Coffee Shops in Ann Arbor

During the semester, I try my very best to be a morning person. Before the 9 a.m. class, I find contentment in sitting at the back of Espresso Royale on State St. for an hour or two. While sipping hot black coffee and witnessing the last hint of darkness ebbing away, it gives me the chance to go through class materials, or simply clear my mind. By the time people start to line up at the counter, I am ready for the day.

Being a college town, Ann Arbor values its coffee culture. You may wonder why people here seem to be constantly high-powered, part of the reason is that they do enjoy a caffeine buzz. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, in another word, a psychoactive drug. This heterocyclic aromatic organic molecule is structurally similar to adenine and guanine that are contained in our deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). Due to its structural similarity to adenine, caffeine is able to compete with adenosine, block adenosine receptors, and subsequently relieve drowsiness induced by adenosine accumulation in neuronal synapse. This is only one of many mechanisms that caffeine acts on human body. As a biochemist, I always find it intriguing that our body is built upon gazillion molecules, and even the simplest structure can trigger off enormous physiological effects. Like normal psychoactive substances, caffeine has its lethal dosage. After all, nobody is likely to empty 50 cups of coffee within 24 hours, it is rarely treated as a threat. Besides, the richness in aroma, and the perfect balance of bitterness and acidity are powerful enough to strip away your last doubt in your cup of ambrosia.

Whether your preference is a romantic Parisian cafe or a straightforward Italian espresso bar, Ann Arbor gets them all. It is no easy task to pick a favorite coffee shop. Everyone has a few favorites based on quality in beans, brewing method, atmosphere, and of course neighborhood. I will list my few, but it leaves to you to exploit yours.

Espresso Royale on State St. is the cafe where I can get schoolwork done. It is spacious, the lighting is soft but not dim, and the size of the table definitely makes me thrill. In my opinion, it is one of those places where you feel detached even among a noisy crowd. The loud music blends into people’s conversations, and eventually becomes a single background. The only thing you can hear is your own thought. In terms of coffee, I have to say it is not the best. Nonetheless, they serve fast, the atmosphere is irreplaceable, and the price is cheap and cheerful. Besides, as I mentioned, it is a wonderful place to spend an early morning.

Not everyone adores Espresso Royale’s dusky atmosphere. Many people prefer Starbucks for a study break. There are four Starbucks at four convenient locations, and thus all of them are full of people, homework and laptops. Since I tend to get impatient while waiting for my green mermaid, Sweetwaters on Liberty St. comes before Starbucks on my list. Sweetwaters has a rather different menu from Starbucks and Espresso Royale. Apart from normal espresso drinks, it serves a much wider range of brewed coffee and tea. For me, a good book, a sofa by window and a teapot means a pleasant weekend afternoon.

If we set aside schoolwork for a minute, the best cafe should eventually come down to serving the best coffee. Comet Coffee is a small coffee shop hidden in Nickels Arcade. They brew beans from all over the world, which are different in terms of flavor, but equally excellent in terms of quality. The delicate elements in flavor are fully expressed by the Japanese pour-over technique. Even for a non-coffee drinker, it is easy to distinguish a good cup of joe from those served by chain cafes. Lab is quite similar to Comet Coffee. They use more imagination on creating interesting drinks such as Lavender Honey Latte, whereas Comet Coffee’s menu is more down to earth. Personally, the name “Lab” gets me sentimental about the time I spend at lab. Last but not least, I have to recommend Zingerman’s Next Door because of its good coffee but even better bakery. Chocolate eclair, carrot cake, buttermilk cake, drinking chocolate, gelato...

On a normal Michigan winter morning, inundated by the crowd rushing to classrooms, you are not the only one who needs something more than motivation to power through the day. A good cup of coffee gives you energy on studying, but also adds joy to meetings and friends gathering. Sometimes, it is also a loyal companion to daydreaming, just as sung by Ella Fitzgerald in Black Coffee:

Black coffee
Since the blues caught my eye
I'm hanging out on Monday
My Sunday dreams to dry...

Written by Qian Hou

International Center Summer Orientation Peer Adviser

Country of Origin: China

Undergraduate, Biochemistry