Cherrybook.

Roaster

Onyx Coffee Lab

Roaster of the YearRoast Magazine · 2021Good Food (2)2025, 2024Price-transparentSCTG data donor
Coffees in catalog
8
Also available
0
Avg Cherry's Index (limited data)
88.2
Reddit sentiment
85/100
FreshnessRoasts to order · ships in ~1d
OriginsCOETKEPAECHN
How Cherry’s Index is calculatedavg coverage 33% · 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.

  • Reddit85/100weight 18%
  • YouTube90/100weight 10%

Per-lot signals (averaged)

Vary across lots; averaged over 20 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%
  • Transparency66/10020/20 lots · weight 5%

Bonuses earned (per lot)

  • sprudge20/20
  • roty20/20
  • wbc finalist20/20
  • editorial cluster20/20
  • coe multi3/20
  • stale decay16/20

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

Cult favorite· sentiment 85/100

Onyx Coffee Lab is widely recognized as a benchmark roaster in the specialty coffee community. They are frequently cited as a standard for quality, consistency, and roast uniformity, often serving as a control sample for home roasters. While some users debate their price point or specific brew recipes, they are consistently recommended and respected for their high-end offerings, particularly their "expressive" dark roasts and rare varieties like Eugenioides.

benchmark for quality and consistencyhighly uniform roast degreepopular for 'expressive' dark roastsfrequent reference for rare/experimental beanspremium price pointexcellent educational resources/brew guides
Threads cited (10)

Press · Sprudge

On YouTube

8 videos · 399k combined views

Outside coverage portrays Onyx Coffee Lab as a technically rigorous roaster that prioritizes precision and intentionality in its production. Reviewers highlight the company's commitment to transparency regarding their roasting philosophy and equipment usage. The roaster is recognized for its analytical approach to heat application and airflow to achieve specific, punchy flavor profiles.

Technical roasting precisionEmphasis on heat application strategiesIntentional batch size managementFocus on punchy flavor profilesTransparent production methodology

Flagship cafe

Onyx Coffee Lab Rogers HQ

101 E Walnut St., Rogers, AR

Open in maps →

The Rogers HQ is described as housing the training lab, roastery, bakery, coffee bar, and offices.

The catalog

8 in stock · 184 archived

Filter on browse →
Nepal Illam Natural
86

Expect Blood Orange, Kumquat, and Black Tea from this anaerobic natural.

Illam, NP · Anaerobic Natural

LightOrangeCitrusBlack Tea+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$4.54/oz
Archived (184)
Ethiopia Worka
88

Washed lot with Bergamot, Honeysuckle, and Silky in the cup.

Gedeb, ET · Washed

BergamotFloralCocoa+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.20/oz
Out of stock
Kenya Kirimara AA
88

Washed lot with Orange, Chamomile, and Gala Apple in the cup.

Nyeri, KE · Washed

MediumOrangeAppleChamomile+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.45/oz
Out of stock
Mexico Marco Cadena Anaerobic
88

Raspberry, Rose, and Cacao on a anaerobic natural / process detail build.

Guerrero, MX · Anaerobic Natural / Process Detail

Medium-LightRaspberryRoseCocoa+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$3.63/oz
Out of stock
Anhydrobiosis
88

Washed lot with Peach, White Tea, and Lime in the cup.

Gedeb, ET · Washed

DarkPeachTea LikeLime+3
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.50/oz
Out of stock
Colombia Agualinda
88

Green Apple, Sugar Cane, and Oolong Tea on a washed build.

Antioquia, CO · Washed

AppleSugar CaneBlack Tea+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$1.64/oz
Out of stock
Peru Armando Toledo88

Expect Red Apple, Toffee, and Blood Orange from this washed.

Sandia Valley, PE · Washed

Medium-LightAppleCaramelizedOrange+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$1.61/oz
Out of stock
Snoopy's Choice
88

Washed lot with Milk Chocolate, Plum, and Candied Walnuts in the cup.

CO · Washed

MediumMilk ChocolatePlumWalnut+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.73/oz
Out of stock
The Culture
88

Stone Fruit, Assam Tea, and Dried Berries on a washed build.

Yirgacheffe, ET · Washed

Medium-LightPeachCherryDried Fruit+2
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.36/oz
Out of stock
Kenya Kibingo Estate
87

Blackberry, Sweet Lemon, and Black Cherry on a washed build.

Kirinyaga, KE · Washed

LightBlackberryLemonCherry+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$3.63/oz
Out of stock
Color Decay
87

Expect Grape, Cacao, and Pineapple from this natural.

CR · Natural

DarkGrapeCocoaPineapple+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$4.51/oz
Out of stock
Rwanda Kanzu Natural
87

Natural lot with Plum, Milk Chocolate, and Molasses in the cup.

Lake Kivu, RW · Natural

MediumPlumMilk ChocolateMolasses+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.18/oz
Out of stock
Propaganda Terraform
87

Grilled Pineapple, Dates, and Candied Pecan on a washed build.

