Who we are
Hi, I’m Rob, the founder of Sunset Beach Roasting Company, based right here in Sunset Beach, NC!
What started as a passion for great coffee quickly became a mission—to share the world’s best, cleanest coffee with others who care about quality, sustainability, and flavor. I source only organic, fair trade, and environmentally responsible beans because I believe your daily cup should be as good for the planet as it is for your taste buds. Every bag is roasted to-order for maximum freshness. This is coffee you can feel good about—crafted with care, from my coast to your cup!
Why we sell whole bean coffee
At Sunset Beach Roasting Company, we believe coffee should be as fresh and flavorful as possible when it reaches your cup. That’s why we only sell whole bean coffee.
Once coffee is ground, it begins to lose its delicate flavors almost immediately. Oxygen, moisture, and light all speed up the breakdown process, causing coffee to go stale much faster. Whole beans act as a natural shield, protecting the oils and aromatic compounds that make great coffee taste, well, great. When you grind fresh right before brewing, you're unlocking the full, rich flavor the way it’s meant to be experienced — fresh, vibrant, and deeply satisfying.
Whole beans also stay fresher and safer longer. Ground coffee has a much larger surface area, making it more vulnerable to moisture and, over time, even mold development if not stored properly. Keeping the coffee whole protects it naturally, giving you a cleaner, healthier, and better-tasting cup.
Simply put: Freshly ground coffee = better coffee.
If you don't have a grinder yet, trust us — it's a small investment that makes a huge difference in every cup. You don’t need anything fancy or expensive - here is the grinder I use every day.
Why we roast to order
We roast our coffee only after you order because true quality can't sit around on a shelf. Roasted coffee has a peak freshness window — usually between 7 and 21 days after roasting — when it tastes its absolute best. After that, the flavors start to fade, and in some cases, coffee stored too long can even develop unwanted flavors from oxidation, humidity, or mold exposure.
Most coffee you find in grocery stores has already been sitting for weeks or even months before you ever bring it home. By then, much of the vibrant flavor, natural sweetness, and lively aroma are already gone. That's why grocery store coffee often tastes flat, bitter, or stale compared to fresh-roasted beans.
By roasting to order, we make sure you get your coffee at its prime: rich, aromatic, and bursting with the unique flavors of our high-elevation, organic beans. No old stock. No guesswork. Just a perfect roast, every time.
Freshly roasted coffee also brews better, especially for drip coffee lovers. When coffee is fresh, it releases carbon dioxide during brewing, a process called “blooming.” This bloom pushes water evenly through the coffee grounds, extracting maximum flavor and delivering that full-bodied, café-quality cup right at home.
With Sunset Beach Roasting Company, you're not just buying coffee — you're tasting it the way nature intended.
Best way to brew
1. Grind Fresh Before Brewing
Always grind your coffee just before you brew. The grind size should match your brewing method — fine for espresso, medium for drip, coarse for French press.
2. Pick the Right Brew Method
Drip Coffee Makers: A great everyday method! You don’t need a fancy or expensive model - just be sure your machine allows for full saturation and even brewing. I use a Hamilton Beach Flexbrew.
Pour Over: For clean, bright flavors. This method gives you more control over brewing time and water flow.
French Press: For a bold, full-bodied cup. Be sure to brew for about 4 minutes and use a coarse grind to avoid over-extraction.
AeroPress: Perfect for a strong, smooth cup. Quick and versatile, this method is great if you like to experiment with different brewing styles.
3. Mind Your Ratios
The golden ratio for coffee is roughly 1 tablespoon of coffee for every 6 ounces of water. NOTE: A coffee "cup" isn't the same as a standard measuring cup.
In coffee terms, 1 cup = 5 to 6 ounces, not 8!
Want to take it up a notch? Use a kitchen scale for exact measurements and even better consistency.
4. Drink It Fresh
Coffee is at its best within 30 minutes after brewing. If you make extra, transfer it to an insulated carafe — don’t let it sit on a hot plate where it can scorch and turn bitter.
Contact us
Questions, comments, or concerns? We can’t wait to hear from you!