How To Choose YOUR Coffee From the Masses

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Don’t Leave This Article More Confused Than When You Started!

Ever find yourself staring blankly at the “coffee wall” in the grocery store, overwhelmed by a sea of choices? That glazed-over look when your brain is trying to process the endless options? All you want is a perfect cup of coffee to kickstart your day—so where do you even begin?

Well, I’ve got a simple rule to help you navigate this caffeinated maze: **start by asking yourself, how are you going to drink your coffee?** 

How Do You Like Your Coffee?

-  Black as night?
-  With milk, cream, or a splash of sugar?
-  Or maybe you’re all about that espresso shot or fancy pour-over?

Knowing how you plan to enjoy your brew makes all the difference. Let’s break it down!
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Drinking It Black?
If you love your coffee straight-up, then single-origin coffees are your best friends. These beans come from specific regions and showcase unique flavors that truly shine on their own. Think of them as the fine wines of the coffee world! Roast them lightly or medium to preserve those distinct notes—like yummy fruit tones from Ethiopia, the rich, nutty tones of Guatemala or the chocolate & caramel from Peru.
(Note: Indonesian coffees are often roasted darker, but that’s more for flavor profile preference.)

And yes, you can add milk or sweetener if you like, but doing so might mask some of the incredible flavor profiles these coffees have to offer.
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Milk and Sugar?  
Blends are your go-to here. Crafted specifically to complement milk and sweeteners, they’re perfect for your morning latte or creamy café au lait. And guess what? Drinking your blend black is totally fine—Debbie, for instance, enjoys her Farmhouse Blend black every single morning!
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How Are You Planning to Brew?
Here’s the fun part—your brewing method! And honestly, it’s all about "personal preference". No wrong answers, just different ways to enjoy.

• Coffee pot or pour-over?
  From light to dark roasts, you can experiment and find what suits you best.
• Keurig?
  We recommend a darker roast here for a bolder flavor—don’t worry, dark doesn’t mean bitter, just richer!  
• Home espresso machine?
  This is where our special roasts come in. We’ve crafted our BYC, Lighthouse and Llama Drama to name a few roasts especially for home espresso lovers. They deliver a rich, flavorful shot with a beautiful crema—without the oily beans that could harm your machine. And the best part? You don’t need a dark, oily bean to get a great espresso. That’s a Derek-specialty!
  

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So, Which Coffee Is Right for You?  
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

• Single Origins: Ethiopia (med/light), Guatemala (medium), Sumatra (dark) 
  
  
• Blends for a Coffee Pot: Farmhouse (med/dark), Cock-a-Doodle Brew (dark), Barnyard Black (very dark & smoky)  
  
  
• Espresso Lovers: BYC (med/dark), Llama Drama (medium), Single Origin Peru or Ethiopia (med/dark)  

Still feeling overwhelmed? No worries! We recommend starting with our 10-pack or 4-8oz bag sampler. It’s a fantastic way to explore a variety of flavors—single origin and blends alike—so you can discover what truly makes your taste buds sing.

Follow this link to the 10-pack Sampler
Follow this link to the 4-bag Sampler
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The Final Sip
Navigating the world of coffee doesn’t have to be confusing. With a little guidance and some experimentation, you’ll find your perfect match in no time.

Ready to dive in?  
Browse our Single Origin Coffees
Explore our Blends

Happy brewing, and remember—coffee is a journey, not a destination!