Journey to Coffee Mecca: Munchies Presents LA Coffee

Whether you like it hot or cold, bitter or sweet, light or dark, dripped or poured, Los Angeles’ robust world-class coffee scene has it all. So grab a cup as MUNCHIES takes you for a caffeinated inside look at LA Coffee, from Good Land Organics’ high quality beans to the sorting, cupping and scoring of a premium batch with Intelligentsia’s Geoff Watts. Next, roast some beans with Copa Vida and learn how to make the ultimate brew at Portola Coffee Lab and a kick-ass coffee cocktail at Theorem, their concept bar. World Barista Champion Michael Phillips of Blue Bottle Coffee then schools us on making the perfect pour for your morning latte. There’s no doubt Los Angeles is emerging as a must-go destination for the world’s coffee-crazed.
“It feels like it’s at a fever pitch right now-give it two years and you’re going to see the face of LA coffee change dramatically. It will easily be one of the destinations that people will put on the map when they’re talking about journeys to Coffee Mecca.” -Michael Phillips, Blue Bottle Coffee
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[@Raumance]

I like drinking my shitty coffee and pretending to be sophisticated while watching this. "mm, yes, of course"

[@jessiicoool]

+Raumance Folgers here, lol. Tastes fine to me.

[@jessiicoool]

Dritman Yep, instant still tastes just fine!

[@jodawgsup]

+Dritman Contains more sugar than caffeine though :/

[@larsleion]

+Raumance +Jss Kmpln +Dritman +jodawgsup Do your self a favor once and go to a nice coffee place and have no expectations. It's a completely different experience than mass produced coffee, and you don't have to stop drinking your regular cup of joe to enjoy it :)

[@jodawgsup]

Lars Leion Eh, or you buy your own beans and make a normal cup of coffee? The reason why people hate coffee snobs like this, is because of exactly what they are - snobs.

[@hereiskinder]

Sure they may be a little pretentious and edging over the cliff of hipster, but you cannot deny their enviable amount of passion. Nice video.

[@davronoa]

8:29 she pays attention to the details :D

[@Dave....]

I bet she's a great lover

[@2Suen]

+Davron O she just doesn't give a fuck about the situation

[@WPaKFamily]

+Davron O hahaha XD dyin over here

[@rogerrobie2451]

"tastes like an ashtray" he described starbucks perfectly

[@TACOGOODLOOKING]

all this time spent and im still gonna shit my brains out on first break.

[@MatanuskaHIGH]

lmao!

[@UnknownThigh]

+Jordan Daley damn always dem hilarious comments after i've done watching the video, thanks for that

[@FILMERFILMS]

Such a complete film. the length seemed way too long to begin with but when it starts to roll , you don't want to stop, Great Job munchies and the Producers / Crew behind the show.

[@neojng]

I loved this, I'm fascinated by coffee brewing, I wish there were more places like this near me.

[@celesteorlosky4189]

Cool to see a lot of diversity in this field!

[@BrhGaston]

Jordan schlansky.

[@wxwxn3186]

Ghassen Barreh searching for this

[@nasirjames3014]

I thought the exact same thing

[@satori-in-life]

I love seeing the work behind the production of coffee. People often don't realize how much work actually goes into it.

[@ianharmon3083]

I thought we were going to see some Brad and Vinny action at 23:06

[@markowalski1]

I wish they would do an episode on coffee. Seems fitting for It's Alive

[@nasirjames3014]

23:07 It’s Alive!- with Brad Leone

[@kevinpage5834]

I really like Folger's in a pour-over. I leave it out on the counter after I grind it for a few days. It really helps balance the CO2 and extract evenly. Also, I use water from my shower as I find the taste of the minerals helps the coffee extraction. I do use a thermometer, as well as my pinky finger, to measure the water temperature after I heat it in the oven before brewing.

[@CraigWedd]

lol where is all this hatred coming from? what is so bad about appreciating a nice cup of coffee? people appreciate nice food or a nice cocktail, why should coffee be any different? or do most people favour convenience and mediocrity over quality?

[@jiujitsu1129]

Craig Wedd You realize they are selling this coffee for 240$ per pound?

[@artvandalay13]

@@jiujitsu1129 Are you mad about that? Get real son or get a job that pays well.

[@razineatworld]

@@jiujitsu1129 are you fucking kidding me ?

