Frequently Asked Questions

The same bean can express very different flavors depending upon the level to which it is roasted. It is one of my favorite things about roasting! If you are unsure what roast would suit your tastes best, please feel free to send me an email, and we can work together to find the perfect roast or roasts for you! 

In general below are descriptions of the different roast levels you may find here. 

1) Light roast: this will be the least roasted bean that will have the lowest extraction. Beans that have been lightly roasted will tend to have a brighter, more acidic flavor and will have a fruit-forward flavor. If you like a lighter roast, you often will brew at higher temperatures (to assist with extraction) and will generally have a more acidic cup of coffee. 

2) Medium/Light: this level has been allowed to roast farther than a light roast and will have gone further into First Crack. This will still highlight the bright acidity but the sweeter flavors in the bean will begin to share the flavor space. 

3) Medium: this level begins to introduce more of the roasted flavor into the cup while still maintaining a lighter, brighter cup. You will start to lose some of the more delicate flavor such as floral and some fruit, and the cup will begin to display heavier flavors such as chocolate and other sweeter flavors. Most beans can tolerate a medium roast, while not all beans are best at lighter or darker roasts. 

4) Vienna: Think of this level like a Medium-Dark. The cup will focus more on the sweeter, chocolate and nut flavors in most beans and the cup will have more body, or density, on the palate. If someone isn't sure what roast level they want but they have mostly been drinking mainstream coffee brands, this is where I recommend they start. It's an approachable cup that still creates a lot of interesting flavors. 

5) Dark: beans at this level will have a shinier exterior and are the easiest beans to extract since a lot of the breaking down has been done in the roast. If you like bolder, heavier, smokier flavor, dark roast is likely for you. There will be little to no acidity in the cup, and the natural bitterness of the coffee will shine through. 

6) Espresso: You can pull an espresso shot from a bean roasted to any level! It is common for folks to think that all espresso is pulled from a dark, bitter coffee, but you can pull a light roast espresso that will contain fruitier, acidic flavor just like you can with pour over, French press, etc.  If you are utilizing an espresso machine, let me know! I have an espresso blend that works really well and has amazing crema results! 

If you are looking for a specific bean, please send me an email. It may be that the bean is out of stock until the next year's harvest, but if you want it and I can find it, I will do my best to get it ordered and roasted for you.

If you do not have a grinder, I am happy to grind the beans before shipping. Send me an email after ordering, with your order #, and I will grind the beans to your specifications prior to shipping.

However, I think that buying a grinder so that you can ground your beans right before drinking is well worth the investment. They sell perfectly capable grinders for as little as $15. Burr grinders are generally better at creating a more uniform grind size which will impact the flavors extracted, but even using a blade grinder right before brewing will increase the cup's flavor dramatically. 

There are an infinite number of ways to brew coffee! I always say the best coffee is the coffee you like. So, if you like your loyal, ride-or-die Mr. Coffee, then that is the best way! However, if you are interested in trying different methods out, I would recommend checking out James Hoffman on YouTube. If you like a smoother, less acidic cup of coffee, you may want to try cold brewing methods. If you like to have a lot of control over your brew process and want to be able to pull different flavors out of the same bean, I would recommend a v60 and water kettle. You can get the v60 very cheaply, and it makes an amazing cup! French press is a great method for those of us who enjoy a bold cup of coffee. A traditional coffee maker does a fine job of producing replicable results with minimal effort, and there is a reason that it is the brew method most households utilize. If you are unsure or have any questions, please feel free to email me. I am always happy to nerd out about coffee, and we can find the right brew method that fits within your budget and needs. Coffee is meant to be enjoyed, and of course, everyone deserves a cup of the good stuff!