Another day, another journey towards local brews. To be honest, even just going out and connecting to the community a bit more has been very healing, especially after getting off of the hustle and bustle of college life. Not just because I enjoy coffee, but because I’ve found myself getting invested in homegrown locations and cultures, and wanting to learn just a bit more about their own journeys. One of the best ways to learn about a new place as well is through its food. The specific flavor profiles, their specialties, and the care they put into crafting something for you – it shows off their personality and pride and joy without words, and every feeling and meaning mixes into your soul. Though, of course, the spoken and written word are vital in spreading this sort of praise and your own experiences with said brews.
Especially when shouting out hidden beauties, many may miss or pass by. Down Sunbeam, just off of Mills Road, and in a very big office building with so many businesses not related to food at all in fact. But tiny signs on the road and building help you know you’re at the right place; little whispers guiding you to a comfy, open concept called Soul Coffee.
Moving into the building just this August, Soul Coffee started out as a small coffee cart about ten months prior, coasting along Beach Boulevard and Jax Beach. The owners, Ren and Caissen, already had prior coffee experience – Ren had helped in the founding of Jacksonville Coffee Company before branching out, and Caissen still works at Mechanism Coffee near Ikea while co-owning and helping out at Soul Coffee. The name of their joint coffee place was actually inspired by their fated meeting as barista and customer, cultivating bonds over brews, in a cheesy yet heartwarming story about finding your soulmate and brewing coffee for the soul. Talking to Ren about it made me feel warmer than the latte I had just consumed, but I didn’t pry too much into the private lives of private people. Instead, I wished the happy couple the best in their soulful journeys together in the future.
My own journey for my soul landed on their signature menu of drinks. Their coffee is solely from Night Swim Coffee in Charlotte, North Carolina, who, while selling their own beans by, also provides Soul Coffee with their own unique espresso and coffee to sell and call their own. Natural Ethiopian espresso and hand-washed processed Colombian coffee beans – both were delicious, sweet, and smooth blends that I couldn’t get over. They use the brand for all of their coffee drinks, but my eyes landed on the signature menu for two reasons: One, marshmallow fluff. And two, ube.
The first drink I had was the Alma Latte. Vanilla and mocha, with a marshmallow fluff topping, and a perfect rosetta design in my hot mug. Talking to Ren made me make a mental note to get it cold next time, from all the cute ghost designs they talked about making in the fluff in the past. This was my first taste of the rich and smooth espresso, with the marshmallow fluff acting as both the perfect topping and a sort of added creamy mixture to the latte. Though it didn’t make the coffee too sweet either, rather, it enhanced it in such a way that made everything else just combine all the better. I felt transported to cloud nine sipping that thing, and honestly felt like it was the best coffee I had had in a while. I had paired it with a blueberry muffin that was pretty dense but not too much so, with a sweetness very similar to the latte, the sugared top and fresh blueberries inside giving it just enough without being overpowering. It was the most delicious breakfast to start my day off with, and I could sing my praises about it all day.
But I also have to highlight the other latte I tried while I was there, just for its cute look and naturally sweet taste – the Lila Latte. Made with their homemade ube, the Filipino purple potato poured out its heart to me, and I accepted it with open arms. Ube has become really popular over the past years in sweets shops and other recipes (which makes me want to pay Say So Sweet on Beach Boulevard a visit again soon), but I had never had it in a drink before. Now I’m glad I have, the flavor acting as a delicious treat rather than a simple coffee, but also mixing with their espresso so well. For anyone who are fans of the cuter side of coffee and Filipino flavors, this is the only coffee place (that I know of so far on this journey) that delivers this creamy new combination!
Chatting with Ren while writing and drinking, we connected a lot through our shared stories of coffee making, past dreams, and ambitions. Mixing all of these experiences together, even with the still somewhat corporate location atmosphere of the building as a whole, Soul Coffee felt like such a comforting place to be. Ren and Caissen hope to get their own location that’s solely their own in the future, but for now, I’m happy that I found such a hidden local gem in our city to soothe my soul in. Hopefully, you venture out and join their journey as well. Until next time – remember to treat yourself however you can, whenever you can! You deserve it!
- About the Author
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A local girl with a love of writing and food, who has transitioned into writing articles about all the local food spots, in order to encourage everyone to explore and take in the tastes of their community! With a bachelor’s degree in Communications & Media from FSCJ and a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies – Film & Screenwriting, I hope to get the community more engaged with their surroundings and take in all they have to offer! I’m glad if any of my articles encourage anyone to try new things or get out into the world!
Roughly bi-weekly uploads, but also taking everything one day at a time and going at my own pace~ Also will cover more than just food; looking forward to all of the local events I can attend on our First Coast as well!
