A cornerstone in many college students’ lives — coffee. The second most consumed drink in the world and a great treat to accompany pastries, studying or sleepless suffering, coffee lives in the hearts and cholesterol of many of us. The only thing slightly better than coffee itself, is the lovely variety of coffee shops that serve them. 

Be it a host of different roasts, lattes of all shapes and sizes, or pastries and food for those less caffeine-inclined, coffee shops are home to both incredible treats and incredible vibes. In addition to caffeine, they supply students with great places to study or meet up with friends after class. All-in-all, coffee shops are a staple of our lives and deserve our appreciation.

But, all coffee shops are not created equal, and some manage to outshine their competitors, be it through quality coffee or incredible service. Being such an important location for students,  I am setting out on a journey to discover the best coffee shops Clemson, and the rest of South Carolina, has to offer. Every issue, this column will be dedicated to reviewing various caffeination stations and providing thorough information to help the students of Clemson discover where they might like to enjoy a piping cup of joe.

Shops will be scored in three different categories: coffee, pastries and vibes. Coffee, of course, will consider the quality and tastiness of the few most popular drinks of the location, with pastries following a similar pattern. Vibes will rate a combination of customer service, atmosphere and how easy I find it to study there. Each category will be rated out of 5 and a final average will be determined.