Metric Coffee: Chicago's Clean, Traceable East African & Latin American Single Origins
Metric Coffee opened in Chicago's Fulton Market in 2013, the product of a partnership between Darko Arandjelovic, owner of Caffe Streets, and Xavier Alexander, a Chicago native and former Roasting Manager at Intelligentsia. The two spent nearly a year refurbishing a 1961 Probat roaster they'd bought sight unseen from a descendant of the machine's German founder — its metric-unit hardware gave the company its name. For its first three years Metric operated primarily as a wholesale roaster supplying some of Chicago's best restaurants and cafes before opening a retail bar at the roastery in 2016. More recently, the company has been recognized for its focus on transparency and equity throughout its supply chain, from farm relationships through to the cup.
That emphasis on traceability shows up directly in the coffee: a tightly curated single-origin program built almost entirely on washed and honey-processed East African and Latin American lots, prized for clarity and clean acidity rather than showy processing experiments. A short blend lineup — a bright seasonal filter blend, a cold brew-oriented roast, and a chocolate-caramel house blend — rounds out the everyday side. CoffeeByMe's AI recommendation engine can help match your palate to Metric's clean, high-clarity house style.
Single Origins
| Name | Roast | Tasting Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burundi Businde | Medium | complex berry notesbalancedBright | $22.50 |
| Colombia Decaf Huila Rainbow | Medium | Balancedcleansweet | $25.50 |
| Colombia Carlos Efrain Cortes | Medium | BalancedSweetClean | $27.50 |
Blends
| Name | Roast | Tasting Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Riff | Medium | caramelnutschocolate | $20.00 |
| Classic Cold Brew Roast | Medium | cleanbalancedsmooth | $20.00 |
| Parasol [Seasonal Blend] | Medium Light | floralbrightcleanstone fruitcitrus | $25.50 |
Roast Profile & Flavor Range
Metric's active catalog splits evenly between light-medium and medium roasts, with nothing pushed into medium-dark or dark territory — a deliberate choice that favors transparency over roast-driven sweetness. Acidity runs consistently medium-high to high across the washed and honey-processed single origins, with body staying light to medium throughout, true to the brand's clean, high-clarity house style. The recurring flavor signature is bright and fruit-driven: citrus, stone fruit, and berry notes appear again and again, often described simply as "clean" and "balanced," with honey-processed lots adding brown sugar warmth. The house blends soften that brightness slightly, adding chocolate and caramel depth for espresso and cold brew use. Pricing runs about $20 to $29 for 10.5-ounce bags, a tight and consistent range across the entire active catalog.
Why Buy Metric Coffee
Roastmaster pedigree: Co-founder Xavier Alexander's background as Intelligentsia's Roasting Manager shows up in a precise, clarity-focused approach to washed and honey-processed lots.
Consistent light-medium to medium roast: With every active coffee in the middle of the roast spectrum, Metric is a reliable pick for drinkers who want bright, high-acid cups without venturing into dark-roast territory.
Traceable, equity-focused sourcing: Metric has been recognized for its transparent approach to farm relationships, giving buyers confidence in where their coffee comes from.
Tight, approachable pricing: Every active coffee falls in a compact $20–$29 band for 10.5-ounce bags. CoffeeByMe's AI recommendations help you find the right citrus- or stone-fruit-forward lot for your brew method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Metric Coffee located?
Metric Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster based in Chicago, IL.
What does Metric Coffee specialize in?
Metric's active catalog splits evenly between light-medium and medium roasts, with nothing pushed into medium-dark or dark territory — a deliberate choice that favors transparency over roast-driven sweetness.
Where can I buy Metric Coffee coffee?
You can browse Metric Coffee's coffees on CoffeeByMe and click through to buy directly from the roaster, or visit Metric Coffee's own website.
