"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul." — Psalm 23:2–3
Some coffees are bold declarations. Others are quiet invitations. Still Waters is the latter — a cup that asks you to slow down, breathe, and be present. It's one of our most unique roasts and the story behind it is worth telling.
Inspired by Psalm 23
Psalm 23 is one of the most recognized passages in all of scripture. Written by David — a shepherd who knew what it meant to lead, to wander, and to rest — it paints a picture of peace that transcends circumstance. "He leads me beside still waters" isn't just poetry. It's a promise of restoration for the weary.
We named this roast Still Waters because that's exactly what it delivers: a moment of calm in the middle of a busy day. A cup that doesn't demand your attention — it rewards it.
Where It Comes From
Still Waters is a single-origin light roast from Rwanda, sourced from smallholder farmers through Kahawatu/RWACOF. Rwanda isn't the first country most people think of when they think specialty coffee — but it should be.
Rwanda's volcanic soils and high-altitude growing conditions produce coffee with remarkable clarity and complexity. The same land that has seen so much hardship has also quietly become one of Africa's most exciting coffee origins — a story of resilience and renewal that feels right at home in a Three Nails blend.
The farmers who grow this coffee are smallholders — families tending their own plots, delivering their harvest to local washing stations, and producing something extraordinary through careful, patient work.
What It Tastes Like
Still Waters is a light roast, which means it's roasted just long enough to develop sweetness and complexity without masking the natural character of the bean. What you get is a cup that's bright, delicate, and layered — nothing like the dark, heavy roasts most people associate with "serious" coffee.
The tasting notes tell the story:
- Hibiscus — a floral, slightly tart note that gives the cup a distinctive brightness. If you've ever had hibiscus tea, you'll recognize that gentle tartness immediately.
- Fruit cake — a warm, rich sweetness underneath the brightness. Think dried fruits and subtle spice — comforting and complex.
- Fruity bubblegum — a playful, almost unexpected note that makes this coffee genuinely fun to drink. It's the kind of flavor that makes you pause mid-sip and think, wait, is that…? Yes. It is.
Together, these notes create a cup that's unlike anything in our lineup — bright and floral up front, warm and sweet in the middle, with a clean, lingering finish.
Who Is Still Waters For?
Still Waters is for the coffee drinker who wants to taste their coffee — not just drink it. It's for the person who takes their first sip of the morning before the house wakes up. The one who brews a cup in the afternoon as a reset. The one who doesn't need their coffee to be loud.
It's also a great entry point for anyone who thinks they don't like black coffee. The natural sweetness and floral brightness of a well-brewed light roast can be genuinely surprising — and Still Waters is one of the most approachable light roasts we've ever offered.
If you typically reach for cream and sugar, try Still Waters black first. You might not need them.
How to Brew It
Light roasts shine brightest with brewing methods that highlight clarity and nuance. Our top recommendations for Still Waters:
- Pour-over — the best way to experience the full floral and fruit complexity. Slow, intentional, and worth every minute.
- Drip machine — a clean, easy everyday brew that still lets the tasting notes come through.
- Cold brew — surprisingly excellent..
We grind every order of Still Waters fresh at the time it's placed — no pre-ground inventory, no sitting on a shelf. You choose your grind at checkout, and we take it from there.
Available Sizes
Still Waters is available in three sizes so you can try it or stock up:
- 1/4 lb (4 oz) — $9.25 — A great way to try it for the first time
- 1/2 lb (8 oz) — $16.50 — The sweet spot for regular drinkers
- 1 lb (16 oz) — $29.75 — For when you know you love it
A Final Thought
We live in a loud world. Notifications, deadlines, noise — it doesn't stop. Still Waters won't fix any of that. But for the few minutes it takes to brew and drink a cup, it might just give you what Psalm 23 promises: a moment beside quiet waters, where your soul gets a chance to breathe.
That's worth a lot.
Shop Still Waters — available in 1/4 lb, 1/2 lb, and 1 lb. Ground fresh to order.
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