Great British Food Awards 2025

Whether you’re just getting into speciality coffee or looking to support local UK roasters, understanding what’s in your bag is essential. Here are six practical tips to help you choose the right coffee for you. 1 Understand roast profiles Roast level has a big impact on flavour. Here’s a quick guide: • Light roast: This is common in speciality coffee from UK roasteries – it preserves the origin characteristics and tends to be more fruity. • Medium roast: This offers a balanced body and is a go-to for many people. It works well as an all-day brew for both espresso and filter. • Dark roast: This is more bitter and smoky. It’s less common among craft roasters in the UK, and it’s harder to pick up the unique taste notes. 2 Be aware of the difference between single origin and blends • Single origin: With this type, coffee is sourced from one country, region, or even a specific farm. It offers unique flavour profiles and is particularly popular with UK speciality roasters. • Blends: This refers to a mix of coffees from different origins. Blends usually pack more of a punch, helping the flavour cut through the milk in your latte. Tip: If you’re keen to explore flavour, go for single origin. If you want reliable consistency, especially for milk-based drinks, blends are a safe bet. 3 Washed vs natural: Know the process Upgrade YOUR CUP Jonathan Reed, GBF judge and co-owner of Paddy&Scott’s Coffee, shares his tips on how to buy andmake themost of your beans…. Jonathan Reed is the CEO and co-owner of Paddy and Scott’s Coffee, a Suffolk-based craft coffee company with a mission to disrupt the traditional coffee industry by providing high-quality, farmer-focused coffee. This year, he judged the Coffee category in the Great British Food Awards. How coffee is processed after harvest has a huge effect on its flavour: • Washed (wet process) : This results in clean, bright, and crisp flavours. It’s a favourite for those who enjoy clarity and fruity acidity. • Natural (dry process): This is dried with the cherry still around the beans. It results in fuller-bodied flavour with more intense fruit or fermented notes. • Honey / pulped natural: This one is somewhere in between, offering balanced sweetness and body. Many British roasters indicate the process on the label. It’s worth trying both washed and natural coffees side by side to see how processing changes the flavour. 4 Buy whole beans and grind fresh Freshness is key to good coffee (although coffee can also be too fresh – using about two weeks after roasting is usually best). Whole beans retain flavour much longer than pre-ground coffee, and so grinding just before brewing ensures a delicious, complex cup with vibrant flavour notes. Investing in a grinder at home is one of the best upgrades for better coffee. If you’re on a budget, a quality hand grinder with metal or ceramic burrs does the job nicely. 5 Choose the right brew method Choosing the right coffee gadget for your kitchen can be overwhelming. My advice is start small. You don’t need a £5k espresso machine to make a delicious cup at home. A French press, a hand grinder (or just a bag of fresh ground coffee), is all you need to get started. If you’re keen to learn more, have a look at brew ratios and experiment. Once you’re comfortable, treat yourself to a drip brewer - like a V60, Orea, or Kalita Wave. 6 Support independent British roasteries The UK has a thriving speciality coffee scene. Many roasters source ethically, roast in small batches, and are keen to share tasting notes, brew guides, and origin stories. In conclusion, buying coffee isn’t just about caffeine or strength, it’s about flavour, origin, taking your time, and doing justice to this liquid gold, lovingly handpicked by farmers thousands of miles away. With these tips, you’ll be better equipped to choose coffee that suits your taste and support Britain’s vibrant community of roasters. greatbr i t ishfoodawards.com 48