Drink of the Week: Bean & Bean Fancy Diner Coffee

I unapologetically love dark roast coffee. That’s not to say I don’t appreciate the delicate complexity and bright flavors often found in the lighter roasted, single-origin coffees favored by many roasters and third-wave cafes. But for my everyday morning cup? I want it with milk and sugar, and I want it dark. So when I opened a bag of Bean & Bean’s Fancy Diner Coffee, I immediately knew it was going to hit the mark.

Rachel and Jiyoon Han, the mother-daughter team that launched New York City’s Bean & Bean back in 2008, are both Q Graders, meaning they understand quality coffee. Not only do they source directly from organic and fair-trade operations, they also aim to help close the gender wage gap within the industry, sourcing more than half their beans from farms that are owned and led by women. And while most of Bean & Bean’s coffees fall into the lighter and brighter “third wave” category (like this gorgeous gesha from Mexico), for the Fancy Diner Coffee, they lean into pure nostalgia.

The appeal of diner coffee is not typically about the quality of what’s in the cup, but the inherently comforting vibes found in a strong, dark pour and a chunky, porcelain mug. Luckily, with Bean & Bean’s Fancy Diner Coffee, there’s no need to sacrifice quality. Its carefully sourced South American beans individually score at least 80-plus on the Specialty Coffee Association grading scale. Roasted to perfection, the robust coffee delivers notes of dark chocolate, toasted nuts, and vinyl banquettes. $18/11 oz., beannbeancoffee.com