Counter Culture Coffee Training Center

We would have given this 30 stars, one for each year that Counter Culture has been in business! We are next-door neighbors to this extraordinary coffee roaster, and our leadership team decided to try the Friday morning Tasting at Ten. We are a local business that has also survived and thrived for 30 years, and it was an honor to meet Jesse and Jamie, who not only provided our group with delicious coffee but also shared so much about the finer points of coffee, flavor profiles, and the best way to store coffee. This company knows coffee, and being sustainably minded, we appreciated their sources, practices, and how enthusiastic and knowledgeable they were about their coffee. We tried the Even Keel half-caff and it was our new favorite. We highly recommend the Tasting at Ten and buying a coffee subscription.

Went to a tasting on 10/17 and had an absolutely wonderful and emotionally moving experience tasting Muriama estate! Jaimie’s presentation was excellent and the coffee tasted and felt just the same :)

My daily driver! Full time traveler here (@whatrvdoing)! Being on the road has its challenges. There are so many coffee shops that do not produce quality roasts. That said, and thanks to these guys, I have been able to get my beans delivered anywhere in the country. Big shout out to Ryan from customer service, he is amazing. Go for the single origin 2 bag subscription so that you have variety in your daily brew. My personal favorite is Kushikama from Kenya.

Yo my local coffee roasters. I picked up a bag of your big trouble beans at Whole Foods and just made the best latte I've ever made. Y'all are awesome. I wish I would have given you a try sooner. Looking forward to trying more of your lineup.

The coffee is amazing! But in the past, the coffee tasting was more informative. Years ago, they used to talk about the roasting process and the different ways to brew coffee and more about the origin of the beans. That's all gone now and it was just a tasting of a featured coffee. The other was really MUCH more interesting. Please bring that back.

Can't say enough good things about the company. Their beans are the best around and they're consistently bringing in specialty items to mix up their offering. The subscription box is highly communicative and flexible, making it an easy choice over prime deliveries. They're transparent and diligent about their supply chains and business practices. Their customer service has been exceptional the few times I've reached out. I'd give it 6 out of 5 stars if I could.

Review from 2023 Man I really love this Coffee Brand, but after a couple years of my wife subscribing to their single origin coffee I cannot recommend it. We have got some great coffees, we have also gotten the same less desirable ones multiple weeks in a row. It is far cheaper to just order coffees we like than pay for coffees we don’t. We currently are going on our third order in a row containing Nuevo Amancer, and I really don’t like it. I get not every coffee can be Apollo, but with the cost of the coffee I should not feel like I am getting what is not selling. Update 11/17/2024 Well I guess they have stepped up their game. Have had nothing but great selected in the 3mo we have been getting weekly orders again. Knew they could do it, 2-5⭐️!

Counter Culture's Slow Motion Decaf is a standout choice for decaf coffee lovers. This blend impresses with its smooth, full-bodied profile featuring delightful notes of chocolate, caramel, and citrus. The Swiss Water Method used in decaffeination ensures a clean taste. Brewing it at home is a joy, filling the kitchen with a heavenly aroma. Counter Culture's commitment to sustainability, highlighted by its B Corp certification, adds to the appeal. Knowing that my coffee supports ethical practices makes each cup even more enjoyable. If you seek a high-quality decaf coffee with exceptional taste and ethical sourcing, Slow Motion Decaf is the perfect choice.

I visited this fantastic coffee wholesaler a few weeks ago for their coffee concentrate event! They have manufactured a prepared coffee concentrate that can be diluted and used in everything from lattes to espresso martini. They plan on selling to shops, bars, and restaurants. They drizzled some of the coffee concentrate onto ice cream, which was amazing! I can't wait until they start supplying local stores. Hopefully, it will be available in stores for customers in the future!

This is definitely a place for a true coffee lover because they don't play around with their coffee and there's no where you can add milk! I came on Friday morning where they have the coffee class and they first greeted us with a cup right when we walked in to wait for everyone else. Then we sat on the steps and they shared more about the culture of coffee and try a couple of their blends. It was really cool to also hear from the other attendees and get feedback on what they think of the coffee. They don't sell coffee here but you can still get some when you do the class. They also did an expresso demonstration after which i was too hyped up for more but it was cool to see them make it. Overall a cool experience, especially if you like coffee or just want to learn more.

