Why do coffee shops only serve one bean?

Muahahaha · 17-08-2020 04:05PM #1

Was out and about yesterday and had cause to wonder about this when we went looking for a coffee shop. Found a place on Google maps, drove to it and when we got there it had signage outside saying they serve Ariosa coffee. Both me and my friend dont like Ariosa, we both drink long black coffees and find it bitter. Having had Ariosa before at least three or four times the bitterness is not as a result of bad extraction, it just is what is. So we headed elsewhere to a different coffee shop, there was no point going into the first one for a coffee we knew we wouldnt like.

It got me wondering because in a world full of choice when you go for coffee each shop has one bean and that is it. If I go into a pub I will have a choice of five or six lagers, two maybe three stouts and a couple of ciders all on tap. But a coffee shop has one bean and that is it, if you dont like it you have to go elsewhere. I really think they are missing a trick here. Even if they were just to offer a second bean at least the customer would be getting some choice. It means they would need a second grinder but thats surely better than losing business.

It also got me wondering about how coffee shops are actually choosing their bean. Me and my mate are likely in a small minority of customers who drink either a long black or espresso and nothing else The vast majority of sales I see are cappucinos/lattes/flat whites, i.e. all milky coffees where the sweetness of the milk disguises and actually balances out a bitter coffee bean. Whereas using that same bean in an espresso or long black exposes the bitterness.

So are there any coffee shops you know of that offer a choice of bean? Ive yet to come across one myself but would be interested to know.

whippet · 17-08-2020 04:09PM

Muahahaha wrote: »

Me and my mate are likely in a small minority of customers who drink either a long black or espresso and nothing else

you've answered your own question there.

Having to get a second grinder, second supply contract etc ... not worth it for the very odd customer who will want a choice of a second bean ... and if there was a second bean - who is to say if you'd like that one either - do they need 4 / 5 options ?

I would drink long blacks myself and to be honest as long as I stay away from the obvious chains i enjoy them. I am quite partial to Ariosa mind you - i live near drogheda and would have a coffee in there most days of the week when I am around.

Brock Turnpike · 17-08-2020 04:13PM

Muahahaha wrote: »

Was out and about yesterday and had cause to wonder about this when we went looking for a coffee shop. Found a place on Google maps, drove to it and when we got there it had signage outside saying they serve Ariosa coffee. Both me and my friend dont like Ariosa, we both drink long black coffees and find it bitter. Having had Ariosa before at least three or four times the bitterness is not as a result of bad extraction, it just is what is. So we headed elsewhere to a different coffee shop, there was no point going into the first one for a coffee we knew we wouldnt like.

It got me wondering because in a world full of choice when you go for coffee each shop has one bean and that is it. If I go into a pub I will have a choice of five or six lagers, two maybe three stouts and a couple of ciders all on tap. But a coffee shop has one bean and that is it, if you dont like it you have to go elsewhere. I really think they are missing a trick here. Even if they were just to offer a second bean at least the customer would be getting some choice. It means they would need a second grinder but thats surely better than losing business.

It also got me wondering about how coffee shops are actually choosing their bean. Me and my mate are likely in a small minority of customers who drink either a long black or espresso and nothing else The vast majority of sales I see are cappucinos/lattes/flat whites, i.e. all milky coffees where the sweetness of the milk disguises and actually balances out a bitter coffee bean. Whereas using that same bean in an espresso or long black exposes the bitterness.

So are there any coffee shops you know of that offer a choice of bean? Ive yet to come across one myself but would be interested to know.

Sounds like you're going to coffee shops that may just be chain coffee or cafes that don't really care about coffee. Any good coffee shop I've been to will serve more than one type of bean.

Hodors Appletart · 17-08-2020 07:49PM

Insomnia do a light roast for a few cent extra, and it's not a bad coffee for a chain shop

missmatty · 18-08-2020 11:35AM

I've gone back to Insomnia since I discovered the Voyager option, couldn't drink their main coffee.

Muahahaha · 18-08-2020 11:41AM

Brock Turnpike wrote: »

Sounds like you're going to coffee shops that may just be chain coffee or cafes that don't really care about coffee. Any good coffee shop I've been to will serve more than one type of bean.

Im not going to chain coffee shops like Insomnia/Costa but Im not in Dublin either so dont have as good a choice of shops as I did when I was living there.

Out of interest what shops do you know that are serving more than one bean? As said in the OP Ive never come across it.

Hodors Appletart · 18-08-2020 12:36PM

Finbees in Bray have a choice of 4 beans, it's on the seafront in the same building as the sealife centre - House Blend, Dark Roast, Light Roast and Decaf

I really like the light roast one, and would get it fairly often

Muahahaha · 18-08-2020 01:14PM

cheers, would you say it is becoming more widespread or more so something you have to seek out amongst the independent coffee shops?

Hodors Appletart · 18-08-2020 02:04PM

Muahahaha wrote: »

cheers, would you say it is becoming more widespread or more so something you have to seek out amongst the independent coffee shops?

I'd say it's getting a little better, but I do ask in places and if all they have is a dark roast geared toward milky sugary drinks then I won't bother with coffee at all.

Muahahaha · 18-08-2020 02:07PM

cheers must get in the habit of asking as it may not always be obvious unless they promote it loudly. It might also make those who dont do it think of introducing it.

Hodors Appletart · 18-08-2020 02:25PM

Muahahaha wrote: »

cheers must get in the habit of asking as it may not always be obvious unless they promote it loudly. It might also make those who dont do it think of introducing it.

it's the only way to get the idea into the heads of these places.

I enjoy craft beer too and make it a point of asking in places that very obviously don't have any because usually is the answer is "nobody wants it".

Brock Turnpike · 18-08-2020 02:37PM

Muahahaha wrote: »

Im not going to chain coffee shops like Insomnia/Costa but Im not in Dublin either so dont have as good a choice of shops as I did when I was living there.

Out of interest what shops do you know that are serving more than one bean? As said in the OP Ive never come across it.

Cakeface in Kilkenny have always done more than one bean.

Coffee Works in Lucan and Blanch usually offer a choice if you ask.

Hodors Appletart · 18-08-2020 03:06PM

Brock Turnpike wrote: »

Cakeface in Kilkenny have always done more than one bean.

yeah, they use 3FE beans there - or did the last time I was in it.

few places in Smithfield/Stoneybatter/Phibsboro kind of area also do a choice

Damo 2k9 · 19-08-2020 01:05PM

Tried the Voyager in Insomnia and wasnt mad on it at all. It was in a milky drink, though.

JJ Darboven in Dun Laoghaire have a choice of 3-4 beans as well, they did the last time I was there.

Hodors Appletart · 19-08-2020 03:01PM

yeah I could see that getting lost in milk alright

Why do coffee shops only serve one bean?

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