College students thrive on the existence of one substance — coffee. In the surrounding Marion and Hartford City areas, there are dozens of coffee shops. Some are the perfect afternoon retreat for students to relax and sip while doing homework. Others lack in the most important areas — the quality of their coffee.
Two Echo editors set out to provide their definitive take on which shop in the area has the best specialty drink and the best iced mocha, a common favorite among students. The first stop, just 10 minutes from campus, is the widely known and loved Starbucks.
The specialty drink — the new pistachio latte — had an incredibly light flavor, almost like that of a steamer. Steamers are typically just made with steamed milk, not containing any coffee. The coffee flavor in this drink was too light for a latte. The pistachio flavor, in general, could not be tasted. There was a slight bitterness from the aftertaste of pistachio flavoring, but it’s not a flavor that one could identify without the foreknowledge of the flavor. Overall, it’s a great sweet, light drink for a cold day, not for coffee lovers.
The iced mocha, however, was an unexpected difficulty. Starbucks is known for their less sweet approach to chocolate drinks, namely their mochas and hot chocolates. This drink was no exception, being one-dimensional and very powdery in texture, as well as lacking an essential sweetness. Simply, this is a perfect drink for children. The too-thick chocolate milk was my least favorite drink of the day.
Starbucks in general was disappointing. And with the steep price of $11.77 for two tall (small) drinks, students must consider whether the proximity to campus is worth it for mediocre coffee. In my opinion, the answer is no.
Our second stop of the day was The Abbey in Marion. Locally owned and operated, The Abbey is beloved by Taylor and IWU students alike. While the atmosphere at the Abbey is more similar to a small-town coffee shop, it has the modernity and quiet surroundings that students seek and love.
The specialty drink at The Abbey, standing at $5.61, was a cafe miel. This drink typically has flavors of honey, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg along with the tasting notes of whatever coffee has been used. This was my personal favorite drink of the day, because you can’t really go wrong with cinnamon, honey and coffee. The flavor of the drink was light, with gentle flavors and a strong coffee presence. It should also be noted that the signature drink at The Abbey is a honey lavender latte, but the house made syrup was unavailable at the time of purchase.
I first attempted to order the iced mocha with almond milk, but the only milk alternative offered at The Abbey is oatmilk. This is not an issue for people who are generally lactose intolerant, but it definitely changed the taste and texture of the drink. This mocha, simply, is the best on the list for coffee lovers. This mocha is what I think of when I think of what a mocha should taste like. That being said, it was not my favorite mocha of the day. It was sweet and smooth, but did not have as rich of a coffee flavor as I would have liked.
In general, The Abbey is for those who love their coffee to be made in a specific way with a strong coffee flavor.
Read about more of my takes on local coffee at theechonews.com.
