The 5 Best Coffee Houses Around Frederick

Legend has it that a herder on the Ethiopian plateau discovered the magic of coffee when his goats, who chomped on the beans, couldn't sleep, according to the National Coffee Association of U.S.A. That was quite a while ago. These days, we know about half-caf and decaf.

Fans of the show Curb Your Enthusiasm may tell you the perfect cup is all about acquiring the best beans. (See the showdown between Mocha Joe's establishment and Latte Larry's "spite store.") Back in real life, Dublin Roasters Coffee, voted Best of the Best by Fredericktonians, sources theirs from small farms in countries such as Columbia, India, Ecuador, Vietnam, Brazil, Honduras, and Guatemala each year, according to their site.

And while sourcing the best beans may indeed by crucial, let us not discount the prowess of the brewer. Dublin's has been at it for over 20 years. Want to see how she works her magic? Ask for a tour of their roasting facility. Above, she hold beans from the mountains of Colombia a couple of years ago.

Finalist Frederick Coffee & Cafe has been the community's living room for more than 30 years, a longevity that's a testament to its quality. And don't overlook the 'Cafe' in it's name; Grab breakfast - available all day - or lunch while you're there.

And while the java at Middleton's Main Cup in clearly beloved by locals - heck, their logo is a cup of coffee - their focus was on ice cream when they opened over 100 years ago. Today, they tout themselves as "an All-American Restaurant" where everything is made fresh.