Where it Started
Growing up, Leah was surrounded by family. Some of her fondest memories as a child took place on her MawMaw and Pawpaw’s hill. Leah, her sisters, and her cousins would play football, swing on the tire swing, build forts, and just be kids. When she was not playing out in yard, she would sit and swing with her PawPaw.
This is where she began drinking coffee. He was a big coffee drinker and would have a pot brewing all day. As they sat and drank coffee, they would talk about his childhood. His stories would come alive as he spoke and she would get lost in them as though she was living them, herself. His love for coffee was planted inside of her then and has grown making her want to share her passion with others.
Clifford The Roaster
After graduating college, she moved back home and started Southern Girl Coffee Company to fuel this passion. She and her dad converted an old gas grill into a coffee roaster and began roasting coffee in their backyard. They would set up and sell their coffee at farmer’s markets and festivals. What started as a hobby in the back yard grew into a beautiful little company.
The Love Story
Leah and Brad’s love story started with coffee and has continued to grow with their business. In 2013 Leah and Brad met at Oxfordfest. Leah sold Brad his first cup of southern girl coffee and handed him a business card.... he did not call her because he thought she was too young for him. However, he came back the following few weeks to the downtown market and their love story began! Over the years, Leah and Brad’s love grew and so did their love for community. Their passion has shaped Southern Girl Coffee into the company it is today.
Thomas the Roaster
Southern Girl Coffee started in a back yard in a homemade 5 lb. coffee roaster as a hobby. Leah, Brad, Bobby, and Pawpaw (Leah's Grandfather) spent many nights sitting around their homemade roaster, perfecting the art of coffee roasting. This hobby quickly grew into a passion to deliver the perfect batch of coffee every time. To help achieve this they purchased a custom made Guatemalan roaster. This 25 kg batch coffee roaster, that was custom-built in Guatemala in 2004, is a Probat clone made by Logos Mechanicos, a third-generation roaster builder.
The Alley Coffee Shop
Though they are passionate about coffee, their true passion lies in cultivating love and community. Southern Girl Coffee Company was built on a love for people and a desire to use their gifts to impact others. Through something as simple as coffee, their goal is to impact their team, their customers, and ultimately their community in a positive way.
How to make a perfect cup of coffee
Freshness is Key.
Drinking the coffee fresh is the first key to a delicious cup of coffee. Whole bean coffee can last for up to a month if stored properly. Fresh ground coffee can last for up to two weeks if stored properly.
Proper Storage
Proper Bean Storage is another key to that delicious cup. When storing coffee beans you must think of its enemies: Air, Light, Moisture, and Heat. For optimal flavor, it is best to store coffee in an airtight container, in a cool dark location (cabinet/cupboard).
Coffee to Water Ratio
When brewing coffee we use a 1:16 ratio. Multiply your target yield by 16. For example: if you have 38 grams of ground coffee you need 608 grams of water. It is best to use a gram scale when measuring out your coffee. If no scale is handy, use two tablespoons of fresh ground coffee for every six fluid ounces of water.
Water, Water, Water.
When brewing coffee always use good quality water. Fresh brewed coffee is 99% water. If you wouldn't drink it over ice, don't use it to brew coffee. Water temperature is another key when brewing proper coffee. Use water that is between 195°F - 205°F to achieve the best extraction. If the water is too cold the coffee will brew flat and sour. On the other hand if the water is too hot the coffee will brew bitter and harsh.
