Roast date
This is the most useful piece of information. It tells you how fresh the coffee is. Aim to brew filter coffee within about six weeks of the roast date, and see how to store coffee beans to keep it in good shape. A best-before date alone tells you little.
Origin
You will see a country, and often a region, a cooperative, a mill or a farm. More detail usually means better traceability. The country tells you a lot: for example, see our guides to Ethiopian and Colombian coffee.
Altitude
Given in metres above sea level (masl). Coffee grown at higher altitudes matures more slowly and tends to be denser, with more complex acidity and sweetness. It is a helpful hint, not a guarantee of quality.
Variety
Names like Bourbon, Caturra, SL28 or Heirloom describe the plant. Varieties differ in flavor, yield and disease resistance, much like grape varieties in wine. "Heirloom" usually means a mix of local, traditional varieties, especially in Ethiopia.
Processing
Washed, natural or honey. It affects sweetness, body and fruitiness. Read the full explanation in coffee processing methods.
Roast level
Light, medium or dark. Some roasters use a scale or a color chart. Our bags use five dots. See light vs medium vs dark roast.
Tasting notes
Words like "jasmine, bergamot and lemon" describe flavors you may taste in the cup. They are not added flavorings. Treat them as a guide, and remember that everyone tastes a bit differently.
Certifications and other labels
Organic, Fairtrade and similar labels tell you about production or trade standards. Many specialty roasters also buy directly from producers without a certificate, so look for information on where the money goes, and for stories on the roaster's website.
Green flags and red flags
- Green flags: a roast date, a specific origin (region, farm or cooperative), processing and variety, and tasting notes that sound like real foods.
- Red flags: no roast date, only a vague "Arabica blend", or a very oily surface on beans sold as a light roast.
Even a short label can be good. What matters is that it tells you enough to judge for yourself.
Common questions
What does 100% Arabica mean?
It means the coffee is from the Arabica species, not Robusta. Most specialty coffee is Arabica, but the label alone does not guarantee quality.
What does masl mean?
It stands for metres above sea level, and describes the altitude where the coffee grew. Higher altitudes tend to give denser, more complex coffee.
What is direct trade?
It is a term roasters use for buying directly from producers. It has no fixed definition, so look for details on the roaster's website about how they work with producers.
