From Bean to Cup, How Coffee is Roasted at Small Batch

At Small Batch Coffee Roasters, we have spent more than twenty years refining how coffee moves from green bean to finished cup. Since founding Small Batch Coffee Roasters in Brighton in 2006, roasting has always been at the heart of what we do. Every decision we make in the roastery is guided by flavour, consistency and respect for the coffee itself.

Our roasting takes place by roaster, Art, who plays a central role in shaping every coffee we produce. Art roasts in true small batches, guiding the roast with precise control over temperature, airflow and development time. This level of control means we can respond to each coffee individually rather than forcing beans into a fixed profile. The goal is always clarity, balance and sweetness in the cup.

A great example of this approach is Goldstone, our flagship espresso blend and a coffee many customers experience daily in our cafés. Named after our first roastery in Hove, Goldstone is roasted light to medium to preserve complexity while maintaining enough body to work beautifully with milk. The result is a smooth and balanced cup with notes of milk chocolate, hazelnut and berry, designed to showcase origin character without overwhelming roast influence.

Alongside this sits Throwback, a blend inspired by classic espresso traditions. While richer in profile, Throwback is carefully roasted medium dark rather than heavily roasted, allowing us to retain sweetness and structure. Built from seasonal natural and washed coffees, it delivers dark chocolate depth, citrus brightness and hazelnut sweetness, performing particularly well in milk based drinks while remaining enjoyable black.

At Small Batch Coffee Roasters, roasting is never about chasing darkness or intensity. Instead, we guide each coffee through drying, caramelisation and final development to highlight what makes it unique. Our omni roast philosophy ensures coffees work across espresso and filter brewing, giving versatility without compromising flavour.

After roasting, every batch is tasted and quality checked before being packed fresh. This attention to detail ensures the coffee reaching homes and cafés reflects the full journey from producer to roaster.

Twenty years on, Small Batch Coffee Roasters continues to roast with the same intention we started with, using experience, technology and craftsmanship to honour every bean from farm to cup.