Hey folks very interesting place from the outside you would never know that all this wonderful coffee comes in to the world from this location well a few other locations as well we met Candace today and unfortunately we didn't read to see that they were close, but she was kind enough to let us in and take us on a little private tour And she gave us some coffee. We had a great time. Thanks Candace for letting us in and can't wait to see you guys on Friday

If I could give Counter Culture more stars I would! As someone who loves learning about new things, I've found the Friday morning coffee tastings so informative. I love how organized the Counter Culture team is. They have it down and everything seems to run very smoothly. When I leave I feel like I could run a marathon from all the caffeine though. I've been here twice, once with out of town family and another time with some coworkers. We took an early lunch break. When you go in, they give you a cup of coffee, then you learn about Counter Culture, the coffee you'll be tasting, and how to cup coffee. Then, the group splits up, some will go on a tour while others get a shot of espresso or a cappuccino. Then the tour comes back in and the ones who has espresso go on the tour. The tour is very informative and they take the time to answer everyone's questions. You can tell they all love their jobs! This is a must stop if you're in Durham on a Friday!

Went to the coffee tasting. Really cool way to learn about the coffee we're tasting and understand more about the brewing and roasting process. We were able to go on a tour of the Durham roastery afterwards. FYI, you don't get cups of coffee to sample. It's in one cup and people go around sampling with spoons. In any case, a fun experience!

I came for the Friday free tasting, and enjoyed the information as well as the coffee. The tour was mostly standing around listening to how Counter Culture makes their coffee, from growing the beans to shipping them out, but being able to see some of the work done in action was neat. The tasting consisted of getting your own cup of a single roast, coffee cupping three different roasts, and then a shot of espresso. I am a fan of Counter Culture coffee, and being able to visit the roasting site was cool for me.

Are you or someone you love a Coffee Lover? Here's a cool (and Free) thing to do in Durham: Counter Culture's 'Tasting at Ten' Every Friday at 10 AM,  stop and taste coffee and enjoy a tour of Counter Culture Coffee Headquarters and Training Center. Open to the Public, rain or shine, they welcome friends, customers, and all coffee lovers to these free tastings to come together at their regional training centers. Each week Counter Culture chooses a coffee or coffees to feature and a complimentary brewing method. Today we tried  The Andes, limited release a blend of 2 coffees from the Andes Mountain range. High quality, sweet from Columbia/Peru. We learned how to identify the Flavor,Acidity,and Body of the coffee. Participants are guided through the tasting (no experience necessary, all are welcome) and Counter Culture shares details about where the coffee comes from and why they love it. After the tasting, we went on a tour of the Durham roastery. Tasting + Tour lasts an hour. Both fun and informative, this is a great way to start the morning and a cool day date idea.

Counter Culture Coffee isn't just a business it's a experience. I joined some friends for their Friday tastings and it was absolutely amazing. While there we sampled coffee from Peru + Colombia it was called Andes. We were able to try a pour over, espresso and cupping. We toured the facility and were able to ask lots of questions. The staff was absolutely amazing. I really enjoyed the set up + layout of the space. They had water for you just in case the coffee was a bit much. One of the things that I loved about it was the educational piece they give you that goes with each coffee. I recently visited Peru so sipping coffee from there brought me back. Overall beautiful place, pleasant staff and you should definitely check out their Friday tastings.....

Best local coffee roasters!! Y'all live in the triangle? Get yourself some Counter Culture Coffee! Not only are you supporting a local company, but you are supporting an art! A delicious, caffeine packed, bag full of beans, thanking God I am alive to enjoy this soon to be brewed and poured into my mug, black liquid gold, art!! Coffee Art, PEOPLE!! Yes!!

