Located on Industrial Park Road, Umble Coffee Co. opened the doors of its new coffee shop over the summer, and has quickly become one of my favorites. 
With its blend of industrial architecture and inviting warmth, the shop has introduced a bright, transparent and friendly atmosphere to Starkville’s coffee scene. 
Umble Coffee Co. is the official coffee brand served in the Mississippi State University dining halls. However, I first heard about Umble Coffee Co. through social media over the summer, and when I found out they were opening a coffee shop, I was excited to try it upon my return to Starkville. 
When I first visited Umble Coffee Co., I was surprised to see that they roast all of the coffee right in front of customers in a part of the shop sectioned off by a gate. Umble Coffee Co. has been roasting coffee beans since 2017, and in 2019, they were ranked as one of the top 15 specialty coffee roasters in the US by the US Coffee Roasters Championship, and it is not hard to see why.
For my initial visit, I opted for a simple medium roast coffee with cream, otherwise known as a “Front Runner,” and I loved it. The flavors were sweet and warm, and the aftertaste was strong without being overwhelming. 
I also got to sit down with the company’s owner, Kenneth Thomas, and hear more about the story and vision for Umble Coffee Co. He told me about his passions for coffee education, sustainability, quality, transparency and community. All of these values are evident throughout Umble.
One of my favorite things Thomas and I talked about was the area outside of the coffee shop. Umble owns an expansive amount of wooded area around the shop where students can bring their hammocks or rent one from Umble for $5. Thomas even told me that they are planning to add a walking trail soon.
The next time I visited Umble, I came ready to try more.
First, I tried the cold brew, a staple in many college students’ coffee addictions. Made with their dark roast Basecamp, it was plenty strong, definitely strong enough to keep you going through a few hours of studying. 
I also tried their French Toast Bagel with their house-made Cinnamon Honey Cream Cheese. It sounded beautiful, and the taste did not disappoint. The bagel was perfectly fresh and fluffy, and the cream cheese was sweet & cinnamon-y. This duo was honestly like a hug from fall. 
Now for the wildcard: Trail Magic. The best way I can describe it is as the “Patron Saint of ‘What is this and why do I like it?’” This cold coffee is made with ground ginger, turmeric, black pepper, oat milk and espresso. It sounded gross at first. I was convinced I was going to hate it, but I tried it anyway, and I am obsessed. The flavors were vibrant but smoother than any coffee drink I had ever tried. I would drink this every day.
The music playing in the shop also grabbed me, as tunes like “Charlie Boy” by The Lumineers and “How to Dream” by Sam Phillips only added to the sweet and serene atmosphere.
For a while now, I have been hoping for something new and fresh to come to Starkville, something bright and approachable. Umble Coffee Co. has definitely delivered. Its fun-loving lightness deviates from the warm-but-heavy and dimly-lit vibes that have dominated the Starkville coffee scene since I started attending MSU. 
For me, growing up in the college town that is Florence, Alabama, meant that finding a coffee shop I love where my friends and I could constantly be together was always part of the college dream. However, none of the coffee shops here have hit the spot for me like Umble has. For anyone looking for somewhere that radiates kindness and quality, Umble Coffee Co. has made its way to the top of my list. 

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