Coffee roasts and tasting notes
Roast level and tasting notes help you choose a coffee you will enjoy. Read them together, then let your own taste guide the next bag.
Understand the roast
Medium roast offers a useful starting point for exploring a coffee's individual character alongside the flavours developed in roasting.
Dark roast generally brings more pronounced roasted flavours. Depending on the coffee, you might notice chocolate-like, smoky or bittersweet qualities.
Roast and brew strength describe different things. To make a stronger brew, adjust how much coffee you use for the amount of water. A darker roast can taste bolder without changing that recipe.
Put tasting notes into everyday words
- Body: how light or full the coffee feels in your mouth.
- Brightness or acidity: the lively, sometimes fruit-like character you notice when sipping.
- Finish: the flavours that linger after a sip.
- Flavour notes: familiar comparisons for aromas and tastes, such as chocolate, citrus or nuts. Use the product description for ingredient information.
Find your starting point
- Angel's Blend Espresso: dark, rich and smooth, with a subtle chocolate finish.
- Papua New Guinea Peaberry: medium roast, with citrus and macadamia notes and a smooth, lingering finish.
- Dark Chiapas Mexican: earthy and full-bodied, with a smoky finish.
For a useful comparison, brew two coffees with the same method and recipe. Taste them as they cool a little, then add milk or sweetener as you normally would.
Keep learning
Further reading: Coffee Association of Canada roasting guide; Specialty Coffee Association tasting guide.