I began my love affair with Counter Culture Coffee by asking "Is it Counter Culture coffee?" after the meal at every local restaurant I visited about 10 years ago. If the answer was yes; the coffee served was always the cherry on top of the rest of the meal. After a year of this I started buying CCC fresh roast whole beans, a burr grinder and a Capresso flask drip brewer to bring this particular slice of heaven to our domestic setting. I thank god (and my wife) for leading me to the Carolina Piedmont every time I smell CCC brewing in the morning. I have been to the warehouse for a Friday cupping and tour. I enjoyed sharing the passion that CCC has for all bean growers they work with. I love the names they give to their beans and the postcards you can pick up and mail out. The best retail outlet for Counter Culture beans is "A Southern Season". Despite being a tourist trap for all the UNC Chapel Hill B-Ball day trippers Southern Season carries most (if not all) CCC beans and at the best price. Due to the good prices and wide selection the beans they offer are always fresh. My all time favorite bean is "Purple Princess" which is currently sold out. Not to worry - the coffee salesperson had another suggestion that was just as good. If you are not in the local area and want to sample some of the Counter Culture coffee magic go to www.counterculturecoffee.com and use the mail order option. You will not be disappointed.

Best coffee ever!!! My favorites are Hologram and Forty-Six. So frustrated that my local source, for the coffee, EarthFare closed. hoping to find another local to Rock Hill, SC source!!!

I love supporting local roasters, and CC is among the best by far! You can visit their roasterie on Friday's at 10am for a free lesson on their coffee making process, tasting, and tips on how to brew your own excellent cup at home (and to enjoy a complimentary cup on-site). My friend and I found this educational and fun :) a hidden gem in Durham for sure

Counter Culture has moved locations and blown their old "headquarters" out of the water. Although the area is still being renovated, they take up a huge lot in an industrial area in East Durham (walkable for a walker from downtown Durham). We visited the new facility for their grand opening and were very impressed. State of the arts tasting stations, light from the outdoors, beautiful "factory" space, relationships with coffee bean growers, what's not to love. Plus, their coffee is great! They still offer their coffee delivery system where you can receive freshly roasted beans per your drinking needs. They also still offer their 10am Friday morning tours and cupping! And best of all: you can finally purchase beans directly from this location, although with a variety of other Counter Culture Coffee apparel and coffee focused items. Locals and tourists alike should definitely take the time to visit!

Drove from Charlotte to attend one of the cuppings. I nearly passed it because I was not expecting it to be so small. When I parked I had no idea where to go, but the lady helped me out and was very nice about it. I finally found the right location and all the staff were incredibly friendly, informative and really relaxed us as a crowd of random strangers. The room itself was very relaxing too. Had a very home feel to it. Prior to the actual cupping we all were given a shot of espresso if we wanted. Caffeine before caffeine is always a win. The whole ordeal was really fun for something educational. It really opened my eyes to how serious Counter Culture is about their coffee, the whole process of finding beans, roasting them perfectly seems so methodical. If you have a real love of coffee or are trying to get into coffee I highly recommend attending a Counter Culture cupping.

This place is AMAZING, roasts delicious coffee, and supports responsible business practices. That being said, THIS IS NOT A COFFEE SHOP!!! don't stop by if you want to buy a cuppa joe and get on the wifi... this is their headquarters/roastery. They have barista trainings and competitions here, and on Fridays you can taste their lovely roasts at weekly coffee cuppings. They don't even have a storefront here -- but there are plenty of retail places around town where you can buy their beans. That is all :) Just a quick PSA in case anyone is looking for their latest caffeinated study spot!

Went to the Friday coffee tasting which is done using cupping method (coffee brewed right in cup) and participants use clean spoons to slurp coffee to get the full flavor profile of beverage. Very informative! Enjoyed touring the facility and hanging out with the passionate employees at Counter Culture...

Now This is COFFEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I tried three of the top coffees this great place offers and all I can say is wow!! Freshly roasted before shipping and so fragrant. The Espresso Toscano is just wonderful-Sweet and mild, with notes of caramel, hazelnut, and dark chocolate. Really awesome!! The Espresso La Forza another champion in flavor and robustness. Strong similar to the "Seattle Style" coffees! Espresso Aficionado is great for those homemade cappuccinos holding its flavor well in cream and froth. Prices are reasonable and shipping is really fast. Right after roast, bagged and shipped. With date stamps on the bags. Highly recommend this place.

