How to Choose Coffee Beans

Choosing coffee should not feel overwhelming. The best coffee for you depends on how you like your coffee to taste, how you brew it, and what kind of experience you want in your cup each morning.

Whether you enjoy smooth and chocolatey coffees, bright fruit-forward flavors, or bold espresso drinks, understanding a few basics can help you choose coffee with confidence.

If you are new to specialty coffee, this guide will help you understand roast levels, flavor profiles, brew methods, and how to find a coffee you genuinely look forward to drinking every day.

Explore More Coffee Guides & Brewing Tips

Start with Roast Level

Roast level plays a major role in how your coffee tastes.

Light Roast coffees are usually brighter and more lively, often highlighting fruit, citrus, or floral notes.

Medium Roast coffees are balanced and approachable with smooth sweetness, caramel notes, and a fuller body.

Dark Roast coffees tend to be bold, rich, and comforting with deeper chocolatey flavors and heavier body.

If you are not sure where to start, medium roast coffees are often the easiest and most approachable entry point.

Looking for smooth, balanced coffee? Start with our Baseline Blend or Wayfarer Breakfast Blend.

Choose Coffee Based on Flavor

Coffee has natural flavor characteristics shaped by origin, processing, roast level, and brewing method.

If you enjoy flavors like chocolate, caramel, nuts, or smooth finishes, blends and medium roasts are usually a great fit.

If you enjoy brighter flavors like berries, citrus, florals, or tea-like coffees, single origin coffees are a great place to explore.

The best coffee is not the “most expensive” coffee. It is the coffee you genuinely enjoy drinking consistently.

Our Single Origin Coffees are roasted to highlight the unique character of each origin.

Best Coffee by Brew Method

The way you brew coffee changes how it tastes. Some coffees shine as espresso while others work beautifully in drip coffee makers, French press, pour over, or cold brew.

Drip Coffee: Baseline Blend
Espresso: Espresso Blend
Pour Over: Single Origin Coffee
Cold Brew: New Orleans Cold Brew

Not sure which brew method fits you best? Visit our Coffee Brewing Guide.

Best Coffee by Taste Preference

If you like smooth, comforting coffee:
Start with Baseline, Wayfarer, or other balanced blends.

If you like bright, lively coffee:
Try Ethiopian or other fruit-forward single origin coffees.

If you like rich espresso drinks:
Our Espresso Blend is crafted specifically to stand up beautifully in milk drinks while still tasting balanced on its own.

If you want easy everyday coffee:
Medium roast blends are usually the best place to begin.