Second State Coffee: Charleston's Sweet, Low-Acid Everyday Roaster
Second State Coffee started in 2012 as a small shop founded by college roommates and lifelong friends who met in middle school and reconnected at the University of Virginia before opening their first café in Charleston's historic Harleston Village neighborhood. The name plays on the idea that your "first state" is decaffeinated and your "second state" is the caffeinated version of yourself — a playful nod to the daily ritual of coffee. Over a decade later, the brand now runs five Charleston cafes and roasts out of a dedicated James Island roastery.
The active catalog balances three approachable house blends with eight single origins, anchored by a strong Colombian program alongside Guatemalan, Ethiopian, and Rwandan entries. A sugarcane-processed decaf single sits alongside the caffeinated lineup. CoffeeByMe's AI recommendation engine helps you navigate that Colombia-heavy, sweetness-focused range and find the right cup for your palate.
Single Origins
| Name | Roast | Tasting Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia Juicy Passionfruit | El Vergel | Medium | apricotlycheepearPassionfruithoneystrawberrywatermelon | $27.00 |
| Last Chance! El Diviso Adrian & Nestor Lasso Anaerobic | Medium | savorygreen teajuicyfruityblue raspberry jolly rancher | $32.00 |
| Rwanda Gitega Hills Washed | Medium | clean finishJuicy red fruitssoft nuttinessround sweetness | $21.00 |
Blends
| Name | Roast | Tasting Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prizefighter - Blend | Medium | NuttyMedium SweetClassicLightly Floral | $17.50 |
| Stealth - Blend | Medium Dark | velvetylow acidsweetsyrupy | $17.00 |
| Heavyweight — Blend | Medium | fudgeyapproachablesweet | $17.00 |
Roast Profile & Flavor Range
Second State leans medium roast — eight of the eleven active coffees land at roast level 3, three lighter, brighter entries sit at level 2, and one blend reaches level 4. Flavor themes run sweet and comforting on the Colombian and Central American side — chocolate, nutty, and fudge-like notes dominate the blends and washed Colombian singles — while the Ethiopian and Rwandan lots bring black tea, floral, and juicy red-fruit brightness. Acidity trends low-to-moderate on the house blends and washed lots, rising notably on a couple of anaerobic and tropical-fruit-forward Colombian microlots. Body runs medium to full throughout. Pricing spans $17–$32 per 8–12oz bag, with everyday blends and washed singles clustering in the high teens to mid-$20s and a couple of experimental fermentation lots reaching into the $30s.
Why Buy Second State Coffee
Sweet, low-acid comfort coffee done well: Second State's blends and washed Colombian lots are built for smooth, fudge-forward, everyday drinking rather than high-acid showcase cups.
A strong, varied Colombian program: Colombia anchors more than half of the active single origins, spanning classic washed lots to experimental anaerobic fermentation for drinkers who want range within one origin.
Bright counterpoints from East Africa: Rotating Ethiopian and Rwandan lots bring floral, black tea, and juicy red-fruit character for drinkers who want to alternate between comfort and brightness.
A well-established, community-rooted roaster: Now in its second decade with five Charleston cafes and a dedicated roastery, Second State's consistency makes it an easy, low-risk pick — and CoffeeByMe's AI recommendation engine helps you choose which of its eleven active coffees suits you best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Second State Coffee located?
Second State Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster based in Charleston, SC.
What does Second State Coffee specialize in?
Second State leans medium roast — eight of the eleven active coffees land at roast level 3, three lighter, brighter entries sit at level 2, and one blend reaches level 4.
Where can I buy Second State Coffee coffee?
You can browse Second State Coffee's coffees on CoffeeByMe and click through to buy directly from the roaster, or visit Second State Coffee's own website.
