Shade-Grown Coffee

We’ve shared our not-so-secret AM obsession with you before—the beloved VNHQ coffee pot—but what beans make the best brew? After trying Dean’s Beans Birdwatcher’s Blend, we were hooked. Organic, fair-trade, and shade-grown, this Guatemalan Atitlan and Mexican Chiapas blend, which, for those of you unfamiliar with coffee, roughly translates to “delicious,” hits the spot. The taste is smooth, mellow, and drinkable without any doctoring, although a touch of non-dairy creamer and stevia makes for one fantastic wake-up call. As for the bird-friendly name, Dean’s Beans guarantees each batch is produced while protecting songbirds’ habitats.