How to Choose the Right Coffee • Firehouse Coffee

Walking into the coffee section of the store and realizing there are about a hundred different options can be a little overwhelming.

Light roast. Medium roast. Dark roast. Whole bean. Ground. Flavored. Decaf. And then there are all the different flavors and blends.

How do you choose the right coffee for your taste?

The good news is that choosing coffee doesn't have to be complicated. A little understanding of what you like can go a long way.

Start With the Roast

One of the easiest places to start is with the coffee roast level.

Light Roast Coffee

Light roast coffee is generally lighter in body and tends to let more of the coffee bean's natural characteristics come through. Depending on the beans, you may notice brighter, fruitier, or more acidic notes.

If you like coffee that tastes a little more delicate or complex, a light roast may be a good place to start.

Medium Roast Coffee

Medium roast coffee is a popular middle ground. It has a balanced combination of body, acidity, and roast flavor.

If you're not sure where to start, medium roast coffee is often a safe choice because it isn't as light and bright as a light roast or as bold as a dark roast.

Dark Roast Coffee

Dark roast coffee is roasted to a darker level, which develops deeper, bolder roast flavors. You may notice more smoky, rich, or bittersweet characteristics.

If you like a strong, bold cup of coffee, dark roast may be the direction to go.

Traditional Coffee or Flavored Coffee?

This is where things get more interesting.

Traditional coffee lets the characteristics of the roast and beans take center stage. But flavored coffee adds another layer to the cup.

And flavored coffee doesn't have to mean an overly sweet cup.

At Firehouse Coffee, our flavored coffees range from familiar favorites to some combinations you probably wouldn't expect to find in a coffee bag.

Think Shoofly Pie, Bacon & Maple, Waffle Cone, Bananas Foster, S’mores, Apple Cookie Butter, and Habanero Peanut Butter.

If you already know you like certain foods, use that as a starting point.

Love desserts? Try a dessert-inspired coffee.

Like fruity flavors? Look for something with fruit notes.

Prefer something classic? Start with a traditional roast.

There isn't one “right” kind of coffee. It's about finding what you actually enjoy drinking.

Ground or Whole Bean Coffee?

Your brewing routine can also help determine whether you should buy ground or whole bean coffee.

Ground coffee is convenient and ready to brew. If you want to open the bag, scoop your coffee, and get your morning started, ground coffee makes sense.

Whole bean coffee gives you the option to grind your beans right before brewing. Many coffee drinkers prefer this because grinding exposes more of the coffee to oxygen, which can speed up the loss of freshness.

If you have a coffee grinder at home and don't mind an extra step, whole bean coffee is worth trying.

Don't Forget About Decaf Coffee

Want the flavor of coffee with much less caffeine?

Decaf coffee is an easy option, and you don't have to give up flavored coffee to get it. Our decaf is made with Swiss Water® Process decaffeinated coffee beans.

Many Firehouse Coffee flavored coffees are available in decaf, so your favorite flavor doesn't necessarily have to disappear when you want to cut back on caffeine.

What Kind of Coffee Drinker Are You?

Still not sure?

Try thinking about your usual preferences.

• If you like bold and rich: Look for a darker roast.
• If you like balanced and familiar: Try a medium roast.
• If you like trying something different: Explore flavored coffee.
• If convenience matters most: Choose ground coffee.
• If freshness and grinding your own beans matter to you: Try whole bean coffee.
• If you want less caffeine: Look for decaf.

And don't be afraid to experiment. Your favorite coffee today might not be the coffee you would have picked a year ago.

Find Your Next Favorite Coffee

At Firehouse Coffee, we roast our coffee fresh in small batches in Maxatawny, Pennsylvania.

Along with traditional coffees, we offer more than 40 flavored coffee options, including ground coffee, whole bean coffee, K-Cups, and decaf.

Whether you already know exactly what you want or you're still figuring out your coffee preferences, there's always another coffee worth trying!

Ready to find your next favorite? Explore Firehouse Coffee's selection of freshly roasted coffee and flavored coffee online or stop by our shop in Maxatawny, PA.