Coffee Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Coffee Beans

blonde roast coffee beans

What is Blonde Roast Coffee?

Blonde roast coffee is a light roast with higher acidity and a lighter body than dark roasts. The roasting process differentiates blonde and dark roasts, impacting color, flavor, caffeine content, acidity, body, and brewing. Blonde roast is the lightest coffee. The beans are roasted for a shorter time, preserving their density and giving them a lighter color and milder flavor...

What is Blonde Roast Coffee?

Blonde roast coffee is a light roast with higher acidity and a lighter body than dark roasts. The roasting process differentiates blonde and dark roasts, impacting color, flavor, caffeine content, acidity, body, and brewing. Blonde roast is the lightest coffee. The beans are roasted for a shorter time, preserving their density and giving them a lighter color and milder flavor...

coffee roast levels

Coffee Roast Levels: Meaning, Taste, and How To...

Coffee roast levels are defined by the degree of roasting, ranging from light to dark. Light roast coffee levels, including Nordic, Blonde, Cinnamon, and New England, are light brown with milder flavors. Medium roast coffee levels, like American, City, Breakfast, and Colombian, are medium brown with stronger flavors. Dark roast coffee levels, such as High, Continental, New Orleans, European, Espresso,...

Coffee Roast Levels: Meaning, Taste, and How To...

Coffee roast levels are defined by the degree of roasting, ranging from light to dark. Light roast coffee levels, including Nordic, Blonde, Cinnamon, and New England, are light brown with milder flavors. Medium roast coffee levels, like American, City, Breakfast, and Colombian, are medium brown with stronger flavors. Dark roast coffee levels, such as High, Continental, New Orleans, European, Espresso,...

donut shop coffee blend

What is Donut Shop Coffee?

Donut shop coffee is a mild, sweet blend that complements the sweetness of glazed donuts. Donut shop coffee is smooth and medium-bodied. It has a caramel and nutty aroma. The flavor is mildly sweet with hints of chocolate or nuts and low bitterness. Donut shop coffee has moderate strength. An 8-ounce cup has 95-100 mg of caffeine, similar to a...

What is Donut Shop Coffee?

Donut shop coffee is a mild, sweet blend that complements the sweetness of glazed donuts. Donut shop coffee is smooth and medium-bodied. It has a caramel and nutty aroma. The flavor is mildly sweet with hints of chocolate or nuts and low bitterness. Donut shop coffee has moderate strength. An 8-ounce cup has 95-100 mg of caffeine, similar to a...

Several cups of black house blend coffee and a glass coffee pot.

What is House Blend Coffee?

House blend coffee mixes beans from different places to create a consistent flavor. Roasted medium to dark, it offers a balanced taste and appeals to a wide range of people. House blend coffee varies in recipe and meaning. It's often a marketing tool to create familiarity, suggesting a standard, reliable coffee. An 8-ounce cup of house blend coffee has about...

What is House Blend Coffee?

House blend coffee mixes beans from different places to create a consistent flavor. Roasted medium to dark, it offers a balanced taste and appeals to a wide range of people. House blend coffee varies in recipe and meaning. It's often a marketing tool to create familiarity, suggesting a standard, reliable coffee. An 8-ounce cup of house blend coffee has about...

cup of breakfast blend coffee sits on a white saucer beside a pastry

Breakfast Blend Coffee: Definition, Caffeine, T...

Breakfast blend coffee is a light-to-medium roast with bright acidity and balanced flavors. The term lacks a strict industry definition, enabling any company to use it. An 8-ounce cup of breakfast blend coffee usually has 95-150 mg of caffeine. The amount changes based on the beans, how it's made, and the size of the cup. Breakfast blend coffee balances acidity...

Breakfast Blend Coffee: Definition, Caffeine, T...

