Io is Big Island Coffee Roasters' medium-roast espresso, blending washed and natural coffees from Central and South America.
Shop this coffee at Big Island Coffee Roasters
Confirm current stock and price at the roaster.
You buy directly from the roaster, not from us. Some links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Read our disclosure.
Milk chocolate, fig, orange zest, toffee
- Origin
- Central & South America
- Process
- Washed + natural
- Roast
- Medium
- Roaster
- Big Island Coffee Roasters
Roast level
About this coffee
What the roaster tells us.
Io is Big Island Coffee Roasters’ medium-roast espresso, blending washed and natural coffees from Central and South America. The roaster lists milk chocolate, fig, orange zest and toffee for straight shots and milk drinks. Coffee Review scored it 93 points as espresso in December 2024.
Product details checked 2026-10-29. Roaster descriptions can change between lots. Tasting notes describe sensory impressions, not a guarantee of how your brew will taste.
Where it’s from
Central & South America
RoasterBig Island Coffee Roasters
OriginCentral & South America
ProcessWashed + natural
RoastMedium
From farm to cup
Where it grew, how it was made, how it’s roasted.
Straight from the roaster’s listing — no guesswork added.
Step 01 · OriginGrown
Central & South America
Step 02 · ProcessProcessed
Washed + natural
Step 03 · RoastRoasted
Medium
Before you buy
Is it right for you?
You’ll like it if…
- You enjoy bright, fruity coffees.
- You like chocolatey, comforting cups.
- You like sweet, nutty or caramel flavors.
- You want a balanced, medium-roast cup that works with or without milk.
The details
- Bag size
- 10 oz bag
- Price
- $20.00
- Price per ounce
- $2.00 per oz
From the roaster’s listing, checked October 29, 2026. Prices change.
What the process means
In a natural (dry) process, the whole coffee cherry dries in the sun with the fruit still on the bean. That usually gives a heavier body and riper, fruitier flavors like berry and tropical fruit. In a washed process, the fruit is removed from the bean before it dries. Washed coffees tend to taste clean and bright, and show off the character of the origin.
How to brew it
Starting recipes for this roast level. Adjust grind and ratio to taste; the roaster’s own guidance always wins.
| Method | Coffee | Water | Grind | Water temp | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pour-over Our pick | 15 g | 250 g | Medium-fine | 93°C / 200°F | 2:30–3:30 |
| French press | 30 g | 500 g | Coarse | 93°C / 200°F | 4 minutes |
| Cold brew | 100 g | 800 g | Coarse | Cold water | 12–18 hours in the fridge |
The people behind this coffee
Meet Big Island Coffee Roasters
Big Island Coffee Roasters was founded by Kelleigh Stewart and Brandon von Damitz, who bought a Puna coffee farm in 2010 and launched the roasting business in 2013. That same year their Puna Pink Bourbon won Grand Champion at the Hawaii Coffee Association Statewide Cupping Competition, and they opened the first coffee mill in East Hawaii. The company stopped farming in 2019 to focus on buying, processing and roasting coffee from more than 15 Hawaii farms in Kona, Kaʻū, Puna, Hamakua and other islands, and opened its Hilo roastery and café in 2023. It was a 2022 Roast Magazine Roaster of the Year finalist and placed two coffees on Coffee Review's Top 50 Coffees of 2025: Kaʻū Morning Glory (No. 6, 97 points) and Moaʻula Ohana Blend (No. 30, 96 points). For home brewers it is one of the few places to buy carefully processed, high-scoring Hawaiian microlots alongside approachable blends.
All Big Island Coffee Roasters coffees
Espresso starting point
Dial it in
A 1:2 dose-to-yield ratio is a common place to start. Adjust grind and taste — the roaster’s own guidance always wins.
In18g
Out36g
Time25–30s
Compare
Similar coffees from other roasters
| Coffee | Roast | Origin | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Island Coffee Roasters Io Espresso Blend This coffee | Medium | Central & South America | Milk chocolate, fig, orange zest, toffee |
| Partners Coffee Brooklyn Blend | Medium | Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras | Creamy cocoa, toffee, dried fruit |
| Highwire Coffee Roasters Carrier Wave | Medium | Ahuachapán, El Salvador | Milk chocolate, caramel, stone fruit |
| Coffee Bros. Costa Rica – Las Lajas Natural | Medium | Sabanilla de Alajuela, Costa Rica | Berry, cocoa, toffee |
Questions
Big Island Coffee Roasters Io Espresso Blend FAQ
What does Big Island Coffee Roasters Io Espresso Blend taste like?
Big Island Coffee Roasters lists tasting notes of milk chocolate, fig, orange zest and toffee. It's a medium roast.
Where does Big Island Coffee Roasters Io Espresso Blend come from?
It comes from Central & South America.
How is Big Island Coffee Roasters Io Espresso Blend processed?
The roaster lists the process as washed + natural. In a natural (dry) process, the whole coffee cherry dries in the sun with the fruit still on the bean.
Is Big Island Coffee Roasters Io Espresso Blend good for espresso?
Yes. The roaster recommends it for espresso. A 1:2 ratio, such as 18 grams in and 36 grams out in 25 to 30 seconds, is a good place to start.
What's the best way to brew Big Island Coffee Roasters Io Espresso Blend?
A good starting point is pour-over: 15 g of coffee to 250 g of water, medium-fine grind, water at 93°C / 200°F, about 2:30–3:30. Adjust to taste.
Where can I buy Big Island Coffee Roasters Io Espresso Blend?
You can buy it from Big Island Coffee Roasters. Prices and availability change, so check the current listing before you order.
Same roaster
More from Big Island Coffee Roasters
Big Island Coffee Roasters
Kaʻū Red Bourbon
Dark chocolate, candied violet, salted caramel, sandalwood, jasmine
Read more about Kaʻū Red Bourbon
Buy it here
Big Island Coffee Roasters
Kaʻū Morning Glory
Pecan, caramel, cinnamon, orange, vanilla
Read more about Kaʻū Morning Glory
Buy it here
Big Island Coffee Roasters
Io Espresso Blend
Milk chocolate, fig, orange zest, toffee
Read more about Io Espresso Blend
Buy it here
Io Espresso BlendMilk chocolate, fig, orange zest, toffee
Shop at Big Island Coffee Roasters