Let's cut to the chase — the weekend's too far, the weather is dreary. New Jersey is collectively in need of caffeine, stat!

Follow that van to great Jersey coffee (Erin Vogt, Townsquare Media)
Follow that van to great Jersey coffee (Erin Vogt, Townsquare Media)
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Take the chance to opt for a home brew. The Garden State has quite the 'crop' of coffee roasters these days.  Some are doing brisk business out of multiple locations. Others remain more of a hidden gem.  Here's 10 to start with:

1. Small World Coffee (Princeton)

Small World Coffee has a big fan base, since they've been serving up coffee in Princeton since 1993. It now includes 2 cafes in Princeton and a roasting facility in Rocky Hill.


 

2. Rook coffee (Monmouth County)

Rook is just about to open its 10th store in Monmouth County. Most everyone who's sipped a cup is converted into a superfan.  There's lots of praise for the "New Orleans" style brew.  I myself am a "Guatemala" gal.


3. Booskerdoo Coffee (Monmouth County)

Booskerdoo roasts its coffee in Monmouth Beach for sales online and at three retail spots in Monmouth Beach, Fair Haven, and Middletown. Popular blends include Jersey Diner and the Black & Tan (a blend of light and dark beans).

Booskerdoo also is opening a new Coffee & Bakery in Asbury Park this May.


4. Ahrre’s Coffee Roastery (Westfield and Summit)

Ahrre’s Coffee Roastery has been caffeinating Jersey since 1990, out of Union County.  It's become a Westfield staple at 104 Elm Street. The Summit location is at 417 Springfield Avenue and there's also an extensive online store.


5. The Coffee Mill Roasters (Millburn)

The Coffee Mill Roasters are a father-son shop in Millburn.  Roasting is done in the basement of the store at 41 Main Street, and the menu includes cappuccinos, lattes and espressos.


6. Black River Roasters (Whitehouse Station)

Black River Roasters is serious about coffee and about where it comes from.  The Whitehouse Station roasting company specializes in organic, Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance Certified coffees from around the globe. There's "ultra-premium" coffee for sale in the online store, too.

The roasting facility at 424 Route 22 West also has a cafe.


7. Rojo’s Roastery (Lambertville and Princeton)

Rojo's is a small-batch, artisan coffee roaster in Lambertville which also has added a cafe in Princeton. One look at their "Coffee 101" page on the web, and you realize you're dealing with serious coffee scientists.


8. Revolution Coffee Roasters (Collingswood)

Revolution Coffee takes the coffee shop experience to the next level, with online sales and some local, weekly delivery. The small batch roaster & cafe in Collingswood also offers cold brews to go, in growlers.


9. Harvest Coffee (Medford)

Harvest Coffee is overhauling its website, but the shop remains open on Main Street in Medford.  The family run business "knows its beans," thanks to study time at "Coffee Lab International".  (That's a real place and it's impressive)


10. KoffeeWagon Roasters (Hasbrouck Heights)

The newest roastery on the list, Koffeewagon is creating buzz in Bergen County and beyond.  Coffee roasting is done in Garfield and also the Hasbrouck Heights retail spot along Route 17 South.  Does a Kegerator Kold Brew Koffee sound like a magical way to bright your workweek? I think so, too.

Erin Vogt is a lifelong Jersey Girl, whose first reporting gig involved her Fisher Price tape recorder. As a wife and momma of two kiddies, she firmly believes that life’s too short to drink bad coffee.  A fan of the beach, Dave Grohl and karma, in no particular order.

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