Why John is Our Flagship Bean
John is the bean that started it all for us. Sourced from the rich volcanic soils of Sumatra, Indonesia, this coffee embodies everything we love about Indonesian beans - deep, complex flavors with incredible versatility across roast levels.
What makes John special is its forgiving nature for home roasters. Whether you're just starting your roasting journey or you're a seasoned pro dialing in specific profiles, John delivers consistent, delicious results. The wet-hulled processing method creates that signature Indonesian character - low acidity, full body, and earthy complexity.
This bean truly shines across the entire roast spectrum. Light roasts bring out bright fruit notes and subtle florals. Medium roasts develop rich nutty characteristics with hints of chocolate. Dark roasts create bold, earthy profiles with tobacco and cedar notes. Few beans are this versatile.
Technical Specifications
Origin
Sumatra, Indonesia
Aceh & Lintong regions
Altitude
1,200 - 1,500 meters
Volcanic soil
Varietals
Typica, Caturra
Heirloom strains
Processing
Wet-hulled
(Giling Basah method)
Screen Size
17/18
Large, uniform beans
Moisture
11-12%
Optimal for roasting
Density
Medium-High
Good heat retention
Crop Year
Current crop
Recently imported
Flavor Profile Development
John's flavor evolves beautifully across roast levels. Here's what to expect:
Light Roast (City / City+)
Flavor Notes: Bright tropical fruits, floral undertones, citrus acidity, tea-like body
Best For: Pour over, V60, Chemex - highlighting complexity and brightness
Development Time: 10-12 minutes, drop shortly after first crack
Medium Roast (Full City)
Flavor Notes: Roasted nuts, milk chocolate, caramel sweetness, balanced acidity, creamy body
Best For: Drip coffee, French press, cold brew - excellent all-purpose roast
Development Time: 12-14 minutes, drop between cracks or at early second crack
Dark Roast (Full City+ / Vienna)
Flavor Notes: Dark chocolate, earthy/cedary, tobacco, low acidity, syrupy body
Best For: Espresso, Turkish coffee, strong morning brew
Development Time: 14-16 minutes, into second crack for bold flavors
Roasting Guide for John
Roasting Tips
- Preheat thoroughly: Ensure your roaster reaches stable temperature before dropping beans
- Charge temperature: Start at 380-400°F for most home roasters
- First crack timing: Typically occurs around 8-10 minutes depending on batch size
- Development ratio: Aim for 20-25% post-first crack for balanced flavor
- Cooling: Cool quickly after dropping to lock in desired roast level
- Resting: Let beans rest 24-48 hours for flavors to develop, up to 7 days for espresso
- Batch size matters: Smaller batches (under 1 lb) roast faster and may need temperature adjustments
Why Home Roasters Love John
Forgiving for Beginners
John is incredibly forgiving. Even if your roast profile isn't perfect, you'll still get delicious coffee. It's hard to mess up.
Rewards Skill
Experienced roasters can dial in incredibly nuanced profiles. The more you roast John, the more you'll discover its potential.
Crowd Pleaser
Whether your friends like light fruity coffee or dark bold brews, John can do both. One bean, multiple preferences satisfied.
Great Value
At $20/lb, you're getting specialty-grade Indonesian coffee that roasts to $25-30/lb equivalent quality in coffee shops.
What Home Roasters Are Saying
"This is my go-to bean. I've been roasting for 3 years and John consistently delivers. I usually roast to Full City and it's perfect for my morning French press. Chocolate and nuts all the way."
- Mike T., Home Roaster
"Started roasting 6 months ago and this was my first bean. So glad I chose it - very forgiving and tastes great even when I mess up the timing. Now I'm experimenting with different roast levels and loving the journey!"
- Sarah L., Beginner Roaster
"The quality is consistently excellent. Every bag I've ordered has been fresh, uniform, and roasts beautifully. I appreciate the care Broken Coffee puts into their selection. Will keep ordering."
- David K., Experienced Roaster
John vs. Our Other Beans
| Feature | John (Indonesia) | Luke (Blend) | Matthew (Colombia) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | All roast levels | Dark roasts | Light-medium roasts |
| Body | Full, creamy | Heavy, syrupy | Medium, smooth |
| Acidity | Low-medium | Low | Medium-bright |
| Complexity | Medium-high | High (layered) | High (clean) |
| Beginner Friendly | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Price | $20/lb | $20/lb | $20/lb |
Can't decide? John is the perfect starting point. Once you master it, try Luke for darker roasts or Matthew for brighter profiles.
John - Indonesia
Green Coffee Beans
$20/lb
1 pound bag
Fresh crop
Sample roasted
Prime shipping
Ships via Amazon Prime. Easy returns. Satisfaction guaranteed.
Questions?
Email us at brokencoffeeco@gmail.com
We're here to help you get the most out of John!
Storage Tips
Store John in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. An airtight container is ideal. Green beans stay fresh for 12+ months when stored properly.
Also Try
Luke Blend - If you love dark roasts and want more complexity
Matthew Colombia - If you want brighter, cleaner cup profiles
View All Beans