The Bean Broker Guide

The best coffee beans you can buy right now.

Six independent U.S. micro-roasters we'd order from this week — vetted in person, drunk repeatedly, and ranked by what's actually in the cup. No affiliate links. No sponsorships. Just our honest list.

01

Black & White Coffee Roasters

Wake Forest, NC

Bean
Ethiopia Hambela Hassen Suleiman
Tasting Notes
Jasmine, ripe peach, dark chocolate finish.

Lance Hedrick's roastery is one of the most technically obsessive in the country. Their light roasts taste like the farm — clean, bright, never thin.

02

Sey Coffee

Brooklyn, NY

Bean
Kenya Karatu AA
Tasting Notes
Blackcurrant, hibiscus, cane sugar.

Sey only buys coffees they'd drink themselves, then roasts them lighter than almost anyone. The Kenyas are a religious experience.

03

Onyx Coffee Lab

Rogers, AR

Bean
Geometry Blend
Tasting Notes
Milk chocolate, almond, cherry.

Onyx is what happens when a serious roaster scales without losing the plot. Their espresso blends are some of the most balanced in the U.S.

04

Madcap Coffee

Grand Rapids, MI

Bean
Third Coast Espresso
Tasting Notes
Caramel, brown sugar, baker's chocolate.

Madcap's been doing this quietly and well for 15 years. Third Coast pulls beautifully on any setup and is forgiving for home baristas.

05

Passenger Coffee

Lancaster, PA

Bean
Colombia La Palma y El Tucán
Tasting Notes
Strawberry candy, lime, honey.

Passenger sources experimental processes you usually only see at world barista competitions, then roasts them with restraint.

06

Heart Coffee Roasters

Portland, OR

Bean
Stereo Blend
Tasting Notes
Plum, cocoa, malt.

Heart helped define the Nordic-style light roast in the U.S. Two decades in, they're still one of the most consistent roasters anywhere.

Don't want to choose?

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