How To Choose a Coffee Roaster: Tips for Buying the Best-Tasting Coffee

We all know that coffee is delicious. But for many people, buying coffee can be difficult because so many brands are on the market.

It’s frustrating knowing where to start, what to look for, and how to choose the best-tasting coffee. Don’t fret! This blog post will teach you everything you need to know about the process of choosing a coffee roaster. From understanding the difference between light and dark roasts to knowing when it’s time to change your flavor profile altogether, read on if you want to learn how to buy the best-tasting beans.

Know the difference between light and dark roasts

This may seem obvious to some, but what exactly is a light roast and a dark roast? Understanding the difference between the two is the first step to picking a quality coffee roaster.

Light Roast

Light roasts are much drier and more acidic than dark roasts. Their aftertaste is slightly bitter and quite burnt.

Why choose a light roast coffee?

Because they taste better: Light roasts are less bitter and don’t contain the floral, buttery, and fruity flavors that often accompany dark roasts. They can also be perfectly complemented by milk and sugar (though this is not required).

Because they pair well with most breakfast foods: A light roast pairs beautifully with cereals, toast, and muffins. Light roasts make your breakfast taste a little savory.

What flavor profile are you looking for?

To begin with, you need to understand the key difference between light, medium, and dark roasts. Light roasts have a lighter flavor, almost a creamier texture, than dark roasts. Medium roasts are somewhere in between. Dark roasts have a stronger flavor, a darker color, and a bolder flavor than medium roasts.

Light and medium roasts are great for coffee that you want to have in the morning. Dark roasts can be great for any type of coffee, but it should be the only kind you drink in the afternoon or evening.

For this reason, all roasts are good. When roasts have a wide variety of flavors, you get a more diverse product with more character. That’s the point of good coffee!

Generally, light roasts can be brewed easily at home.

How to choose a coffee roaster for your taste preference

The primary reason why buying beans is so hard is because there are so many different coffee brands on the market. Coffee roasters are a relatively new phenomenon. It can be easy to confuse them with coffee “shops,” which generally means you’re trying to buy ground coffee instead of whole bean coffee. This makes it difficult to make a sensible decision for what you want to drink.

There are two primary groups of coffee roasters. The first group is big names like Peet’s and Starbucks. This is the best way to start, as they’re the best-known and most widely available coffee brands. However, keep in mind that they’re also among the priciest brands.

Select the type of roast you want

Different roasts come in different weights. For instance, the typical light roast is between 10 percent and 20 percent dark roast. The dark roast is between 20 percent and 40 percent dark roast on the other end of the spectrum.

Light roasts are light in color and smell because they lack the strong roasted flavors of dark roasts.

Dark roasts are dark in color because the beans contain more roasted flavors and have a more robust taste.

Although both of these roasts are delicious, you’ll get the best-tasting coffee from the dark roast.

What’s the difference between dark and light roasts?

When you order a dark roast coffee from a roaster, you get a thick, rich cup that’s full of flavor. It has more flavor than the light roast, which you’ll get with the light roast.

Consider the flavor profile 

First, take a close look at the flavors that you like. If you’re not sure where to start, consider looking at the local “Best Coffee in Town” listing or the “Coffee Finds” or “What to Do” section on websites such as Yelp.com and Google+. These sources can show you which brands and roasters have gained a high level of customer satisfaction.

Take a look at which flavors you find the most appealing, and the ratings and reviews of the brands that you find appealing. Think about what you like most about the coffee that you drink.

Of course, this isn’t necessarily the best basis for choosing a coffee. Think of it as just a starting point. Let your mind wander and think about other flavor profiles that you like.

Determine if you want single-origin or blended beans

You can get the best tasting coffee by going with single-origin beans, but this isn’t always a great option for a variety of reasons.

With single-origin beans, the coffee comes from a single farm. A single farm means you’re limited in the amount of options you can choose from. Because of this, it’s more likely that you’ll only get one or two good flavors.

Additionally, single-origin coffee usually costs a bit more than other roasts, but you can save money by buying the blends. You can get your money’s worth from the blend in most instances, even if you only buy a few beans from a single-origin farm. You’ll save money, and you can sample multiple flavors.

How to decide on the right size bag of coffee beans

For most people, buying coffee beans from a roaster is going to be the most convenient and practical way to go. It’s recommended to buy whole beans –– that is, the coffee beans themselves –– and roast them yourself at home.

However, some people prefer to buy coffee beans in bulk and have them roasted by a professional roaster. It may seem like a lot of work, but professional roasting can be done at a really reasonable price.

How to store your beans properly 

Do you know where you store your coffee beans? What would happen if you left your fresh coffee beans at room temperature for a day or so?

If you’re storing your beans in your pantry, their quality will decline quickly. How much they oxidize or become bitter depends on how well the beans are stored. At room temperature, your beans will show signs of discoloration and become bitter. Over time, beans stored in a freezer will lose moisture and get stronger. To make your coffee taste better, storing them at room temperature is the ideal.

However, if you don’t have room for a wood-burning stove or are living in a metropolitan area, the best way to store your beans is in the refrigerator. Over time, the beans will lose most of their bitterness as well as color.

Conclusion

Coffee is a delicious beverage, and although it takes the time to make, there’s nothing like that first cup in the morning. This post will help you choose a coffee roaster, understand the difference between light and dark roasts, and make that first cup of coffee every morning.