Kris Silvey at Elevated Coffee reviewed Real Good Coffee. Find out what he had to say and let us know in the comments if you agree!
When you name yourself something as bold as Real Good Coffee, then there are a lot of expectations that come with it. As I waited for my set of two pound bags to arrive, I was hopeful and a bit skeptical at the same time. Would this coffee live up to my expectations? Would it be able to stand on its own?
I was about to find out…
But before I get into that, let me introduce myself. My name is Kris and I’m the founder of Elevated Coffee Brew. I created this site because I love coffee. This passion has inspired me to learn as much as I can about every aspect of the drink in hopes that one day, it will also inspire others.
So when Real Good Coffee reached out with an offer to review their coffee beans, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. As I mentioned in a other posts, I’m always on the lookout for new coffee roasters and if you can be bold enough to name yourself “Real Good”, well… you have my attention.
So what did I think of this coffee? Keep reading our Real Good Coffee Company Review!
About The Company
“As a roaster based in Seattle, the coffee city, Real Good Coffee Co is a small business run by people who love good coffee just as much as you do. We have over 30 years of experience sourcing coffee and crafting the best roasts. But while we are coffee purists, we are not coffee snobs. We care more about the taste of the coffee than any label. Put simply, we are real good people making real good coffee.”
This really stood out to me. It says so much about a company in such few words and I appreciate that! What I really wanted to know was, how does that translate to the coffee and the taste?
Who is Real Good Coffee Company?
The real good coffee company is a family owned roasting business based in Seattle. The company was founded with the idea of providing the best coffee possible through both premium beans and exceptional customer service. They have endeavored to build a more sustainable food system, one cup at a time.
As far as the company’s vision for where they want to go, it’s pretty amazing. They have this desire to promote sustainable business practices by selling coffee in recyclable bags and rewarding customers who do the same. They even have a page dedicated to recycling and upcycling their coffee pods in new and creative ways!
Real Good Coffee Company Review
As I mentioned, I was eager to try this coffee so the first thing I did when it arrived was make a pour over for myself. That first cup was amazing! But I wanted to make sure it wasn’t a fluke, so I made another. Ok, that second cup didn’t suck either. So I went ahead and grabbed some other brewing equipment to see how it stands up.
The first thing I noticed is that all the coffees I tried had an extremely smooth finish. Not to say it isn’t flavorful or bold because it certainly is both. However, this roasts seems to have a way of letting all those flavors come through without any harsh bitterness taking away your ability to enjoy your cup. Whether you are having a pour over, French press, AeroPress or simply cupping it, this coffee offers a calm and mild experience that is really enjoyable.
When I drink coffee, I like to do so with the mindset of “how does this particular roast/bean rate compared to others.” There are so many variables at play that affect the taste you get out of your cup (bean origin, roast level, grind size/level, water temperature, etc) that being able to discern what you are tasting is an extremely beneficial skill.
And this coffee definitely makes you pay attention.
Why choose Real Good Coffee?
They focus on quality, sustainability and affordability which sets them apart from other companies. It would be hard to find a better coffee at this price! And with 30 years of sourcing and crafting coffee, they know what they’re doing.
Quality: They stick to the basics and concentrate on finding and roasting excellent coffee. They aren’t concerned about fancy names or packaging as long as you enjoy your cup of joe, they’re satisfied.
Affordability: They can provide great coffee at an affordable price by concentrating on quality rather than flashy presentation.
Sustainability: They try their best to be good to the planet. Their packaging is recycled and/or recyclable whenever possible.
Satisfaction Guarantee: Their mission is to provide quality coffee and service at a fair price. If you aren’t satisfied, they will make it right with their 100% satisfaction guarantee!
Real Good Coffee Company Breakfast Blend Light Roast Review
I have to say, this is probably one of the most interesting light roast coffees I’ve ever tried. An extremely smooth cup with an aftertaste that takes a second for your tongue to process. It’s almost like tasting something sweet but you are unsure if it was supposed to be or not. You instantly know something delicious just happened but can’t quite place what it is.
For those of you who are just getting into lighter roasts or have always felt that they tasted weak & bland, try this blend out! You might just be surprised. Because it’s more of a true breakfast blend coffee roast, there is more of that smoky, roasted flavor than other light roast coffee. Now if you are looking for some heavy fruit or floral notes, you aren’t going to find them as outstanding in this blend. But the smokiness paired with some nutty undertones make for a very interesting coffee indeed!
Breakfast Blend Light Roast Brewing Methods
For this Roast I decided to try it with first with a pour over and then with the French press coffee brewers.
Pour Over:
This coffee definitely has a kind of smokiness to it that I don’t really see in a lot of specialty light roasted coffee. Using this method I was able to pull out some of the subtle, yet brisk citrus taste that was hiding underneath that smokiness and milk chocolate flavor.
