Leah McCann Smith | Writer & Editor

When I wrote “Really Good Coffee,” I had no idea anyone would see it. I had no idea anyone even read this blog. (Mostly true.)

But I like to write, and this site gives me a place to practice. So I do it without expectations. Without the need to build a following (though I admire this in others, because I know it takes real, hard work).

ANYWAY, I love to hear that someone, a now-friend, read that post. He said he’d try my coffee recs, and also suggested some of his own. And in turn, I tried his!

Here’s part II of “Really Good Coffee,” coffee I think you should try.

1. Pisgah Coffee Roasters (Asheville, NC). I was walking around my local Food Lion and stumbled across a beautifully packaged coffee from Pisgah Coffee Roasters on the “Made in NC” end cap. I am a sucker for good packaging, and the 12 oz. bags were a really good price—I want to say like $8.99 or something. I tried the Ridgeline Roast. Others included the Parkway Pick Me Up and Squirrely Blend—calls to NC-specific nature or wildlife. After I buy another helping of the Ridgeline, I’ll be trying those two next. Check out this gorgeous packaging:

2. Blue Bottle (West Sacramento, CA). My first run-in with Blue Bottle came from convenience: I was working all the way on Eleventh Avenue in New York City, and a food hall opened up next door to the 12-story building I worked in. Even though it’s New York City, on Eleventh Avenue, there aren’t as many food/coffee/lunch choices as you’d expect. You typically have to walk to Ninth Ave., and don’t ask me to do that in the summer unless you want me to come back a hot, sweaty mess. When Gotham West Market added a Blue Bottle, it was game over. My first cup led to many more cups. Blue Bottle is now, seemingly, everywhere. Certainly in all the major city hubs. This past Christmas, my oldest sister gifted my dad the best thing ever: a six-month subscription to Blue Bottle, bringing a variety of BB coffees right to his doorstep. He doesn’t drink the coffee fast enough (I know, this doesn’t make sense to me either) so he passed off a couple bags onto me. I got the Three Africas Blend and the Beta Blend, and they were both oh-so wonderfully delicious. 10/10 recommend.

3. Red Rooster (Floyd, VA). This one comes from the recommendation I mentioned, from the friend who emailed me after reading my first coffee post. When Eric told me about Red Rooster, I immediately ordered it. (If someone gives me a personal recommendation, I tend to trust it.) I ordered the El Salvador Finca Hungria blend, and I did not regret it. Eric, thank you for the recommendation, and thank you for bringing Red Rooster into my life.

Which ones should I try next? Drop me a line.