A transparent, 0–100 curation signal for specialty coffee quality. Unlike crowd ratings, it rewards craft — not popularity.
Google Maps treats Starbucks and a single-origin pour-over bar exactly the same — both get 4.5 stars. The Grounds Score exists to signal craft without being subjective. It rewards what we think matters: knowing your roaster, brewing with intention, and not being a chain. The methodology is fully public and scores cannot be purchased.
Named single-origin sourcing or a visible roaster identity on the menu. This signals curation over commodity.
Pour-over, AeroPress, syphon, Chemex, or similar. Cafés that offer alternatives take brewing seriously.
Full points for independent cafés. Chain-affiliated venues are excluded from Know your Grounds entirely.
Sprudge/Standart: 15pts. Guardian/NYT/Eater/Infatuation: 10pts. Time Out/equivalent: 5pts.
Verified user signals from travelers who've actually visited. Capped at 10pts to prevent gaming.
When roasting happens on premises, you're getting beans at peak freshness.
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