The enthusiast's Guide

As a coffee roaster, one of the most common questions I hear is: “What is the best coffee bean?”

It’s a deceptively simple question — and one I secretly dread almost as much as the infamous, “Can you recommend a coffee for me?” curveball. The truth is, there’s no single “best” bean. The answer depends on your brew method, your personal taste preferences, and countless variables in extraction.

☕ Narrowing the Search: Milk‑Based Espresso for the Majority

For the sake of this discussion, let’s set some boundaries:

• We’re talking about coffee that appeals to the broad majority of Australian coffee drinkers.

• We’re focusing on milk‑based espresso beverages — the flat whites, cappuccinos, and lattes that dominate café menus.

So, what does the “ideal” bean for this audience taste like? From years of customer feedback, the winning profile is:

• Full body

• Bright acidity (but not overpowering)

• Rich, classic coffee flavour

• Hints of chocolate

• Sweet, clean finish

🍫 Chocolate vs. Fruit: What Most Coffee Drinkers Prefer

While the influence of fruit notes in coffee is gaining recognition — much like wine appreciation evolved — most everyday coffee drinkers still gravitate toward smooth, chocolatey, and sweet flavour profiles.

African coffees, particularly from Ethiopia and Kenya, often showcase intense fruit character. These can be polarising:

• About half of first‑time tasters are instantly delighted.

• The other half need time to process the unexpected flavours — often coming back later to say they enjoyed it after all.

🌏 Why PNG and Colombian Coffees Win Hearts

When introducing customers to single origin coffee they haven’t tried before, I’ve found that Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Colombian beans consistently win over the most people.

Why?

• Australians have grown up with these origins in café blends for over 30 years.

• They deliver a rich, smooth, rounded flavour that feels familiar yet satisfying.

• Many PNG and Colombian coffees cover more of the coffee flavour wheel than other origins — offering balance without extremes.

💎 Honourable Mention: Jamaica Blue Mountain

Jamaica Blue Mountain (JBM) coffees — and related varietals found in PNG — also fit this balanced, crowd‑pleasing profile. However, their high price and limited availability make them a niche choice for well‑informed, well‑funded coffee lovers.

✅ The Safe Bet for Most Coffee Drinkers

If your goal is to create a coffee that appeals to the general Australian palate, you can’t go wrong with:

• High‑quality PNG beans

• High‑quality Colombian beans

Personally, I adore the complexity of African coffees — but a great PNG or Colombian can absolutely make my day.