Constant coffee: the Kaffeeklatsch

There’s a great little coffee roaster in Huntsville, Alabama, and it has been there since 1977. I would have no problem stating that out of The Kaffeeklatsch‘s door issues the best coffee in the world.

Lovers of great coffee make pilgrimages to this place

Lovers of great coffee make pilgrimages to this place

Grant and Kathy Heath are the people behind this institution. And it is an institution, in the best sense of the word. They have been producing quality beans for 36 years in the same location in Huntsville’s downtown. And the honest manner in which they do this, using a beautiful 1929-vintage Jabez Burns coffee roaster they purchased in New Orleans, is a thing to behold.

Small batches, attention to detail, manual labor. All of these things, and more, result in the best beans I have ever tasted. I have consumed coffee in at least 20 countries around the world, and, almost without exception, whenever I lift a cup to my lips I think, “I wish this was Kaffeeklatsch coffee.”

They don't make them like this anymore: The Kaffeeklatsch's 1929 Jabez Burns coffee roaster.

They don’t make them like this anymore: The Kaffeeklatsch’s 1929 Jabez Burns coffee roaster.

Grant works his magic.

Grant Heath works his magic.

I have been drinking those beans from Alabama since 1985, and I’ve had it shipped to Dubai and Germany and New York and Florida, among other places. My latest beans arrived last week, and mornings have been better since then. If you drink Kathy and Grant’s coffee you know what I am talking about. If you don’t, you are making a mistake. Take a look at the Kaffeeklatsch’s site and place an order. (My favorite is Kenyan, because I like the winey taste it brings to my palate.) And have a great morning.

Three pounds of excellence

Three pounds of excellence

4 Comments

  1. victoria

    Absolutely, by far, some of the best coffee I’ve ever enjoyed. A hidden gem few outside of the area appreciate. Thanks for the spotlight.

  2. James Brock

    Hi, Victoria, and thanks for reading. Yes, the ‘Klatsch is a gem. I’ve been drinking Kathy and Grant’s coffee for years, and do think it is the best I’ve ever had. (Full disclosure: I worked for them a good number of years ago. In addition to their great coffee, they are nice and caring people.) You might be interested in reading this earlier post: http://http://66.147.244.113/~jamesabr//2012/04/11/common-grounds/

  3. stephen

    Great memories of music, coffee, and colorful people at the Klatsch. For me the place was a comfortable island of someplace else, when I felt lost in a sea of North Alabama.

  4. Scott Frazer

    Coffee from KK has been a favorite in my family for years! My brother is a good friend of one of the roasters there and has worked as holiday staff as well.

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