Coffee beans

About Coffee Beans

Every great brew starts from its key ingredient – coffee beans, of course! Each sip of coffee reveals a world of flavours, aromas, and brewing methods waiting to be explored. Learning the factors behind choosing coffee beans helps you navigate the vast coffee jungle with confidence. Below, you’ll find out how different bean varieties differ from each other and, hopefully, you will feel much more confident navigating the realm of coffee afterwards!

Why Choose Coffee Beans, and How to Find the Right Ones?

If you’re after the most fragrant cup of coffee possible, you’ll have to grind your coffee beans freshly for each cup. Your brewing method and the roast level of your coffee beans directly shape the final flavour, aroma, and overall experience. Espresso uses dark roasts for deep flavours, while filter coffee works best with medium to light roasts for fruity notes.

Using coffee beans instead of pre-ground coffee will give you more freedom to experiment and play around with the flavours of your drink. You’ll be able to adjust the grind size to suit your preferred brewing method too. Whole coffee beans resist oxygen, moisture, and light better than pre-ground coffee, helping them retain their finest flavours for longer. 

Those on a search for high quality coffee beans should take a look at Coffee Friend’s range of products. The numerous different varieties on offer can be filtered based on type and brewing method, making selection that much easier. At Coffee Friend, we’ve developed exclusive coffee bean ranges like the best-selling Caprisette coffees and specialty Black Crow White Pigeon beans, in addition to offering well-known and niche brands. Feel free to explore and discover coffees suited for espresso machines and filter coffee makers, as well as a variety of delicious decaf beans and a bunch of amazing coffee sets!

Espresso Coffee Beans: Unmatched Depth and Intensity of Flavour

Are you a sworn fan of rich, intense notes and bold flavour experiments? If so, you’ll love espresso! Brewed using coffee beans that have been ground extremely finely, this classic drink will enable you to discover numerous flavours and aromas. In theory, any beans will do when preparing an espresso—in practice though, the type and roast level you go for play a crucial role. Arabica coffee beans, for example, tend to produce subtle, sweet, fruity flavours, while robusta is marked by a strong, bitter taste.

The level in the roasting process is just as important. When it comes to espresso coffee beans, they tend to be dark-roasted: that’s because a dark roast lends the resulting drink some additional intensity, richness and depth. Dark roasts highlight chocolate, nuts, and caramel, while light roasts offer subtler, citrus, and apple notes. You can encounter notes of flowers and berries in light roasts as well: these tend to make your cuppa more refreshing and complex. 

We aim to satisfy every espresso lover out there, which is why our range of products includes a number of coffees by both well-known and emerging brands. There are different roasts and grind sizes on offer too. Take a look at Coffee Friend’s own ranges of espresso beans, by the way: these include gorgeous coffee blends designed for a delicious daily cuppa, as well as unique single origin varieties guaranteed to introduce you to a bunch of new flavours. 

Filter Coffee Beans: Delicate and Subtle

Beans of this type are perfect for those who prefer their coffee subtler and more delicate. Filter coffee makers with built-in coffee grinders have lately started to appear on the market as well: these innovative appliances allow coffee lovers to savour amazingly fragrant drinks prepared using freshly ground coffee beans. There are also manual filter brewing tools available, designed to put the brewing process in the hands of the coffee drinker. What makes filter coffee special is its delicate, subtle flavour. In contrast to espresso, the filter brewing method requires coffee to stay in direct contact with water for a fairly long time, which helps a greater number of natural tasting notes to develop. 

This brewing technique is the preferred choice for subtlety-loving coffee enthusiasts who love trying out new coffees and experiencing different flavours. If you own a filter coffee maker, you should pay special attention to the kind of coffee beans you select though. Your best bet are beans of a medium to light roast: they tend to be sweeter and fruitier. The packaging or e-shop description of your coffee may indicate that it’s suited well for the filter brewing method, by the way. If this information isn’t available, just go back to using roast level as a guide. 

With the key selection criteria in mind, you’re now ready to delve into our range of products! It includes a variety of gorgeous coffee beans suited for the filter brewing method. Coffee Friend’s own lines boast varieties suited ideally for a delicious filter coffee too. As long as you keep the type and roast level of the coffee beans in mind, you’re bound to discover the ones that are just right for both you and your filter brewing tool. 

Specialty Coffee Beans: Extraordinary Flavours in Each Sip

Specialty coffee beans will enable you to enjoy drinks as rich, full-bodied and fragrant as the finest of wines! Specialty coffee includes varieties that have undergone the scrutiny of certified coffee tasters from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), and have been consequently awarded 80 or more points out of the possible 100. In addition to coffees from some of the world’s best-known producers, Coffee Friend developed a brand – Black Crow White Pigeon. The aroma, aftertaste, balance of flavours, acidity, body, purity and sweetness of these specialty coffee beans have all received the highest scores. You’re welcome to explore Coffee Friend’s own line of specialty coffee blends called Parallel: it combines the best that blends and specialty varieties have to offer.

