82Dark Chocolate, Cane Sugar, and Grape on a washed build.
Antioquia, CO · Washed
MediumDark ChocolateCane SugarGrape
Buyer 4.9 (203)
$1.66/oz
Roaster
Red Bay Coffee
Oakland, CAredbaycoffee.com ↗
- Coffees in catalog
- 13
- Also available
- 2
- Avg Cherry's Index (limited data)
- 74.6
- Reddit sentiment
- 75/100
FreshnessRoasts daily
OriginsCOBRTZETKEHN
How Cherry’s Index is calculatedavg coverage 41% · 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.
- Reddit75/100weight 18%
- YouTube85/100weight 10%
Per-lot signals (averaged)
Vary across lots; averaged over 13 in-stock lots.
- SCA gradenot on file · weight 25%
- Coffee Review60/1001/13 lots · weight 20%
- Buyer reviews97.3/1007/13 lots · weight 12%
- Cherrybook reader ratingsnot on file · weight 5%
- Transparency42.7/10013/13 lots · weight 5%
Bonuses earned (per lot)
- editorial cluster13/13
- stale decay12/13
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 75/100
Red Bay Coffee is recognized as a notable roaster in the Oakland area, with users explicitly naming them as a favorite local roaster. While some users have shared challenges in dialing in their beans for espresso, these instances are framed as technical learning experiences rather than quality issues with the coffee itself. The roaster is viewed as a standard, reliable option for home espresso enthusiasts.
favored Oakland roastercommon in home espresso setupsrequires dialing inaccessible medium roasts
On YouTube
3 videos · 5k combined views
Outside coverage consistently frames Red Bay Coffee as a pioneering force for social change within the specialty coffee industry. Reviewers emphasize the roaster's identity as a black-owned business that prioritizes inclusive hiring and community representation. The brand is frequently associated with the concept of a fourth wave of coffee, which focuses on equity and accessibility rather than just product quality.
Commitment to inclusive hiring practicesEmphasis on diversity and equityRepresentation of people of color in coffeeCommunity-focused business modelAdvocacy for industry-wide cultural shifts
Flagship cafe
Red Bay Coffee Grand Ave
3206 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA
Open in maps →The roaster lists several cafes; Grand Ave is presented as a primary retail location in Oakland.
The catalog
13 in stock
82
82Lychee, Honeydew, and Nougat on a natural build.
Mantiqueira de Minas, BR · Natural
MediumOther FruitMelonNougat
Buyer 4.9 (335)
$1.66/oz
81Washed lot with Orange, Nectarine, and Chocolate in the cup.
CO · Washed
MediumOrangeNectarineChocolate
Buyer 4.9 (403)
$1.66/oz
80Mission Fig, Molasses, and Allspice on a natural build.
BR · Natural
Medium-DarkFigMolassesAllspice
Buyer 4.9 (282)
$1.66/oz
78
78Cupping notes point toward Orange, Nectarine, and Chocolate.
CO
MediumOrangePeachChocolate
Buyer 4.9 (86)
$1.50/oz
74Think Blackberry, Dark Chocolate, and Date.
Southern Highlands, TZ
Medium-DarkBlackberryDark ChocolateDate
Buyer 4.9 (552)
$1.66/oz
73Washed lot with Stone Fruit, Wildflower, and Citrus in the cup.
Oromia, ET · Washed
MediumPeachFloralCitrus
Buyer 5.0 (2)
$2.17/oz
70Hibiscus, Cherry, and Baking Spice on a washed build.
Kericho County, KE · Washed
Medium-LightHibiscusCherrySpice+1
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.50/oz
70Plum, Almond, and S'mores on a washed build.
Santa Barbara Mountain, HN · Washed
DarkPlumAlmondMarshmallow+2
Buyer 5.0 (2)
$2.10/oz
69Washed lot with Passionfruit, Brown Sugar, and Toffee in the cup.
PG · Washed
MediumPassionfruitBrown SugarToffee+1
Buyer 5.0 (1)
$2.11/oz
68Roaster flags Red Apple, Hazelnut, and Milk Chocolate in the cup.
Huehuetenango, GT
MediumAppleHazelnutChocolate
Well-reviewed roaster
$2.19/oz
65Roaster flags Juicy Fruit Notes and Dark Chocolate in the cup.
Medium-DarkJuicy FruitDark Chocolate
Buyer 5.0 (1)
$1.90/oz
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.