Which coffee should I choose?
We've been roasting specialty coffee in Montreal since 2016. A question we get a lot: which one should I get? Here are our answers, brew method by brew method.
For espresso at home
Go with Joyeux Roger for a round, sweet espresso (brownie, hazelnut, creamy), or Bon Matin if you like it darker, a.k.a. bolder (toasted pecan, dark chocolate, butterscotch).
Both come from the same coffee: beans from the Sancoffee cooperative in Brazil, natural process. Bon Matin is simply roasted a little longer, which deepens the caramelization of the sugars and gives it a toastier taste.
For filter (V60, Chemex, drip machine)
Brewmance. It's our blend of Joyeux Roger and a fruitier coffee (named on the Brewmance product page): chocolatey and creamy, with just enough ripe fruit to keep things interesting.
Truth is, all our coffees are great in filter: it really depends on the profile you're after. Joyeux Roger, for example, does the job if you prefer a more chocolatey cup. For a perfect recipe, check each coffee's product page: there's a V60 recipe at the bottom. And to dial in your grind for your method, our grind guide has you covered.
For a latte or cappuccino
Bon Matin or Joyeux Roger. Their chocolate, nut and caramel notes pair well with milk.
Want a latte with a bit of fruit? Brewmance works too. Most of our coffees are made with milk drinks in mind: use the filters in the Coffees collection to see which ones.
New to specialty coffee
Start with our classics: Joyeux Roger, Bon Matin or Brewmance. Every product page has a scale from Classic to Adventurous: the closer to Classic, the more familiar the profile (chocolate, nuts, caramel).
A good starting point to compare with the coffee you already drink, without getting lost in tasting notes. To try all three, grab the Zab Introduction Box (3 × 300 g).
For something different
Check out our rotating origins in the Coffees collection. They change with the harvests and sit closer to the Adventurous end of the scale.
Every bag lists the origin, the producer, the variety, the process and the altitude; we explain it all in Understanding the label and Processes.
Caffeine-free, or half the caffeine
Our Colombian decaf: toffee, apricot and cola syrup. It works just as well in espresso as in filter.
It comes from the Caldas region. It's decaffeinated by Descafecol using a natural method: spring water and ethyl acetate made from local sugarcane. Honestly, you can't even tell it's decaf.
If you want half the caffeine, we have two half-cafs: half regular coffee, half decaf. The Half-caf Espresso is round and chocolatey. The Half-caf Filter is fruitier and juicier.
Whole bean or ground?
Whole bean if you have a grinder at home: grind right before you brew. If not, we'll grind it for you: pick your method in the Grind menu on each product page.
Our grind guide shows which grind goes with which method, from espresso to cold brew.
Freshness and subscription
We roast every week and the roast date is on every bag. To never run out, a subscription gets you 5% off, at the frequency you choose, no commitment.
The calculator on the Subscriptions page helps you find the right amount based on how many cups your household drinks. Shipping is free across Canada on orders over $40.
Still not sure?
Write to us or drop by the shop on St-Denis, we love talking coffee. Questions about shipping, storage and orders are in our FAQ.
The Zab Café team · Updated October 2026