Black and White Roasters: Southern Specialty Coffee Spanning Geishas, Co-Ferments, and Everyday Classics
Black and White Roasters, based in the South, occupies a distinctive position in the American specialty coffee scene: a roastery equally committed to innovative micro-lot processing and accessible, well-crafted everyday offerings. Their catalog is one of the more diverse in the CoffeeByMe collection, ranging from delicate washed Geishas at roast level 1 (Light) to full, syrupy dark roasts, with pricing that spans $21 for entry-level blends up to $96 for a rare Panamanian natural Geisha.
The light-roast single-origin program is the heart of the lineup. A washed Geisha from Honduras offers gardenia florals, tropical notes, tea-like sweetness, and vanilla — a delicate, high-clarity cup. Ethiopia is explored through multiple lenses: one natural-process lot delivers citrus, stone fruit, raspberries, and a milk chocolate finish, while a washed lot from the Arbegona region opens with Meyer lemon, stone fruit, and white flowers. Processing experimentation runs throughout — an innovative ultrasonic and anaerobic fermented Colombian lot produces tropical mango and amaretto-like sweetness, and a Costa Rican lot processed via cherry co-fermentation yields port wine and confectionary sweetness.
For drinkers who prefer a roaster-curated blend, Black and White offers a wide spectrum: intensely fruity co-fermented blends built on tropical and berry character sit alongside more classic and comforting everyday options anchored by caramel, black cherry, and milk chocolate. CoffeeByMe's AI recommendation feature can help you navigate this wide-ranging catalog to find your ideal cup.
Single Origins
| Name | Roast | Tasting Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nestor Lasso - Thermal Shock Caturra | Light | brown sugar sweetnessnectarinered cherrySweet citrusstone fruit | $26.00 |
| Julio Madrid - April | Light | floralgreen grapemelonpeach teajasminefruity | $30.00 |
| Diego Bermudez - Luna Gesha | Light | Candied OrangeWhite GrapeWhite TeaLavenderPearVioletOolong TeaWhite PeachMangoElderflowerWildflower Honey | $96.00 |
Blends
| Name | Roast | Tasting Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinson Argote - Cherry Limeade | Medium Light | lime zestred slusheepineapplecherry blossom | $35.00 |
| Unblended - Young Producers Project | Medium | tropicalstrawberrysweetfruitychocolatemango | $26.00 |
| Ramon Rodriguez - Washed | Medium Light | brown sugardatescandied hazelnutsred applesweet fruits | $26.00 |
Roast Profile & Flavor Range
Black and White Roasters leans heavily toward light roasts — the majority of their single origins fall at roast level 1 (Light), preserving vibrant acidity and expressive origin character. Flavor themes are dominated by florals, stone fruit, citrus, berries, and tea-like clarity, especially across the Geisha and Ethiopian offerings. Body tends toward medium and low, with high-to-moderate acidity throughout the light-roast tier. The blends round out the range, extending into medium-dark for drinkers who want more weight and roast sweetness. Price runs from $21 for everyday blends and accessible single-origin classics up to $96 for a rare natural Gesha micro-lot from Panama.
Why Buy Black and White Roasters
Geisha specialists: A dedicated Geisha program spans Honduras and Panama, presenting three distinct expression points of this prized variety — all roasted light to let the cultivar's signature florals, stone fruit, and tea-like sweetness shine.
Origin diversity: Colombia, Ethiopia, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama are all well-represented, spanning washed, natural, honey, co-fermented, thermal shock, and ultrasonic processing techniques.
Accessible entry points alongside prestige lots: Year-round everyday blends at $21–$22/12oz sit comfortably beside $40–$96 micro-lots, making the catalog inviting at any budget.
Ideal for adventurous palates: If CoffeeByMe's AI recommendation tool flags that you enjoy fruit-forward, floral, or experimentally processed coffees, Black and White Roasters should be your first stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Black and White Roasters located?
Black and White Roasters is a specialty coffee roaster based in Wake Forest, NC.
What does Black and White Roasters specialize in?
Black and White Roasters leans heavily toward light roasts — the majority of their single origins fall at roast level 1 (Light), preserving vibrant acidity and expressive origin character.
Where can I buy Black and White Roasters coffee?
You can browse Black and White Roasters's coffees on CoffeeByMe and click through to buy directly from the roaster, or visit Black and White Roasters's own website.
