Ever since that fateful party in Boston where tea was emphatically NOT the beverage of choice, America has embraced coffee. For most of us, it’s a ritual, a necessity and the first little pleasure of the day: that perfect cup of joe, whether all dressed up in foam, reduced to its essence in a tiny espresso cup, or served unadorned, black and sugar-free in a plain white cup.

Just as coffee drinkers develop preferences for how it’s prepared, we also gravitate toward those places that take extra care to get our brew just right.

Orange County is full of coffee houses whose names don’t start with “S” — friendly spots that reflect the values and personalities of the people that run them, dedicated men and women who can usually be found behind the counter on any given morning.

The Register’s Food team reveals its favorite coffee haunts.

Rich mocha tones engulf Santa Ana’s Hidden House Coffee. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Latte mist circles at Hidden House Coffee in Santa Ana. Owner Ben Briggs believes coffee is an art form with the details of it being as complicated as an oil painting. In 2006, he served four-years in the Marine Corps as a radio operator in the infantry with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Mmmmm. Salma Tena, 4, of Santa Ana, with teddy bear in tow, loves watching pastries being made, according to dad Daniel. Baker Geneva Hodges makes cinnamon rolls at Hidden House Coffee in Santa Ana. She was one of several children at the coffee house on August 23. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Bam! Gilbert Reyes of Santa Ana, plays with daughter Camila, 3, between sips of a vanilla chai latte at Hidden House Coffee in Santa Ana. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Camila Reyes, 3, of Santa Ana, waits for dad, mom and grandma to finish their drinks at Hidden House Coffee in Santa Ana on Aug. 23. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Camila Reyes, 3, of Santa Ana, glances at dad, who sips a vanilla chai latte at Hidden House Coffee in Santa Ana. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A garage door opens up to a shady patio at Hidden House Coffee. The Santa Ana coffee house opened four months ago. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Death is more tolerable with coffee. Emilee Carr of Fullerton, from left, David Veszpeller of Costa Mesa and Riley Newcombe of Tehachapi study a book about death at Hidden House Coffee in Santa Ana. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Emilee Carr of Fullerton, from left, David Veszpeller of Costa Mesa and Riley Newcombe of Tehachapi laugh about an book about death over coffee at Hidden House Coffee in Santa Ana on Aug. 23. They lingered for hours until the caffeine wore off. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Barista Sarah Von Koerber makes cappuccino at Hidden House Coffee in Santa Ana. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Cream trickles down cold brew coffee, which has been steeped for more than a day at Hidden House Coffee in Santa Ana. Pastries are made from scratch in a glass-enclosed kitchen overlooking the shop Weds., Aug. 23. Eventually coffee will be roasted on the premises. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

An apricot/thyme scone and oversized vegan chocolate chip cookie accompany a cold brew coffee. The trio is a sweet way to start the morning at Hidden House Coffee, which has a cool nostalgic downtown vibe, in Santa Ana. The pastries are baked from scratch in a glass-enclosed kitchen overlooking the shop. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Natural light from a glass garage door illuminates the center coffee bar and latte at Santa Ana’s Hidden House Coffee. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Foodbeast(s) like Skyler Bellanger, VP of experimental marketing, from left, Matthew Wang, sales and events coordinator, start their morning at Hidden House Coffee in Santa Ana on Aug. 23. They overlook the roasting area. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Barista Brock Shingledecker has an artistic eye when it comes to latte art at Hidden House Coffee in Santa Ana. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Chris Hamilton of Santa Ana and Barley exit dog-friendly Hidden House Coffee in Santa Ana. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Brittany McLandrich of Irvine, a self-described coffee addict, gets an afternoon jolt of java at Kit Coffee. It was her first visit to the zen-like Newport Beach coffee house on Aug 24. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Josh Stephenson, Kit Coffee manager, makes vanilla latte at the Newport Beach coffee shop on Aug 24. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Josh Stephenson, Kit Coffee manager, gets help with his apron from a fellow barista at the Newport Beach coffee house on Aug 24. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Kit Coffee has a compact coffee and tea menu in Newport Beach. Gourmet chocolate, plants, incense holders and more is offered at the retail area. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Steams rises from hot espresso poured over vanilla ice cream for an affogato at Kit Coffee in Newport Beach. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Josh Stephenson, Kit Coffee manager, uses a bamboo whisk to make a smooth dark green paste of matcha green tea powder and sugar for a matcha latte. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A matcha latte starts with a whisk of matcha green tea powder and sugar until it’s a smooth dark-green paste at Newport Beach’s Kit Coffee. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A lot of heart goes into the making of matcha latte at Newport Beach’s Kit Coffee. The multi-step process begins with a whisk of matcha green tea powder and sugar in a bowl until it’s a smooth dark green paste. Warm milk is gently poured into a tilted mug to make art which staff and customers gingerly escort to the table. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The mood was introspective and quiet inside Newport Beach’s Kit Coffee, where patrons like Brittany McLandrich of Irvine waited for their order or kept to themselves on the computer. Beyond the glass wall on right, however, it was a bit more social. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Matcha latte is lovingly pulled at Newport Beach’s Kit Coffee on Thurs. Aug 24. It starts with matcha green tea powder and the sugar whisked in a decorative ceramic bowl until it’s a smooth dark green paste. Warm milk is added. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Vanilla latte, from left, affogato and matcha latte are served in a calming environment at Kit Coffee. The Newport Beach boutique coffee house offers a variety of coffee drinks, pastries, toast and chocolates. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Newport Beach’s Kit Coffee has geometric, zen-like flair with wood accents. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Kit Coffee is located at 1617 Westcliff Drive, Suite 103 in Newport Beach. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Vanilla latte, clockwise from left, affogato, espresso and matcha latte are served at Newport Beach’s Kit Coffee. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Plants and wood accent the interior and exterior of Kit Coffee in Newport Beach. On this Thurs., Aug 24, a diverse crowd gravitated towards outdoor seating. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Common Room Roasters in Newport Beach was inspired by the coffee culture in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Common Room Roasters in Newport Beach was inspired by the coffee culture in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Common Room Roasters, Newport Beach. (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Common Room Roasters in Newport Beach was inspired by the coffee culture in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Common Room Roasters runs a coffee bar and wholesale roasting operation in Newport Beach. (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Common Room Roasters runs a coffee bar and wholesale roasting operation in Newport Beach. (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Common Room Roasters

