80Washed lot with Apricot, Grape, and Black Tea in the cup.
Gedeb, ET · Washed
Medium-LightPeachGrapeTea Like+4
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.69/oz
Roaster
Prodigal Coffee
Boulder, COgetprodigal.com ↗
- Coffees in catalog
- 17
- Also available
- 3
- Avg Cherry's Index (limited data)
- 76.7
- Reddit sentiment
- 85/100
OriginsCOETPEKE
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%
- YouTube85/100weight 10%
Per-lot signals (averaged)
Vary across lots; averaged over 17 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%
- Transparency68.8/10016/17 lots · weight 5%
Bonuses earned (per lot)
- stale decay2/17
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
Prodigal is highly regarded by enthusiasts, frequently mentioned alongside other top-tier roasters like Sey and Black & White. Users appreciate their high-quality, light-roast offerings, and the roaster is noted for being transparent and communicative regarding business practices like shipping costs. While one user found a specific coffee underwhelming, they noted that adjusting their brewing method significantly improved the cup, reinforcing the roaster's reputation for high-quality, albeit technique-sensitive, beans.
high-quality light roaststransparent communicationfrequently compared to top-tier roasterstechnique-sensitive beanspremium pricing
Threads cited (5)
- r/pourover · ↑ · Iced Filter Coffee from Coffee Movement changed my cold coffee game
- r/espresso · ↑ · My most significant discovery so far in pulling light roast espresso
- r/pourover · ↑ · Diego Bermudez's Showroom - Native Coffee Co. (Dallas)
- r/roasting · ↑ · Bad roast or brew?
- r/pourover · ↑ · Coffee Subscription Questions
On YouTube
5 videos · 18k combined views
Outside coverage of Prodigal Coffee focuses heavily on the technical expertise and rigorous roasting methodology of founder Scott Rao. Reviewers emphasize the roastery's commitment to high-speed, high-capacity production cycles and precise environmental controls. The brand is consistently portrayed as a hub for professional-grade roasting education and data-driven process optimization.
Technical roasting precisionHigh-speed production cyclesData-driven process optimizationProfessional roasting education focusRigorous environmental control standards
Coverage from others
- 7k views
How to Calculate your Batch Size based on BTUs (Scott Rao of Prodigal Coffee)
Roaster Kat
- 7k views
Inside the Roastery at Prodigal (behind the scenes tour)
Roaster Kat
- 2k views
Fellow's Take on Colombia Las Perlitas Lot 3 from Prodigal
Fellow
- 1k views
Prodigal Coffee Review (Boulder, Colorado)- Washed Colombia San Gabriel SL-28
Coffee Reviews
- 1k views
Prodigal Coffee Review (Boulder, Colorado)- Washed Colombia La Pradera Lot 7
Coffee Reviews
Flagship cafe
Retail location
Boulder, CO
Open in maps →Seed-city fallback applied (Boulder, CO); the website didn't expose a specific flagship address. LLM-finder notes: The website is an online-only store and does not list a physical retail location or headquarters address.
The catalog
17 in stock · 18 archived
80
78Apricot, Grape, and Black Tea on a washed build.
Gedeb, ET · Washed
Medium-LightPeachGrapeBlack Tea+4
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.69/oz
78Anaerobic Washed lot with Cherry, Orange, and Maple in the cup.
Huila, CO · Anaerobic Washed
LightCherryOrangeMaple Syrup
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.36/oz
78Expect Cherry, Strawberry Jam, and Honey from this washed.
Huila, CO · Washed
LightCherryStrawberryHoney
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.88/oz
78Red Plum, Orange, and Raisin on a washed build.
Huila, CO · Washed
Medium-LightPlumOrangeRaisin
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.44/oz
78Cherry, Orange, and Maple on a semiwashed build.
Tolima, CO · Semiwashed
Medium-LightCherryOrangeMaple Syrup
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.88/oz
78Expect Orange, Mango, and Grape from this washed.
Cusco, PE · Washed
OrangeMangoGrape
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.61/oz
78Expect Cherry, Strawberry Jam, and Honey from this washed.
Huila, CO · Washed
CherryStrawberryHoney
Well-reviewed roaster
$5.36/oz
77Expect Grapefruit, Cherry, and Caramel from this washed.
Huila, CO · Washed
Medium-LightGrapefruitCherryCaramel
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.86/oz
76Apricot, Grape, and Black Tea on a washed build.
