Drink This Now: Ube Latte at Joy Coffee
Driving by, you would never know that a lovely coffee shop resides in a defunct Best Buy shell.
Ube Latte at Joy Coffee // Photo by Jollene Hastings
Joy Coffee in Independence doubles as a quiet spot to get some work done by yourself or meet with a friend. The atmosphere is simple and casual, with knowledgeable baristas eager to offer suggestions.
Once a Best Buy, The City House now houses Joy Coffee and more. This vast community space is available for use by local non-profits and groups who support the people in the City of Independence and surrounding areas. At The City House, you can host conferences or business meetings and even rent the space for events with capacities ranging from 2-500 people.
The seating inside Joy Coffee is spread out enough that you don’t feel like you have to “ope, let me just squeeze past ya”. The interior is bright and welcoming, with snake plants lining the perimeter of the space. On one wall is the Mother Teresa quote, “Where there is love, there is joy!” which always brings a smile to my face.
The ube latte is a popular choice, for good reason.
Ube is a purple yam, native to Southeast Asia. Its purple center is easily recognizable and the flavor is mildly sweet, with hints of coconut and vanilla-like aroma. Many traditional Filipino sweets are known for incorporating this ingredient. Because it is widely popular in that area, you can find fresh ube all over the Philippines. In the States, ube flavor is most often achieved with syrup. Joy Coffee uses ube syrup to flavor their drinks.
The ube latte is a sweeter option feels like a treat and looks like a purple dream. My milk preference is oat, which I think creates a nutty taste to balance out the sweetness. However, if your sweet tooth is feeling a little neglected, you can request the barista add condensed milk to your latte for a Vietnamese coffee-inspired approach.
Another great ube option here is the ube flat white, which is a blend of foamed milk poured over a single or double shot of espresso.
Hungry? Joy Coffee also serves sandwiches made in-house. Actually, all the food is made in-house instead of outsourced. If you need a treat with your brew, Joy Coffee is also known for its baked goods. They have a head baker in-house, and they are open to special orders.
On any given day, you’ll find the bakery case filled with cakes, pastries, croissants, and more. I paired my ube latte with their seasonal pumpkin cake for all the cozy fall feels.
Joy Coffee uses Good Citizen Coffee Co. beans from Nashville and Hugo Tea, which is from a local tea manufacturer here in Kansas City.
Joy Coffee is at 14300 E US Hwy 40, Independence, MO 64055.
