Wake-Up Call

Some small urban entrepreneurs have taken a stand against corporate coffee juggernauts like Starbucks. Their goal: to make the best cup of artisanal joe in the world. This means beans straight from farms in Africa and South America, roasted in small batches on the premises and ground to order. At Asado in Chicago, Blue Bottle in San Francisco, Zoka in Seattle and Stumptown in Portland, each cup is handmade to order by slowly stirring hot water into the ground coffee with a spoon. Can’t make it there? Order beans and try these elixirs at home.