Counter Culture coffee is a wholesale coffee buyer and roaster HQ'd in Durham, NC. They focus on coffee produced by farmers dedicated to sustainable agriculture and high-quality production. Their warehouse on Alston on the edge of RTP is full of barrels of green beans and roasters, and they love educating folks on what coffee is all about. Counter culture is the real deal. When I moved here from Seattle, I was really surprised that there was such a serious coffee buyer and roaster in Durham. They have cuppings open to the public every Friday and you can find their beans in various outlets throughout the triangle in other mid-Atlantic locals. Drop by their warehouse -- they're totally accessible and love to talk coffee. The Nicaraguan San Ramon is one of my favorites, but this is a roaster that really knows what they're doing and so you can't really go wrong with them. They're on par with Intelligensia and Stumptown, and it really doesn't get any better than that.

In an effort to better help you understand my coffee reviews, I thought it might be nice to inform you of my favorite coffee roasting companies. Of which Counter Culture is currently my second favorite. These people know their coffee and have enough sense to have a coffee named after Mexican wrestlers. I'm just waiting for some actual Mexican coffees with names like El Santo and Blue Demon. That would kick up the awesomeness factor of Counter Culture in my opinion. Not that they need their awesomeness factor boosted too much, it's already pretty high up there in my estimation. "High Groan" you might say. Favorites include Los Luchadores; Thiriku, Nyeri, Kenya; and anything from Ethiopia.

Need caffeine? Ultra fast shipping! Local Business! Fair and Sustainable Trade! These guys have the best coffee I have ever had! We just got our 15th shipment of coffee, and it always comes the day after we order it. It is always roasted the day before it is shipped out, and it's amazingly fresh! They have a huge selection to pick from, and everything is fantastic! If you want great coffee order it from them online! Drink on coffee lovers! Drink on! Kuta and Cauca Colombia are our favorites! (They also have great customer service and quickly deal with any complaints/issues that arise.)

They are opening up a branch in PHILLY! Open house next weekend!!! Checkout their website.

I ordered from here on recommendation of a friend who goes to UNC. Extremely impressed! Speedy delivery of two (very fresh!) seasonal bags of beans to Michigan! The coffee is delicious and both varieties are great for pour over and french press. We even received a discount on shipping by signing up for the newsletter. I will continue to order from here in the future (perhaps even order for Christmas gifting?). I plan to regularly alternate between Counter Culture and my other bae, Madcap.

Coffee just doesn't get any better than this! For any single-origin drinking, pour-over coffee junkie, the roasts from Counter Culture are what you're looking for. I had never tried their coffee in the past, but they came highly recommended by one of the baristas at Grumpy Cafe in NY (another awesome roaster you must try). I wound up placing an order for a three month single origin subscription. Each month, two different roasts are sent right to your door. The origins vary depending on what's in season. The coffee is roasted the morning of the shipping date, so you're guaranteed the freshest beans! Prices are super reasonable, and shipping is fast. Despite the great value, quality is on par, or even more superior, than the beans that cost twice as much from other high quality roasters. I can't wait until the 19th of the month, when my order is set to ship from Durham!

Counter Culture epitomizes why I love the Triangle. It's a local business. They import sustainable coffees and really focus on their environmental impact. Look at this from their website: "Our goals for 2015 are to achieve carbon neutrality, 100% supply chain satisfaction and debt reduction to 5% of sales per quarter, and profitability every quarter." They also have a direct trade certification where they build relationships with coffee growers--and they post trade transparency reports online, so you can really know where your coffee is coming from. Okay, enough of a spiel about the coffee in general, their shop/learning center/roastery is also awesome. They have special events on Fridays where they educate the public about coffee. Once, I had friends visiting who get Counter Culture where they're from. They were really excited to be in Durham and suggested that we check it out. So we roll up to Counter Culture at 2pm, not realizing that the address listed on the Yelp! review doesn't have a coffee shop attached. The people were so nice! One gave us a mini tour and a free sample, because he had some extra time (note: I do not suggest just showing up, you may have a very different experience). Anyway, I could tell that everyone in the whole organization who I met was passionate about what they do. And...finally....their coffee is awesome.

