Finding a coffee you genuinely love
Walking into the world of speciality coffee can feel overwhelming.
Chocolatey. Fruity. Light roast. Dark roast. Espresso roast. Acidity. Body.
There’s a lot of terminology, and sometimes it can feel like you need a coffee qualification just to choose a bag of beans.
But the truth is much simpler.
The best coffee isn’t the strongest, most expensive or most complicated.
It’s simply the coffee that suits your taste.
At Acorns Coffee Roastery, we roast coffees to highlight their natural character — whether that’s smooth chocolate notes, bright fruit flavours or rich, bold depth. This guide is designed to help you understand different coffee styles and discover which coffees you’re most likely to enjoy.
Coffee Flavours Explained Through Everyday Tastes
One of the easiest ways to choose coffee is to stop thinking about coffee altogether.
Instead, think about the flavours and drinks you already enjoy in life.
Coffee shares many of the same flavour characteristics as chocolate, wine, whisky, desserts and fruit — which makes finding your ideal coffee much easier than you might think.
If You Like Dairy Milk Chocolate…
You’ll probably enjoy:
These coffees are smooth, sweet and comforting without too much intensity or sharp acidity.
Expect flavours like:
- Milk chocolate
- Caramel
- Nuts
- Biscuit sweetness
These are the coffees people often describe as:
“Easy to drink.”
Perfect if you want:
- a dependable morning coffee,
- something smooth in milk,
- or a coffee that never feels overwhelming.
If You Like Dark Chocolate or 70% Cocoa…
You may prefer:
These coffees are richer, heavier and more intense.
Think:
- Dark chocolate
- Spice
- Earthy depth
- Bold finish
They tend to suit people who enjoy:
- stronger espresso,
- less sweetness,
- fuller-bodied drinks.
If You Enjoy Whisky…
For Dayne, this is the coffee’s I turn to! Enjoying a whisky by night after enjoying double epsressos by day!
Im not lying - Coffee preferences often overlap surprisingly closely with whisky preferences. And why we often release our limited edition whisky infused Brazil Santos.
If you enjoy smooth Speyside whiskies
like Glenfiddich or Macallan
You’ll likely enjoy:
These coffees are balanced, approachable and layered without becoming overpowering.
If you prefer smoky Islay whiskies
like Lagavulin or Laphroaig
You may enjoy:
- Sumatra Mandheling
- Monsooned Malabar
These coffees have deeper, heavier flavour profiles with earthy richness and lingering intensity.
If You Prefer Red Wine Over White Wine…
You may naturally lean toward:
These coffees often have:
- heavier body,
- deeper sweetness,
- richer mouthfeel.
If You Love Fruit Teas or Fresh Berries…
You’ll probably enjoy:
These coffees can have:
- berry sweetness,
- citrus brightness,
- floral aromas,
- lighter finishes.
This style surprises many people because it doesn’t taste like the “traditional” dark coffee they expect.
If You Like Caramel Desserts & Biscoff…
You’ll probably love:
Expect:
- caramel sweetness,
- biscuit notes,
- smooth finishes,
- comforting flavours.
Especially on the Mayan, this coffee is full of sultana fruit flavours as a black coffee, but it’s caramel, biscuit, almost biscoff style flavours shine through as a milky latte.
“I Just Want A Strong Coffee” — What Most People Actually Mean
One of the most common questions we hear is:
“What’s your strongest coffee?”
But in reality, “strong” can mean different things to different people.
Usually, customers are looking for one of four things:
- bold flavour,
- rich body,
- low acidity,
- or the classic Italian-style coffee taste.
Once you understand the difference, choosing coffee becomes much easier.
If You Want A Traditional Italian-Style Coffee
You’ll probably enjoy:
- Monsooned Malabar
- Sumatra Mandheling
- Brazil Santos
These coffees tend to have:
- fuller body,
- lower acidity,
- chocolatey richness,
- and that classic deep coffee flavour many people associate with traditional espresso bars.
They work especially well in:
- espresso machines,
- bean-to-cup machines,
- cappuccinos,
- and flat whites.
If you normally drink:
- Lavazza,
- dark espresso blends,
- or strong café coffee,
these are often the best place to start.
Strong Flavour Doesn’t Always Mean More Caffeine
This surprises many people.
A coffee can taste bold and intense without actually containing more caffeine.
Dark chocolate flavours, heavier body and lower acidity often create the feeling of a “stronger” coffee, even when caffeine levels are fairly similar.
That’s why coffees like:
- Sumatra Mandheling,
- Monsooned Malabar,
- and Nicaragua Matagalpa
are often described as strong, rich or powerful.
If You Say “I Don’t Like Sour Coffee…”
You’re probably looking for:
- low acidity,
- chocolatey flavours,
- and fuller-bodied coffees.
We’d usually recommend:
- Brazil Santos
- Monsooned Malabar
- Sumatra Mandheling
These coffees are smooth, rich and comforting without the brighter citrus notes found in some lighter coffees.
If You Usually Buy Supermarket Coffee…
Speciality coffee doesn’t have to mean sharp, fruity or complicated.
Many people are surprised to discover that speciality coffee can actually taste:
- smoother,
- fresher,
- more balanced,
- and less bitter than supermarket coffee.
If you’re transitioning into speciality coffee for the first time, Brazil Santos or Colombia Finca Sofia are excellent starting points.
New To Speciality Coffee? Start Here
If you’re unsure where to begin, these are the coffees we’d usually recommend first.
Choose Brazil Santos if:
- you want smooth everyday coffee,
- you drink milk-based coffees,
- you dislike bitterness,
- you’re moving from supermarket coffee.
