I’ve always loved the early mornings at the lake, the moments before the sun reaches its full intensity, when the mist rolls across the calm waters of the lake after a cool night. Sounds are hushed and the day unfurls before me, perfect and unspoiled.
It’s in these moments before the lake wakes where I have a chance to recharge and bask in the stillness around me. If there’s one thing that makes these mornings even better it’s a big cottage-sized cup of coffee. I like to think that as I sit sipping on this steaming liquid gold, my hands warmly wrapped around my mug, the lake and I waken and prepare for the day ahead together.
Luckily, there are coffee roasters located all across Ontario’s Highlands, making it easy to create the perfect warm cup o’ joe to enjoy in the early morning quiet. Order online and have these bold aromatic roasts delivered straight to your door, or schedule a pick-up that suits your schedule. Check out one of the following roasters to make your mornings a little brighter.
Madawaska Coffee
In the quaint town of Barry’s Bay lies this small independent roastery with an iconic logo paying homage to the area – a silhouetted moose standing proudly on the front of every bag. With hand-selected beans roasted in small-batches, this team knows how to ensure a perfect cup of coffee. Order one of their seven roasts online and have it delivered straight to your door (or dock).
Engine House Coffee
With a founder who has both a long-standing love of coffee and an Italian background, it’s no wonder this roaster’s blends hold that something special. Created in Eganville, their seven different blends can be found for sale at partner cafes across the Ottawa Valley and Lanark County and can be ordered online for home delivery.
Equator Coffee Roasters
This coffee is not only delicious, but with a focus on sourcing fair trade, organic coffee, is something you can feel good drinking. Use their online quiz to find your perfect coffee or tea and order a bag from their ‘HQ’ roaster and café in Almonte. My quiz results suggested I give the Spring Seasonal Blend a try – touted as a blend that is all the buzz, I think I’ll have to order a bag of this one to get the full experience.
Coutts Coffee Roastery & Café
Sourcing directly from small farmers and roasting in-house in small batches, this roaster is focused on creating fair trade, organic coffees with fully developed unique characteristics. Their café in Perth is located in “The Sheriff’s House” – a heritage building dating back to 1841 where Sheriff Thompson once resided. Order by phone or email for on-site pick-ups or have it shipped straight from heritage Perth to your mug.
Fluid Solar Roasted Coffee
These roasters take both coffee and sustainability seriously. Founders, Lorraine and Bill, have not only lived off the electrical grid for more than 25 years, but they’ve infused their commitment to the environment in their business as well – using sustainable energy sources, roasting small-batch coffee, eliminating waste streams, and packaging in compostable coffee bags. Let the power of the sun fuel your day by ordering a bag from this Clayton-based roaster.
County Coffee
With green beans sourced from farmers committed to excellent coffee, sustainability, and fair business practices, this roaster is creating small batches by hand that showcase the best of the bean. Check the next roasting dates on their website to order online from Abbey Gardens to get your fresh roast.