Coffee is packed with great flavours and aromas that are different across the types of coffee bean. It has been discovered that there are over 800 nuances which affect coffee tastes and aromas, compared to the 150 found in wine.
The importance of coffee roasting
The coffee taste that we know and love is created by the roasting process - unroasted coffee is tasteless. The natural chemical change at which sugars in the coffee beans start caramelising significantly is called pyrolysis. It is estimated that a coffee bean contains more than 2000 natural substances which can alter its taste and aroma after roasting.
The coffee roasting process is most commonly conducted between 200 degrees celsius and 240 degrees celsius with a conventional roaster taking up to 14 minutes to roast the beans. During the roasting process coffee beans become up to 23% lighter and 100% larger.
Although there are no standardised definitions of degrees of roast, the most common terms are: Light, Medium, Viennese, Dark, Continental and Italian. The darker the roast the more the unique flavours of a bean are removed - which is why dark roast were originally designed to hide the flaws of inferior coffees.
Regional acidity and body characteristics
Coffees from the America regions are usually a 50 / 50 split between acidity and body. African coffees usually have more acidity whilst coffees from Indonesia often have more body.
The scent of coffee
The gourmet coffee experience is multifaceted and sophisticated. It includes many pleasurable nuances which can be appreciated by amateur and connoisseur alike.
The are main five main attributes of coffee which contribute to your overall experience:
Coffee Aroma
The sensation of smell emanating from the coffee, not just before drinking but after when present in the mouth. The aroma in coffee can greatly enhance the overall characteristics of a coffee.
E.g. Spicy, Nutty, Floral
Taste
The perception of sweet, sour, salt and bitter and the nuances which contribute to overall taste of coffee beans on the tongue. Aroma can greatly affect the taste outcome of a coffee.
E.g. Sweet, Mellow, Tangy
Finish
The aftertaste, or the feel that lingers in the mouth well after initially experiencing the coffee. A good coffee will have pleasant attributes in it’s finish.
E.g. Liquorice, Dry, Soft
Acidity
A positive attribute of coffee, a pleasant sharp taste or bite in the mouth. A ‘snap’ or ‘tingle’. A good comparison is the dryness in wines. The darker the roast, the less acidity in the coffee.
Body
The weight of the coffee physically in the mouth. Rich, full feeling at the back of the palate. Body tends to increase in the darker roasts.
Our Range Of Coffee Beans
Grand Cru Espresso Beans
This is our 100% Arabica espresso coffee blend. It has the best Kenyan AA Grade beans for acidity, citrus notes and a chocolate after taste.
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Premier Cru
This is a blend of Brazilian Fine Cup beans from the Minas Gerais Plateau, Ugandan robustas from the Lake Victoria region, arabicas from Honduras and Bourbon varietal Arabica beans.
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Fairtrade
Discover our Fairtrade premium coffee beans today. We have a wide range of Fairtrade coffee beans, espresso beans and coffee in a bag available to order online.
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Decaffeinated Beans - 6 x 1Kg
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Classics Bistro Montana
Nutty-chocolate aromas, a hint of fruit, balanced acidity, and a smooth, full-bodied finish. Robust yet refined, this is coffee that speaks many languages—and all of them delicious.
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100x7g single sachets Decaffeinated Espresso
A darker decaffeinated coffee with hints of roasted almonds
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250g Decaffeinated Espresso Pouch
Each fully biodegradable bag contains Rainforest Alliance Certified. 100% Fresh Ground Arabica coffee.
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6 kg Clementines Espresso beans
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1kg Grand Cru Beans
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Classics - Espresso Finesse
A bold and full-bodied blend crafted for espresso lovers who crave depth, intensity, and crema-rich perfection.
ViewGrand Cru Espresso Beans
This is our 100% Arabica espresso coffee blend. It has the best Kenyan AA Grade beans for acidity, citrus notes and a chocolate after taste.
£25.65
ViewPremier Cru
This is a blend of Brazilian Fine Cup beans from the Minas Gerais Plateau, Ugandan robustas from the Lake Victoria region, arabicas from Honduras and Bourbon varietal Arabica beans.
£22.07
ViewFairtrade
Our Fairtrade espresso coffee is a blend of South America and Africa beans. A full flavoured espresso with a delightful aftertaste is the result.
£27.30
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What is a Cappuccino?
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What is a Latte?
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How Much Caffeine Is In Decaf Coffee?
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How Is Coffee Decaffeinated?
There are four common methods for making coffee beans decaf, and despite being a complex process, it has remained for centuries. Find out more.
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How To Steam Milk
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Find out more about the different types of tea. There are many different varieties of tea - but they all come from the same plant.
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Where is coffee from?
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Ultimate Guide To Coffee Beans
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Tea for breakfast
Whether you are looking for a tea to pair with croissants or you want to know what to eat with english breakfast tea - we have got the perfect pairing for your breakfast.
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There are four main types of coffee bean: Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa and Liberica and they all have a drastically different taste.
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What is Robusta Coffee?
Arabica coffee is the second most popular type of coffee with it contributing to around 40% of coffee production in the world.
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The Coffee Production Process
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What is an Espresso?
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What is an Americano?
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What is a Flat White?
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How to brew coffee at home
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What is Arabica Coffee?
Arabica coffee is the most popular type of coffee with over 60% of coffee production in the world.
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What is a Macchiato?
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