French Press:
The French press has really become my go to method for when I’m in the mood for a more full bodies cup of coffee. Which is usually every time I try out a new roast. Using this method, all of those roasted flavors really come forward and are much more evident than with the pour over. I was able to really pick out the nuttiness and smokiness, while also enjoying the well balanced acidity.
Overall this coffee is great for those who want a lighter roast that isn’t too timid or boring. It has a bold enough flavor to be enjoyed no matter how you brew it.
Real Good Coffee Company Donut Shop Medium Roast Review
I’m not sure if they meant to do this but whoever selected this bean to go into their Donut Shop blend definitely intended to create a medium roast that tastes just like your favorite donut shop coffee. Seriously, this was uncanny how close it tasted! This is one of those coffees that will have you going out of your way to stop at your local bakery and grab some sweets because now they taste even better than before.
We all know how the standard dark roast coffee tastes like. Strong, bitter and with a heavy mouth feel that coats your entire mouth in oils. This medium roast really does taste like you just poured yourself a piping hot cup of donut shop joe without any of those annoying oil slicks on top! You can really sink your teeth into a cup of this coffee and not have all those oils taking away from the experience.
I think the best part of this coffee though is the hazelnut undertones. To me, that was what really did it in for me because who doesn’t love a little hazelnut to round out their donut? The smokiness was pronounced without being harsh, which is perfect for those mornings when you need something bold to help take away the grogginess.
Donut Shop Medium Roast Brewing Methods
Because this medium roast was a little darker than others I tried, I wanted to start with the pour over (always). But, I also wanted to use the AeroPress to pull out the sweet notes, and finally, I made a cold brew to see how well it could hold up.
Pour Over Brew
This was probably the most smooth tasting medium roast that I’ve tried. Using this method really allowed for all of the brown sugar and sweet plum flavors to be well balanced and still have enough acid to really keep it bright. I did grab some dark chocolate I had on hand, and that really made the cup come to life and became even more complex!
AeroPress Brew
This was definitely the cup I was most excited to try because I thought that it might be able to become even sweeter with this method. Of course, using an Aeropress, all of those dark chocolate notes were able to really pop without having them overshadowed by any other flavors. There was a slightly less acidic but the smokiness was still there, kind of like how it is with a French press.
Cold Brew:
This method ended up being the best for this coffee because of that sweet plum flavor that really shined through. I added a bit of milk and some caramel syrup, and…wow! I easily drank the entire bottle in a couple of days. I’m not going to lie, this is probably one of the best cold brews I’ve ever had and I think it’s because all that smokiness just gets toned down and really becomes easier to appreciate.
If you’re looking for a medium roast that isn’t too dark while still having some bold notes, then look no further! This Donut Shop blend provides
Which Coffee Beans should you choose?
Both of these roasts from Real Good Coffee Company are so delicious and complex and unique. They really embody what they set out to create and seem like they can be enjoyed in any form, with milk or without. I’m excited to see how these beans fair in the rest of their line up because if both of these are this good it’s going to be tough waiting for my next order!
Overall, I definitely would recommend the donut shop medium roast if you are looking for something with a little more sweetness and bold flavor.
If you want something smooth that you can drink no matter the occasion, then go for the breakfast blend light roast . I can say with confidence that there is something for everyone here. If you want to try them out for yourself or just learn more, click the banner below!
Coffee Options
Read good coffee has you covered, not matter what machine you own. Along with whole beans and pre-ground coffee grounds, they also offer Keurig K-Cups and Nespresso Pods.
Whole Coffee Beans: I always recommend buying whole bean coffee and grinding your beans fresh before each brew.
Pre-Ground Coffee: If you’re in a hurry and want to make a cup of coffee right away, pre-ground is the way to go.
Keurig K-Cup: If you own a Keurig machine, try out their line of K-Cup coffee pods! I think this is a great way for people to taste these coffees without having to buy whole beans.
Nespresso Pods: Currently they offer pods for the Nespresso Original line. Unfortunately, that means if you have a Vertuoline machine you will have find another way to indulge in this great coffee.
Coffee Subscription: This is a great idea for anyone who wants to make sure you never run dry of coffee!. You save money while getting fresh, delicious beans sent right to you on a regular basis. Learn more about subscription options by visiting Real Good Coffee!
Real Good Coffee Company Review Conclusion
This coffee is…really good! It is in balance, not too acidic and has a nice body. The breakfast blend medium roast was one of my favorites because it balances out the smoky acrid taste with sweet, hazelnut undertones. As a coffee lover, this blend would be so nice to have every day, especially on cold winter morning. I recommend this coffee to any coffee lover out there, especially if you like a darker medium roast!
Real Good Coffee Company beans are top notch and their customer service is awesome! They roast their beans with care and attention to detail, as well as roasting them in small batches.
