Coffee lovers everywhere know there’s nothing quite like the ritual of grinding fresh beans and brewing that first cup of the day. But if you’re new to the world of whole coffee beans or just want a refresher, this guide will walk you through the essentials: roasts, blends, grinds, brewing styles, storage and more.
Whole coffee beans are the roasted seeds of the coffee cherry, left intact instead of pre-ground. This might seem simple, but keeping your beans whole until just before brewing makes a huge difference in flavour, it preserves aromatic oils and nuances that start to dissipate the moment coffee is ground.
Coffee Roasts
The roast level of your coffee beans plays a huge role in how your coffee tastes as well as loosely dictating the best way to brew particular roast types to get the most out of your cuppa.
Light Roast
- Light brown colour, no oil on the surface
- Pronounced fruity, floral, or acidic flavours
- Higher perceived acidity and lighter body
- Excellent for pour-overs or filter brewing
Medium Roast - Our Espresso Blend is ideal for medium roast lovers
- Balanced flavour and acidity
- Slightly sweeter with caramel and nutty notes
- Great versatility, delicious in drip, pour-over, and espresso
Medium to Dark Roast - Our Barista and Organic Blends are crowd pleasers
- Richer body with chocolatey, spiced notes
- Slightly less acidity than medium
- Works well as espresso or strong filter brew
Dark Roast
- Deep brown to almost black beans
- Bold, smoky flavour with less acidity
- Often used for traditional espresso or French press
Coffee Blends & Why They Matter
A blend is just what it sounds like: different beans from different origins (or sometimes different varieties) roasted together to create a unique flavour profile. For example, our Barista and Espresso blends combine beans from Papua New Guinea, Costa Rica, Colombia and Nicaragua to strike a balance of sweetness, body and acidity.
Blends are crafted to:
- Balance out flavours that one origin might lack
- Create consistency from batch to batch
- Match specific brewing styles and preferences
They differ from single origins, which come from just one farm or region.
Grinding Specifically for your Brewing Method of Choice
Once you’ve chosen your beans, the next key step is grinding them correctly, this depends entirely on your favourite brewing method. Why it matters: too fine and water struggles to pass through; too coarse and water goes through too quickly, both affect the flavour extraction and balance, hence getting this right is the secret to the best brew possible!
|
Brewing Method |
Grind Size |
Texture |
|
Espresso |
Fine |
Like table salt |
|
Aeropress |
Fine-Medium |
Fine sand |
|
Pour-Over |
Medium |
Sea salt |
|
Drip |
Medium |
Sea salt |
|
French Press |
Coarse |
Sea salt + pepper |
|
Cold Brew |
Very Coarse |
Peppercorn |
Storage Matters
To preserve the flavour and aroma of your coffee, it’s important to protect your beans from the four main freshness enemies: heat, light, air and moisture. For best results, keep your whole beans sealed in a resealable, airtight bag and store them in a cool, dry, dark place. If you live in a particularly hot or humid climate, storing your beans in the refrigerator or a frost-free freezer can help extend freshness (just be sure they’re tightly sealed to prevent moisture exposure).
When stored correctly, whole coffee beans will stay fresh for up to six weeks after opening. With both 500g and 1kg options available, we recommend choosing a size that suits your coffee routine, so you’re always brewing with the freshest beans possible.