A flavor-focused guide for home brewers who care about quality coffee

Have you ever taken a sip of coffee that made you pause, even for a moment? That’s the magic of specialty coffee.

Specialty coffee isn’t just “better coffee.” It’s coffee that’s carefully farmed, thoughtfully sourced, expertly roasted, and brewed with attention to detail. And the best part? You don’t need to live near a boutique café to enjoy it. Today, you can order exceptional coffee online and have it freshly roasted and delivered right to your door anywhere in the United States.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore specialty coffee or you’re already well into the world of beans, this guide will help you find the perfect coffee for your taste and brewing style.

 

WHAT MAKES COFFEE “SPECIALTY”?

To be considered specialty coffee, beans usually score 80+ points on the Specialty Coffee Association scale. But that score is only the beginning. Specialty coffee also embodies:

• Traceability: Knowing exactly where your coffee comes from
• Freshness: Roasted to order, not sitting on a shelf
• Clarity of flavor: Notes that go beyond “coffee” or generic roast flavors
• Respect for people: Farmers, producers, roasters, baristas, and coffee drinkers

It’s a chain built on care and quality, not shortcuts.

 

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT COFFEE FOR YOU

Start by thinking about how you enjoy your coffee:

COFFEE STYLE	LOOK FOR	FLAVOR NOTES
Flat White / Latte / Cappuccino / Gibraltar	Medium/dark roast blends	Chocolate, caramel, smooth sweetness
Black Espresso	Medium roast blends or single origin	Cocoa, citrus, toffee, stone fruit
Filter / Pourover / Plunger	Light roast single origins	Berries, florals, bright citrus

There’s no wrong choice — it’s all about what makes your cup enjoyable.

 

OUR SPECIALTY COFFEE BLENDS ROASTED IN THE USA

We roast four signature blends for our U.S. customers, each highlighting a unique flavor profile. Our philosophy is simple: Flavor first. Curiosity always. No shortcuts.

 

CORCOVADO — COMFORTING, SMOOTH, FAMILIAR

Designed, sourced and roasted for smooth, chocolatey, nutty and indulgent milk coffees.

Flavor Profile:

• Black: Mandarin, macadamia, dark chocolate
• White: Caramel cheesecake, vanilla, Bounty bar notes

Best For: Milk-based drinks like flat whites, lattes, and cappuccinos. Corcovado is a comforting daily companion — familiar, smooth, and satisfying.
→ Shop Corcovado

 

BLACKBIRD — BALANCED, STRUCTURED, WITH A HINT OF FRUIT

Designed, sourced and roasted for intense dark chocolate and caramel flavors with fruity undertones, creating delicious and sweet white coffee that taste like Black Forest Cake.

Flavor Profile:

• Black: Orange zest, black tea, baker’s chocolate
• White: Hazelnut, toffee, 70% dark chocolate

Best For: Espresso drinkers who want balance, depth, and a subtle brightness. Works equally well black or with milk.
→ Shop Blackbird

 

MAILMAN — JUICY, SWEET, COMPLEX

A fruit bomb! Our highest quality espresso blend with structured acidity and smooth body.

Flavor Profile:

• Black: Blackberry, blueberry, cherry
• Milk: Blueberry muffin, milk chocolate

Best For: Filter brewers, espresso explorers, or anyone seeking fruit-forward, lively coffee. Mailman is playful, flavorful, and full of sunshine.
→ Shop Mailman

 

LIBERTANGO — BRIGHT, LIVELY, ELEGANT

A high quality, 100% washed blend boasting citrus and stone fruit notes for vibrant espresso or gently flavored milk drinks.

Flavor Profile:

• Black: Apricot, lime, grapefruit
• White: Peach, cashew, white chocolate

Best For: Milk or black coffee drinkers who enjoy refined, elegant sweetness. Libertango is expressive without being overpowering — bright, clean, and graceful.
→ Shop Libertango

 

WHICH BLEND SHOULD YOU TRY FIRST?

PREFERENCE	BEST CHOICE
Classic café flavor in milk	Corcovado
Balanced espresso with depth	Blackbird
Juicy, fruit-forward	Mailman
Clean, refined clarity	Libertango

 

If you’re unsure, our Blend Bonanza is a great place to start – 10oz of each blend to taste and find your favorite! Shop Blend Bonanza.

 

FRESHNESS MATTERS

When ordering specialty coffee online, look for:

• A roast date (not just “best before”)
• Transparency about origin and processing
• Post-roast shipping rather than beans stored in a warehouse

Fresh coffee should feel vibrant in your cup.

 

WHY WE ROAST THIS WAY

Zest started in Melbourne, Australia — one of the most influential coffee cultures in the world. Our approach is simple:

• Highlight the natural character of the coffee
• Share knowledge generously
• Help people brew better coffee at home or in a café

We roast to bring out the unique flavor of each bean, letting its terroir and varietal shine through. Great coffee should make you feel something.

 

ORDER SPECIALTY COFFEE ONLINE — FRESH IN THE USA

We roast fresh.
We ship quickly.
We care — genuinely.

→ Shop Beans (USA)

 

A FINAL THOUGHT

The best coffee isn’t just the one with the highest score. It’s the coffee that makes your morning a little brighter, a quiet moment a little sweeter, and your day just a touch more enjoyable.

Explore. Discover. Enjoy the flavor.