Let’s be honest: most people aren’t drinking espresso pulled from a $20,000 machine, let alone a $1,000-$2,000 machine at home. They’re not measuring water temperature or timing the bloom. They’re grabbing a mug on the way out the door, pouring drip from a countertop brewer they picked up from Walmart, or topping off a gas station cup somewhere on a dusty road between Point A and Point B.
And you know what? That’s okay. It’s actually great.
According to a 2024 Drive Research survey, 77% of U.S. coffee drinkers add milk, creamer, sweeteners ... or all three. The takeaway? Most people are making coffee their own. They’re not chasing perfection. They’re chasing comfort, flavor, and familiarity.
The Road Trip Ritual
You’ve been there, cruising through a small town before sunrise, windows cracked, music low. You pull into a corner store or diner with one goal: get coffee. Is it the best coffee ever? Probably not. But in that moment, it works. It’s part of the ritual. Part of the ride.
There’s something deeply human about road trip coffee. It’s not about flavor notes or brewing methods. It’s about presence. A hot cup in your hands. A sunrise through the windshield. That quiet moment before the day unfolds.
I’ve been intentional lately to stop at a variety of gas stations to test-drive their coffee. I am always curious as to how good ... or bad it is. Sure, I’ve had a lot of bad cups of coffee, but every now and then, I’ve had some surprisingly decent ones.
Making Specialty Coffee Less… Special?
Here’s where Loam comes in. Specialty coffee can feel intimidating. Like there’s a right and wrong way to enjoy it. Like you need a dictionary just to order. But that’s not our thing.
I believe good coffee should be simple, approachable, and maybe even a little messy. Brewed outside. Poured into a trail-dusted enamel mug. Shared with strangers around Nacho the Van. Specialty doesn’t mean complicated. It just means intentional ... care in the roast, the sourcing, the brewing, but always with room for you to make it your own.
However You Like It
If you take your coffee black, awesome. Splash of milk? Go for it. Want to add a swirl of creamer because that’s how your grandpa drank it? Beautiful.
There’s no wrong way to drink good coffee.
I’m not here to impress or preach. I’m here to hand you a cup, meet you where you are ... at a gravel race, a trailhead, or roadside pullout, and say, “Hey, enjoy this however you like it.”
