The Coffee Companion

The countries and regions where the coffee grew. A region is a more local geographic description within an origin. Place names offer context but do not prove a particular flavor or identify a cultivar.

This detail is not available in the roaster’s listing.

• Counter Culture: year-round coffees (opens in a new tab)

The available product information does not identify the processing method. It could use any method; missing information must not be interpreted as washed, natural, or a sign of poor quality.

This detail is not available in the roaster’s listing.

A darker roast with more developed roasting character. It does not automatically contain more caffeine.

Typical taste: Often more bitter and less acidic than lighter roasts.

Results also depend on growing conditions, roasting, and brewing.

• National Coffee Association: roasts (opens in a new tab)

A combination of coffees selected by the roaster. Components may come from different farms, origins, or harvests and may change over time. A blend can be designed for a consistent sensory target.

• Counter Culture: year-round coffees (opens in a new tab)

Named types or selections of coffee plants. Plant identity is separate from origin and processing. A broad species name does not identify a specific cultivar.

This detail is not available in the roaster’s listing.

• World Coffee Research: varieties catalog (opens in a new tab)

The available listing does not establish whether the coffee is decaffeinated. Missing information should not be treated as either decaf or regular coffee.

This detail is not available in the roaster’s listing.

• National Coffee Association: decaf (opens in a new tab)

The person, family, cooperative, or organization credited with producing the coffee. This label does not provide a biography or establish who performed every production step.

This detail is not available in the roaster’s listing.

• Royal Coffee: processing glossary (opens in a new tab)

The farm where coffee grew, or a station that processes harvested cherries. One station can handle fruit from multiple growers.

This detail is not available in the roaster’s listing.

• Royal Coffee: processing glossary (opens in a new tab)

When the coffee cherries were picked, rather than when the beans were roasted. A listed season can span calendar years; missing dates should not be guessed.

This detail is not available in the roaster’s listing.

• Royal Coffee: processing glossary (opens in a new tab)