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SCND Coffee, a concept founded by Michael Tam, offers tastings inspired by the Japanese Omakase format, but adapted to the world of specialty coffee.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Courtesy of SCND Coffee<\/p>\n
For many people, ordering coffee<\/a> is a habit that takes just a few minutes at a shop counter or drive-through. But in and around McKinney<\/a>, there\u2019s an experience inviting coffee drinkers to sit down, listen, taste and understand everything that goes into a perfect cup of coffee.\u00a0<\/p>\n SCND Coffee, a concept founded by Michael Tam<\/a>, offers tastings inspired by the Japanese omakase format, but adapted to the world of specialty coffee.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI thought about this omakase-kind experience because people serve coffee without much storytelling,\u201d Tam said. \u201cAnd telling the story of coffee and presenting the coffee in the right way, I think that is probably the best way to truly appreciate it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Tam arrived in North Texas in 2024 after spending a decade in Hong Kong, where he opened his first coffee shop, Cafe Sausalito<\/a>. Although he grew up in California, he settled in Dallas when he returned to the United States because he saw an opportunity for growth in the region\u2019s coffee culture.\u00a0<\/p>\n Michael Tam, owner of SCND Coffee, arrived in North Texas in 2024 after spending a decade in Hong Kong, where he opened his first coffee shop, Cafe Sausalito.<\/p>\n Courtesy of SCND Coffee<\/p>\n \u201cDallas is growing really fast, and there\u2019s a real appetite for the finer side of coffee,\u201d Tam said. \u201cI think there\u2019s something that I could offer to the community and hopefully build the Dallas coffee culture.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The tastings began this year, initially as informal gatherings where Tam shared coffee with neighbors and friends. Over time, they evolved into a more structured experience that takes place about once a month at Collective Coffee<\/a> in downtown McKinney.\u00a0<\/p>\n Each session is limited to six guests. Tam says the idea is to maintain an intimate atmosphere where participants can talk with one another while exploring coffee flavor profiles. The experience includes four different coffee preparations, along with house-made snacks and dessert.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The coffee omakase\u00a0experience at SCND Coffee includes four different coffee preparations, along with house-made snacks and dessert.\u00a0<\/p>\n Courtesy of SCND Coffee<\/p>\n Tam prepares the drinks in front of guests during each session. He grinds the coffee by hand and explains the origin of each bean, the work of the producers and the methods and processing techniques used.\u00a0<\/p>\n The beans come from roasters around the world and are selected for each season. Tam includes roasters from Spain and the U.S. and says he is constantly searching for new coffees to keep each menu different.\u00a0<\/p>\n The menu changes about every three months, giving returning guests the opportunity to discover new varieties and preparations.\u00a0<\/p>\n Although the format may evoke a fine-dining restaurant, Tam says his goal is not to offer luxury, but rather education and community. \u201cPeople like enjoying coffee with other people.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The menu of SCND Coffee changes about every three months, giving returning guests the opportunity to discover new varieties and preparations.\u00a0<\/p>\n Courtesy of SCND Coffee<\/p>\n Tickets cost $85 and, according to Tam, the response has been so positive since the first sessions that some guests who initially considered the price high changed their minds by the end of the experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n What makes it valuable, Tam says, is sharing the story behind every cup. He tells guests that a coffee plant can take between three and five years to produce coffee, and that behind every harvest is the work of farmers, pickers and processors, work consumers rarely hear about.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf we just serve the coffee without much of the storytelling, it doesn\u2019t do the farmers and producers justice,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of work and story behind every coffee that they drink.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Those interested can sign up through SCND Coffee\u2019s Instagram account, where dates for each tasting are announced.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n You can learn more about SCND Coffee and the Coffee Omakase experience on Instagram<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n CORRECTION, 10:26 a.m., Aug. 10, 2026: An earlier version of this article misstated the last name of Michael\u00a0Tam, founder of\u00a0SCND Coffee.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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