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Photo by: Redband Roaster
In my June 8th article on the grand opening of the Intelligentsia Coffee location in Venice, I mentioned the fact that they use not one, but two Clover machines. This alone is a remarkable feat.
The Clover machine is and has been one of the ways boutique coffeehouses differentiated themselves from the big chains. However, last year, Starbucks bought the company that manufactures Clovers. As a result, all future Clovers will be found only at Starbucks locations. Any coffeehouse that already owns a Clover will essentially have to rely on Starbucks for parts and service. Doug Cadmus described this situation perfectly when he said on his blog, Bloggle Made In Vermont, “Goliath just bought David’s slingshot.”
Indeed, some coffeehouses no longer offer coffee crafted with a Clover machine. In my search for coffeebars that sold Clover-brewed coffee, I stumbled upon a review of the groundwork coffee company's downtown location. I called groundwork and asked, "Do all of your locations have Clover machines?" To my surprise, they said, "None of them do. Once Starbucks bought the company, we couldn’t get away fast enough.” Wow.
So, what motivated Howard Schultz, Starbucks CEO, to buy that high tech slingshot? Although he would probably say, a zealous and well-documented quest for a perfect cup of coffee, more likely it was a desire to corner the market on a unique and remarkable machine. Basically, the Clover grants the barista complete control over temperature and brew time for each individual cup of coffee. This allows adjustments to be made for different beans to maximize flavor.
Here's a Wired.com video demonstrating the machine in action.
As of today, Clovers can be found at Starbucks in only four cities: Seattle (of course), Boston, Miami, and San Francisco. Here in LA, you can get coffee from a Clover at both the Silver Lake and Venice Intelligentsia coffeebars. If there are other LA java joints that offer it, please comment below. I'd love to know about it.
If you don't live near a coffeehouse that has one of the "renegade" Clovers, I'll soon be reviewing a very affordable alternative device you can use at home every single day. Or every hour, if you're a hard-core coffee achiever.
For more information: A more in-depth article on the Clover and that article I mentioned about Intelligentisia Coffee opening in Venice.
Comments
You can get a Clover brewed coffee here in DC at Grape + Bean- www.grapeandbean.com
Actually in Alexandria, VA just across the Potomac
In MN I know of two coffee houses with Clovers. Kopplin's Coffee in St. Paul, and Black Sheep Coffee Cafe in South St. Paul
They're in NYC as well. In several cafes.
Mike, Aaron, and Dave, I was wearing my LA blinders, and didn't think about the possibility that people from other cities might be interested in this info, too. Thanks for the heads-up for NYC, St. Paul, and the DC area.
Speeking as an equipment manager for a coffee roaster and having a Clover in my roasting facility, while the Clover makes a great cup of coffee, it is nothing that can't be buplicated with a pot of hot water, a french press and some education. All this makes for a 10k savings.
Elysian Coffee, Vancouver BC: 3 Clover's and probably more Clover's here in Vancouver than anywhere else.
Two in Pittsburgh, at 21st Street Coffee and Tea... 21streetcoffee dot com
Cafe Corsa at Figueroa and 23rd has one, and great beans to pair it with. Definitely one of the hidden gems in the LA coffee scene.
EBS, no kidding! Besides, if I had an extra 10K, I'd getting myself hardwood floors!
Alistair, Colin D., Luke, thanks so much for adding to the list. :)
Klatch roasting in San Dimas has one. They also travel, cup, and buy beans direct from farmer and roast in house.
Had a Guatemalen on the clover. Unbelievable
google's 2nd street santa monica office has one.
I was *really* hoping the 'brewed one cup at a time' craze would die. I don't want 'artisan' coffee -- Just pour the g*ddamn stuff, give me my change and shut the hell up.
YEA-AH!
Kafe Neo in Long Beach (www.kafeneolb.com) has the Clover.
Anazaroff, I haven't yet had Clover coffee. It's on my "bucket list." :)
Google, you mean THE Google? They have offices in LA and their employees drink java from a clover? Man, where's my resume???
bean_there, I get what you're saying. To each his own. Sometimes I'm in the mood to appreciate artsy fartsy coffee. Sometimes I just want a basic cup, no more, no less. I kind of draw the line at instant, though.
Hans, thanks for the addition to the list!
There is one closer to you than you think - at Cafe Corsa, just south of Downtown LA at 23rd and Figueroa. Been told the way the barista uses the Clover is even better than at Intelligentsia!! Check it out!!!
Thanks for the tip, Janine. LA people, get going and let us know if you agree!
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