Just Us Cafe and Coffee Museum - Wolfville

Once upon a time I was a pot-a-day coffee drinker. My preferred brew was Just Us Colombian Blend. Then in October I broke my collar bone. Because caffeine causes calcium to pass right through the body, I quit all caffeinated beverages cold turkey (I was a grumpy bear) and went eight months without coffee, tea (except herbal) or cola. That coffee-drinking hiatus was ~~put on pause~~ came to an end when we visited the Just Us Cafe & Museum (@justuscoffee) during our honeymoon. Because it was a special occasion, I decided to indulge with a large Mexican blend while my better half enjoyed a café au lait. If you haven’t been to the Just Us flagship shop in Grand Pre, we strongly urge you to make the trip. To be honest, we went because it was nearby when we were doing a local wineries tour. We discovered that it far exceeded our expectations and could be a bit of a journey in itself.

“People and the Planet Before Profits”

If you go, make sure to start by getting your choice of a light, medium or dark roast. Just Us was the first fair trade coffee retailer in Nova Scotia. The flagship store features a coffee museum, where you can learn about the history of coffee and the importance of fair trade. The museum is very well done, with the information artfully displayed throughout several rooms. The exhibits detail the benefits of fair trade to coffee producers, consumers, and the planet. There is a video and some interactive pullouts on the walls for the kids, and you can even open the doors to watch the roasters in action. We’ve been told that there are plans to add an audio tour.

Instructions on “Cupping”…Essentially a coffee tasting tactic similar to a wine tasting.

Once you’ve taken in all of the fascinating info in the museum, head out back to check out their new vegetable garden. While this has nothing to do with coffee, it’s still cool to see that little of the fertile Annapolis soil is being wasted. You can also sit and enjoy your coffee in their little slice of paradise garden area. Plenty of greenery and flowers, and several tables made of recycled materials. Read a book, chat with friends, or simply enjoy the fresh air while sipping on some great coffee.