Top 7 Green Coffee Bean Varieties to Roast with Your Fresh Roast

The magic of coffee begins long before it reaches your cup. For home roasters, the choice of green coffee beans is just as important as the roast profile. Different origins and varieties bring unique flavors, aromas, and textures to the final brew. With a Fresh Roast roaster—like the SR540 or SR800—you can explore these differences from the comfort of your kitchen.

In this guide, we’ll break down seven of the most popular green coffee bean varieties for home roasting, explain their flavor profiles, and share roasting tips to help you unlock their full potential.

1. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe

Flavor Profile

• Floral, tea-like, and bright acidity

• Notes of jasmine, bergamot, and citrus

Roasting Tips

• Best showcased as a light roast to preserve delicate floral and fruity notes.

• Finish just after first crack.

Why It’s Great for Fresh Roast Users

• The SR540 allows precise control, making it perfect for capturing Yirgacheffe’s subtle complexity.

Perfect Daily Grind highlights why Ethiopian coffees are often prized for their bright, floral qualities.

2. Colombian Supremo

Flavor Profile

• Smooth body, medium acidity

• Caramel, chocolate, and nutty undertones

Roasting Tips

• Shines as a medium roast (Full City).

• Balanced profile makes it a crowd favorite.

Why It’s Great for Fresh Roast Users

• The SR800 handles larger batches, ideal for this versatile bean enjoyed daily.

3. Sumatran Mandheling

Flavor Profile

• Earthy, syrupy body, low acidity

• Notes of dark chocolate, tobacco, and spice

Roasting Tips

• Thrives as a dark roast, enhancing bold, earthy qualities.

• Push into or just past second crack.

Why It’s Great for Fresh Roast Users

• Fresh Roast’s quick heat adjustment helps balance Mandheling’s density for even roasting.

Coffee Review notes that Sumatran coffees are prized for their heavy body and earthy flavors.

4. Guatemalan Antigua

Flavor Profile

• Bright, crisp acidity with cocoa and spice

• Complex balance of fruit and chocolate notes

Roasting Tips

• Performs well at medium roast, balancing acidity with sweetness.

• Great for espresso blends.

Why It’s Great for Fresh Roast Users

• Compact and consistent, the SR540 makes it easy to capture Antigua’s sweet-spicy complexity.

5. Brazilian Santos

Flavor Profile

• Mild body and low acidity

• Nutty, chocolatey, smooth finish

Roasting Tips

• Works beautifully as a medium to dark roast.

• Perfect base for blends.

Why It’s Great for Fresh Roast Users

• Affordable and forgiving, Santos is a great starter bean for those new to roasting.

6. Kenyan AA

Flavor Profile

• Bold acidity and fruity sweetness

• Notes of blackcurrant, citrus, and wine-like tones

Roasting Tips

• Highlighted as a light to medium roast.

• Retains bright, fruity character.

Why It’s Great for Fresh Roast Users

• With adjustable airflow and heat, Fresh Roast models bring out Kenya’s intense fruit flavors.

Specialty Coffee Association explains why Kenyan AA beans are globally recognized for their distinctive fruit-forward cup.

7. Costa Rican Tarrazú

Flavor Profile

• Clean, bright acidity with medium body

• Sweet citrus, honey, and cocoa undertones

Roasting Tips

• Best as a medium roast, striking a balance between acidity and sweetness.

Why It’s Great for Fresh Roast Users

• Works especially well for manual brewing methods like pour-over when roasted in smaller, controlled batches.

Tips for Choosing and Storing Green Beans

• Buy Fresh: Always purchase from reputable sources. Fresh beans retain flavor for months to years, unlike roasted beans.

• Store Properly: Keep beans in a cool, dry place in airtight containers.

• Experiment: Try roasting the same bean to different levels to compare flavor shifts.

FAQs

Q: Can I blend green beans before roasting?
Yes, but most roasters prefer roasting each origin separately, then blending for consistency.

Q: How long do green beans last?
Properly stored, green beans can last 12–18 months without major quality loss.

Q: Which beans are best for beginners?
Brazilian Santos and Colombian Supremo are forgiving, affordable, and versatile.

Q: Where can I buy these beans?
Home Roasting Supplies offers bundles and single-origin green beans ideal for use with Fresh Roast machines.

Exploring different green coffee bean varieties is one of the best parts of home roasting. From Ethiopian’s floral brightness to Sumatran’s earthy depth, each origin tells a story in the cup. With the Fresh Roast SR540 or SR800, you have the tools to unlock these flavors and build your roasting skills.

Start experimenting with these seven origins and discover which ones become your personal favorites.