By Helen Mitternight

Editor’s Note: Charleston is such a foodie town that food and beverage superstars are hiding in plain sight, out of theJames Beardlimelight, but still very much creating and serving amazing food and drinks. This series profiles Charleston’s “hidden F&Bs.”

You probably know about Charleston’s foodie culture and the proliferation of breweries and distilleries and cocktail artisans who all make up Charleston’s drinking culture. But did you know there was a coffee culture, too?

You do if you have ever attended a Latte Art Throwdown hosted bySpringbok Coffee! Back before COVID-19 shut things down, baristas from all over would come to the Holy City to show off their foam art.

MeetJason Bell,who co-owns Springbok Coffee Roasters in Charleston with his brother, Josh. He says that he’s learned to roast a coffee bean that might make you forget the hyper-sweet concoctions created by a certain Seattle chain. In his estimation, we’ve become accustomed to bitter coffee to the point where we reach for sweeteners automatically. 

Bell, on the other hand, likes to roast a bean with a bit of sweet, a bit of fruit, and a bit of where it came from in such a way that you don’t necessarily taste the bitter when you bury your coffee in whipped froth.

Want more? Check out the companionHidden F&B Podcast Episode 26 with Jason Bell!

Thirsty for some deliciously roasted coffee? Springbok Coffee Roasters' specialty coffees are served at fine establishments all over Charleston. You can also purchase the coffee directly from their downtown roasting facility at708 King Street.Afraid to venture out yet?Order it onlineand have it shipped right to your door.