Amy Cray

There is just so much amazing coffee available. I've decided to quit worrying about which is the best and start to appreciate the variation. Having a steady supply of great coffee beans in my home is one of those things that have made it into the must-have-to-maintain-life-quality list: those things that make me a better me (such as having a piano, fluffy pillows, and fresh air). Those of you who understand what I'm talking about, you understand on a root level, right? I was chatting with a barista/cafe owner the other day about how coffee is nearly a basic human right. Food, shelter, coffee. In that order. But I digress.

Filling the top slot for availability and consistent quality for the month of May is Coast Roast Coffee, which comes from the city of Tomales. For those of you non-locals, Tomales is a teeny rolling hill town in an awesomely gorgeous location on the Sonoma Coast. Retail and wholesale, Coast Roast offers a decent eight organic roasts, including a water decaf.

I tend to alternate between the Peruvian and the French Roast, both of which are heartbreakingly great and roasted to their full potential without creeping into smoky territory. The Peruvian has the earthy caramel and deep almond nutty character that I crave, while the French is more restrained and refined but still packs a "good morning" whallop of roasty sweetness.