Gedeb, ET · Washed
PeachGrapeBlack Tea+4
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.22/oz
76Red Plum, Orange, and Raisin on a washed build.
Huila, CO · Washed
PeachOrangeRaisin
Well-reviewed roaster
$5.67/oz
76Expect Grapefruit, Orange, and Grape from this washed.
Kiambu, KE · Washed
GrapefruitOrangeGrape
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.94/oz
76Expect Blueberry, Lemon, and Grape from this natural.
West Arsi, ET · Natural
LightBlueberryLemonGrape
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.27/oz
76Expect Blueberry, Lemon, and Grape from this natural.
West Arsi, ET · Natural
BlueberryLemonGrape
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.79/oz
76Washed lot with Grapefruit, Orange, and Grape in the cup.
Kiambu, KE · Washed
GrapefruitOrangeGrape
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.39/oz
74Natural; cup data hasn't landed yet.
Natural
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.02/oz
74Washed lot with Fruity, Bright, and Balanced in the cup.
Washed
LightFruity
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.52/oz
Also available · subscriptions, sample packs, gear
Archived (18)
78Grapefruit, Cherry, and Caramel on a washed build.
Huila, CO · Washed
Medium-LightGrapefruitCherryCaramel
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.19/oz
Out of stock
78Expect Orange, Mango, and Grape from this washed.
Cusco, PE · Washed
OrangeMangoGrape
Well-reviewed roaster
$3.28/oz
Out of stock
78Anaerobic Washed lot with Elderberry, Raspberry, and Winey in the cup.
Huila, CO · Anaerobic Washed
ElderberryRaspberryWiney
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.88/oz
Out of stock
78Washed lot with Orange, Mango, and Grape in the cup.
Cusco, PE · Washed
OrangeMangoGrape
Well-reviewed roaster
$3.28/oz
Out of stock
77Grapefruit, Cherry, and Caramel on a washed build.
Huila, CO · Washed
GrapefruitCherryCaramel
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.19/oz
Out of stock
77Expect Apricot, Earl Grey, and Floral from this washed.
Tolima, CO · Washed
PeachTea LikeFloral
Well-reviewed roaster
$5.36/oz
Out of stock
77Washed lot with Apricot, Earl Grey, and Floral in the cup.
Tolima, CO · Washed
LightPeachTea LikeFloral
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.82/oz
Out of stock
77Washed lot with Apricot, Berries, and Floral in the cup.
Tolima, CO · Washed
PeachBerryFloral
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.98/oz
Out of stock
77Semiwashed lot with Cherry, Orange, and Maple in the cup.
Tolima, CO · Semiwashed
Medium-LightCherryOrangeMaple Syrup
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.88/oz
Out of stock
77Washed lot with Berries, Peach Jam, and Floral in the cup.
Huila, CO · Washed
Medium-LightBerryPeachFloral
Well-reviewed roaster
$4.29/oz
Out of stock
77Peach, Orange Blossom, and Mango on a white honey build.
Huila, CO · White Honey
PeachOrange BlossomMango
Well-reviewed roaster
$5.36/oz
Out of stock
76Washed lot with Rhubarb, Currant Jam, and Melon in the cup.
Cusco, PE · Washed
RhubarbBerryMelon
Well-reviewed roaster
$5.36/oz
Out of stock
76Expect Grape Juice, Mixed Berries, and Orange from this natural / producer:.
Guji, ET · Natural / Producer:
GrapeBerryOrange
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.39/oz
Out of stock
76Expect Peach, Cranberry, and Orange from this washed.
Nariño, CO · Washed
PeachCranberryOrange
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.49/oz
Out of stock
76Peach, Earl Grey, and Berries on a washed build.
Nariño, CO · Washed
PeachBlack TeaBerry
Well-reviewed roaster
$5.06/oz
Out of stock
76Expect Apricot, Peach, and Mango from this washed.
Kiambu, KE · Washed
ApricotPeachMango
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.39/oz
Out of stock
76Peach, Orange, and Creamy on a anaerobic washed / washed build.
Cusco, PE · Anaerobic Washed / Washed
Medium-LightPeachOrangeOverall Sweet
Well-reviewed roaster
$3.38/oz
Out of stock
76Blueberry, Lemon, and Grape on a natural build.
West Arsi, ET · Natural
Medium-LightBlueberryLemonGrape
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.79/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.