If you love coffee, you know the magic starts with the right coffee beans. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned coffee drinker, this guide will help you choose the perfect beans for your taste, brewing method, and lifestyle. At The Wild Roaster in Deerfield, Illinois, we roast small batches of premium coffee beans for customers here in Deerfield and across the North Shore — including Highland Park, Lake Forest, Northbrook, Bannockburn, Glenview, and Winnetka — as well as ship nationwide.

Types of Coffee Beans: Arabica vs. Robusta

Understanding the difference between coffee bean types is key to finding your ideal cup:

• Arabica Coffee Beans – Smooth, complex, and aromatic with higher acidity. Grown at high altitudes in cooler climates. Most specialty coffee is 100% Arabica.

• Robusta Coffee Beans – Bold, strong, with earthy and nutty flavors. Contains more caffeine and grows well at lower altitudes. Often used in espresso blends for extra crema.

Coffee Varietals and Growing Regions

Coffee’s flavor is shaped by its varietal and origin — a combination of altitude, climate, and soil (terroir).

Latin American Coffee Beans

• Colombian Coffee: Bright acidity, caramel sweetness, nutty undertones.

• Costa Rican Coffee: Clean, crisp, with fruity and floral notes.

• Guatemalan Coffee: Full-bodied, with chocolate and spice hints.

African Coffee Beans

• Ethiopian Coffee: Floral, fruity, often with blueberry or jasmine notes.

• Kenyan Coffee: Juicy, berry-forward, with lively acidity.

Asia-Pacific Coffee Beans

• Sumatran Coffee: Earthy, rich, and full-bodied with herbal undertones.

• Papua New Guinea Coffee: Smooth, tropical fruit and cocoa flavors.

Popular Specialty Coffee Varietals

• Bourbon / Typica: Sweet, balanced, and complex.

• SL28 / SL34 (Kenya): Bright acidity, fruit-forward.

• Geisha Coffee: Exotic floral aroma, prized for rarity.

Coffee Roast Levels – From Light to Dark

Choosing the right coffee roast is as important as picking the right bean:

• Light Roast Coffee: Preserves the bean’s origin flavors — bright, fruity, floral.

• Medium Roast Coffee: Balanced flavor, body, and sweetness.

• Dark Roast Coffee: Bold, smoky, with chocolate and caramel notes.

At The Wild Roaster, our Deerfield coffee roasting team carefully calibrates every batch for consistency, whether you’re after a light, medium, or dark roast.

Coffee Grind Types & Brewing Methods

The correct coffee grind size ensures proper extraction for your brew method:

Grind SizeBest ForCoarse GrindFrench Press, Cold BrewMedium-CoarseChemex, Clever DripperMedium GrindDrip Coffee Makers, SiphonMedium-FinePour-Over (V60, Kalita Wave)Fine GrindEspresso, Aeropress (short brew)Extra FineTurkish Coffee

How to Choose the Right Coffee Beans for You

1. Identify Your Flavor Preferences – Fruity & bright, chocolatey & smooth, or earthy & bold?

2. Select Your Roast Level – Light for delicate flavors, dark for rich intensity.

3. Match Your Brewing Method – Buy beans that suit your coffee maker and grind size.

4. Experiment – Try small bags or coffee sampler packs to discover your favorites.

Freshly Roasted Coffee in Deerfield, IL & the North Shore

We’re more than just a roaster — we’re your local coffee connection. From Deerfield to Highland Park, Lake Forest, Northbrook, Bannockburn, Glenview, and Winnetka, our small-batch roasted coffee is just a short drive or delivery away. Order online for local delivery, in-store pickup, or nationwide shipping, and taste the difference that fresh roasting makes.

The Wild Roaster– Fresh Coffee Beans for Deerfield & Beyond
Serving Deerfield, IL and the North Shore with specialty Arabica coffee, single-origin beans, espresso blends, and custom roasts.