Choose Ethiopia Yirgacheffe if:
- you enjoy fruitier flavours,
- you like filter coffee,
- you want to explore brighter speciality coffee flavours.
Choose Monsooned Malabar if:
- you enjoy bold coffee,
- you want low acidity,
- you prefer rich chocolatey flavours,
- you enjoy traditional espresso styles.
Why Do Coffees Taste So Different?
Coffee is a little like wine.
Flavour changes depending on:
- country,
- altitude,
- climate,
- processing method,
- and roasting style.
That’s why an Ethiopian coffee can taste bright and floral, while a Sumatran coffee feels deep and earthy.
The same drink — completely different experience.
Some coffees are designed to be comforting, balanced and approachable. These are the coffees people often return to every morning because they’re dependable, smooth and enjoyable without being overpowering.
You’ll probably enjoy these coffees if you like:
- Milk chocolate flavours
- Caramel sweetness
- Low acidity
- Smooth finishes
- Everyday drinking coffees
Recommended Coffees
Brazil Santos
One of the most classic easy-drinking coffees available. Brazil Santos offers smooth chocolate, nutty sweetness and gentle caramel notes with very low acidity.
Ideal for:
- Espresso
- Bean-to-cup machines
- Flat whites
- Everyday cafetière brewing
Colombia Finca Sofia
Balanced and versatile, with sweetness, body and gentle fruit notes without becoming overly bright or acidic.
A fantastic “all-rounder” coffee for people exploring speciality coffee for the first time.
Some coffees are bold, heavy-bodied and deeply satisfying. These coffees often work beautifully in milk-based drinks and tend to appeal to people moving from traditional dark roasts into speciality coffee.
You’ll probably enjoy these coffees if you like:
- Dark chocolate
- Rich body
- Low acidity
- Bold flavour
- Strong espresso
Recommended Coffees
Monsooned Malabar
A unique Indian coffee exposed to monsoon winds during processing, creating a deep, earthy and incredibly smooth cup with low acidity and huge body.
Expect:
- Spice
- Dark chocolate
- Tobacco-like richness
- Creamy texture
Sumatra Mandheling
Known for its syrupy body and bold flavour profile, Sumatra coffees are loved for their richness and depth.
Excellent for:
- Espresso
- French press
- Strong morning coffee
Not all coffee tastes dark and chocolatey.
Some coffees are vibrant, juicy and floral, with tasting notes that can remind people of berries, citrus or stone fruit. These coffees often shine in filter brewing methods where their complexity can really stand out.
You’ll probably enjoy these coffees if you like:
- Fruit teas
- Lighter flavours
- Wine-like acidity
- Floral aromas
- Pour-over coffee
Recommended Coffees
Ethiopia Yirgacheffe
One of the world’s most famous speciality coffees.
Expect:
- Floral aroma
- Citrus brightness
- Berry sweetness
- Tea-like finish
Perfect for:
- V60
- Chemex
- AeroPress
- Filter coffee
Rwanda Liza
Bright and elegant, often with red fruit sweetness balanced by a clean finish.
An excellent introduction to more fruit-forward coffees without becoming overpowering.
Some coffees sit somewhere in the middle — layered, complex and a little different from the traditional flavour profiles most people expect.
These coffees are brilliant for people who enjoy discovering new flavours and origins.
Recommended Coffees
Guatemala Mayan
Smooth sweetness balanced with gentle fruit character and warming caramel notes.
A beautifully balanced coffee that bridges classic and modern speciality flavours.
El Salvador Diamanté
Elegant, refined and layered with sweetness and subtle complexity.
Ideal for slower brewing methods where the flavour nuances can fully develop.
Mexico Finca Teresa Decaf
Decaf doesn’t have to mean compromise.
Using mountain water decaffeination, this coffee keeps its sweetness and body while remaining smooth and enjoyable at any time of day.
Different coffees can shine depending on how you brew them.
Best Coffees For Espresso Machines
- Brazil Santos
- Monsooned Malabar
- Colombia Finca Sofia
These coffees provide body, sweetness and balance that work beautifully as espresso or milk-based drinks.
Best Coffees For Cafetière / French Press
- Sumatra Mandheling
- Guatemala Mayan
- Brazil Santos
French press brewing highlights body and richness, making these coffees particularly satisfying.
Best Coffees For Pour-Over & Filter
- Ethiopia Yirgacheffe
- Rwanda Liza
- El Salvador Diamanté
These brewing methods allow more delicate fruit and floral flavours to shine.
Best Coffees For Bean-to-Cup Machines
- Brazil Santos
- Colombia Finca Sofia
- Guatemala Mayan
Balanced coffees with medium body tend to work best in automatic machines.
The Acorns Coffee Approach
At Acorns Coffee Roastery, we don’t roast coffee to chase trends or overly complicated tasting notes.
We roast coffee to be enjoyable.
That means:
- coffees with balance,
- coffees people actually want to drink every day,
- and coffees that remain approachable whether you’re completely new to speciality coffee or years into the journey.
Great coffee shouldn’t feel intimidating.
It should simply taste brilliant.
Don’t Overthink It
One of the best parts of speciality coffee is discovering what you personally enjoy.
Some people love bright Ethiopian coffees. Others want rich chocolatey espresso every morning. Neither is “better” — they’re simply different experiences.
The fun comes from exploring.
At Acorns Coffee Roastery, every coffee we roast is selected because we genuinely enjoy drinking it ourselves. Whether you prefer smooth and comforting or bright and adventurous, there’s always something new to discover.
And if you’re ever unsure where to start, we’re always happy to help guide you towards your perfect cup.
