain

Steve McClain

04/10/24

I use this every day. Tried and true.

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Ovalware
: The Equipment Aesthetes

Since 2015, Ovalware has been quietly redesigning coffee equipment for those who believe form and function should coexist. Their Los Angeles studio produces brewing tools that wouldn't look out of place in a design museum.
Their Cold Brew Maker exemplifies this marriage of aesthetics and utility. The precision-cut filter and airtight seal aren't just functional features – they're part of a cohesive design that makes brewing feel like a craft rather than a chore. We appreciate their focus on sustainable materials and reusable filters, showing that beautiful design can also be environmentally conscious.

Why we like Ovalware

  • 1

    Design excellence

    Beautiful, museum-worthy brewing equipment

  • 2

    Sustainable materials

    Eco-friendly approach to product development

  • 3

    Functional beauty

    Perfect balance of form and function

Jimmy Lin

Jimmy Lin

10/09/24

Really nice to keep a pitcher in the fridge. The central cylinder is sized properly for the pitcher so no need to preweigh. No leaked grounds, but it takes a bit longer to steep than normal if you don't stir occasionally.

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True Tea
: Portland's Caffeine Contrarians

For those times when coffee feels like too much, True Tea offers an intriguing alternative. Founded by Katherine Harris in Portland, they bring the same obsessive attention to detail to tea that we typically associate with specialty coffee roasters.
Their Matcha Set reflects this dedicated approach, providing tools and carefully sourced powder for creating cafe-quality green tea drinks at home. The emphasis on chemical-free farming practices and direct relationships with producers suggests that coffee lovers might find a kindred spirit in this tea company.

Why we like True Tea

  • 1

    Coffee-grade precision

    Bringing coffee's attention to detail to tea

  • 2

    Chemical-free sourcing

    Commitment to clean farming practices

  • 3

    Direct trade

    Strong relationships with tea producers

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Moving Beyond the Mainstream

The evolution of American coffee culture has created space for brands that prioritize quality, sustainability, and innovation in ways that weren't possible when Peet's first opened its doors. These alternatives represent different visions of what coffee can be, from Brio's light-roast revolution to Bruvi's high-tech approach to convenience. While they may lack the immediate name recognition of larger brands, each offers compelling reasons to explore beyond the familiar. Whether you're drawn to environmental responsibility, innovative brewing methods, or simply the allure of discovering something new, these brands suggest that coffee's next chapter might be its most interesting yet.