Gedeo, ET · Washed

Medium-LightPineappleDatePecan+2
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.50/oz
Out of stock
Judah & The Lion86

Expect Raspberry, Raisin, and Green Apple from this anaerobic natural.

RW · Anaerobic Natural

MediumRaspberryRaisinApple+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.73/oz
Out of stock
The Worker
86

Red Honey lot with Papaya, Milk Chocolate, and Citrus in the cup.

CO · Red Honey

MediumPapayaMilk ChocolateCitrus+4
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.27/oz
Out of stock
Kenya Gachatha AA
86

Expect Ripe Peach, Raw Sugar, and Grapefruit from this washed.

Nyeri, KE · Washed

DarkPeachSugar CaneGrapefruit+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.28/oz
Out of stock
Kenya Kamwangi AA
86

Expect Nectarine, Maple Syrup, and Nutmeg from this washed.

Kirinyaga, KE · Washed

Medium-LightPeachMaple SyrupNutmeg+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.18/oz
Out of stock
Animal Collective86

Washed lot with Pomelo, Elderflower, and Black Tea in the cup.

Guji, ET · Washed

Medium-LightGrapefruitFloralBlack Tea+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.50/oz
Out of stock
Northern Lights
86

Mandarin Orange, Honeysuckle, and Melon on a natural build.

Sidamo, ET · Natural

OrangeFloralMelon+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.27/oz
Out of stock
BIGFACE | ONYX
86

Expect Jasmine, Sweet Tea, and White Grape from this experimental.

Cundinamarca, CO · Experimental

JasmineTea LikeGrape+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$24.98/oz
Out of stock
Kenya Kagunyu AB
86

Expect Raisin, Grapefruit, and Caramel from this washed.

Nyeri, KE · Washed

LightRaisinGrapefruitCaramel+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.45/oz
Out of stock
Kenya Gachatha AB86

Grapefruit, Raw Sugar, and Melon on a washed build.

Nyeri, KE · Washed

LightGrapefruitSugar CaneMelon+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.18/oz
Out of stock
Ecuador Hernan Zuniga
86

Expect Milk Chocolate, Dried Apricot, and Vanilla Bean from this washed.

Pichincha, EC · Washed

MediumChocolatePeachVanilla+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.00/oz
Out of stock
Ecuador La Soledad Typica
86

White Honey, Melon, and Toasted Almond on a white honey / producer: build.

Intag Valley, EC · White Honey / Producer:

DarkHoneyMelonAlmond+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$6.82/oz
Out of stock
Kenya Karagoto AB86

Grapefruit, Raw Sugar, and Green Apple on a washed build.

Nyeri, KE · Washed

MediumGrapefruitRaw SugarApple+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.36/oz
Out of stock
Crack A Smile
86

Washed lot with Golden Raisin, Milk Chocolate, and Manuka Honey in the cup.

PE · Washed

MediumRaisinMilk ChocolateHoney+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.27/oz
Out of stock
Cxffeeblack
86

Perfume, Elderberry Syrup, and Dark Chocolate on a natural build.

Sidama, ET · Natural

DarkFloralBerryDark Chocolate
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.27/oz
Out of stock
Cxffeeblack
86

Strawberry Church Candy, Sorghum, and Red Currant on a anaerobic natural / natural build.

Nyamasheke, RW · Anaerobic Natural / Natural

DarkStrawberryCandyRed Currant+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.73/oz
Out of stock
Power Nap
86

Expect Brown Sugar, Cocoa, and Silky from this washed / natural.

CO · Washed / Natural

MediumBrown SugarCocoaFloral+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.23/oz
Out of stock
Kenya Kiunyu Peaberry
86

Expect Black Currant, Dried Orange, and Molasses from this washed.

KE · Washed

Medium-LightBlack CurrantOrangeMolasses+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.20/oz
Out of stock
Decade
86

Expect Tangerine, Jasmine, and White Honey from this honey.

CO · Honey

LightOrangeFloralHoney+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.73/oz
Out of stock
Silverstein86

Honey lot with Apple Cider, Cherry, and Cacao Nib in the cup.

CR · Honey

DarkAppleCherryCocoa Powder+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.73/oz
Out of stock
New Belgium
86

Peach, Mixed Berries, and Raw Sugar on a red honey build.

CR · Red Honey

MediumPeachBerrySugar Cane+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$3.63/oz
Out of stock
Framily
86

Grilled Peach, Earl Grey, and Milk Chocolate on a washed build.

ET · Washed

MediumPeachTea LikeMilk Chocolate+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.36/oz
Out of stock
Ethiopia Chelbesa
86

Washed lot with Apricot, Honeysuckle, and Earl Grey in the cup.

ET · Washed

MediumApricotHoneysuckleTea Like+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.73/oz
Out of stock
Kenya Gakuyu-Ini AA
86

Gala Apple, Brown Sugar, and Almond on a washed build.

Mt. Kenya, KE · Washed

MediumAppleBrown SugarAlmond+1
ROTY 2021 roaster
$2.18/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.