70Expect Minty, Sweet, and Peppermint from this experimental.
GT · Experimental
PeppermintSweet
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.04/oz
Roaster
Dark Matter Coffee
Chicago, ILdarkmattercoffee.com ↗
- Coffees in catalog
- 18
- Also available
- 14
- Avg Cherry's Index (limited data)
- 65.5
- Reddit sentiment
- 70/100
FreshnessRoast cadence not disclosed
OriginsGTCOMXHN
How Cherry’s Index is calculatedavg coverage 32% · limited data
Coverage is below 50%. Most of this roaster’s lots are scored off roaster-level signals (Reddit + YouTube) without per-lot SCA grades, Coffee Review entries, or published buyer reviews. With limited signal, scores are also pulled toward a neutral 50 baseline by the Cherry’s Index methodology, so lots can read flatter than the actual cup quality differences between them. The avg Cherry’s Index reflects general reputation more than per-lot quality.
Roaster signals
Apply to every lot from this roaster.
- Reddit70/100weight 18%
- YouTube85/100weight 10%
Per-lot signals (averaged)
Vary across lots; averaged over 18 in-stock lots.
- SCA gradenot on file · weight 25%
- Coffee Reviewnot on file · weight 20%
- Buyer reviewsnot on file · weight 12%
- Cherrybook reader ratingsnot on file · weight 5%
- Transparency31.6/10016/18 lots · weight 5%
Bonuses earned (per lot)
- stale decay7/18
Base components are renormalized over whatever signals are available for each lot. SCA + Coffee Review are capped at 40% combined to keep the cupping story from dominating. Bonuses (accolades, awards, editorial coverage) and freshness decay are applied on top.
Community reputation · Reddit
Well-regarded· sentiment 70/100
Dark Matter Coffee is recognized in the community, particularly within the Chicago coffee scene. While one user noted that a dark roast from a different roaster (Superlost) named 'Dark Matter' was too burnt for their preference, this does not reflect on the Chicago-based roaster Dark Matter Coffee. The roaster is mentioned as a brand users have explored for espresso, indicating a presence in the specialty coffee market.
Chicago-based roasterfrequently used for espressoestablished market presence
On YouTube
6 videos · 102k combined views
Outside coverage portrays Dark Matter Coffee as a deeply embedded pillar of the Chicago coffee scene. Reviewers emphasize the roaster's commitment to community-driven initiatives and a collaborative business model. The brand is consistently associated with a gritty, authentic, and hyper-local identity that prioritizes creative partnerships over traditional industry norms.
Hyper-local Chicago identityCommunity-focused business modelCollaborative roasting philosophyGritty and unconventional brandingEmphasis on creative partnerships
From Dark Matter Coffee
Flagship cafe
The Mothership
738 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL
Open in maps →The Mothership is listed first among their many Chicago retail locations.
The catalog
18 in stock · 7 archived
70
69Experimental lot with Nectarine, Butterscotch, and Anise in the cup.
GT · Experimental
NectarineButterscotchAnise
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.59/oz
68Experimental lot with Pomegranate, Bakers' Chocolate, and Cherries Jubilee in the cup.
Experimental
PomegranateDark ChocolateCherry
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.59/oz
68GT / Washed; taste data is still thin.
GT · Washed
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.23/oz
67Experimental; taste data is still thin.
Experimental
Medium
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.80/oz
67Expect Maple, Blackberry, and Marshmallow from this washed.
Washed
Maple SyrupBlackberryMarshmallow
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.59/oz
66Expect Baking Spice, Dark Cherry, and Semi Sweet Chocolate from this washed.
Washed
DarkSpiceCherryChocolate
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.59/oz
65Think Pear, Vanilla, and Almond.
Medium-DarkPearVanillaAlmond+2
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.56/oz
Not ratedDark Chocolate, Burnt Sugar, and Dried Fruit on a washed build.
Washed
Medium-LightDark ChocolateCaramelizedDried Fruit
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.66/oz
Not ratedRoaster flags Dutch Cocoa, Cherry, and Praline in the cup.
DarkCocoa PowderCherryPraline
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.56/oz
Not ratedThink Cocoa, Walnut, and Cherry.
MediumCocoaWalnutCherry
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.56/oz
Not ratedThink Cherry, Praline, and Semi Sweet Chocolate.
