What Coffee Should You Try Next?

Your next favorite coffee might be one small step outside your usual order.

Maybe you love a bold morning cup but want something smoother. Maybe you’re curious about fruity coffees but don’t know where to start. Or maybe your current bag just isn’t giving you a reason to get excited about brewing.

Start with what you already enjoy, then follow your curiosity.

If You Like Bold, Rich Coffee

Try a medium-dark or dark roast with tasting notes like dark chocolate, toasted nuts, or caramel.

These coffees often emphasize deeper, roasted flavors. They can be a satisfying choice if you enjoy a full-flavored cup or regularly add milk.

Your next move: Look for chocolate-forward tasting notes. If your usual coffee tastes too smoky or bitter, try a slightly lighter roast.

If You Like Smooth, Balanced Coffee

Try a medium roast with notes of milk chocolate, nuts, or gentle fruit sweetness.

A medium roast is a useful starting point when you want to explore without making a dramatic change. Depending on the beans and how you brew them, you might find a balance of sweetness, brightness, and roasted flavor.

Your next move: Choose a bag with familiar tasting notes, then see what you notice as the coffee cools.

If You Like Bright, Fruity Flavors

Try a light or medium-light roast with notes of berries, citrus, or stone fruit.

These coffees can taste noticeably different from a traditional dark roast. “Bright” usually describes a lively acidity—think of the refreshing quality of fruit.

Your next move: Start with a coffee described as sweet and fruity. Taste it black first, even if you usually add milk, so you can explore its character.

If You Like Floral, Tea-Like Drinks

Look for coffees with notes of jasmine, bergamot, or delicate fruit.

Some coffees have a lighter body and fragrant aromas that may appeal to tea drinkers. A pour-over can be a good way to explore those subtler qualities.

Your next move: Look for floral tasting notes and give yourself time to sip slowly.

If You Usually Add Milk or Cream

Start with a medium or dark roast featuring chocolate, caramel, or nutty notes.

Those flavors often pair well with dairy and plant-based milk. If your coffee seems to disappear once you add milk, try brewing a little stronger before changing beans.

Your next move: Taste your next coffee both before and after adding milk. Choose the one you enjoy in your everyday cup.

If You Want Something Different Without More Caffeine

Explore decaf using the same flavor preferences you would use for any other coffee.

Decaf comes in a range of roast levels and flavor profiles. Look for tasting notes that sound appealing, whether that means chocolate and nuts or something brighter.

Your next move: Pick a decaf based on flavor rather than treating it as a separate category of taste.

Let Your Brewing Method Help You Choose

Your beans are only part of the experience. How you brew them shapes what ends up in your cup.

• Drip brewer: Start with a medium roast for a familiar baseline.

• French press: Try a chocolatey or nutty coffee if you enjoy a fuller-bodied cup.

• Pour-over: Explore fruity or floral coffees to discover more delicate flavors.

• Espresso: Start with a balanced, chocolate-forward coffee, then branch out as you learn what you like.

• Cold brew: Try chocolate or caramel notes first, then experiment with brighter coffees.

These are starting points. Any roast can work across brewing methods with a little adjustment.

What Do Tasting Notes Actually Mean?

When a bag says “chocolate, cherry, and caramel,” it usually describes flavors and aromas found naturally in the brewed coffee—not added ingredients. Flavored coffee is different, so check the product description if you’re unsure.

You don’t have to identify every note on the bag. Simply noticing “this tastes sweeter” or “I like this one better with milk” is enough to guide your next choice.

Change One Thing at a Time

The easiest way to discover what you enjoy is to keep your brewing routine consistent while trying a new coffee.

Use the same brewer, water amount, and coffee dose. Then pay attention to the differences. Is the new cup brighter? Richer? More enjoyable as it cools?

If possible, start with a smaller bag. Give yourself a few brews to adjust before deciding whether it’s your new favorite.

Find Your Next Favorite Cup

Choose one direction: rich and chocolatey, smooth and balanced, or bright and fruity.

You don’t need to become a coffee expert to find something you love. Start with a flavor that sounds good, brew a cup, and let your taste lead the way.

Keep your curiosity brewing.