The Big Bean — Restaurant in Maryland

The best coffee I’ve had at a cafe in the United States.

I learned to make coffee in Italy. I source dry-processed beans in Yemen, do my own roasting and have found it worthwhile to invest in high-end ECM grinders and espresso machines from Germany.

I don’t think I’m a fanatic, but I have discovered that when coffee is made correctly, it’s simply in another league of better from what is produced in most American cafes. Even in the high end ones.

I was cycling on the Baltimore Annapolis trail recently and stopped at Big Bean with a couple of friends. I hadn’t heard about this cafe, and to my complete surprise I had the best espresso-based coffee I have ever had at a cafe in the United States. It was rich and full-flavored, totally-balanced, beautifully-complex and completely without harshness. Truly perfect. As the saying goes, it was a God shot.

To make coffee at that level doesn’t happen by chance. It takes the right beans, the right level of roast, the right level of bean freshness, the right minerals in the water, the right extraction pressure and temperature, the right equipment in general and most of all the right level of skill. So I asked to meet the owner and discovered the fanatical commitment behind why Big Bean is able to produce such ultimate-level coffees.

If you’re someone who appreciates espressos and cappuccinos that deliver every nuance of flavor, and if you are routinely disappointed by the coffees at most cafes, you may want to stop by the Big...

Perfect small town chain! I love walking to this place every weekend (sometimes twice!) as they have great hours and a good menu selection.

I have had their espresso just on its own and it is divine, which I say as a member of the Atlas coffee club and retired barista =D

The smoothies are great with a great choice of mix-ins. They also offer bulletproof coffee which is tasty and keto friendly. I also love their seasonal drinks like the maple chaider. My mum loved the Mexican hot chocolate, and my partner loves the dirty chai. They also have coconut milk as a non-dairy milk which is not that common but my go to for espresso drinks. The menu is honestly huge and I haven’t had a drink yet that I disliked- my personal preference is less sweet drinks than the standard, and they happily accommodate my requests for less syrup in drinks such as the aforementioned maple chaider.

I love a place with a loyalty card and their program is a very rewarding one! Their service is efficient, however the space is a bit narrow so it can back up quickly on busy days and complicated drinks.

They introduced me to my favorite local brand of gluten free pastries, s/o Gluten Free Girl! They also have some savory pastries like ham and cheese croissants, and probably others that I haven’t seen because they’re probably sold out by the time I get there.

Overall a solid, consistent, and quirky spot that has won my heart, which is...

I came in today and I didn’t have a great experience. Usually when I go I get my same order “large iced shortbread latte with 2 pumps white mocha 2 pumps lavender and breve” and I am never met with any issue or confusion from the friendly staff. Today I went in around 11am and the cashier was not friendly or pleasant with me and my order. She gave me an attitude about it and seemed really confused. She kept asking me if I was sure if I wanted “all those syrups” and I had to apologize and tell her I like my coffee sweeter I shouldn’t have to apologize for how I enjoy the coffee that I am paying for. I’ve never had a bad experience at the big bean and this won’t stop me from going there but it was sad that I had to be in such an awkward and tense situation.

Update:

The owner was very friendly and heard my concerns I felt very understood and welcomed after our talk. Like I mentioned I will continue to frequent at the big bean I won’t let one poor experience stop me from going there I still love this place and highly recommend it...