DarkCherryPralineChocolate
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.47/oz
Not ratedCupping notes point toward Cocoa, Walnut, and Toffee.
CocoaWalnutCaramel
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.47/oz
Not ratedThink Plum, Dark Chocolate, and Floral.
CO
MediumPlumDark ChocolateFloral
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.53/oz
Not ratedThink Melon, Nougat, and Cinnamon.
MelonNougatCinnamon
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.72/oz
Not ratedRoaster flags Brownie, Vanilla, and Almond in the cup.
Medium-DarkChocolateVanillaAlmond
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.47/oz
Not ratedCupping notes point toward Nectarine, Molasses, and Pomegranate.
PeachMolassesPomegranate
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.59/oz
Not ratedThink Baker's Chocolate, Toasted Marshmallow, and Almond.
DarkChocolateMarshmallowAlmond
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.60/oz
Also available · subscriptions, sample packs, gear
70Washed lot with Maple, Blackberry, and Marshmallow in the cup.
Chiapas, MX · Washed
MediumMaple SyrupBlackberryMarshmallow
Well-reviewed roaster
$0.38/oz
67Not much signal yet; the detail page has what we know.
Well-reviewed roaster
$0.38/oz
67Taste data is still sparse; open the detail page before judging this lot.
Well-reviewed roaster
$0.38/oz
67Taste data is still sparse; open the detail page before judging this lot.
Well-reviewed roaster
$0.38/oz
66Swiss Water Processed lot with Plum, Dark Chocolate, and Floral in the cup.
CO · Swiss Water Processed
MediumPlumDark ChocolateFloral
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.53/oz
Not ratedThink Pomegranate, Bakers' Chocolate, and Cherries Jubilee.
PomegranateChocolateCherry
Well-reviewed roaster
$0.38/oz
Not ratedRoaster flags Brownie, Vanilla, and Almond in the cup.
Medium-DarkChocolateVanillaAlmond
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.47/oz
Not ratedThink Cherry, Praline, and Semi Sweet Chocolate.
MediumCherryHazelnutChocolate
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.47/oz
Not ratedThink Peanut Butter, Orange Marmalade, and Milk Chocolate.
Peanut ButterOrangeMilk Chocolate
Well-reviewed roaster
$0.38/oz
Not ratedThink Cocoa, Almond, and Iced Tea W/lemon.
Well-reviewed roaster
$0.38/oz
Not ratedThink Cocoa, Walnut, and Toffee.
MediumCocoaWalnutCaramelized
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.47/oz
Not ratedThink Fruity and Voluptuous.
Medium-LightFruity
Well-reviewed roaster
$0.38/oz
Not ratedThink Hops.
Medium-LightHerbFloral
Well-reviewed roaster
$0.38/oz
Not ratedCupping notes point toward Vanilla and Cocoa.
VanillaCocoa
Well-reviewed roaster
$0.38/oz
Archived (7)
70Chocolate Chip, Almond, and Brown Sugar on a washed build.
HN · Washed
ChocolateAlmondBrown Sugar
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.66/oz
Out of stock
69Green Grape, Caramel, and Bosc Pear on a experimental build.
GT · Experimental
GrapeCaramelizedPear
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.59/oz
Out of stock
68Washed lot with Cherry Jolly Rancher, Dark Chocolate, and Granny Smith Apple in the cup.
CO · Washed
MediumCherryDark ChocolateApple
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.59/oz
Out of stock
67Roaster flags Cherry, Praline, and Semi Sweet Chocolate in the cup.
DarkCherryNuttyChocolate+1
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.47/oz
Out of stock
66Roaster flags Peach Rings, Dank Berry, and Chocolate in the cup.
MediumPeachBerryChocolate
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.59/oz
Out of stock
Not ratedThink Plum, Walnut, and Brownie.
PlumWalnutChocolate
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.59/oz
Out of stock
Not ratedThink Cocoa, Walnut, and Toffee.
MediumCocoaWalnutToffee
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.47/oz
Out of stock
For roasters
Cherrybook runs a monthly Roaster Spotlight Series featuring one roaster with an editorial piece and a giveaway. Interested in being featured? See the format or email josh@cherrybookcoffee.com.