Coffee, explained by where it comes from

Coffee Across Countries was started by a lifelong coffee lover with a simple frustration: most coffee advice tells you what's popular, not what you will enjoy. Two bags labelled “medium roast” can taste nothing alike, because the country, the altitude, the variety and the way the fruit is processed matter as much as the roast.

So this site starts at the farm, and it's guided by Marlo.

What Marlo can't do

Marlo can't taste coffee. So Marlo never says “I tasted this.” When you see tasting notes, they're the roaster's own cupping notes or well-documented traits of the origin, and Marlo says so.

How Marlo picks coffee

• Start from flavor. Each origin's typical flavor comes from its altitude, varieties and processing. The quiz matches what you already like to eat and drink against those profiles.
• Read the roaster's notes. For each bag, Marlo uses the roaster's published tasting notes, process and growing details, and only recommends bags that are actually in stock.
• Say when there's nothing good. If no bag Marlo trusts is available for a country, the site says so instead of pushing a substitute.

How Marlo picks gear

• Specs and independent reviews, not marketing: burr type and adjustment range for grinders, temperature control for kettles and brewers, certifications like the Specialty Coffee Association's.
• The cheaper option when it's good enough. A $25 dripper brews as well as a $60 one. Marlo says so.
• Prices are checked by hand and dated. Current prices were checked in November 2026; always confirm at the store.

How the site is funded

Coffee Across Countries is reader-supported. Some links go to partner stores that pay us a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. A partner's commission never changes what Marlo recommends. The affiliate disclosure has the details.

Say hello

Questions, corrections or a coffee Marlo should know about? Get in touch. A person reads every message.