How Origin, Roast & Process Affect Your Coffee's Taste

Ever wondered why one coffee tastes bright and fruity while another feels rich and chocolatey? The secret lies in a few critical choices made before you even open the bag.

At Loma, we believe flavour is a journey - so here are the top 3 things that shape the taste of your coffee.

1. Processing Method

The way a coffee bean is processed has a huge impact on flavour. Processing defines the way fruit is removed from the seed:

Washed Process: The washed process is a method of processing coffee where the fruit is removed from the beans using water before they are dried. This technique helps highlight the coffee’s intrinsic qualities—producing a clean, crisp cup with bright acidity and well-defined flavours - highlighting the origin and variety.

Natural Process: The natural process involves drying the whole coffee cherry with the fruit still intact around the bean. This method allows the sugars and flavors from the fruit to infuse into the bean, often resulting in a sweeter, fruitier cup with heavier body and lower acidity.

Getting to know your processing methods helps you choose a coffee profile you’ll love-whether that’s bright and tea-like or jammy and sweet.

2. Origin & Variety

Where a coffee is grown-and what variety it is, plays a major role in its taste.

Ethiopia: Often floral, fruity, and citric. Try this
Kenya: Known for juicy, blackcurrant notes. Try this
Brazil: Offers nutty, chocolatey profiles perfect for comfort brews.
Colombian: Offers a well-rounded cup with bright acidity, caramel sweetness, and a clean finish. Colombian coffees are incredibly versatile, making them a favourite among home brewers and cafés alike. Try this or That

Understanding coffee origins helps you spot the flavours you enjoy and build a deeper connection with your brew.

3. Roast Style

Light, medium, or dark roast? It matters.

Lighter roasts: Best for filter brewing-highlight delicate, fruity notes.
Medium roasts: Ideal for both filter and espresso-a balance of sweetness, body, and acidity. These coffees are smooth, approachable, and versatile.
Darker roasts: Better for espresso-bold, rich, and full-bodied.

Two roasters can roast the same bean differently-resulting in completely unique flavour profiles. Look for roast level and brew style (filter vs espresso) on the label when choosing your next bag.

Flavour doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a combination of process, place, and craft. Knowing just a little about each of these factors can completely transform your coffee experience-whether you’re a home brewer or a curious sipper. Trying different coffees and learning more about them can help you learn what coffee you love.

Ready to explore? At Loma, we’re here to help you find a blend that fits your flavour journey.

If you would like some help choosing what coffee to choose- don’t be afraid to reach out to us. We’d love to chat with you.

Find your favourite bean