Breakfast blend coffee is a light-to-medium roast with bright acidity and balanced flavors. The term lacks a strict industry definition, enabling any company to use it. An 8-ounce cup of breakfast blend coffee usually has 95-150 mg of caffeine. The amount changes based on the beans, how it's made, and the size of the cup. Breakfast blend coffee balances acidity...

coffee blends

Coffee Blends: Definition, Types, and Where To Buy

Coffee blends mix beans from various origins to create specific flavors, maintain quality consistency, and provide variety. Popular examples include House Blend Coffee, Breakfast Blend Coffee, and Holiday Blend Coffee. To choose the best blend for your brewing, consider how bean origin, roast level, and grind size interact. The best places to buy coffee blends are specialty coffee shops and...

Coffee Blends: Definition, Types, and Where To Buy

Coffee blends mix beans from various origins to create specific flavors, maintain quality consistency, and provide variety. Popular examples include House Blend Coffee, Breakfast Blend Coffee, and Holiday Blend Coffee. To choose the best blend for your brewing, consider how bean origin, roast level, and grind size interact. The best places to buy coffee blends are specialty coffee shops and...

single origin coffee

Single Origin Coffee: Definition, Benefits, and...

Single-origin coffee comes from one specific area, such as a single farm, region, or country. The taste of single-origin coffees varies significantly depending on where and how the beans are grown. Factors like the region, cooperative, estate, micro-lot, or even the specific coffee plant variety all contribute to the unique flavor profile of each single-origin coffee. Single source coffee helps...

Single Origin Coffee: Definition, Benefits, and...

Single-origin coffee comes from one specific area, such as a single farm, region, or country. The taste of single-origin coffees varies significantly depending on where and how the beans are grown. Factors like the region, cooperative, estate, micro-lot, or even the specific coffee plant variety all contribute to the unique flavor profile of each single-origin coffee. Single source coffee helps...

Best Light Roast Coffee For Every Brewing Method

Best Light Roast Coffee For Every Brewing Method

This buyer's guide features the best light roast coffees for various brewing methods, including pour-over, drip, French press, cold brew, espresso, AeroPress, and Moka pot. The best light roast coffee balances flavor, quality, affordability, and freshness. However, light roasted coffee beans vary by origin, grind size, tasting notes, processing method, and price, so the ideal choice depends on individual preferences,...

Best Light Roast Coffee For Every Brewing Method

This buyer's guide features the best light roast coffees for various brewing methods, including pour-over, drip, French press, cold brew, espresso, AeroPress, and Moka pot. The best light roast coffee balances flavor, quality, affordability, and freshness. However, light roasted coffee beans vary by origin, grind size, tasting notes, processing method, and price, so the ideal choice depends on individual preferences,...

medium roast coffee

Best Medium Roast Coffee For Every Brewing Method

The best medium roast coffee for every brewing method can be found in this buyer's guide. This guide contains the best coffee beans for pour overs, drip coffee, French press, cold brew, espresso, AeroPress, Moka pot, and Turkish coffee. Medium roasted coffees vary by origin, roast level, flavor profile, price, and format (beans, ground, instant, or pods). No single coffee...

Best Medium Roast Coffee For Every Brewing Method

The best medium roast coffee for every brewing method can be found in this buyer's guide. This guide contains the best coffee beans for pour overs, drip coffee, French press, cold brew, espresso, AeroPress, Moka pot, and Turkish coffee. Medium roasted coffees vary by origin, roast level, flavor profile, price, and format (beans, ground, instant, or pods). No single coffee...

best coffee dark roast

Best Dark Roast Coffee For Every Brewing Method

The best dark roast coffee for every brewing method can be found in this buyer's guide. This guide contains the best coffee beans for espresso, French press, cold brew, drip coffee, Moka pot, Turkish coffee, and pour overs. The best dark roast ground coffees are largely a matter of personal preference, though dark roasts generally share characteristics like boldness, low...

Best Dark Roast Coffee For Every Brewing Method

The best dark roast coffee for every brewing method can be found in this buyer's guide. This guide contains the best coffee beans for espresso, French press, cold brew, drip coffee, Moka pot, Turkish coffee, and pour overs. The best dark roast ground coffees are largely a matter of personal preference, though dark roasts generally share characteristics like boldness, low...

The Differences Between Light, Medium, and Dark Roast Coffee

The Differences Between Light, Medium, and Dark...

