How to Choose Coffee Beans: A Complete Buyer’s Guide

October 11, 2024

How to Choose the Right Coffee for Your Brew Method

Not all coffees suit all brew methods. The way you brew determines the flavour compounds extracted, the body of the cup, the acidity, and the intensity — and the coffee you choose should be matched to your brewing style. Whether you’re pulling espresso, brewing pour over, or pressing a French press, here’s how to choose the right coffee for the job.

Espresso: Choose Bold, Well-Structured Coffees

Espresso extracts coffee under pressure in a short time — typically 25–30 seconds. This concentrated extraction magnifies both the strengths and weaknesses of the bean. For espresso, you want coffees that are:

Medium to dark roast — lighter roasts can taste sour or sharp under espresso pressure
Well-balanced — a good blend of sweetness, acidity and body
Low to medium acidity — bright, high-acid coffees can become uncomfortably sharp as espresso

Classic espresso blends from Brazil, Colombia, and El Salvador work beautifully. Browse espresso blends on myroast™ curated for exactly this purpose.

Pour Over: Highlight Delicate and Fruity Origins

Pour over brewing is a slow, careful process that rewards complexity and subtlety. Water flows through the grounds gently and evenly, extracting vibrant, nuanced flavours that immersion methods can’t match. For pour over, choose:

Light to medium roast — these preserve the original character of the bean
High-quality single origins — Ethiopian, Kenyan, Guatemalan, and Colombian coffees particularly shine
Fruity, floral or tea-like profiles — the clarity of pour over makes these notes sing

Explore single origin coffees on myroast™ for pour over-ready options.

French Press: Go for Body and Richness

French press is forgiving and full-flavoured. The metal filter means oils and fine particles remain in the cup, giving a heavier, richer body. For French press, choose:

Medium to dark roast — these produce the chocolatey, nutty, bold flavours that suit the method
Brazilian, Sumatran or blended coffees — earthy, full-bodied origins work well
Coarse grind — always grind coarser for French press to avoid muddy, over-extracted results

Cold Brew, Moka Pot and AeroPress

Cold Brew → Medium-dark roast, extra-coarse grind. Rich, chocolatey blends work beautifully. Avoid very light roasts — cold brew can make them taste flat.
Moka Pot → Medium to dark roast, fine grind (slightly coarser than espresso). A classic Italian-style roast produces the authentic strong, bold stovetop coffee.
AeroPress → Highly versatile — you can brew espresso-style or filter-style. Experiment with medium roasts and adjust grind and steep time to taste.

Need help finding the right coffee? Browse the full range at myroast™ and filter by roast level and flavour profile.

Find Your Perfect Coffee on myroast™

The right coffee for your brew method is out there — and myroast™ makes it easy to find. Shop freshly roasted coffees from Australia’s best independent specialty roasters, with detailed tasting notes, roast dates, and origin information to help you choose with confidence. Start exploring today.