Coffee and Food Pairing: What to Eat With Your Morning Cup

Coffee Is a Food, Too

We spend a lot of time thinking about what wine pairs with dinner, but coffee — one of the most complex flavor experiences in the world — rarely gets the same treatment. That's a missed opportunity. The right food pairing can elevate both the coffee and the food, creating combinations that are genuinely greater than the sum of their parts.

Here's your guide to pairing our coffees with food, from breakfast through dessert.

The Basic Principles

Coffee pairing follows two main strategies:

• Complement: Match similar flavor notes. A chocolate-forward coffee pairs naturally with chocolate pastries.
• Contrast: Use opposing flavors to create balance. A bright, acidic coffee cuts through the richness of a buttery croissant.

Both approaches work — the key is paying attention to the coffee's dominant flavor notes and working from there.

Single-Origin Pairings

Kenya AA Lenana — Bold & Fruity

Our Kenya AA Lenana has bright berry and citrus notes with a wine-like acidity. It pairs beautifully with:

• Fresh fruit and yogurt parfaits
• Lemon or citrus pastries
• Dark chocolate (70%+ cacao)
• Aged cheeses like sharp cheddar or manchego

Jamaican Blue Mountain — Smooth & Balanced

The legendary Jamaican Blue Mountain is mild, smooth, and subtly sweet. It's versatile enough to pair with almost anything, but shines with:

• Buttery croissants or brioche
• Mild cheeses like brie or cream cheese
• Vanilla or almond pastries
• Fresh fruit — especially stone fruits like peach or apricot

Costa Rican La Minita — Bright & Caramel-Sweet

Our Costa Rican La Minita has notes of citrus, caramel, and milk chocolate. Try it with:

• Caramel or toffee pastries
• Banana bread or muffins
• Milk chocolate
• Granola with honey

Flavored Coffee Pairings

Apple Cinnamon Strudel — The Breakfast Coffee

Our Apple Cinnamon Strudel is practically a breakfast food itself. Pair it with:

• Actual apple strudel or Danish pastry (obviously)
• Oatmeal with brown sugar and cinnamon
• Pancakes with maple syrup
• Spiced granola

Chocolate Orange Peel — The Dessert Coffee

Our Chocolate Orange Peel is sophisticated and indulgent. It pairs perfectly with:

• Dark chocolate truffles or bark
• Orange-glazed pound cake
• Biscotti
• Tiramisu

Vanilla Hazelnut — The All-Day Coffee

Our Vanilla Hazelnut is smooth and versatile. It works with:

• Hazelnut biscotti or cookies
• Creamy cheesecake
• Waffles with whipped cream
• Almond croissants

Blends for Everyday Pairing

Our Bishop Coffee Blend and Fairview's Finest are balanced, medium-roast blends that pair well with virtually any breakfast or brunch food. When in doubt, reach for a reliable blend — it's the little black dress of coffee pairings.

One Final Tip

The best pairing is the one you enjoy. Use these suggestions as a starting point, then experiment. Coffee is one of the most complex flavor experiences in the world — there's always something new to discover. Browse our full coffee collection and start exploring.