The main difference between light, medium, and dark roast coffee is in color, roasting time and temperature, which impacts their flavor profile, caffeine content, brewing, and roast characteristics. Light roasts offer a sweeter taste, bright acidity, and a citrusy aroma, with low bitterness. Dark roasts are less acidic, displaying stronger bitterness and nutty or chocolate aromas. Medium roasts balance these...

The Differences Between Light, Medium, and Dark...

The main difference between light, medium, and dark roast coffee is in color, roasting time and temperature, which impacts their flavor profile, caffeine content, brewing, and roast characteristics. Light roasts offer a sweeter taste, bright acidity, and a citrusy aroma, with low bitterness. Dark roasts are less acidic, displaying stronger bitterness and nutty or chocolate aromas. Medium roasts balance these...

8 Best Coffee Brands for French Press

8 Best Coffee Brands for French Press

The best coffee beans for French press are 100% Arabica, specialty grade, and freshly roasted to order. A coarse grind with a medium to dark roast enhances the rich, full-bodied flavor. No single brand is best, as ideal beans vary by origin, flavor profile, price, and varietal preference. For the best French press coffee, consider freshness, availability, processing, and cost....

8 Best Coffee Brands for French Press

The best coffee beans for French press are 100% Arabica, specialty grade, and freshly roasted to order. A coarse grind with a medium to dark roast enhances the rich, full-bodied flavor. No single brand is best, as ideal beans vary by origin, flavor profile, price, and varietal preference. For the best French press coffee, consider freshness, availability, processing, and cost....

10 Best Espresso Beans For Every Roast Level

10 Best Espresso Beans For Every Roast Level

The best espresso beans are the ones that offer complex tasting notes, freshness, transparent sourcing, value for money, and suit your taste. Because espresso coffee beans vary in origin, roast level, flavor profile, price, and bean type (Arabica or Robusta), there is no single 'best' espresso brand that suits everyone's tastes. Key factors for choosing the best espresso beans include...

10 Best Espresso Beans For Every Roast Level

The best espresso beans are the ones that offer complex tasting notes, freshness, transparent sourcing, value for money, and suit your taste. Because espresso coffee beans vary in origin, roast level, flavor profile, price, and bean type (Arabica or Robusta), there is no single 'best' espresso brand that suits everyone's tastes. Key factors for choosing the best espresso beans include...

This image shows a variety of coffee brewing equipment laid out on a wooden table, including a kettle, grinder, scale, and several different brewing devices

Coffee Brewing Methods: 8 Ways To Make Coffee a...

A brewing method is a systematic process to prepare beverages by extracting flavors and compounds from ingredients like coffee, tea, grains, or other fermentable materials. Popular coffee brewing methods include pour-over, drip coffee, French press, cold brew, espresso, AeroPress, Moka pot, and Turkish coffee. These methods use steeping, drip brewing, boiling, or pressurized brewing techniques. Each method varies in time,...

Coffee Brewing Methods: 8 Ways To Make Coffee a...

A brewing method is a systematic process to prepare beverages by extracting flavors and compounds from ingredients like coffee, tea, grains, or other fermentable materials. Popular coffee brewing methods include pour-over, drip coffee, French press, cold brew, espresso, AeroPress, Moka pot, and Turkish coffee. These methods use steeping, drip brewing, boiling, or pressurized brewing techniques. Each method varies in time,...

Decaf Coffee: Definition, Caffeine, and Pros and Cons

Decaf Coffee: Definition, Caffeine, and Pros an...

Decaf coffee is made from regular beans that have had most of their caffeine removed. It's not completely caffeine-free, though. Decaf coffee is made using a decaffeination process that begins with green coffee beans before roasting. The four main methods for decaffeinating coffee are the Swiss Water® Process, Methylene Chloride, Ethyl Acetate, and Carbon Dioxide. A cup of decaf coffee...

Decaf Coffee: Definition, Caffeine, and Pros an...

