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Kansas City
ustin, Texas, is a
cultural epicenter
in the middle of one of
America's most-populated states—home to political workers, a
major university and one of the world's largest music gatherings.
About 700 miles to the north is Kansas City, Mo., another metropolis
with a vital music scene—this one largely focused on jazz and blues—as
well as an internationally celebrated downtown.
The two middle-U.S. cities share a few things in common, including
reputations for legendary BBQ. But something else has united them in
recent years: thriving specialty-coffee cultures. Kansas City boasts
the reigning U.S. Barista Champion, while Austin is home
to one of the country's top roasters and a growing list
of progressive shops.
Read on to tour the high-quality coffee
scenes in two center-of-the-nation
hotspots.
30
COFFEE ALMANAC • June 2013
Austin