This is a quaint little shop in downtown Morgan Hill, Calif., on the southern edge of Silicon Valley. Unfortunately, its location takes it off the beaten path of the Valley's infamous commute. I've often driven past it myself only because I happen to have other business in Morgan Hill.
Physically, the shop is relatively compact, but it is tastefully decorated -- burlap coffee bean sacks, abstract paintings, wooden ceiling fans with blades carved into leaves -- and comes with plenty of sidewalk seating.
I had the opportunity to speak with barista-on-duty Mary Connolly, who was very forthcoming about what Hot Java has to offer, starting with 26 varieties of coffee, all of which are organic. She explained to me how lighter-roasted beans retain more caffeine than darker roasts, and therefore result in a stronger brew, a common misconception among coffee drinkers. All of Hot Java's beans are purchased locally from the Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company. "Zoom" is a one of their more popular light roasts and "Heart of Darkness" is a popular dark roast option.
The shop's motto is "Hand-crafted one cup at a time, just for you," referring to the brew bar, where customers can essentially get their very own customized cup of joe. Connolly "three-poured" me a cup of Brazilian Santos, the featured coffee of the month. She said some customers who prefer a stronger brew will ask for a "single pour." Connolly also let me sample a chocolate-covered espresso bean and a "Mexican Chocolate," a strange but pleasant combination of chocolate, peppers and cinnamon that's used to make a Mayan Mocha.
Hot Java also has a variety of teas and offers several cold drink options, including fruit smoothies, specially blended coffee drinks and flavored sodas. They'll even make sno-cones and slushies for the kids. True to its small-town setting, Connolly said the shop welcomes customer suggestions on new blends or flavors and will even offer taste tests, as time allows. Mochas and Italian sodas are the shop's most popular drinks.
Physically, the shop is relatively compact, but it is tastefully decorated -- burlap coffee bean sacks, abstract paintings, wooden ceiling fans with blades carved into leaves -- and comes with plenty of sidewalk seating.
I had the opportunity to speak with barista-on-duty Mary Connolly, who was very forthcoming about what Hot Java has to offer, starting with 26 varieties of coffee, all of which are organic. She explained to me how lighter-roasted beans retain more caffeine than darker roasts, and therefore result in a stronger brew, a common misconception among coffee drinkers. All of Hot Java's beans are purchased locally from the Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company. "Zoom" is a one of their more popular light roasts and "Heart of Darkness" is a popular dark roast option.
The shop's motto is "Hand-crafted one cup at a time, just for you," referring to the brew bar, where customers can essentially get their very own customized cup of joe. Connolly "three-poured" me a cup of Brazilian Santos, the featured coffee of the month. She said some customers who prefer a stronger brew will ask for a "single pour." Connolly also let me sample a chocolate-covered espresso bean and a "Mexican Chocolate," a strange but pleasant combination of chocolate, peppers and cinnamon that's used to make a Mayan Mocha.
Hot Java also has a variety of teas and offers several cold drink options, including fruit smoothies, specially blended coffee drinks and flavored sodas. They'll even make sno-cones and slushies for the kids. True to its small-town setting, Connolly said the shop welcomes customer suggestions on new blends or flavors and will even offer taste tests, as time allows. Mochas and Italian sodas are the shop's most popular drinks.
Owner Bill Quenneville is a down-to-earth, old-school coffee connoisseur. A self-proclaimed Kona-holic, he speaks with much pride about the time and work that go into Hot Java's recipes and how important it is to keep the coffee flavorful. His business philosophy basically boils down to if you find a good, independent coffee shop, patronize it, and if that shop happens to be Hot Java, you're not just a customer, you become part of an extended family.
Among the shop's amenities are free high-speed wireless and live music every other Wednesday. One drawback is a relatively early closing time most days -- 6 p.m. Monday though Thursday, 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Among the shop's amenities are free high-speed wireless and live music every other Wednesday. One drawback is a relatively early closing time most days -- 6 p.m. Monday though Thursday, 4 p.m. on Sunday.
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Hot Java
17400 Monterey Rd. Suite B
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
(408) 776-0571
17400 Monterey Rd. Suite B
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
(408) 776-0571
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