Australian coffee culture and the unique lingo that comes with it is one of the biggest trends in U.S. coffee shops right now (see Starbucks’ recent appropriation of flat whites). There are now several Aussie-inspired coffee houses in Orange County, and the best of the bunch is Common Room Roasters, which opened two years ago in Newport Beach where the city’s oddly gerrymandered border juts into Costa Mesa’s funky Westside, a mostly industrial neighborhood better known for CrossFit studios and hotrod customizers than fine food and drink. The owners came from Melbourne.

They roast their beans onsite, churning out half a dozen different blends using beans from Africa and South America. (Anaheim’s Ink & Bean recently added Common Room’s coffee to its lineup.) Built into an old warehouse with garage doors flung open, the cafe offers rudimentary seating that discourages longterm camping but suffices just long enough to savor a really good cup of coffee while listening to laid-back music that will remind you that your own music library is out of date.

The baristas make fantastic pour-overs and a perfect flat white. But when I asked for a macchiato (not exactly popular in Australia), I got a very wet, long variation that was really more of a cortado or even a Gibraltar, but very good nonetheless. The food choices are minimal: just a few well-done cake doughnuts. 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 882 Production Place, Newport Beach; commonroomroasters.com — Brad A. Johnson

Kit Coffee

Kit Coffee doesn’t roast its own beans, but they have curated a great collection of beans from Kenya, Ethiopa, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Panama that have been roasted by top-notch micro roasters such as Coava and Heart, both in Portland, as well as Temple in Sacramento. This austere cafe distinguishes itself with stark, minimalist furnishings inside the store while a more traditional patio provides a bit more comfort.

The baristas are masters of classic European technique but with a knack for infusing their craft with an occasional Asian riff. They know the difference between a cortado and macchiato, and their green tea latte is superb. 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily; 1617 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach; kit.coffee — B.A.J.

Cafecito Organico

When I worked in Santa Ana I used to shop at Diedrich’s Coffee in Tustin every week and bought so much Huehuetenango the clerk asked if I was FROM Guatemala. No. I just really dig Central American beans with their top notes of lemon, sometimes floral or berry flavors and an earthy kick.

So Cafecito Organico is one of my favorite places, a coffee bar with branches in Los Angeles and Anaheim, that caters to my taste buds. The beans are all fair trade and sustainable and they specialize in Central American varieties.

Right now, the Jose Lopez from Honduras is a favorite: honey, caramel, melon and chocolate notes and it makes a delicious pour over. I also like the raw cacao mocha ($4.75) which is completely unsweetened so you can taste the natural purity of the pod before it’s turned into a chocolate bar, devoid of milk and sugar. The foamy texture coats your tongue so flavors cling and develop all across the palate.

