Kent State Foodie Takes on Local Coffee

To be perfectly honest, I never drank coffee until I came to college. I can’t tell you whether it was because of the lack of sleep or idea of being a sophisticated coffee drinker, but I did it, and to my mother’s surprise, I am now addicted! I have always been a tea drinker, but now I find myself craving a cappuccino about once a day. I haven’t gone crazy yet, but for this article, I definitely indulged. Keep reading for some great local coffee places in Kent, some are even included on your meal plan!

On-Campus Coffee

First things first, let’s chit-chat about the coffee options provided on that meal plan that your parents so generously pay for. I tried three different places: Jazzman’s, Community Coffee (from Prentice Café), and Starbucks. Even though I am a Seattle girl and I love myself a good Starbucks, my favorite out of the three was definitely Jazzman’s. At both Jazzman’s and Starbucks, I got a Cappuccino with soy milk. This is usually my go-to, and I wanted to see the difference. At Prentice however, I got the hot coffee and used the creamer that they provide on the side and then a small cup of the cappuccinos that they offer pre-made.

1. Jazzman’s

I would rate Jazzman’s about a 8/10. I loved how hot it was when it was served; I think that helps make a coffee great. Also, despite it having no added sugar, it was not bitter and just sweet enough that I didn’t need to add any extra. I am pretty sure this was due to the soy milk they used. They used an unsweetened soy milk and frothed it to perfection. It lost points only due to the fact that I waited for a while to receive it, and it burnt my tongue.

2. Starbucks

Starbucks is a solid 7/10. It was served lukewarm, and it bothered me so much that I went back to my dorm room and microwaved it so it was piping hot. I am not a freak about my 130˚ coffee, but I want it hot, OKAY?! They use a sweetened soy milk, so it was a little bit sweeter than I am used to, but nonetheless, still good. Their coffee was a little more bitter, and the cappuccino didn’t seem as creamy. They lost some points because it was not hot, wasn’t as creamy, and I waited even longer for it. Pro Tip: don’t go to Starbucks at 9 AM and expect to not wait in line.

3. Prentice

Prentice was a 6/10. I didn’t have the heart to rate it any less, because they have a special place in my heart for being gluten-free and feeding into my pancake addiction (they have a pancake bar on Wednesday’s, and you can always find me there). They were out of just good ‘ol plain coffee, so I had to go for the vanilla caramel roast. I typically am not a fan of flavored roasts, only due to the artificial taste. So, they lost points on that. They offered a caramel flavored almond milk creamer, which is my favorite! I added that generously, which of course affected the sweetness of the coffee. The pre-made coffee was not my favorite. For one, it had milk in it, which I find always gives me a little bit of a stomach ache, especially when mixed with that much sugar! If you are looking for a sweeter coffee, it definitely tasted good– just not my cup of tea (ha-ha, get it?). So, they also lost points in that regard. But, if you are on the run they offer many options and, like I said, it’s on your meal plan!

4. Downtown Coffee

There are plenty of coffee options in downtown Kent, and when you go with some friends, it makes it so much better! The only problem is, you have to use “real people” money that your parents do not provide, and it’s all up to your own cash flow. Of course, depending on what type of coffee you get, it does not put too much of a dent in your wallet, just don’t let it grow into too much of a habit. I only got the chance to go to Tree City Coffee, but boy was it delicious! Also, there is a Starbucks downtown, but why waste money when you can use your meal plan?

5. Tree City

I definitely give Tree City a 9.5/10. It’s hard to get a 10 in my book, unless of course you are talking about the delicious lattes in little Italy or an Affogato (gelato with espresso). I got the same old cappuccino, but this time, I got almond milk instead. It was SO good. First of all, the coffee was hot enough, just the way I like it, so that it did not burn my tongue off! It was also super-duper creamy and just sweet enough. The coffee was not bitter, and it had a nice autumnal taste. Also, Tree City offers so many different seasonal coffee combinations that literally anyone will be pleased. I am definitely looking forward to going when they have peppermint lattes! They also have many types of tea and delicious looking pastries. To make it even better, they have a really great aesthetic to make sure your Instagram can stay on trend.

See Also

The Ultimate UCSD Bucket List

6. Honorable Mentions

My downtown coffee excursion may have run short, but Kent offers a ton of other local shops that are worth checking out. Before you graduate, make sure you spend a cozy afternoon at Scribbles Coffee Co, Bent Tree Roasters, and Last Exit Books Coffee House.

What are your favorite local coffee places near Kent State? Let us know in the comments!

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