The US City That Beat Seattle For Best Coffee Destination In The Country
Coffee is an institution that's as American as apple pie. We not only love drinking coffee, but we love coffee culture as a whole. Starbucks, the most recognized coffee brand in the world according to The Business Standard, is certainly well-loved in America. The original location debuted in Seattle, Washington, in 1971 in Pike Place Market. The chain quickly took off, opening stores in Chicago, Canada, California, and Washington, D.C. In 1996, the company traveled east to open its first Japan location (per Starbucks).
As Starbucks expanded its reach, other coffee chains and mom-and-pop shops began popping up in local communities. Seattle has long been a coffee shop city, giving roots to brands like Tully's and Seattle's Best. The city's strong coffee culture and the fact that Seattle has 56 coffee shops per 100,000 people make it a strong contender for the top coffee destination in the U.S (per Seattle Pi). However, another city has snagged the honor.
Coffee is king on the West Coast
According to Wallet Hub, San Francisco, not Seattle, is the best coffee destination in the U.S. for 2022. Wallet Hub determined the ranking based on data from the country's 100 largest cities. It analyzed "12 key indicators of coffee lover-friendliness" in each contender. The ranking considered things like the number of coffee shops and the average price for a package of ground coffee. San Francisco's total score was 63.53, with Seattle coming in at a close second with a score of 62.58. San Fran earned high marks in categories like coffee manufacturers per capita and percentage of adult coffee drinkers.
It's not that shocking that San Francisco would eke out the top spot. The city is full of local roasters who create new and exciting ways of brewing and enjoying coffee. Along with local shops, Folgers Coffee company was founded in San Francisco (per Folgers Coffee). The city takes its caffeine so seriously that it hosts an annual Coffee Festival, where attendees can learn from master brewers and drink some of the country's best coffee. And Zoma reports that the city has 528 coffee shops to serve its residents and visitors — if that seems overwhelming, Practical Wanderlust suggests trying specialty roasters like Paramo Coffee and Ritual Coffee Roasters.