Note that Counter Culture HQ has moved. Here is the new location: Counter Culture Coffee 812 Mallard Avenue Durham, NC 27701

I don't know if all those reviews about CC forcing smaller roasters out of business are true or not, but I would be surprised if they are. They seem to be very ethical and honest with their coffee and coffee sourcing, so I don't see why they would need to resort to bad practices. I attended one of their Friday tastings and it was a good experience (my first tasting). I took the short tour of their facility afterwards, and it was cool to see the huge roaster and machinery. I heard of CC through their great chocolaty espresso blends (Apollo and Toscana) which were very well known and respected in the 3rd wave coffee circles, so it was great to go there and see what they were doing. This is the first time I've had any of their non-espresso coffees, and I had 4 different coffees at the tasting, and it was great! They use some of the same farmers and sources as my favorite West Coast roasteries (Klatch and Temple) and they do a nice job with getting great flavor from those same green beans. When I am on the Carolina's, I look for places that serve CC coffee, so I recommend them wholeheartedly!

A truly impressive local roaster and coffee intelligentsia think tank. Free cuppings every Friday at 10am, classes and special events. These folks are changing the face of local and global third wave coffee and are worth supporting.

Where do I begin?! Their new HQ's is warm, inviting, perfectly setup for watching, learning, soaking up all the great knowledge these folks have in such a hands on way! Their Friday tastings is NOT to be missed! Either is their coffee! Counter Culture's fair trade coffee is the VERY best, and this is not just by chance! We had the privilege of meeting the head roaster, Ben, and he took the time to show us around the factory and let us see firsthand the personal time and energy each one of them takes daily to provide their customers with the perfect bag of coffee! WOW! They seem to REALLY work together beautifully as one well balanced team! Not only was that so very refreshingly rare to see and enjoy, they actually seem to sincerely care just as much about each other as they do about the coffee they are preparing for their customers! How incredible is that?! They take what they do VERY seriously, and know everything you ever wanted to know about coffee and then some! They took ample time in answering all of our questions, and we left feeling like we actually knew more about the process of where our coffee beans came from and one step closer on how to make the "perfect" cup of coffee :). I not only encourage EVERY one of you to come out for a Friday 10am tasting, but for those of you who truly want to make the very best coffee possible and learn more about coffee, sign up for one of their classes...I can only imagine how truly amazing that would be!!!! Each person we came across as CCC truly seemed to give their very best to ensure the very best and freshest coffee beans goes out to each and every one of their customers....what more could you ask for?! We drove 2.5 hours to get to this place....and it was well worth the drive.....actually one of the best days I have had in a long time....simply perfect on so many levels! Thanks so much CCC for a job not just "well" done....you do so much more then merely "well"! You are at the top of your game and seem to shoot for the stars and can see why SO many people love you! Sign up for their monthly coffee subscription....you will welcome its arrival each and every month!!!

Guys, if you live anywhere in the country where you can find Counter Culture Coffee, you should by it. They are absolutely one of the best roasters in the world. What they can do to up your coffee game at home, or the offerings of coffee shops all around is simply astounding. They also are great at working ethically with farmers. Like, in real ways - ways that other roasters usually only dream of. My all-time favorite coffee from Counter Culture is Idido from Ethiopia Yirgacheffe.

You know where your coffee comes from, right? I'm not talking about the supermarket, the office coffee pot, or even the freeze dried tin you have stashed in the back of your freezer. Short of hopping a plane to another continent a visit to your local roaster is the next best thing to answering the question of where your coffee comes from. Baristas are fine, but even the best barista can't turn bad coffee beans into good. After the coffee farmer, the roaster is arguably the most important player in the cup of coffee I find myself sipping morning, noon, and night. With that in mind I found myself in Durham at 10am on Friday, joining one of Counter Culture Coffee's regular coffee cuppings. Any place you can find a Counter Culture training center, you'll find coffee enthusiasts sniffing, slurping, and discussing a selection of coffees on Friday morning. After comparing notes with CCC staff and local Durhamites we were lucky to be taken on a tour of the roastery itself. Housed in a non-descript warehouse in the Research Triangle area of Durham, Counter Culture Coffee receives, roasts, packages, and ships tons of my favorite coffees every year. Three main roasters - of sizes that would strike fear into Hansel and Gretel - occupy the back wall, emanating sauna-like amounts of heat. Trash barrels of coffees - labelled and color-coded to indicate which coffee is which - are unloaded and funnelled into the roaster, heated to a specific "profile" unique to each coffee and how it's supposed to taste, poured out onto cooling tables and then sucked back up and dumped back into another trash barrel, ready for packaging. The amount of detail that goes into roasting each batch of coffee is staggering, and spending just a short amount of time in the presence of the roasters and staff of Counter Culture is learning that there's a LOT of knowledge to be had on the topic of coffee. And I've only just scratched the surface! After visiting CCC and seeing first-hand the process of turning a whitish-green bean into a chocolate colored bean with a fragrant coffee scent I have a new appreciation for the bag of beans gracing my countertop and the source of my daily cappuccinos. Even if you are more of a passive coffee-drinker a visit to Counter Culture is worth your while. Stop by on a Friday morning for a cupping and stay for the tour. You'll never look at a bag of beans the same again.

