One of the most enjoyable pleasures in life is a good cup of coffee or tea. Add a pastry, cookie, biscotti, slice of pie, or a steaming bowl of soup, and well…I’m in heaven. I love to explore those little coffee shops and cafés that often have their own specialty brews. I enjoyed discovering one of those heavenly little places during a visit to Door County, Wisconsin...the Door County Coffee & Tea Company. Door County Coffee and Tea is also considered one of the favorite "soup stops" on the peninsula. Read on for three of their most popular recipes.

As you leave Sturgeon Bay on Highway 42, and head out onto the Door Peninsula about 6 miles, you’ll find Door County Coffee & Tea Co. in the little town of Carlsville. The company is a small family-owned business started in 1993. It has resisted the urge to mass-produce its product, choosing instead to roast coffee the old-fashioned way. They roast in small batches that allow them to maintain perfect control of the whole process. Starting with only the finest Arabica coffee beans worldwide, they roast the beans to near pure perfection.

When you step through the door of Vicki and Doug Wilson’s retail shop and café, your nose will tell you-you're in a very special place. The aroma of freshly roasted coffee will make any coffee lover's heart go atwitter with excitement at the choices available. In the café, you’ll find a wide selection of coffee drinks to choose from, a bakery with decadent desserts, as well as a breakfast and lunch menu.

All coffee roasting operations are done right on sight. A large viewing window in the retail outlet gives visitors a chance to see the roasting operation as it takes place. You’ll find shelves, bins, and boxes brimming with dozens of flavored coffees, specialty blends, teas, and Dutch cocoas. You can choose from organic, decaf, and light, medium, and dark roasts. For making that extra special cup of java at home for friends or family you can take with you a bottle of Monin or Stirling flavored syrups.


The retail store is also full of coffee and tea-related accessories, gourmet foods, and home decorator items.


If you can’t make a stop at the Door County Coffee & Tea Company, click around their website, where you'll find lots of great coffees and teas, gift boxes filled with customer favorites, and more delicious recipes to try.


Super Soup Recipes from Door County Coffee & Tea Co.

Corned Beef & Cabbage

2 lb. corned beef, cubed
1 head cabbage, shredded
¼ cup beef base
½ to 1 onion, chopped
8 fresh Baby Red Potatoes, washed & cubed
4 quarts. Water
Pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a large soup kettle and cook until vegetables are tender.

Chicken Dumpling Soup

2 cups cooked white meat chicken – cut into chunks
1 c. shredded carrots
2 stalks celery, chopped
½ c. onion, chopped
3 quarts water
4 Tbs. Chicken Base
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. celery salt
½ tsp. poultry seasoning
Homemade dumplings

Combine all ingredients in the soup kettle and cook until vegetables are tender. Before serving add homemade dumplings.

Mexican Chili

2 lbs. cooked white meat chicken – cut into chunks
1 pkg. taco seasoning – mix with chicken to coat

In a soup kettle, add:
1 large can or bottle (46oz) spicy V-8 Juice
1 jar salsa
1 can of drained & rinsed black beans
1 – 10 oz. Pkg. Frozen corn

Combine all ingredients in the soup kettle and cook until heated through. Serve with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream.

For more information on the Door County Coffee & Tea Company, visit: www.doorcountycoffee.com, email: info@doorcountycoffee.com, or call toll-free: (800) 856-6613.

For more information on visiting the lovely Door Peninsula visit: www.doorcounty.com or call 1-800-52-RELAX (73529).