When it comes to crafting exceptional coffee, altitude plays a significant role in the flavor profile and quality of the beans. Coffee plants thrive in cooler, high-altitude regions, like those where Mile High Roasters sources its beans. These elevated areas—usually above 3,000 feet—create an ideal environment for growing coffee cherries with distinct and complex flavors. But why is that?
Pro tip: You’re going to want to eat this one with a knife and fork (and a mimosa).
Slower Growth, Richer Flavors
At higher elevations, the cooler temperatures cause coffee plants to grow more slowly. This extended maturation period allows the cherries more time to develop their sugars, resulting in a bean that’s more dense and packed with nuanced flavors. This slow growth not only intensifies the sweetness but also enhances the acidity, giving high-altitude coffee its signature brightness and complexity. At Mile High Roasters, we work exclusively with beans from these elevated regions to ensure that each cup delivers a refined, vibrant taste that stands out.
Altitude and Coffee Processing
In addition to growth, the altitude impacts how coffee cherries are processed. Because the climate is cooler and less humid, drying the beans can be done more evenly and slowly, preserving the integrity of the flavors. This process allows the beans to retain their natural aromas and sweetness, providing a smooth yet complex taste when roasted. Our team carefully selects beans that have undergone this meticulous processing to ensure that no flavor is lost before they reach the roaster.
Connecting Altitude to Roasting
Roasting high-altitude beans is an art form in itself. The density of the beans, a result of the slower growth, requires precise control during the roasting process. At Mile High Roasters, we’ve perfected a roasting profile that brings out the best in these beans. Our roasters use lower temperatures and longer roasting times to gently unlock the flavors trapped inside the dense beans, balancing their acidity with rich undertones of chocolate, fruit, or even floral notes.
This careful roasting technique results in a well-rounded coffee with bright, lively acidity and a smooth, lingering finish. It’s why every cup from Mile High Roasters feels like a celebration of both tradition and innovation—a perfect harmony of nature’s best conditions and human expertise.
Why Elevation Matters to Your Cup
When you sip a cup of coffee from Mile High Roasters, you’re experiencing the direct impact of altitude. The brightness, the complexity, and the intricate balance of flavors are all shaped by the elevation at which the beans were grown and the care taken in roasting them. It’s why coffee grown and roasted at high altitudes is often regarded as superior, with each cup offering a distinct taste journey.
At Mile High Roasters, we pride ourselves on bringing you the best of these high-altitude beans, roasted to perfection, so you can experience the full spectrum of flavors that only high-altitude coffee can deliver.