Counter Culture Coffee an East Coast Coffee Bean Roaster from Durham, North Carolina has several World-Class Espresso Roast Beans. A friend of mine was at Peregrine Espresso in Washington DC and bought me back a bag of their Apollo 9.0, a Certified Organic Espresso Roast. The Apollo 9.0 stood out as one of the best coffee beans I've ever used on my Home Espresso Machine. The boost of caffeine received after a double shot of Apollo is noteworthy.

Why is this place only open for an hour once a week? Very disappointing for such a major coffee chain.

This is a warehouse/wholesaler, not a cafe. That being said, I did not know that and walked in like a lost puppy and was greeted very kindly by the workers inside who treated me to a coffee and tour for my efforts. As a coffee lover, I was thrilled to see the plant and here about their ethical and ecosound practices. As people lover, I was thrilled to be treated well even if the mistake was mine. I look forward to their new site in Somerville, MA!

Honestly, this is the best coffee I've been able to find. I get it from Parker & Otis, A Southern Season and occasionally online. From time to time I'll get tempted by some other roaster, but typically I'm disappointed. If you try other brands within the same price range it's never as good. The best you can hope for is some incredibly expensive coffee that tastes about as good. So why not just stick with Counter Culture? I know it sounds like I'm raving to the point of having been put up to this, but it sincerely is that good. I've got a Counter Culture mug in my cabinet, one of their "Coffee Driven" stickers on my laptop, and the smell of their delicious beans filling my kitchen every morning. I'm not crazy, I'm just a true believer.

Counter Culture Coffee is extremely overrated. Honestly, it's the Starbucks of specialty coffee. I can't figure out why everyone on this site likes their coffee- other than the fact that they might not know what good coffee tastes like. I bought the La Golondrina, roasted a week ago from today, and it tastes pretty dull yet very acidic. I don't get any of the three notes (caramel, nut, apple) except maybe a little of the nut. The acidity is far too much and the whole brew just tastes sour. Counter Culture pales in comparison to my local roaster, Due South.

these roasters are incredible. they're devoted to fair trade ethics and making damn good coffee. it's pricey-er because it's all fairly traded and roasted to perfection. when i worked at the global cup cafe we sold this coffee and i got to take a tour of the counter culture roasters and get have my barista training there. they're very knowledgeable and very talented!

Counter Culture is definitely good coffee, but it is very expensive. Big name means big bucks I guess. I found an up and coming roaster in Chapel Hill - One Planet Coffee. They don't have a store front, but I order directly from there website (www.oneplanetcoffee.com). I find the coffee to be at least as good as counter culture and many of there coffees are better. It is roasted and shipped the same day. I have ordered a half dozen times now and the coffee is always great. Plus, it is considerably cheaper.

I would like to recommend Jesse Gordon, a Web Retail Customer Representative at Counter Coffee Culture. Very informative, friendly and sincere about resolving customer issues.

I ordered coffee from CounterCultureCoffee.com and let me tell you its been nothing but a nightmare I advise you stay away from them at all cost im out $48.75 i ordered 2 12oz bags of coffee one @ $28.25 and one @ $17.50 and $3.00 shipping total of $48.75 numerous calls and emails to them to their shipper and nothing no coffee no refund nothing like i got mugged they know nothing they see nothing .Their shipper (they chose not me mind you )has this to say; The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper on November 30, 2015 to expect your package for mailing. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date. Delivery status information will be provided if/when available and Counter Culture Coffee told me the gave to usps so me the the customer has no say but to listen to these blame it on me the customer its my fault 10 days later no coffee out $48.75 at least 2hrs of my time Now all coffee drinker beware i warned you im doing my part still after all this dont say i didnt warn you