October 23, 2015
By Dance Aoki
Coffee shops aren’t just places to get a caffeinated beverage. On Guam, a coffee shop can be a place to meet up with family and friends, exchange ideas, and enjoy the many flavors of the coffee bean. From root to fruit to roaster to cup, coffee is king.
Of Guam’s many hidden treasures, there are 500 or so coffee trees growing in Hamamoto Fruit World in Yoña that may be the coffee connoisseur’s most exciting discovery. The coffee beans grown at Hamamoto Farms are harvested, dried, roasted and packaged as Spike Coffee Roasters.
Hamamitsu Hamamoto, owner of Hamamoto Fruit World, partnered with his son-in-law Melchor Manibusan to grow the local beans. Hamamoto is passionate about the fragrant and fruitful plants that flourish in Guam, and coffee trees grow very well on his farm.
The very local cup of coffee can be found brewed at several island restaurants, including Kitchen Lingo and Meskla Bistro in Hagåtña, and the various Port of Mocha locations.
Getting a Cup of Joe at one of the island’s many coffee shops is a very different experience from place-to-place. Shirley’s, King’s, Michelle’s and Denny’s provide a traditional American coffee shop experience where the perfect cup of coffee complements breakfast with the family.
Many other coffee shops showcase the Italian coffee beverages, including espressos, lattes and cappuccinos, each with their own spin.
Infusion Coffee & Tea, with locations in Tamuning and Upper Tumon, is the perfect hangout spot, where students can be seen with laptops and textbooks studying for upcoming exams. It’s the perfect place to meet up with friends and chat about class with a warm beverage and cupcakes, crepes and pizza.
Several Port of Mocha locations around the island, including three Hagåtña locations, also serve delicious bites to eat alongside Pumpkin Spice or Salted Caramel Lattes. The Agana Shopping Center location also serves fresh pressed juices made from fresh fruits and vegetables.
Roasted Coffee Company’s Tamuning location is a chic, quiet spot, perfect for the local business professionals who want to have an excellent cup of coffee or take a meeting outside of their office.
The beans are freshly roasted in house every week and can be brewed with a french press or pour over in the comfort of the homey, cozy atmosphere of the shop. They also want to help their customers learn more about the coffee they’re drinking.
The Guam Coffee Company takes great care in finding the most delicious coffee beans from all over the world while also supporting social, environmental and economic sustainability in those countries.
Across from Ypao Beach Park, the location is filled with natural light and artwork from local artists. While ambience is very important, the staff at Guam Coffee Company prioritize the quality of the flavors, using siphons, cold brews, and pour-overs to get just the right flavor out of the beans.
Figaro Coffee Company in Tamuning is the first branch of the Filipino company serving coffee brewed with beans grown in the Philippines. Brewed Awakenings in Harmon serves coffee beverages and tasty fruit smoothies.
As gathering places, coffee shops develop their own communities. Hava Java keeps employees from the nearby businesses and offices of Hagåtña fueled as a warm cup of Lavazza espresso is served with a smile from owner Carol Ragan.
Both Java Hut in Tamuning and Java Junction in HagÃ¥tña host open mic nights where local musicians can practice performing in front of small, caffeinated crowds of supporters. In Mangilao, Guma’ Tasa is a coffee shop, restaurant, gallery and bar that showcases local artists, writers and musicians during events celebrating their work.
Each coffee shop has its own personality, and the island’s expert coffee drinkers will be able to unravel the Guam coffee game and appreciate the variety brews across the villages.
