Day Trip to Carlsbad: The Village by the Sea
With seven miles of sweeping coastline, family-friendly attractions, hiking, and shopping, Carlsbad, California is an obvious destination for tourists and locals alike.
San Diego Buzz: The “Indian Summer” Chai Latte at Steady State Roasting in Carlsbad
Time seems to move slower near the ocean. There’s something about the gentle lapping of the waves and salt-kissed breeze that allows the hustle and bustle of life to melt away and be replaced with a sense of tranquility.
The vibe at Steady State Roasting in Carlsbad is no exception.
Steady State was originally founded in 2016 by Elliot Reinecke. The original roastery was miniscule: a mere 250 square feet. But Reinecke quickly racked up some awards and moved operations to their current location soon thereafter, a stone’s throw away from both the Pacific and Buena Vista Lagoon.
The motif is pure Carlsbad, mixing retro typography with modern pops like white hexagonal tiles. A large mural spans an entire wall and portrays an astronaut navigating a Volkswagen bus, adding to the cheeky fun aura that the rest of the space emulates.
Plants hang in various corners of the ceiling, and parking is blissfully abundant in the adjacent lot. It’s a relaxed, unobtrusive place to hang out.
Looking around, I’d wager that few — if any — of the patrons regularly find themselves wearing a suit and tie in a stuffy board room.
A handful of young professionals clacked away on their laptops, but the vibe was more beachside lounge than pit stop on the way to the office. Actual conversations outnumbered devices, a rare sight in today’s technology-driven age.
I felt no rush to gulp down my obligatory morning caffeine and jet to work.
Although Steady State is a coffee shop through and through, they offer plenty of tea options on their menu as well as specialty espresso drinks. One particular specialty beverage caught my eye.
“The Elixir”, described as “brewed using our Uganda, Sipi Falls. Looks like whiskey, feels like tea, made from coffee… and unlike anything you have tasted before.” Perfect, I thought.
“We’re actually sold out of that,” apologized the barista.
She explained that they make large batches of the unique concoction and were in the middle of the process at that very moment.
Only slightly devastated, I turned to the second-most tantalizing thing available, the “Indian Summer”.
Chai is the Hindi word for tea, one of the most ancient beverages in the world, but here in America, “chai” usually refers to strong, black tea with a medley of aromatic spices added to it, as was the case with this $5 ginger-spiced chai latte (available with or without espresso). I opted for regular milk and added an espresso shot for an extra $1.50, which turned out to be a delicious choice.
My beverage arrived promptly, smelling strongly of ginger with the thick, rich appearance of curry. The ginger gave it a unique and savory edge that became more tempered and delicate over time. I tend to prefer my coffee piping hot, but even at a tepid temperature, this drink continued to captivate my attention with its ability to shape-shift on my palate.
The spice medley seems more appropriate for fall or winter, but if Steady State offers this iced, it may be a refreshing (and surprising) new favorite for summer.
Steady State is now open seven days a week. Every Thursday, from 1 - 2 pm, they open their doors for free public cupping sessions for java heads to come practice their palate training.
Visit Steady State Roasting Company
2562 State Street, Suite G, Carlsbad
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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