Third Culture Coffee

            I’ve been putting off this post for awhile simply because like I’ve said before, the more excited I am about something, the less eloquent I tend to come across. So after a few sessions of writing and rewriting, I’m ready to share this amazing coffee shop with you all!

            Third Culture Coffee shop is located in Old Bellevue, right behind the park and Bellevue Square Mall. One of the main reasons it has become a favorite spot of mine is for it’s location. I work at the mall so stopping by before or after a shift, is super convenient and the commute from my house is a familiar and short 15 minutes. I enjoyed this place so much that my mission of exploring different coffee shops had been postponed for a short while. This very quickly became a go to place for me and I got so many questions about it after sharing some pictures! The sheer aesthetic of Third Culture is a huge reason I enjoy going. They have art displayed (I’ll touch more on that later) that gets switched up every so often and it’s such a subtle yet refreshing change. I can rave about the physical appearance of Third Culture for pages and pages, but instead I’ll let the pictures do the talking. If you get the chance to drop by, absolutely make sure to a picture on the super cute swing they have inside too!

I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve gone to Third Culture but fear not, I have kept track of all the drinks I’ve tried. My very first drink there was an iced Ginger Chai Tea Latte. The next time I went I ended up getting a regular iced Chai Tea Latte and if I’m comparing, the Ginger Chai would win every time. The Ginger Chai has organic ginger, Assam black tea, Kerala cardamom (a spice) and steamed milk. I definitely enjoy how flavorful it is. It has a strong spice that lingers in the back of your throat for a bit, which I love because it overpowers the aftertaste of milk. I’ve had my fair share of Chai Tea Lattes and while I do love them, I think the reason I didn’t quite enjoy it there was because I had already been exposed to the bold taste of the Ginger Chai. I should also mention that I tried the Ginger Chai Tea Latte with their only alternative milk, oat milk! I had never tried it before and the barista was kind enough to give me a sample beforehand. (Side note: I have a hard time finding alternative milks that I enjoy. I don’t like the way soy and almond milk alter the taste of your drink. I do enjoy hemp milk but it’s slightly watery and it seems like few places offer it. So most days I kind of just sacrifice the comfort of my future self and go with regular milk. Was that TMI? Oh well). Which is why I’m excited to say oat milk is my new favorite. It doesn’t taste much like anything except regular milk, which is what I look for in my drinks so that I can enjoy it genuinely. To me, there was no difference in taste with regular milk versus with oat milk. A different time I ordered the Ginger Chai Tea Latte not iced and that was heavenly. The slight burn of the spice was stronger with it hot and that made it all the more enjoyable!

            A fun drink I tried was the Matcha Milkshake! Truthfully I got it because I watched someone else order it and take a very cute picture. Not only is this drink creamy and sweet, but it comes in a milk bottle with a stripped straw! I know I said I wasn’t going to focus on visuals, but c’mon it was too adorable. I only wish it was a little bigger because I finished it in about 5 (slightly big) sips. 

            As promised, I also made sure to try their ~real~ coffee. I came in on a warmer day and ordered the Nitro Cold Brew. I should start by clarifying that I’ve never tried nitro cold brews anywhere else so I have nothing to compare it to but wow I don’t know what took me so long. Trying to describe taste feels silly but essentially it was smooth and had all the strength of regular coffee without that overwhelming bitterness that sits on your breath. I don’t know how to describe it but if you’re not a fan of black coffee I still highly recommend trying a nitro cold brew because it’s a different feeling. Less of a wake-me-up kick, more of a light refreshing drink. That being said though, if you’re one of those people that needs the strength of a thousand espresso shots, I do not recommend. Try it when you crave the simplicity of the taste of coffee. 

            To give you some more facts about Third Culture, know that they do in fact have free wifi and they do serve alcoholic beverages; happy hour starts at 5 every weekday! Given that I turn 21 here very soon, I’m especially excited to get to sit and write with a glass of wine in one of my favorite coffee shops. They also have a reward program that after so many stars, gets you $3 off your next drink. Occasionally they also have live music! I have yet to have the pleasure of attending but I did get a chance to explore their website and saw an announcement. Also on their website, you have the opportunity to book Third Culture for an event. Another awesome opportunity for artists that I saw online, is that Third Culture gives you the ability to apply to exhibit your art. I’ll be sure to link their website so you can check them out some more for yourself! 

            I can’t think of anything else to add other than that this is a very welcoming environment where I often find myself wanting to go and sit for hours. Fair warning though, they are a little generous with the AC so bring a layer for sure. Being the sweaty human that I am, I 100% don’t mind it but everyone I’ve brought here always mentions they they get a little chilly. If you ever want to stop in with me, please let me know! Or if you pop in shoot me a text because I’m probably already there J https://thirdculturecoffee.com