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There once was a time when you could go in to a restaurant, tell them you want a cup of coffee and they would just go get it; that time is no more though.

These days coffee isn’t just a morning pick up, but an actual trend, like wedge heels or iPods; and how you take your coffee supposedly says a lot about you. Think about that the next time you check out my top coffee choices.

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Me & Ollie’s – 10 Pleasant St, Portsmouth

Me & Ollie’s is probably best known for their bread, but while you’re there getting your rolls for dinner why not try a cup of their coffee too? Trust, you won’t be sorry!

The Latte at Me & Ollie’s is definitely a step up from your usual chain coffee shops. This smooth drink has a strong espresso effect but not a strong espresso taste. The milk in the drink balances everything out nicely, and the extra foam on top is a plus.

The Chai is a must get if you go to Me & Ollie’s. If you’re looking for energy get the black tea, and if you’re looking to calm down go for the green. The tea is full of flavor and the spices aren’t overpowering. Everything is perfectly balanced making this tea a Zen-like experience whether you go with black or green.

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Popovers on the Square – 8 Congress St, Portsmouth

Newer to the block than the other coffee shops in town, Popovers is a nice addition for downtown workers looking for a strong cup of coffee in the morning.

When you order a Macchioto at Popovers you won’t get the same Macchioto you get at most coffee places. No when you order a Macchioto at Popovers you will get a true macchiato, a shot of espresso with the smallest amount of milk possible. Just the smell of this thing will wake you up, so leave this drink to the serious coffee drinkers only please. It is however a nice, strong tasting espresso.

The Chai Latte, like the Macchiato, is also very strong. The flavors of what tastes like cinnamon, nutmeg and clove are very defined, but a little too strong, overpowering the rest of the drink.

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Breaking New Grounds – 14 Market Square, Portsmouth

For a true coffee lover there is nothing better than a fresh cup of just roasted coffee. Well if you are that person then you need to head over to Breaking New Grounds, who is roasting their coffee beans right in the café.

I decided to jazz up my Latte with a sugar-free vanilla shot, a great choice. The Latte was smooth, almost creamy, and while you could tell the espresso was strong by the smell, the flavor wasn’t harsh; the vanilla really shown through. It also had an extremely fresh taste, which is a rarity when drinking coffee nowadays.

The second drink I tried was the Chai Latte, not the best choice. I couldn’t really taste the espresso flavor or the spices, and the drink actually tasted like it had more water in it than anything else.

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Starbucks – 1855 Woodbury Ave, Portsmouth

With its fancy long-named drinks and punch-packing espresso, Starbucks seems to be the top dog when it comes to coffee.

Since it was extremely humid on the day I went I opted for iced drinks instead of my usual hot ones, starting with the Iced Caffe Latte. If you don’t get flavoring in it, the strong espresso taste in this latte will leave you on the floor. It has more of a hard taste than most lattes, but that’s only because it is such great coffee. If you’re a novice coffee drinker I recommend getting some flavor shots in it or using extra milk.

The Iced Chai Tea has to be one of Starbucks best. It gives you the same pick me up as their espresso drinks, but without the harsh coffee taste. It’s extremely smooth and creamy, and the slight hint of what tastes like a cinnamon, nutmeg, clove mix makes it hard to put down.

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Dunkin Donuts – 1976 Woodbury Ave, Portsmouth

Dunkin Donuts is an old favorite of every ones. And in the midst of trendier new coffee shops opening, Dunkins is eagerly trying to keep up.

One of the greatest additions to Dunkin Donuts menus was the many coffee flavor shots, blueberry probably being the best. The Iced Coffee with blueberry flavor is simple, yet delicious. This is really a coffee for beginners because of the non-harsh flavor of the coffee; it will pick you up, but it won’t knock you out. It could use a little more blueberry flavoring, but that could be more of a preference thing than anything else.

Not long ago Dunkins, trying to keep up with the coffee trends I assume, started making their own lattes. I had a lot of hope for the Caramel Latte Lite I got, seeing as Dunkins coffee always has great taste, but was sadly disappointed. The espresso lacked flavor and strength; it didn’t even feel like I was drinking coffee. It also lacked caramel flavor.

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Amanda’s Choice:

When I can’t seem to get myself moving in the morning I know exactly where I’ll be heading for the best coffee drink on the seacoast – Me & Ollie’s for a hot Chai tea, black. If you’re not a coffee drinker, but are looking for something to boost your energy mid-day, this is absolutely the drink for you. My favorite thing about this drink is its smooth, sweet flavor. If you love sweetened ice tea, you have to try this drink!

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If you have a place you’d like me to visit or a topic you’d like me to cover, e-mail me at ahamilton@seacoastonline.com. Hope to hear from you soon!