If you’re running a bakery, your coffee offering is more than just a side item, it’s a key part of the customer experience. Choosing the right coffee beans can help you boost average spend, build loyalty, and enhance the overall feel of your brand.
So, what coffee beans should you use in your bakery? Here’s what you need to know.
Coffee Flavour Varies Wildly
Not all coffee tastes the same. Depending on the origin, roast level, and processing method, coffee can range from bright and fruity to rich and chocolatey. This matters because the flavour of your coffee should complement your food menu, not compete with it.
Most bakery customers aren’t after experimental flavours. They want something smooth, balanced, and comforting that pairs well with pastries and sandwiches. That’s why the flavour profile of your beans needs to suit a wider audience, not just hardcore coffee lovers.
Arabica Vs Robusta
There are two main types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta.
Arabica beans are known for their smoother, more complex flavour. They’re usually considered higher quality, with less bitterness and more nuanced notes. Robusta beans are cheaper to grow and have more caffeine, but they also have a stronger, more bitter taste. They’re often used in cheaper blends or instant coffees.
For a bakery aiming for a good customer experience, 100% Arabica is the safer, more appealing option.
Single Origin Vs Blend
Single origin coffee comes from one specific farm or region. It often has unique flavour notes and a story behind it, which is great if you’re looking to stand out or offer something premium. Blends are made by combining beans from multiple origins. They’re crafted to be consistent, balanced, and versatile.
Light, Medium or Dark Roasts
Roast level has a big impact on how your coffee tastes:
- Light roasts are more acidic and showcase fruity or floral flavours. These work best in filter brews, but can be too sharp in milky drinks.
- Medium roasts strike a balance being smooth, sweet, and crowd-pleasing. They’re ideal for bakeries serving a mix of black and milk-based drinks.
- Dark roasts are bold and bitter, often with chocolatey or smoky notes. They cut through milk easily but can taste burnt if not carefully brewed
You Want Coffee Beans that Appeal to a Wide Audience
At the end of the day, your coffee shouldn’t confuse your customers — it should win them over. That means choosing beans that are reliable, easy to work with, and taste great to the average person walking through your door.
You want something that: tastes good with or without milk, is consistent and easy for your staff to dial in, and fits your pricing and profitability goals.
A well-rounded, 100% Arabica medium roast blend ticks all those boxes.
Start with a 100% Arabica, Medium Roast Blend
For most bakeries, the best place to start is with a medium roasted blend. These coffees are well-balanced, smooth, and designed to work across a range of drinks, from black americanos to milk-heavy lattes.
Medium roasts tend to have enough body and sweetness to complement pastries and cakes, without being too intense or acidic. A good blend will also offer consistency, so your customers get the same great taste every time they visit.
If you’re aiming for broad appeal and simplicity in your service, a medium roasted 100% arabica blend is the most reliable choice.
Why Not Single Origin Beans?
Single origin coffees come from one specific region or farm. They tend to have more unique flavour profiles, such as fruity, floral, or citrusy notes, and they often come with a story that adds value to your brand.
Single origin beans can be a great option if you want to offer a premium filter coffee, if you have a more coffee-aware audience, or if you’d like to rotate seasonal offerings and highlight flavour variety.=
However, single origins are typically more expensive and have more distinct flavours that can isolate some coffee drinkers. Whilst single origins express the range and wide variety of coffee flavours, blends are crafted by a roaster to offer a great all-round drinking experience.
For bakeries in particular, a high quality house blend is usually the better choice for your main menu.
How Much Should You Spend On Coffee Beans?
The price you pay for coffee beans will largely determine their quality, traceability, and flavour. Here’s a general breakdown of UK wholesale pricing:
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£15/kg: At this level, you’ll find basic blends that are serviceable but unlikely to impress. These often include lower-grade Arabica or Robusta blends with limited traceability.
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£20/kg: This is a sweet spot for many bakeries. You’ll typically get 100% Arabica blends, more consistent flavour, and potentially some ethical sourcing or certifications. It offers a good balance between cost and quality.
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£25+/kg: At this price point, you’re looking at speciality-grade coffee, often single origin, fully traceable, and roasted to highlight unique flavour characteristics. These are ideal for premium cafés or bakeries that really want to stand out with their coffee.
As a rough guide, a kilo of beans makes about 50-55 espresso shots. That means at £20/kg, your bean cost is roughly 35p per cup, well within margin if your coffee is priced appropriately.
Looking For Help Picking Your Perfect Coffee Beans?
We help bakeries across the UK build great coffee programs. From house blends to custom single origins, we can guide you through your options and make sure your coffee is as good as your food.