Decaf coffee is made from regular beans that have had most of their caffeine removed. It's not completely caffeine-free, though. Decaf coffee is made using a decaffeination process that begins with green coffee beans before roasting. The four main methods for decaffeinating coffee are the Swiss Water® Process, Methylene Chloride, Ethyl Acetate, and Carbon Dioxide. A cup of decaf coffee...

swiss water decaf coffee brands

9 Best Swiss Water® Process Decaf Coffee Brands

The best Swiss Water® Process decaf coffee brand is the one that balances flavor, quality, ethical sourcing, sustainability, and affordability. However, since Swiss Water decaf coffees differ in origin, roast level, flavor profile, price, and format (beans, ground, instant, or single-serve pods), there is no single best brand for all palates, brewing methods, types of coffee drinks, or budgets, although...

9 Best Swiss Water® Process Decaf Coffee Brands

The best Swiss Water® Process decaf coffee brand is the one that balances flavor, quality, ethical sourcing, sustainability, and affordability. However, since Swiss Water decaf coffees differ in origin, roast level, flavor profile, price, and format (beans, ground, instant, or single-serve pods), there is no single best brand for all palates, brewing methods, types of coffee drinks, or budgets, although...

Hand pointing at a cluster of green and red coffee cherries on a coffee plant.

4 Types of Coffee Beans: How to Choose

Types of coffee beans refer to the various species of coffee that come from the coffee plants. There are four different types of coffee beans: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa, with Arabica and Robusta being two of the most popular types. Besides species, types of coffee beans are further categorized by their varieties, cultivars, origins, quality, processing method, farming practices,...

4 Types of Coffee Beans: How to Choose

Types of coffee beans refer to the various species of coffee that come from the coffee plants. There are four different types of coffee beans: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa, with Arabica and Robusta being two of the most popular types. Besides species, types of coffee beans are further categorized by their varieties, cultivars, origins, quality, processing method, farming practices,...

A person hand-harvesting coffee cherries, carefully selecting the ripe ones.

Organic vs. Non-Organic Coffee: What Are the Di...

Organic coffee is grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, or GMOs, while conventional coffee uses these synthetic substances. Organic coffee production involves a sustainable process, including selecting plants, preparing soil, using natural fertilizers, shade growing, and natural pest control. Organic coffee can taste different from non-organic coffee, but the taste of coffee is subjective and depends on many factors. Most...

Organic vs. Non-Organic Coffee: What Are the Di...

Organic coffee is grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, or GMOs, while conventional coffee uses these synthetic substances. Organic coffee production involves a sustainable process, including selecting plants, preparing soil, using natural fertilizers, shade growing, and natural pest control. Organic coffee can taste different from non-organic coffee, but the taste of coffee is subjective and depends on many factors. Most...

Image of unripe green Arabica coffee cherries growing on a branch.

Arabica Coffee: What It Is, Where It Grows, and...

Arabica coffee refers to a type of coffee made from the beans of the Coffea arabica plant. The primary difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee beans lies in their flavor profiles, caffeine content, and growing conditions. Green Arabica beans contain 1.2% – 1.5% caffeine, while roasted beans have up to 2.4%. Arabica coffee is grown in over 50 countries around...

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Arabica Coffee: What It Is, Where It Grows, and...

Arabica coffee refers to a type of coffee made from the beans of the Coffea arabica plant. The primary difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee beans lies in their flavor profiles, caffeine content, and growing conditions. Green Arabica beans contain 1.2% – 1.5% caffeine, while roasted beans have up to 2.4%. Arabica coffee is grown in over 50 countries around...

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Standard cupping process for evaluating specialty coffee quality and flavor.

Specialty Coffee: Definition, Grading, Cupping,...

Specialty coffee refers to a type of traceable coffee that provides detailed information about its origin, including the farm, growing conditions, processing methods, and flavor profile. To be classified as specialty, coffee must achieve a score of 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale. This rigorous evaluation process distinguishes specialty coffee from commercial coffee in terms of quality, traceability,...

Specialty Coffee: Definition, Grading, Cupping,...

Specialty coffee refers to a type of traceable coffee that provides detailed information about its origin, including the farm, growing conditions, processing methods, and flavor profile. To be classified as specialty, coffee must achieve a score of 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale. This rigorous evaluation process distinguishes specialty coffee from commercial coffee in terms of quality, traceability,...