Behind The Beans

Coffee just tastes better when you know the real story behind it. This is why certified Fair Trade coffee is about so much more than the delicious flavors and aromas waking you up in your morning cup—it's also about respect for the people growing it and the relationships behind it.

Whether you’re pulling your first shot or refining your techniques, espresso lovers often wonder, what beans make the best espresso? While taste is subjective, there are definitely some characteristics that make some beans easier than others to make excellent espresso shots.

What exactly makes coffee roast light or dark? How does each compare in terms of appearance, flavor, body, acidity, and mouthfeel? Why can the same origin taste so different in a light vs. a dark roast?

Every winter morning in North America, millions of migratory birds pass through the same landscapes where your coffee grows in Central and South America. What happens on those farms matters; for the birds, for the environment, for the farmers, and for what ends up in your cup.

Have you ever noticed that ground coffee smells and tastes absolutely incredible right after you open the bag, but tastes flat by the time you reach the bottom? You're not alone. 

While ground coffee doesn't spoil like perishable foods can, its vibrant flavor notes and aromatic oils do have a best-by-date, and knowing why makes all the difference.

Hey coffee lovers, are you tired of stale, burnt office coffee and want something better without having to run to the local café? Fortunately, brewing an incredible cup at work isn’t a mystery. It's just a matter of simple choices, habits, and matching your brew system to your workspace.

Hey coffee lovers, are you curious what the deal is with organic coffee? Too often, people think that switching to organically grown coffee is about avoiding synthetic chemicals in their cup. While certification prevents the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, its impact goes much further than your kitchen counter.

Are you an espresso lover and want to know what kinds of beans you can use to make espresso? Or maybe you’re new to this concentrated brew, and you just want to learn more? Either way, let’s pull a shot, sit down, and explore what makes this particular brew so unique.

You’ve probably heard of decaf, but maybe you’ve hesitated because you’re not sure how it’s made, what’s used, or whether it tastes as satisfying as other coffees.

Out of all the brewing systems, we love the AeroPress because it’s super easy and beginner-friendly. It’s also perfect for using at home, work, or on the go; you can literally use it almost anywhere!

Choosing different beans can entirely change what ends up in your shot, from deep chocolate richness to bright, lively complexity, or the character of the crema, that delectable foamy layer on top.

It’s not rocket science, and there’s nothing wrong with keeping your coffee simple and delicious. But if you really want to dial things in and brew the best cup possible, a handful of choices matter, from the beans you choose to how you brew.