Their small shop sits across from Habana restaurant in the Lab and with the floor-to-ceiling glass windows it’s a catbird seat and the people watching is divine. Decor in the shop is bare with a Latin flair, reminds me of hot spots in Austin and San Antonio where you feel like the revolution is about to start any minute — but first, “Quien quiseiras cafecito?” ( Who wants coffee?)

8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday-Thursday; 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa; cafecitoorganicoca.com — Anne Valdespino

Kona Loa Coffee

If the word “Kona” makes your heart leap with joy, this Mission Viejo strip mall hideaway is the place for you.

The Chungs, who founded Kona Loa Coffee, went to Hawaii years ago for a well-earned vacation and instantly fell in love with the place — especially the Big Island. While there, they learned that Kona produces some of the world’s most coveted and delicious coffee beans. Delivering that level of goodness to every cup is their goal.

The place has an easygoing Island vibe, even on Saturdays, and there are plenty of laptop parkers who spend an entire morning nursing their pour over — which, of course, is the way to go if you’re going to drink Kona. You can choose from three pour-over options: Private Reserve ($6.50), Organix ($7) and Peaberry ($8.50). There’s a good selection of non-coffee beverages, too, including the always trendy matcha green tea latte and a refreshing iced honey ginger for hot days.

The breakfast menu is limited but popular: sandwiches, burritos, scrambles and a Hawaiian Breakfast ($7.40) that includes furikake seasoning and Portuguese sausage. Six different smoothies are offered, if that’s your day-starting preference. For the extra healthy, they’ll throw in protein powder, chia seeds or ground flax seed as add-ins.

7 a.m.-11 p.m. daily; 25800 Jeronimo Road #401A, Mission Viejo; 949-273-8811 and 7 a.m.-11 p.m. daily at the Diamond Jamboree Shopping Center, 2750 Alton Parkway, Suite 141, Irvine, 949- 861-2611. — Paul Hodgins

Kean Coffee

It’s hard to believe Kean Coffee, whose flagship Newport Beach outpost opened in 2005, is an “oldie but a goodie” in the world of local coffee purveyors. Indeed, it is an Orange County classic that should not be overlooked amid today’s gourmet cafe boom.

Why? Because owner Martin Diedrich never stops innovating. The founder of much missed Diedrich Coffee launched with niche specials such as it’s now famed Turkish latte. The other day, I walked in and found myself ordering a hot Turmeric latte, a nod to the ancient, but now trendy super antioxidant.

In a world of cafe copycats, Kean is the real thing. 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 13681 Newport Ave., Tustin, and 2043 Westcliff Drive #100, Newport Beach; keancoffee.com — Nancy Luna

Hidden House Coffee

I’m a sucker for vintage atmosphere. When you blend that with fantastic java, it was love at first sip for me when I stumbled into Hidden House Coffee’s flagship cafe at San Juan Capistrano’s historic Los Rios District.

The converted bungalow, where small batches of green coffee beans are roasted daily, is delightfully charming. The same friendly service and vintage look extend to its most recent outpost in downtown Santa Ana. Open since spring 2017, the elongated cafe is tucked inside what looks to be an old mechanic’s garage. The barista bar is the center of a massive open floor seating area flanked by decades-old brick.

7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at 511 E. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana. 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at 31791 Los Rios St., San Juan Capistrano; and 20025 Lake Forest Drive #101, Lake Forest; hiddenhousecoffee.com — Nancy Luna

Portola Coffee Roasters

Even though Portola Coffee Roasters has morphed into a mini-regional, the specialty coffee house has aged well over the years.

Remember the baristas in lab coats? Yes, the geeky look is out (as is the name — formerly Portola Coffee Lab), but innovation is still at the forefront under the direction of co-founder Jeff Duggan. The globe-trotting coffee junkie is always looking for the next best beans, contraptions and service style. We are always looking forward to what’s up their sleeve.

Hours vary depending on location. Multiple locations in Costa Mesa (South Coast Collection), Santa Ana (4th Street Market), Old Towne Orange (inside Provisions Market), Union Market Tustin, Union Market Mission Viejo and Lot 579 at Pacific City in Huntington Beach; portolacoffeelab.com — Nancy Luna

Honorary mentions: I live in Orange, a mecca for coffee lovers. I’m not sure why, but we are bursting at the seams with cafes. In fact, we’re such caffeine-aholics that we support multiple Starbucks locations, including two in the city’s historic Plaza. But, luckily there’s enough specialty coffee for connoisseurs looking for latte art, friendly service and a funky vibe. Some local hangouts worthy of a shout out include Bodhi Leaf Coffee Roasters (Katella Avenue) and Rekindle Caffé (on Tustin Street). Coming soon: Urth Caffe’s rainforest brews. — Nancy Luna