86Expect Campfire, Burnt Caramel, and Chocolate from this washed.
El Cielito & El Cedral, HN · Washed
DarkCaramelizedChocolateSpice
Buyer 5.0 (15)
$1.48/oz
Cherrybook · live picks
The best dark-roast specialty coffees in our catalog
Dark roasts often get a bad reputation for masking quality, but these twenty selections prove otherwise. We have curated a list that prioritizes clarity and sweetness over simple carbonized bitterness. The majority of these lots are washed, which helps maintain the structural integrity of the bean during the roast process. You will find classic varieties like Caturra, Catuai, and Bourbon represented here, sourced from regions ranging from the high altitudes of Dota to the wet-hulled traditions of Sumatra. Roasters like George Howell and Phil & Sebastian lead this collection, demonstrating that a darker profile can still highlight origin character. Whether you prefer a heavy-bodied espresso or a structured drip, these coffees offer a clean, developed finish that respects the raw material.
What to taste for:Look for deep notes of caramelized sugar, toasted nuts, and dark chocolate without any acrid or burnt aftertaste.
24 live picks · ranked by Cherry's Index
86
84Washed lot with Toffee, Dark Chocolate, and Toasted Almond in the cup.
El Cielito & El Cedral, HN · Washed
DarkToffeeDark ChocolateAlmond
Buyer 4.9 (40)
$1.16/oz
84Expect S'mores, Baker's Chocolate, and Molasses from this washed.
El Cielito & El Cedral, HN · Washed
DarkS MoresChocolateMolasses
Buyer 4.9 (36)
$1.44/oz
83Peaches In Syrup, Raspberry, and Dark Florals on a washed build.
Kayanza, BI · Washed
DarkPeachRaspberryFloral
COE #5 · 2022
$2.09/oz
83Not much signal yet; the detail page has what we know.
Dark
Buyer 4.7 (127)
$1.75/oz
83Washed lot with Heavy Body, Port Wine, and Molasses in the cup.
ET · Washed
Medium-DarkMolassesWineyToffee+3
Buyer 5.0 (88)
$1.25/oz
82Expect Dried Fruits, Black Licorice, and Bakers Chocolate from this wet-hulled.
Sumatra, ID · Wet-Hulled
Medium-DarkDried FruitAniseDark Chocolate+4
Buyer 5.0 (21)
$1.30/oz
81Almond Joy, Orange Candy, and Dark Chocolate on a anaerobic honey build.
Kayanza Province, BI · Anaerobic Honey
DarkAlmondOrangeDark Chocolate
COE #5 · 2022
$2.00/oz
81Natural lot with Cherry, Walnut, and Dark Chocolate in the cup.
Cerrado, BR · Natural
DarkCherryWalnutDark Chocolate
ROTY 2017 roaster
$1.92/oz
80Dark Chocolate, Molasses, and Toasted Nuts on a natural build.
BR · Natural
Medium-DarkDark ChocolateMolassesNutty
Buyer 4.8 (99)
$1.98/oz
80Washed lot with Walnut, Caramel, and Dark Chocolate in the cup.
Dota, CR · Washed
DarkWalnutCaramelDark Chocolate
ROTY 2017 roaster
$1.75/oz
80Expect Figs, Milk Chocolate, and Cherry from this natural.
Apaneca-Ilamatepec, SV · Natural
DarkFigMilk ChocolateCherry+5
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.86/oz
80Smokey, Pear, and Semi Sweet Chocolate on a washed build.
Washed
DarkSmokyPearDark Chocolate
Buyer 4.9 (36)
$1.25/oz
80Think Blackberry, Sweet Tobacco, and Spice.
ID
DarkBlackberryTobaccoSpice
Buyer 5.0 (31)
$1.37/oz
80Expect Orange, Brown Sugars, and Chocolatey from this washed.
Washed
Medium-DarkOrangeBrown SugarChocolate+1
Buyer 4.7 (21)
$1.30/oz
80Caramel, Black Cherry, and Milk Chocolate on a washed build.
CO · Washed
Medium-DarkCaramelCherryMilk Chocolate+1
ROTY 2017 roaster
$1.68/oz
More from the catalog
All Cherrybook landing pages · Browse the full catalog · About Cherry’s Index