The Coffee Bean Laboratory, operated by Oaks Inc., has recently refreshed its ranking articles, presenting the "Top 65 Delicious Coffee Beans" and "Top 55 Best Online Coffee Picks". This update, published in September 2025, is a significant revamp based on reader feedback and market trends, focusing on enhancing both comprehensiveness and reliability in coffee selection.
Background: The Need for Trustworthy Choices
In today's saturated information age, the expansion of specialty coffee and subscription services has diversified methods of purchasing coffee beans. Despite this variety, many consumers face uncertainty with the plethora of highly-commercialized rankings and ambiguous evaluation criteria available online. Consequently, many voice confusion about which information to trust for selecting their coffee.
From its inception, the Coffee Bean Laboratory has adhered to the philosophy of providing information that allows consumers to make informed choices, grounded in expert knowledge. This significant update aims to further this mission by revealing assessment methods that blend data, practical measurements, and expert insights, while also organizing simple guidelines for consumers.
Update 1: Streamlined Coffee Selection Criteria
This latest update has reorganized eight critical standards to consider when selecting coffee beans:
1. Price
2. Freshness
3. Roast Level
4. Origin
5. Specialty Grade
6. Availability of Sample Sets
7. Subscription Services
8. Delivery Systems
Each point is concisely explained to help newcomers intuitively grasp the selection process. The pathways from understanding the criteria to identifying matching beans are clearly mapped out, supported by visual aids for clear representation.
Update 2: Transparent Evaluation Framework
For its rankings, the Coffee Bean Laboratory has employed a unique scoring method that integrates survey results from over 1,300 coffee lovers, taste tests by the editorial team, and evaluations by experts. Specifically for the "Top 65 Delicious Coffee Beans," the final scores are calculated as follows:
- - User Surveys: 20%
- - Tasting Evaluations: 75%
- - Editor and Expert Ratings: 5%
By transparently outlining this process, the laboratory distinguishes itself from rankings that rely solely on popularity or advertiser bias, thus providing reliable evaluation data. Additionally, detailed characteristics such as flavor profiles, origins, and roast levels of each product are included to simplify comparative choices for consumers.
For past investigations, refer to the recent findings on the most preferred coffee beans based on feedback from 400 readers.
Update 3: Revamped Top 3 Rankings Visualization
To aid in selecting among the recommended coffee beans, a new visual comparison of the top three products has been created. Key attributes such as ease of use, quality, variety, and distinctive features are compiled, making it straightforward for readers to grasp the uniqueness of each product.
This graphical representation is also available for secondary use by media and social media posts (with proper citation of "Coffee Bean Laboratory: https://coffee-labo.co.jp/"). It not only enhances the readability of articles but also serves as an educational tool for coffee selection.
Reader Reactions: Easier Choices and Personalized Discoveries
Since the update, feedback from readers celebrates the clarity of the selection process, indicating they found it easier to purchase without hesitation. Comments highlight how clearly outlined differences between beans facilitated their pursuit of preferred flavors, particularly appreciating the comparative insights provided for the "Top 55 Online Picks," which included considerations for subscription options and initial purchase promotions.
Representative Statement
Genta Kashikura, CEO of Oaks Inc., commented, "Coffee is a highly subjective experience; there's no definitive 'right' choice. However, the satisfaction derived from finding the right bean can significantly enhance daily coffee enjoyment. Therefore, we aim to provide straightforward and transparent evaluation criteria to help readers make informed choices. We will continue to update our resources regularly to serve as a compass for coffee selection for both novices and enthusiasts."
Future Plans
Moving forward, the Coffee Bean Laboratory intends to maintain quarterly updates for its rankings and introduce comparative content across various tools (such as hand drip or espresso) and purposes (including gifts or office use). By systematizing what consumers should know before purchasing coffee, the goal is to fortify its role as a trusted information hub.
About Coffee Bean Laboratory
The Coffee Bean Laboratory stands as one of Japan's largest specialty coffee information sites, covering various aspects, including choosing beans, reviews, brewing recipes, and health effects. With expert-backed articles exceeding 1,000 and achieving monthly views of around 600,000, it continues to be a reliable resource for coffee enthusiasts.