u/GB-Signal73

The more I get into specialty coffee the more I realise I don't have a consistent way to judge whether a roaster is worth trying. I look at tasting notes, check if they list a roast date, maybe scroll their Instagram — but honestly it feels pretty random.

What do experienced buyers actually look at? I'm trying to build a better system for myself and curious whether there are things I'm completely overlooking.

I've started to distrust most of the signals I used to rely on. Nice packaging, good Instagram, even detailed tasting notes — none of it reliably predicts whether I'll actually enjoy the coffee.

So I'm curious what you use instead. Is there anything you look at — sourcing info, roast dates, certifications, how they talk about their farmers — that genuinely correlates with quality in your experience? Or is it just impossible to know until the bag arrives?

What do you actually look at when judging whether a coffee roaster is worth trying? I’m trying to figure out if there are things I’m missing beyond just flavor notes. What matters most to you beyond taste?

When you try a roaster you’ve never heard of before, how do you actually decide whether to buy? I find it really hard to evaluate them properly. Is there a system you use, or is it mostly vibes and trial and error?