Slow Bloom Coffee Cooperative — Restaurant in Redlands

This isn't just an experience, I have a whole story to tell, there is a rich history behind the people that make up Slow Bloom. Back in 2011 I discovered for the first time a 3rd wave coffee shop, Augie's. As a young barista myself I loved everything about these fellow coffee connoisseurs. They inspired me to take up latte art, to learn how to make better espresso, even roast my own coffee at home. I admired their craft, so much so that I would include a weekly stop to this little Redlands shop every Sunday for years. I would sit there and study for hours fueled by the smell of fresh ground coffee and brewed espresso with notes of chocolate and citrus in the air. When everything went down during pandemic, it broke my heart to know that this team of people that I looked forward to visiting and enjoying a delicious brew from, that they so artfully prepared, were no more....

Today at my wife's suggestion we stopped in to Slow Bloom since we were in the area....I was out of the loop for so long, so I had no idea what I would find there. As soon as we walked in the door, the aroma...not just any old coffee aroma, but THE aroma from years ago greeted me, as I looked around I saw familiar faces, a familiar set-up, and I ordered my old usually an espresso in a demitasse cup, my heart was leaping for joy when I was handed my espresso with a sparkling water on the side, and when I took the first sip, no cream no sugar...I was transported back to those early days, although many things had changed, the baristas and their art had not. The coffee was even more exquisite than I remembered, smooth and rich in flavor, it was just wonderful. There I was, sitting next to strangers in this busy little shop at a wooden table with a smile I could not let go of, memories and feelings flooding my mind and heart. It felt like visiting old friends who I had lost contact with for a long time. I'm pretty sure the team here doesn't remember who I am, I'm just a face in a big crowd, but I'm so overjoyed that you all came together here.

If I could I would give this place 100 stars not just 5. If you're looking for a great cup of coffee, look no further, everything here is exceptional. Go off the beaten path, try something that isn't mainstream. This is art in a cup, it's a place where people can come together and enjoy something good in a world that has little of it. Slow Bloom has a warmth and atmosphere that cannot be reproduced or manufactured, because it's not the building or the product, it's the people here that make it special.

Support this amazing local business, I know I for sure will be back. Thank you Slow Bloom team for being awesome.

-From a...

My friend and I visited recently and picked up a few drinks and pastries. My friend got a glass of water as we sat at the bar while we waited for our items.

When our drinks were called out, we got up and retrieved them from the bar. Since we had so many items, our hands were very full. As we were walking out the door and telling the staff to have a great day, one of the employees came around the bar and grabbed my friend’s water glass off of the table that we were sitting at. I guess that she had accidentally forgotten it there. The employee very rudely and passive aggressively said, “Next time you can put your glass in the dirty dish bin yourself.”

We were shocked and confused that he actually had the audacity to say something like that, in that tone, as we’re walking out with $50 worth of items.

I understand you want people to clean up after themselves so that you don’t have to do more work, but to be incredibly rude like that especially after we paid an unreasonable amount for four drinks and two pastries is uncalled for. Horrible service, very rude staff, extremely overpriced, and the coffee was weak (Augies used to be my favorite coffee so I was surprised it didn’t taste good). I will not be...

You've probably tasted coffee from Brazil, Columbia, and even that special roast from Ethiopia. But have you ever had coffee right from a single coffee grower? Have you tasted Danilo Sanchez’s coffee? Danilo's Honduran coffee offers notes of raspberry sorbet, melon, and champagne.

My brother brought me to this tiny almost out-of-the-way coffee shop on the north side of the I-10 freeway in downtown Redlands. The Slow Bloom Coffee Cooperative obtains their coffee almost directly from the grower, from the great coffee growing areas of the world. And they remember who grew it.

I was chatting with my brother, took a sip of my Americano, and suddenly stopped talking. I told my brother “This is a damn fine cup of coffee!“ When have you tasted a coffee that is so good it stopped your conversation?

I had asked for an Americano made from a blend called Arm in Arm. This one is a flavorful blend of Honduran and Ethiopian coffees, with flavor notes of milk chocolate, mixed berries, and blood orange! This is worth stopping your conversation for.

So stop in to the Slow Bloom Coffee Cooperative. Get a cup of Danilo’s and try to have a chat...