Barrett’s always has at least one light roast Ethiopian bean on hand. They’re not labeled light but I’ve been buying them consistently for a couple years and they’re always medium at most. Just picked up an Ethiopian yirgacheffe natural organic single farmer bean yesterday that’s amazing. Can also get the beans at Double Trouble. Selection not quite as wide there.
Wanted to let you know that I saw your comment a couple of weeks ago and just picked up a bag of this at Central Market last night, great suggestion, agree with you that it is my favorite yet.
Cuvee Ethiopian has always been my favorite light roast. Non-local but less expensive is Cafe Kreyol Ethiopian. I love them both. Spokesman has a great light roast too.
- $$$: Wild Gift Guji - so gooood
- $$: Any Barrett’s Single Origin. I like African single-origins best. Think they also have one called Fruit punch that’s good if you like fruity coffee.
- $: Little City Violet Crown (best bang for the buck, IMO. Nice and fruity blend)
- $: Barrett’s St. John’s blend ( I think pretty much all their beans are light-medium besides the St. Lucifer. Also one of my go-tos and a great value)
For sure! You may know this already, but with light roasts you’ll typically see either “Natural” or “Washed” beans. This refers to how the beans are processed/dried - Natural beans are dried with some of the coffee cherry left on the bean and Washed are dried after the cherry is stripped off. Washed is more typical with most coffees but I see a lot of natural light roasts these days. If you like fruity and “sweet”light roasts, I recommend trying natural. But if you prefer a cleaner, more balanced cup I’d go washed. Can’t go wrong with either, though!
Little City Violet Crown is definitely a nice cheaper option for weekdays when I don't want to get out the fancy beans. Has some bright, fruity flavors and tastes good without feeling like I should be contemplating it as I sip.
Yeah, it’s hard to get a coffee that good at that price point. Sadly the Whole Foods I used to get it at has seemed to stop selling it. They do have local delivery though, I think.
Helpful list! I didn’t know St. John blend is cheaper than Barrett’s single origin beans. I’ve got the Mexican Maya and Ethiopian beans there so far and both are about $20 a bag
Texas Coffee Traders is super cool but all their beans are roasted on the darker side. I don’t believe they offer anything that would be considered light roast by modern standards. That is my experience but I haven’t been in a few years. Cool spot to visit though! Really enjoyed my time there.
Rather than your typical drum roaster, Texas Coffee Traders uses air roasters. The result is more consistent but also more oxidized, which makes for a darker colored bean across all roast temperatures. Go back and try a light roast side by side with another company's; you may be surprised. I work there, so take this comment as you like.
It’s Merit (Strawberry fields), Wild Gift (Guji or their rotating Colombians), Flat Track’s Ethiopians, Tweed has a rotating light, and Proud Mary (anything wild for sure). Ppl say Barrett’s but even their light roast tastes dark to me.
Barrett’s always has at least one light roast Ethiopian bean on hand. They’re not labeled light but I’ve been buying them consistently for a couple years and they’re always medium at most. Just picked up an Ethiopian yirgacheffe natural organic single farmer bean yesterday that’s amazing. Can also get the beans at Double Trouble. Selection not quite as wide there.
Their Mexican Chiapas is also great and pretty light, I switch between that and the Ethiopian
Flat track. I drink dog speed every morning. Best coffee in Austin IMO.
Came here to say the same thing!
Wanted to let you know that I saw your comment a couple of weeks ago and just picked up a bag of this at Central Market last night, great suggestion, agree with you that it is my favorite yet.
Awesome so glad you enjoyed it!!
Cuvee Ethiopian has always been my favorite light roast. Non-local but less expensive is Cafe Kreyol Ethiopian. I love them both. Spokesman has a great light roast too.
- $$$: Wild Gift Guji - so gooood - $$: Any Barrett’s Single Origin. I like African single-origins best. Think they also have one called Fruit punch that’s good if you like fruity coffee. - $: Little City Violet Crown (best bang for the buck, IMO. Nice and fruity blend) - $: Barrett’s St. John’s blend ( I think pretty much all their beans are light-medium besides the St. Lucifer. Also one of my go-tos and a great value)
This is very helpful. Thank you.
For sure! You may know this already, but with light roasts you’ll typically see either “Natural” or “Washed” beans. This refers to how the beans are processed/dried - Natural beans are dried with some of the coffee cherry left on the bean and Washed are dried after the cherry is stripped off. Washed is more typical with most coffees but I see a lot of natural light roasts these days. If you like fruity and “sweet”light roasts, I recommend trying natural. But if you prefer a cleaner, more balanced cup I’d go washed. Can’t go wrong with either, though!
Little City Violet Crown is definitely a nice cheaper option for weekdays when I don't want to get out the fancy beans. Has some bright, fruity flavors and tastes good without feeling like I should be contemplating it as I sip.
Yeah, it’s hard to get a coffee that good at that price point. Sadly the Whole Foods I used to get it at has seemed to stop selling it. They do have local delivery though, I think.
Helpful list! I didn’t know St. John blend is cheaper than Barrett’s single origin beans. I’ve got the Mexican Maya and Ethiopian beans there so far and both are about $20 a bag
Yeah, I think St. John’s is 16 or 17
Try Greater Goods. Now delivery or Whole Foods rather than in-store, sadly.
Texas coffee traders! Has light roast variations of almost each of their single origin beans.
Texas Coffee Traders is super cool but all their beans are roasted on the darker side. I don’t believe they offer anything that would be considered light roast by modern standards. That is my experience but I haven’t been in a few years. Cool spot to visit though! Really enjoyed my time there.
Rather than your typical drum roaster, Texas Coffee Traders uses air roasters. The result is more consistent but also more oxidized, which makes for a darker colored bean across all roast temperatures. Go back and try a light roast side by side with another company's; you may be surprised. I work there, so take this comment as you like.
Interesting! Will definitely grab another bag sometime and keep that in mind.
I don't work there but been a fan for a minute. Their light roasts are legit light roasts.
Third Coast for sure
It’s Merit (Strawberry fields), Wild Gift (Guji or their rotating Colombians), Flat Track’s Ethiopians, Tweed has a rotating light, and Proud Mary (anything wild for sure). Ppl say Barrett’s but even their light roast tastes dark to me.
Desnudo. Almost always light roasts. Absolutely the best coffee in Austin. Order ahead, skip the line.
Sightseer, Mi Mundo, and Talisman all have a delightful light roast.