the customer to appreciate the espresso on its own, then try it with milk. While a solo espresso can be intimidating, having this option eases the transition into coffee purism. And if it’s still too strong, you can always turn to Dose’s yummy homemade vanilla or ginger syrups. Exotic notes not your thing? “We usually have a more traditional flavor available, like our Toscano,” says Keith, adding that this Counter Culture Coffee specialty roast offers a classic taste, bolstered by caramel, hazelnut, and dark chocolate. “There’s something intimate about being familiar with a particular roast,” Heath tells me as he reminisces on his experience roasting beans on a coffee plantation in El Salvador. Heath is not a coffee novice; he knows the process from the ground up, and was even one of the judges for the United States Barista Championship. “I wanted to try roasting,” he says with a subtle smile. “I guess you could say it's the romantic side of the business.” Roasting is what coffee people aspire to do, as it allows the aficionado to have complete control of the outcome. Each morning, all of the employees sample each of the five or so roasts du jour to make sure the beans are fresh and flavorful. “It’s easy to forget
how many cups I’ve actually had in a day,” Keith says with a chuckle, exchanging a knowing glance with his fellow owner. The culinary side and atmosphere of Dose comes from Keith’s experience in catering, and from his upbringing in New Zealand. “Great coffee and great food don’t have to be mutually exclusive,” he says. He left Auckland for Nashville at age 13. But when he returned to his South Pacific birthplace, Keith couldn’t help but notice the rapid development of coffee shops that had sprouted all over the city. He was surprised by how the New Zealanders would take two to three hours at a time to sit in a coffee shop and allow themselves to relish in the coffee experience, whether it was on a sidewalk at a scenic café table, or behind the closed doors of a shop. It’s this kind of gentle, casual repose that Heath and Keith are aiming to achieve with Dose. The shop not only kindles a love of coffee, but also encourages exploration. Dose’s warm atmosphere ushers you into an innovative yet approachable culture of coffee, where the passion is as addictive as the caffeine itself.
"IT’S EASY TO FORGET HOW MANY CUPS I’VE ACTUALLY HAD IN A DAY."
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Dose is open Monday–Friday 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 3431 Murphy Rd. Visit DoseCoffeeAndTea. com for more info.