I had been craving something different from my usual coffee places. However, I wanted something on campus. Similar to its name, Ghost Coffee is almost hidden in plain sight.
Purdue University Student, Aleyce Green, shares this blog. This blog is part of a series of articles submitted to Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette through a cooperation with a 400-level travel writing class at Purdue University.
I recently was finally able to try Purdue’s newest on-campus coffee shop, Ghost Coffee Roaster. It is located past the Cary Quad residence hall at 750 W. Stadium Avenue.
As I walk up to the coffee shop, I see students talking outside and relaxing in yellow chairs; as I open the door, I can tell by the crowd that it’s an atmosphere that draws people in. One group of friends sits in chairs off to the side laughing. Another table has two girls catching up. The other customers are doing work with a coffee by their side.
I’m met with more chatter from customers as I observe the decor of the shop, finding details in the interior to admire. I approach the counter and am met with multiple menu items to choose from.
My eyes are drawn to the signature section with clever names like “Black Widow” and “Wabash Fog.” Ultimately, I decided on the “Lazy Bear,” a signature iced coffee with honey and blackberry, along with avocado toast.
Master Roaster
Cory Brooks, the owner of Ghost Coffee, was the roasting manager for a different coffee company for 13 years. The position started out as a mechanical position before he took on more of a roasting role.
After having years of roasting experience, Brooks got his Q grader certification, the highest industry certification you can hold in the coffee industry. Taking on more of a roasting role allowed him to get more exposure to the specialty coffee market, which is what Ghost Coffee is.
“There’s certain quality levels, certain defect levels that have to be maintained to be considered specialty coffee, and those are the coffees I’m using in-house,” Brooks said.
Features single-origin coffee
One of the unique elements of Ghost Coffee Roaster that makes it stand out compared to other coffee shops is that it uses single-origiOKn coffee. Lots of people come to Ghost Coffee to try an authentic Ethiopian coffee or a Colombian coffee.
Brooks explained that single origin means if it’s a Brazilian coffee, then the coffee is 100% Brazilian, instead of a blend and lower grade coffee that is popular in many coffee shops.
“I’m getting single origins from select farms in certain regions of the world,” Brooks said.
The shop works hard to set a standard for what coffee should be, and its motto reflects that: “Coffee should be an experience, not just a drink.”
Folklore found in the menu
I can’t help but look over at the colorful menu in the corner of the shop. The names of the coffee drinks are all named after a ghost or a myth that Brooks found from that region while researching.
“The Brazilian coffee is named after a myth from Brazilian folklore (cuca), and the Colombian coffee is the same. They’re all like that,” Brooks said.
They also have food on the menu. Brooks recommends the caprese mozzarella sandwich and the chicken hot honey waffles. The lazy bear and avocado toast exceeded my expectations, and I’m already planning my next visit.
Why an on-campus location?
I try to pace myself with my iced coffee as I ask Brooks what made him choose to bring his vision for his coffee shop here on Purdue’s campus.
Brooks mentioned that his parents were from here as well as his grandparents. He explored many different areas and lived in many different places, but notes he always came back to Indiana. A college town was the perfect place to put a coffee shop with unique flavors.
“I knew the appeal of being around college-age students and their appeal to try new things, try new places, and support local were all big for me to try to end up on campus,” Brooks said.
Intentional Interior
Halfway through our conversation, my eyes are drawn back to the decor of the shop, framed maps and labeled perfume bottles capturing my attention. Bottles are lined up along the counter and are filled with the shops’ coffees; each bottle is labeled with the country the coffee inside is from.
Next, I have to ask about the maps. There are three framed maps in the shop, each of which showcases something different. One of them shows what countries the specialty coffee comes from.
Another map shows the genealogy of the coffee plant, while the third map is actually a map of shipping routes when coffee is planted, harvested, and then actually moves.
Brooks was intentional about the decor of the shop. The black and white theme is apparent throughout the shop with wooden accent tables. Not to mention it ties into the larger ghost theme.
Brooks mentioned that the wood used for the shelves and the tables was made from a nearby mill.
Despite its name, this ghost isn’t scary. It’s actually on the contrary. You can ask the staff to mix different flavors and try something new, or if you’re lucky, you can strike up a conversation with the owner and learn that coffee is more than meets the eye.