[@jasoneddy9111]

I've learned from the coolest kids in school growing up that it is cool not to care. Conditioning to fit in is life... or no?

[@TheSubtleamuzement]

Awesome film Munchies. This was a top notch look at the cream of the crop of coffee in So Cal.

[@josephbenjaminc]

Great film! I noticed the further one gets from the growers the more and more people start to look like characters from the capital in hunger games. Also, I wonder why the same delicate deconstruction and attention to detail that goes to the beans does not also go to the milk used for lattes/cappuccinos. Milk has the same potential for depth, complexity, and variety in sweetness and density dependent on feed, age, stress, exercise, and finally by the pasteurization etc. Even the best "high-end" organic grass fed likely comes from cooperative bulk mixed and increasingly high-temp pasteurized. I'd like to see milk receive the same attention to growth, origin, and processing that coffee does. Grass-fed, pasture raised, single-cow origin, raw milk pasteurized with the steam wand on site would make a real difference.

[@JingLiSH]

thank you for sharing this. i like that the video gave us a detailed explanatory tour in the coffee plantation and a closer look at processing the coffee cherries. actually the coffee cherries shells/husks are still used as a main ingredient to brew a spiced drink in Yemen, where coffee was produced and traded in Mocha port in ancient times. The drink is known as "Qishr" and is still popular there, a poor man's coffee with lots of spice in it, among which ginger and cardamoms.

[@juanjo_film]

This was amazing! Great content, photography, editing and on the other hand the people sharing their point of view was just great, on point and with lots of knowledge

[@boy638]

Conan and Jordan Schlansky came here before

[@chefmike9945]

And now that you've made the perfect cup of coffee, the day is over and you've missed work. Still a fascinating episode.

[@sundaystef]

the video that started it all for me.

[@theyogilife9119]

coffee bean quality control specialist sounds like an amazing job!!

[@thewat668]

Theres a reason why people passionate about coffee make they're own, its cause coffee tastes bloody great if its done right, me personally I love lattes, the lattes in Aus are of the best quality as far as I can see. I love coffee so much I invested in a machine, grinder etc. Its fun and adaptable just like art. P.S I must be the only barista without tats ;)

[@tedspang1945]

pound for pound, coffee gives the highest profit margin out of any commodity you can sell today. I hope California takes over the industry. awesome vid.

[@MatanuskaHIGH]

i call bullshit!...weed! way higher profit margin than coffee..

[@theonlyone261]

+matanuska High do you know what commodity means?

[@Pourovercoffeeworld]

Love seeing coffee being grown on the mainland USA!

[@filippetrovic9823]

He is talking about the importance of the temperature, but like he uses water from the tap... mindblown

[@MichaelMa]

For home brewing, I really believe in the pressurized coffee extraction methods by using things like the AeroPress to get all the value and flavor out of the coffee beans. 10:52 That translucent brown water on the top and the much darker layer on the bottom tells me they haven't extracted much out of the coffee bean and they are mostly drinking hot water with powdery coffee grounds. Of course, nothing beats a proper espresso machine.

[@dajnair05]

This is pure chemistry. Fascinating video.

[@itskandykandy]

The two places they feature actually *IN* Los Angeles are Chicago's Intelligentsia and Oakland's Blue Bottle. While I do enjoy them, there are tons of local roasters and coffee shops that were started in Los Angeles like Andante Coffee Roasters, G&B Coffee, Coffee Tomo, and more. Still a cool video, just would have liked to see more L.A. places.

[@Joer245]

G&B!

[@theonlyone261]

blue bottle is incredible.

[@BoyAditya]

Love this documentary. I hope you guys will do another in different countries and cities

[@BenRangel]

Before you try becoming a coffee geek - try if you actually tell the difference. My friend got a Hario kits, spent 5 minutes slowly pouring his coffee and saying how much better it tasted. I challenged him by doing a second cup where I just put all the water and coffee and once in a bucket, let it sit and extract for a while, then poured it through a filter. He couldn't tell the difference.

[@RockstarEater]

So where is the best coffee spot in LA?

[@canteenpapi3040]

I love all the science behind the coffee

[@gcho91]

Awesome video! thank you for showing the process that goes into getting coffee to the consumer.

