From Ethiopia to Third-Wave Coffee

Lucas Wilder

Alright, so let’s talk about this term, "Third Wave Coffee." It’s one of those buzzwords you might’ve heard tossed around at your local coffee shop—you know, the kind where baristas talk about single-origin beans like they’re rare vintages of wine. But, what does it really mean? Well, the way I see it, it’s kind of a movement, a shift in how we think about coffee—not just as something to drink, but almost as an art form.

Lucas Wilder

Now, to make sense of this Third Wave idea, you kinda have to rewind a bit. Coffee, historically, has gone through distinct phases, or waves. The first wave, that’s your supermarket coffee, think Folgers or Maxwell House. It brought coffee into the homes of your average Joe—and well, let’s be honest—flavor didn’t exactly take center stage there.

Lucas Wilder

Then came the second wave. During this part, chains like Starbucks started popping up everywhere, introducing folks to terms like "latte" and "cappuccino," and emphasizing, for maybe the first time, a coffee experience—fancier names, bold flavors, all that jazz. But the third wave, that’s where coffee takes this leap from just being a drink to being... well, an experience, truly. Like, there’s almost a reverence to it now.

Lucas Wilder

Third Wave Coffee focuses on the whole journey—startin' with where the beans come from. Single-origin coffee is popular because it highlights the unique flavors of the beans, tied directly to the region where they’re grown. You might sip one cup, and it kinda tastes floral, delicate, maybe even with a hint of citrus. Then, the next day, it’s a cup that’s earthy and deep, like a whole different story waiting to be told. There’s something special about how these differences are celebrated.

Lucas Wilder

And it’s not just the beans, it’s how they’re roasted. Third Wave movements shy away from heavy, dark roasting. Instead, they let the beans’ natural flavors shine through. Even brewing becomes an art! You’ve got pour-overs, cold brews, aeropresses… Each method gives you a completely different experience from the same bag of beans. It’s, I mean, kind of mind-blowin’ once you get into it.

Lucas Wilder

Now some folks might roll their eyes and call it pretentious—and, I suppose, yeah, it can be—but at its heart, Third Wave Coffee is about paying respect. Respect to the farmers who grow the beans, the roasters who bring out the flavors, and even the person brewing your cup. It takes something that was once just a morning jolt and turns it into something meaningful.

Lucas Wilder

And that, my friends, is the beauty of the Third Wave. It invites us to slow down, to appreciate where our coffee comes from, and what it can tell us about the world. On that note, I think it’s time for me to grab a refill. Thanks for tuning in—it’s been a joy. I’ll catch y’all next time.