Roasted: Java Pura is Rice's untapped source of quality coffee
Located conveniently on the outskirts of Rice campus is Java Pura: a delightful cafe that specializes in high-grade, affordable coffee. It sits inside of the BioScience Research Collaborative, only a short walk from the south colleges. A stroll inside the main doors and up a flight of stairs will bring you to a spacious white foyer fully illuminated by natural light streaming through the expansive glass walls and filled only with the sound of the quiet humming of an espresso machine. Java Pura's coffee bar is outfitted with top-of-the-line machines, presses, and steamers. Its shelves are stocked with carefully chosen, freshly roasted coffees from all over the world. The baristas carefully craft each cup of coffee with ease and finesse and are friendly and resourceful in helping the customer choose the perfect drink. Java Pura prides itself on not only obtaining high-quality coffee beans, but also carefully roasting each batch to emphasize the full unique flavors of those beans. As a result of such scrupulousness and high customer satisfaction, Java Pura was rated the "Best Coffee Roaster" in Houston by the Houston Press in 2011. Who knew Rice students had such exquisite coffee right in their own backyard?
Even though Java Pura is the new kid on the Rice block, having opened in the BRC this past September, it has been part of the Houston coffee scene for decades. In 1992, native Houstonian Richard Colt arrived on the Houston coffee scene by founding the Texas Roasting Company. He established his presence in coffee kiosks all over the city, including at the University of Houston and the Galleria. Then, in 2007, when master roaster Ken Palmer and coffee and wine connoisseur Fielding Cocke joined forces with Colt, Java Pura was formed. The company transformed from a small-scale coffee catering team into a specialty roaster focused on delivering high-quality coffee to clients in and around Houston. The company receives their signature coffee beans directly from the Arabica trees of Costa Rican coffee farmer Don Teofilo. The beans are sent to the Java Pura roasting factory to be roasted and packaged by the owner himself. The factory is a short 15-minute drive from Rice campus and if desired, guests can make an appointment to tour the factory, see a demonstration of the roasting and cupping process and have an overall insightful coffee experience.
After hearing the intriguing history of the company, I chose a few different drinks to allow myself a well-rounded experience of such high-quality coffee. The cappuccino, made with Java Pura's own espresso blend, was sweet and full-bodied with chocolaty hues and a bit of a fruity tang. It wasn't heavy or overpowering and might actually be one of my favorite espressos to date. I decided it was a must for me to try Java Pura's signature Don Teofilo Costa Rican coffee. The barista brewed it as a pour-over, which is similar to a French press as there are no machines required. The coffee is put in a ceramic conical funnel with a special filter, hot water is slowly poured over the grounds and freshly brewed coffee drips into a cup under the apparatus. The pour-over coffee was much less acidic and smoother than a cup of French press. The Don Teofilo had a prominent citrus flavor with medium acidity. Even though it was a bit too acidic for my personal tastes, it had a good, balanced body that gave it an enjoyable finish. At the BRC location, Mexican Organic Fair Trade coffee is also sold, which is a light-medium roast that is fresh and fruity, with hints of blueberry. Perhaps the most delightful surprise was that Java Pura also offers the Vietnamese inspired sua da, a tall glass of concentrated, sweet, specially pressed iced coffee. All of the whole bean coffee used to make the drinks can be bought from the store in the BRC, at Central Market or at any of the locations listed on the Java Pura website.
Along with the familiar coffee drinks, Java Pura offers freshly made sandwiches, salads and parfaits. Java Pura is also the perfect catering company for any upcoming Rice event and can bring delicious coffee and snacks to any meeting or party for an affordable price.
As fond as I am of Rice Coffeehouse, the large volume of customers and music blaring over the loudspeakers creates a noisy atmosphere that can be too loud to study in at times. However, Java Pura offers an uncharted and peaceful study environment with plenty of sitting areas, a great view of the south side of Rice campus, and the convenience of the Rice Wi-Fi network. The next time you are in the BRC for class or just passing by, Java Pura is the perfect place for a convenient, delicious and quality cup of coffee that is still within a college student's budget.
More from The Rice Thresher
Rice community, experts lend support to Kerrville after deadly floods
In the early hours of the morning on July 4, flood waters rapidly rose the Guadalupe River to 30 feet above its normal height. One of the few gauges on the river failed. Young girls sleeping in the cabins of Camp Mystic on the banks of the river had no phones to receive the flood warnings.
Tea Nook to close after 9 years of business
Rice’s student run boba tea shop will likely shutter its doors after managers were informed that they could no longer operate out of Sammy's Cafe in the Rice Student Center.
Summer indie staples serenade House of Blues on Peach Pit and Briston Maroney’s “Long Hair, Long Life” tour.
A crowd gathered at House of Blues Houston on June 18 to hear the upbeat bedroom pop that got many of them through high school. Titled the “Long Hair, Long Life” tour (see the band members), this collaboration between Peach Pit and Briston Maroney felt like a time capsule to 2017: a setlist teeming with both original songs and music from their latest albums, “Magpie” and “JIMMY”, and an unspoken dress code of cargo shorts, graphic T-Shirts and backward caps.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.