There’s a reason why the aisles of home goods stores are filled with items that celebrate the power of coffee. Coffee is life. Or at least worth getting up in the morning for. And it’s definitely a drink worth celebrating.

Coffee plants were first discovered in Ethiopia and were brought to Yemen in the 15th century, where they were developed into the coffee we know and drink today. The drink and its place in our culture have continually evolved over the centuries. Now, third wave coffee culture, which emphasizes quality and the coffee experience, has fully taken root in the Twin Cities, creating a plethora of beverages across the metro area made with carefully sourced beans.

In honor of the day that celebrates all that is great about bean juice – National Coffee Day is September 29 and International Coffee Day is October 1 – we’re sharing our favorite coffee drinks dedicated to these shops that are part of what makes this brew and our place makes it so special. (Prices and latte flavors are subject to change.)

This is the Yemeni chain’s first outpost in the metro area, but locations in Blaine and Burnsville are on the way. The proprietary blend of beans is blended with cardamom and cinnamon, resulting in an almost peppery/floral coffee flavor that culminates in a splash of cream. The blend is also available as a latte, hot or iced.

It’s a small sip of childhood nostalgia with crushed Mexican candies in a rich latte. Mazapan has a peanut butter/vanilla flavor and the result is a coffee that is aromatic and slightly savory. Suffice it to say, this house specialty totally counts as breakfast in a coffee cup.

With the high roofline and soft light of Churchill Street, the morning feels like a gentler way to start the day. There are the beautifully curated goods, the impressive menu and the coffee drinks. Even if you’re just passing by, it’s worth taking a deep breath and enjoying a bit of northern sophistication in a cup. The Cardimiel combines rich, local honey with a bit of green cardamom spice and dried orange peels for a drinkable Scandinavian dessert-type treat.