To be able to appreciate the flavours of specialty varieties, go for a roast level that best suits your personal taste. Light-roasted specialty coffee beans are marked by natural, subtle acidity and notes of fruit. Medium-roasted beans are bound to please sworn fans of sweetness. In contrast, coffees of a darker roast tend to be particularly intense, which makes them perfect for those who like some bitterness in their brew.  

As you explore the world of coffee, you’re likely to encounter the phrase ‘single-origin’ on some coffee packages, and the word ‘blend’ on others. What do they mean, you wonder? While blends contain coffee beans originating from a variety of coffee-growing regions, single-origin varieties all come from a single location or even the same coffee farm.

Decaf Coffee Beans: Enjoy a Cuppa at Any Time of Day

Decaf coffee beans are an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy the taste of coffee without the effects of caffeine. Just like regular coffees, decaf coffee beans can be light-, medium- or dark-roasted, so choose the ones that best suit your taste. Our range includes decaf options from Charles Liégeois and our own specialty coffees. Our customers love the specialty Colombia Decaf Excelso and the delicate Lullaby Decaf. Both of these varieties have been decaffeinated using safe, all-natural methods, namely the CO2 decaffeination technique and the innovative Swiss Water Process. In addition to removing the absolute majority of caffeine from the beans, these methods keep the finest flavours of your coffee intact. The result is a gorgeous decaf cuppa that can be enjoyed at any time of day!

Locally Roasted Coffee Beans: Always Fresh

Freshly roasted local coffee beans provide a delicious daily ritual and a unique tasting experience. Fresh coffee beans are always the most fragrant. Most local roasters process coffee in small batches, so these beans are particularly flavourful and aromatic. Moreover, each batch is treated with the greatest care, and with the mission of uncovering its finest flavours always at the back of the roasters’ minds. By buying locally roasted coffee, you’ll support local businesses too, and will be able to savour drinks whose origins can be traced with ease. Feel free to browse through our selection of locally roasted varieties!

Coffee Bean Sets: For Yourself or as a Gift

If you’re always on the lookout for new flavours, consider getting yourself a coffee bean set. Coffee sets are also a great choice for those who have already discovered their favourite coffee bean variety. Just choose a set with several identical coffees in it, or go for one that’s made up of different types of beans. These sets are also a great coffee beans gift idea: your coffee-loving friends are guaranteed to appreciate it!

Coffee Beans for Different Brewing Methods

Different brewing methods tend to reveal different flavours hidden in your coffee. The same is true even if you’re using the very same bean variety! That’s why we always encourage our customers to experiment and give various brewing techniques a try. If you already own a certain kind of coffee maker, however, or if you feel certain that you’ve discovered your favourite brewing method, choose coffee beans that are suited for it. This will help you obtain the most flavourful brews of the highest quality.

Coffee beans for bean-to-cup machines. These innovative appliances grind coffee beans at the simple touch of a button. Coffee beans for bean-to-cup machines usually have the word ‘espresso’ written somewhere on the packaging. This doesn’t mean that they’re suited for the espresso recipe only though—what this word actually refers to is the espresso brewing method. If the packaging of the beans you’re eyeing doesn’t contain such information, don’t worry: just use roast level as a guide. Bean-to-cup coffee machines are suited best for medium- or dark-roasted coffees. The lighter the roast, the slower the beans are to reveal their flavours; the darker the roast, the quicker this process is.

Coffee beans for espresso machines. You should look for the word ‘espresso’ when choosing coffee beans for this kind of appliance too. Again, when it comes to coffee beans for espresso machines, your best bet is coffee of a medium or darker roast: it’ll result in a richer, more fragrant drink. It’s important to ensure the right grind size too. Beans that have been ground too finely will obstruct the flow of water, while those that have been ground too coarsely may result in a watery brew. If you own an espresso machine or are thinking of getting one, consider buying a coffee grinder too: it’ll put the grind size of your coffee in your hands. 

Coffee beans for filter coffee makers. More and more filter coffee makers with built-in coffee grinders have been appearing on the market lately. Whether yours has one or not, the filter brewing method still offers a unique flavour experience! When choosing coffee beans for filter coffee makers, look for beans of a medium to lighter roast. This will enable you to enjoy a particularly sweet, light, fruity brew. It’s always a good idea to pay attention to the information on the packaging or in the e-shop description of the coffee you’re eyeing, by the way: it’s often indicated if the beans in question are suited well for filter brewing tools. If information like that isn’t available, however, just go back to using roast level as a guide.

