Noel Nissen, Barista at Side Project Coffee
New Math Coffee’s Sunda Hejo
“I love that they’re bringing Asian specialty coffee to Chicago. In this coffee, I get a lot of stone fruit flavors, like apricot, and it shows how balanced and sweet a coffee from Java can be.” $12.50 for eight ounces. newmathcoffee.com
Rachel Miller, Bar Manager at Community Tavern
Taste of Colombia’s Colombia Sierra Nevada
“This is a classic American breakfast coffee — medium weight with caramel and a little almondy bitterness. Colombian coffee is high elevation, so there are citrus notes, but this roast is mellow.” $13 for 12 ounces. 4801 W. Montrose Ave., Portage Park, toccoffeeroaster.com
Gabe Mauch, Owner of Grindhouse Cafe
Metropolis Coffee Company’s Costa Rica Perla Negra
“This is made with a natural process: The cherry is left intact while the bean dries. If not done well, natural coffees can have a musty old wine taste, and even great naturals can be a little overpowering. But Perla Negra is really well balanced, with the typical berry notes found in a lot of naturals, and a nice buttery finish.” $17 for 12 ounces. 1039 W. Granville Ave., Edgewater, metropoliscoffee.com
Sam Dickstein, Chef at Pizzeria Portofino
Hexe Coffee Co.’s Boneshaker Bourbon
“It’s a medium-roast coffee that’s been aged in bourbon barrels from Few Spirits in Evanston. It has strong bourbon and barrel flavors, and it’s great for cold brew. I also like Evil Friends, which is a light roast, and really refreshing.” $16 for 12 ounces. 2000 W. Diversey Pkwy., Lake View, hexecoffee.com
Rae Heying, Barista at Jackalope Coffee & Tea
Night Goat Coffee’s Santa Ines
“Hands down, my favorite beans in the city right now are from Night Goat Coffee. I snagged a bag of Santa Ines a few weeks ago, and it blew my mind. I’ve made this coffee as both a pour-over and a regular drip, and every time it was super smooth with a fruity brightness and a sweet finish.” $15 for 250 grams. nightgoatcoffee.com
Niki Tolch, Barista at Damn Fine Coffee Bar
Stivers Coffee’s Mocha Java Light Roast
“Greg Stivers has a huge selection of single origin and blends. You can filter through the options by just about any way imaginable. He’ll also ship a whole pound of coffee the very next day! I like the Mocha Java, which is a blend of African and Indonesian coffees — it’s basically the OG of coffee blends. I get it in the light roast.” $16 for one pound. stiverscoffee.com
David Celis, Barista at Goddess and the Baker
Metric Coffee’s Colorized
“This blend is a mix of South American and African beans and has a sweet yet balanced taste, plus juicy fruit notes and a bright aroma. I’ve brewed it in both an automatic machine and made it as a pour-over, and it’s given me a flavorful cup both ways.” $13 for eight ounces. 2021 W. Fulton St., West Town. metriccoffee.com