[@jonathanbrand4238]

From what I learned, temperature is key....so is grind....weight is key too....and don't forget water.

[@stateofnomind]

Great video guys! I really enjoy a good cup of coffee and seeing how it gets made is very interesting!

[@Mahyuddin-cf]

Thank for share your video. I'm coffee farmer from dataran tinggi gayo sumatera Indonesia

[@CPI99]

I didn't know coffee was a hipster artform. But the comment section helped me realize that. 👍

[@AydinOdyakmaz]

Ok well watching this I'm starting to understand the high cost of coffee. Glad I make my own cup with a Bodem every morning which allows me to buy better beans.

[@Stardustfallout]

What! I never knew coffee was being grown in CA

[@jimdavis8804]

Amazing. Love roasting coffee beans with my new behmor 1600 plus.

[@PejorativeDaedal]

How are any of these methods "hipster"? Most of these have been done long before and it proved that it can really change the outcome of the coffee.

[@northerndownpour101]

Haven't even seen it but: Blacktop Coffee in DTLA. Best cold brew I have ever had.

[@damien_t]

Excellent video.

[@Jjsb94]

This was really cool!

[@KimJayViet]

This feels like an unintentional episode of Portlandia

[@tishtash321]

Alright I tried. At 14:00 and tapping out. I don't like coffee enough to appreciate this. But Munchies do one on tea and I'll be there!

[@brandonyu9602]

That last dude got it in.

[@fayepieper7203]

I 💙 Coffee ☕

[@jnac216]

Munchies: you should do an updated profile and look to Chicago. Between the origins of intelligentsia to highlighting changers like Dark Matter or Metric, Chicago would be a great revival of the series.

[@Fendy1]

19:00 I have the same V60 Device. Cold filter device is the best in my opinion (initially primed with hot water). I find the hot water method can often result in coffee becoming too acidic.

[@mexxal16]

beautiful piece of land....

[@andrewslough389]

All these variables haven given me a headache, much like coffee itself.

[@FarlzBarkley]

I cannot imagine the prices that these beans fetch.

[@jovanlee1876]

Remember when you could skip the ads on KZbin....

[@tehpwnereryeah]

This is insane. But I really want to try one of those coffees from Portola Coffee Lab tho.

[@lovelyeek2]

+Axel Vnk Portola is over-hyped

[@usmclongrangebrainsurgeon]

I enjoy coffee at least once a day. Would i choose high quality coffee over the reggie?? Of Course!!

[@pragmatik5305]

Hahahah, even I was feeling my pretentiometer running a bit high with this one - and I've been into speciality coffee for 3-4 years now. But, this is a culture that attracts a lot of interesting people, and at the end of the day you'll get some really good cups of coffee. I'll adjust my grinder for my next cup, make sure to agitate and go get myself a new thermometer. Just gotta find that wooden paddle tho...

[@RileyDao]

when are they going to use the flesh of the coffees to make juice? I had alot in Hawaii and it's soo good

[@bona340]

Could you please, make one "Journey to Cocaine Mecca "? Kind of some coke samples, specialists snorting and analyzing the properties and all that special characteristics it has... some underrated producers and stuff like that...Thank Munchies, i would be very happy with that.

[@PIXEL7atm]

why is everyone so easily offended by people coming across as 'hipsterish' on this channel? It's just a group of people with a passion for coffee.

[@PandaRooey]

Come to Melbourne if you want a decent cup of coffee

[@ftffighter]

10:00 is my dream job!

[@Aramigo123]

Blue Bottle coffee guy used to be the #1 guy at Intelligentsia. Small world at the top.

[@csmaster65]

Anyone know anything about the price of beans by the LA growers compared to south American and African coffees?

[@jacobmcmahan6218]

love you Mel

[@uniqueLeo08]

I just want to know what brand/type of scale was Jeff Duggan from Portola Coffee Lab was using. Needing one of those!!

[@Jcthered]

+uniqueLeo08 I happen to follow them on instagram! the brand is "Acaia" (not acacia haha)... acacia.co

[@uniqueLeo08]

+James O'Brien good looking out!! thank you so much

[@Jcthered]

+uniqueLeo08 I knew someone would want to know so I searched the comments! Haha😇

[@marcelodelatorre2606]

this video is full of knowledge thank you I'm on the Los Angeles San Bernardino border can you point me to the direction for a good cup of coffee

[@itstusheto]

Tell me that Jeff Duggan (co-founder, portola coffee lab), doesn't look like Paul Giamatti

[@FramedProductions]

OH MY GOD THE BEANS ARE RELEASING ENERGY!!!!