Coffee beans for moka pots. Moka pots are all about intensity and richness reminiscent of espresso. When browsing through coffee beans for moka pots, use your personal taste as the main criterion. If you prefer your coffee strong, piquant and quite bitter, choose coffee beans of a darker roast. You should grind them more coarsely and use less water though. Beans of a medium or lighter roast tend to be subtler and more varied. If you pick beans like that, grind them more finely, and fill the bottom chamber of your moka pot with water all the way up to the safety valve. 

Coffee beans for percolators. Have you heard of coffee percolators? These unique appliances produce strong, aromatic brews. If you’re a fan of this brewing method, choose beans of a medium or darker roast: the latter will make your drink even more piquant and intense, while the former will result in subtle flavours. When it comes to coffee for percolators, the grind size of your coffee is important too. To unveil its finest qualities and avoid too much bitterness, go for a medium to coarse grind.

Coffee beans for cafetières. This universal brewing method lets you listen to what your personal taste tells you. Coffee beans for cafetières can take a variety of forms: from light roasts all the way to dark-roasted varieties. Medium- to light-roasted beans create subtler, sweeter, and fruitier flavours. You should consider the grind size too: your best bet is a medium to coarse grind. 

Coffee beans for Chemex coffee makers. This brewing method may require a bit more skill, but, in the end, it’s definitely worth it. The best coffee beans for Chemex coffee makers tend to be medium- or light-roasted: the latter will endow your brew with extra fruitiness and lightness, while the former will result in a particularly well-balanced drink. This brewing method generally doesn’t work well with dark-roasted coffees, but you can experiment if you enjoy strong, piquant flavours and have mastered your Chemex coffee maker.

Coffee beans for pour-over coffee makers. Quality and freshness is what it’s all about when choosing coffee beans for the V60 or similar coffee drippers. To find the right coffee beans for pour-over coffee makers, pay special attention to their roast level. For a delicate, flavourful, light-bodied pour-over brew, choose beans of a medium to lighter roast.  Medium roast coffee beans will endow your drink with extra sweetness, while light roast coffee beans will help you craft a fruity, refreshing beverage. 

Coffee beans for Aeropress coffee makers. Just like other brewing tools, Aeropress coffee makers will require you to pay attention to the roast level of your coffee beans. Coffee beans for Aeropress coffee makers should be light-roasted: they’ll result in a delicate, fruity, deliciously acidic brew with minimum bitterness. While light-roasted varieties tend to endow Aeropress brews with extra sweetness, dark-roasted beans create a stronger, richer drink. 

Coffee beans for cold brew coffee makers. Cold brew coffee is absolutely unique in terms of its flavour and the process that goes into making it. If you want to give this brewing method a try and are interested in coffee beans for cold brew coffee makers, just rely on your personal taste. Light-roasted coffee beans produce a fruitier, more acidic cold brew. Medium roasts add gorgeous sweetness, while darker roasts create bold, intense, piquant flavours for coffee enthusiasts.

Coffee Beans of Different Types: Arabica vs Robusta vs Coffee Blends

The two key categories of coffee beans are Arabica and Robusta. Each boasts a unique flavour profile. If you prefer your coffee fruity, flowery and deliciously acidic, arabica beans are definitely right for you. In general, arabica coffee beans are delicate and pretty light in terms of their caffeine content. If you’re after intense, bitter, nutty or earthy notes, robusta coffee beans may suit you better. They’re often found in espresso blends: robusta provides them with a richer flavour and a higher caffeine content. If both of these sound appealing, give arabica and robusta blends a try: they contain the best that the two varieties have to offer. There are of course other coffee bean types, but they are rarer, such as liberica coffee. The main types of coffee are the ones mentioned previously.

Buy Coffee Beans Online

With Coffee Friend, buying coffee beans online has never been easier! You can order coffee beans from a wide selection of popular brands, along with Coffee Friend’s own specialty lines crafted for various brewing methods. Our online store provides filters to easily find coffee beans for sale — search by brand, roast level, tasting notes region or even the SCA score. Plus, enjoy hassle-free coffee bean delivery straight to your door, and discover great options to match any budget with a competitive coffee beans price. Whether you prefer a rich espresso or a light filter coffee, we have options for every taste!

Struggling to Choose?

If you want to get to know more about the finest coffee beans from around the globe, have a read of our blog post, “The Best Coffee Beans in the World: A Mystery Worthy of Sherlock Holmes”.

Still unsure what kind of flavour, grind size and roast level is right for you? Curious to find out more about other types of coffee? You can always reach out to Coffee Friend’s consultants: they’re available via phone, e-mail.