Which Coffee to Choose? A Guide to Choosing Good Coffee Beans

Choosing coffee can seem simple until you see dozens of different packages. Light and dark roasts, different flavor profiles, espresso, pour-over… How do you navigate it all?

If you’re wondering which coffee to choose, you don’t need to know all the coffee terms. Just pay attention to a few key things.

1. Consider how you prepare your coffee

This is the best starting point.

You can look for different coffees for espresso, automatic coffee machines, moka pots, and for the V60 or AeroPress.

Coffee for Espresso and Automatic Coffee Machines

If you mostly drink espresso or milk-based coffees, beans with a more classic, balanced profile may be a good choice.

Look for coffees with notes of chocolate, cocoa, caramel, nuts, or dried fruit, such as Flor d’Arara.

These profiles also work well in cappuccinos and lattes, as their flavor remains distinct after adding milk.

Pour-Over Coffee

If you use a V60, Chemex, or AeroPress, you can choose coffees with a more fruity and floral character.

Pour-Over coffee makes it easier to discover the subtle aromas and differences between individual coffees.

If you enjoy fruit, citrus, floral, or tea aromas, these are the coffees you should start with Castillo is an example.

2. Think about your favorite flavors

This may seem obvious, but it’s one of the most important selection criteria.

If you like sweet, chocolatey, and intense coffee, look for profiles with notes of:

chocolate,

cocoa,

caramel,

nuts,

dried fruit.

If you prefer fresh and fruity flavors, consider coffees with notes of:

citrus,

currants,

cherries,

tropical fruits,

flowers.

There is no single correct profile. Coffee should, above all, taste good to you.

3. Pay attention to the roast level

The roast level has a significant impact on the coffee’s character.

Lighter roast coffees are more likely to showcase fruitiness, acidity, and more complex aromas.

A medium roast can combine fruitiness and sweetness with notes of caramel or chocolate, making it very versatile.

A darker roast typically produces a more intense, powerful profile with notes of chocolate, cocoa, or roasted nuts.

If you’re just starting to experiment with specialty coffee, a medium roast can be a good starting point.

4. Check the roast date

If you’re looking to buy good coffee beans, pay attention to the roast date, not just the expiration date.

Freshly roasted coffee retains more of its aromas and characteristic flavors.

It’s worth remembering, however, that coffee needs some time to decarbonate after roasting. Therefore, coffee roasted the day before won’t necessarily taste the best.

5. Not sure which coffee to choose? Start with your habits

If you’re still unsure which coffee is right for you, answer three simple questions:

How do I prepare my coffee?

Espresso, automatic coffee maker, moka pot, or pour-over?

What flavors do I like?

Chocolate and nutty, or fruity and floral?

How intense do I prefer my coffee?

Classic and strong, or light and more aromatic?

This will make it much easier to narrow down your choices.

Which coffee should you choose? Summary

There’s no single coffee that’s best for everyone.

If you enjoy classic, sweet, and chocolatey flavors, Sarava Mística is a good example, with notes of caramel, cocoa, and cherry.

If you prefer fruitier, more expressive coffees, you can try Pacamara, which features notes of blackcurrant and maple syrup.

The most important thing, however, is to match the coffee to your brewing method and your own taste preferences.

And if you still don’t know where to start, the best way is to simply try a few different profiles and find one that you want to come back to.