Kyle Kmetz (left taster), corporate trainer from Hubbard and Cravens hosted the cupping event on Jan. 9. He had three volunteers from the office help him try coffees. (Submitted photo)

By Mark Ambrogi

The Caffeine Trail is winding its way through Carmel.

“It’s similar to the wine trails (in California) and bourbon trails (of Kentucky),” said Melanie Lentz, project manager for Community Relations and Economic Development for the City of Carmel. “We’re singling out restaurants of that special gourmet coffee and inviting people to come by and try them out.”

Lentz said because of the unusual number of coffee and tea shops for a city of Carmel’s size spurred the idea

Lentz said many of the spots are within walking distance of each other, all close to the Monon Trail to Arts & Design District.

“We approached each individual shop and asked if they wanted to be a part of it,” Lentz said.

At the IU Health North Second Saturday Gallery Walk in Arts & Design District on Jan. 9, the Caffeine Trail was official launched.

“We paired up a couple of coffee and tea shops with some of the galleries on Main Street,” Lentz said. “People on the walk were able to sample some coffee and teas. We had brochures explaining the trail.”

Specific vendors were selected for the Caffeine trail because they offer a barista on staff or having a person able to use professional equipment to act like a barista in making espressos, lattes and other gourmet drinks.

“There is an increasing interest in the culinary arts across the nation and here in Carmel, we have a number of restaurants and cafés dedicated to serving up cups of coffee, espresso, latte or freshly brewed tea that are works of art,” stated Nancy Heck, Director of Community Relations and Economic Development.

The participating shops are:

Hubbard & Cravens, 703 Veteran’s Way; Eggshell Bistro, 51 City Center Dr.; Soho Cafe & Gallery, 620 S. Range Line Rd.; Bub’s Café, 220 2nd Street SW; Blu Moon Café, 200 S. Range Line Rd. #115; Square Donuts, 14 S. Range Line Rd.; Tina’s Traditional Old English Tea Room, 30 N. Range Line Rd.; Jack’s Donuts

516 E. Carmel Dr.; Zing Cafe at Village of West Clay, 12710 Meeting House Rd. #150; Cafe Patachou at Clay Terrace 14390 Clay Terrace Blvd.; , Café Patachou at Brookshire, 4733 E. 126th St.; Starbucks at Clay Terrace, 14490 Clay Terrace Blvd.; Starbucks at Kroger, 1217 S. Range Line Rd.; Kolache Factory

890 E. 116th St. #100, Quirky Feather Confectionary, 890 E. 116th St. #125 and Chocolate for the Spirit, 301 E. Carmel Dr.

For more, visit CarmelCaffeineTrail.org.