Three Tips for Choosing a New Coffee

How do I choose a coffee?

Choosing coffee can be really difficult with so many options available. It’s tough to know what you’re getting until you take a sip. 

At our cafe, we do our best to showcase a variety of our beans so you can sample them before you buy. But we can’t offer every single coffee option. Here are three things to keep in mind when you’re on the hunt for your next coffee.

Origin

Have you ever had a coffee from Colombia and loved it? Well, this is a fantastic place to start. Check if your local roaster has a coffee from this country. If you’re looking for something a bit different but still similar, you could try a country that’s close to the one you like.

You could categorize coffees into three main regions: South America, Africa, and Asia/Pacific. Generally, the countries within each region have similar flavours. This isn’t a hard and fast rule but it’s a good starting point!

Roast Level

Most people have a preference for roast level. Light roasts are usually fruity and acidic, while dark roasts are earthy and bitter. Medium is a good balance between the two, offering sweetness.

Almost every roaster has a way to describe their roast level on their label. It could be just a word or a scale (we use a 5-dot scale). In my opinion, this is the easiest way to find a new coffee. If you like a certain roast level, pick a coffee in that range.

Flavour Notes

Most coffee roasters include “notes” on their labels. Unless it’s specifically mentioned, the roaster isn’t adding these flavours to the coffee. These are natural flavours or impressions that come from the coffee’s origin and processing.

You might not taste every note when you brew the coffee, but these are helpful descriptions from the roaster to help you find a coffee with a flavour you’ll love. It’s like a taste test without tasting it first! 

The next time you’re on the hunt for a new coffee, keep these three tips in mind. If you’re still stumped, don’t hesitate to ask your barista or roaster for their recommendations. For us, you can send us an email or a dm on Instagram or check out our online store. We’d love to make some suggestions!