Pre-roast vs. Post-roast Blends- What's the Difference?
At Bugle Call, one essential step in creating our signature blends is deciding when to combine different coffees- before roasting or after roasting. Believe it or not, whether to combine the beans before or after the roast can be a difficult decision for us, but, as always, the proof is in the pudding (or, more accurately, the cup!).
In pre-roast blending, we mix different green coffees together before they are roasted. This method allows the beans to develop together in the roaster, resulting in a harmonious, well-integrated flavor profile. It is ideal for blends that aim for consistency, balance, and approachability. However, because different coffees can react differently to the roast, we have to select our coffees carefully to make sure that one origin doesn’t develop too quickly. We choose beans with similar density and moisture content to ensure even roasting and a balanced cup. With a pre-roast blend, you can expect a smoother flavor than a post-roast blend, and a lot of daily-drinkers prefer the integrated flavor of the method.
Post-roast blending involves roasting each coffee separately, optimizing the roast profile for each origin’s unique characteristics, and blending them only after roasting. This approach preserves the distinct flavors of each origin, creating a layered and more complex cup. With that being said, blending the beans after the roast is no easy task! Although we have a few handy blending tools, it can sometimes take hours to blend all of the correct origins together to fulfill a large order. While post-roast blending is more labor-intensive, it allows us to highlight the individual strengths of each component, offering a more dynamic tasting experience. Generally, post-roast blends are ideal for people who want to experience all of the bolder notes in the different origins and enjoy a more complex cup.
As a small-batch roastery, we have the luxury of experimenting with different roasting methods and styles in order to constantly monitor quality and strive for improvement. For some of our mainline blends, we are moving into a pre-roast blend methodology in order to maximize the smoothness and sweetness of the coffee, while in other blends we are continuing to blend post-roast in order to preserve the unique flavor notes of the different origins. Regardless of the roast, we always aim to craft exceptional coffee that you’ll look forward to every day.