[@meganmcgrath8378]

This is fucking excellent. Ambitious stuff Vice.

[@MultiAwsome8]

Cream and sugar? or straight black?

[@larry89]

I can't help but think of Jordan Schlansky from the Conan O' Brien show.

[@dylanr.cerezo4325]

the beans are releasing energy maannnnn.

[@kwirkLA]

+Dylan R. Cerezo I mean, they pretty much are when being roasted. Ever taken a chemistry class before?

[@dylanr.cerezo4325]

kwirkLA oh geez it was late when i said that. Meant *spirit* energy maannnnn.

[@kwirkLA]

Oh I thought you were calling out the roaster dude on some pseudoscience shit

[@dylanr.cerezo4325]

kwirkLA haha yeah. Its all in good fun, glad that was cleared up.

[@kwirkLA]

Agreed, glad to have cleared up the miscommunication. Be well anonymous internet man

[@ayimmatt2]

i imagine that barista teacher is like jk simmons from whiplash

[@mariooiram7546]

They have to spit the coffe tho? i mean even with many slurps they would drink like a cup or 2 maybe?

[@MickeyD2012]

Holy fuckin' shit, that's a pretty brilliant idea as far as a way to control the strength of your brew, weighing it.

[@damianson]

@ 25min ion, could be a great comic bit, turn it into Whiplash. "DID YOU OVER EXTRACT OR IS IT TOO COARSE!?" *THROWS GLASS AT HER FACE* lmao

[@8alih]

looooooooooooooooooooooooool

[@dzigimk]

I'd bet ya those frozen ice coffes taste way better that u can get at a deli

[@michaelball7440]

"It's a Lamarzocco GB 25 Mr. Bond. And yes, you will get a buzz."

[@Jokyl989]

wasn't he in the seattle episodes?

[@joshhighburger8869]

Lost it when at the "sometimes loud enough it hurts," absolutely genius

[@shinpeimg]

Come to the Pacific Northwest for coffee!

[@TheRainbowCupCake01]

I can brew coffee that I'm able to drink black. I'm sure it tastes horrible compared to this but hey, I get by in the morning

[@Temperdgrump]

Yup...this just showed me how much I'm not into coffee. I'll just stick with redbull when I want a jolt to keep me up. Cheaper as well. I guess I just cba to spend $10 on a cup.

[@ToxxicFlames]

8:29 COFFEE DOCTOR? MORE LIKE SLOPPY DOCTOR!

[@__BERSERKER__]

Does this coffee cost $15/cup? labor seems high as hell.

[@오세륜]

I like coffee haha 😉✨

[@lets7121]

Its strange how we still talk about exporting natural resources from other countries in a good manner. "Ahh Geisha Coffee from Ethiopia"

[@BryantSupply]

Funny how LA people are so chill yet they drink more coffee than New Yorkers

[@winnerwinnerchickendinner9853]

Too many un skip able ads it's ridiculous

[@chargersfan1111]

The people from Intelligentsia’s looked familiar. I think they were on Conan's video about coffee haha

[@hazween23]

Whatever happened to the good 'ol press method? My french press is the only tool for making coffee I need and has never failed me. Why do I have to wait 10 hours to wait for 3 drips of coffee? Also if you wanted to extract coffee through a paper filter, just buy a coffee machine.

[@alexandernewton5853]

Can somebody fill me in on the low-caffeine coffee varietal they mentioned. Lo-wa or something like that

[@TheHanspeter8]

The fine line between hipster coffee pretentiousness and actual good coffee was well walked, but be careful I felt that this was sometimes pretty close to being a cringefest.

[@billygowhoop]

sf is the coffee mecca of california

[@IadiiI]

im starting to admire michael phillips

[@loganberbs6462]

No joke, I thought this was a sketch from Portlandia

[@TheTudorgirl]

This feels like watching real-life "portlandia".

[@PabloStirling]

Inteligensia....mhmmm. sounds familiar. Remember Conan and Jordan Schlansky visiting this place? I MUST CONSULT...THE BEAN PROOOOBE