Welcome to the Coffee Roaster Game!

I’m here to walk you through the rules and get you caffeinated for some coffee roasting fun. Are you ready to learn? Let’s dive in!

First things first, let’s talk about the goal of the game. It’s pretty simple – you want to become the ultimate coffee roaster! But how do you achieve this? Well, you’ll need to roast the perfect coffee beans and master the art of brewing.

To start, you’ll need to choose your coffee beans. There are different types available, each with its own unique flavor and characteristics. Take a moment to consider which beans you’d like to work with. Remember, your choice will affect the final taste of your coffee.

Once you’ve selected your beans, it’s time to roast them! Roasting is the process of heating the beans to unlock their flavors. You’ll need to pay close attention to the roasting time and temperature to achieve the perfect roast. Don’t worry, it may take a few tries to get it just right, but practice makes perfect.

After you’ve roasted your beans, it’s time to grind them. The grind size will also impact the taste of your coffee. Finer grounds extract more flavor, while coarser grounds give a milder taste. Experiment with different grind sizes to find your preferred balance.

Now comes the exciting part – brewing the coffee! There are various brewing methods to choose from, such as drip brewing or using a French press. Each method has its own unique process and results in a slightly different taste. It’s up to you to discover which brewing method suits your taste buds.

Finally, it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy your freshly roasted and brewed coffee. Savor the flavors and aromas as you sip your creation. You’ve done it – you’ve become a coffee roasting master!

Remember, the key to mastering the Coffee Roaster Game is practice and experimentation. Try different combinations of beans, roast levels, grind sizes, and brewing methods to discover your perfect cup of coffee. So grab your virtual apron, fire up the coffee roaster, and let’s get brewing!

• 1 Roast Board
• 143 Tokens
• 1 Cup Board
• 1 Turn Disc (red)
• 1 Counter Cube (brown)
• 11 Bean Sheets
• 1 Summary
• 1 Cloth Bag
• 1 Roasting Score Sheet
• Instructions

Get Ready to Roast Some Coffee!

I’m going to tell you about Coffee Roaster, a fantastic 1-player board game. In this game, you play as a skilled coffee bean roaster. Your aim is to create the perfect coffee by roasting beans to match a specific roast level. Let’s dive in and learn more!

Once you start playing Coffee Roaster, your adventure begins. The first thing you’ll notice is a selection of game pieces, including a Roast Board, Tokens, a Cup Board, a Turn Disc, a Counter Cube, Bean Sheets, a Summary, a Cloth Bag, a Roasting Score Sheet, and of course, a set of Instructions.

The Challenge Ahead

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to become a coffee connoisseur. To do that, you’ll need to turn raw coffee beans into delicious roasted beans. As the beans come out of the bag, you’ll roast them in the perfect way to achieve the desired flavor.

At the end of each roasting session, your skills will be put to the test with a cup of coffee. You’ll earn points by roasting the beans just right, so they match the desired roast level while retaining their natural flavor. It’s important to roast the beans evenly and bring out the best qualities of each bean.

When you’re roasting coffee beans, it’s important to consider the moisture trapped in the beans and the amount of smoke generated during the process. To achieve the perfect blend, you need to skillfully place the Body, Acidity & Aroma Tokens on the Roast Board and use their effects to guide the beans in the Roasting Bag.

This game features 22 different beans, but only 3 of them will be roasted in the Full Menu. Your point total will reflect your skill as a Coffee Roaster.

Menu

You can choose between two menu types:

Full Menu (30 Min)

Trial Menu (10 Min)

Setup

Setting Up the Cup Board

Let’s start by setting up the Cup Board. Just place it right next to the Roast Board. Now, take the Counter Cube and put it on the number 0 of the Roast Counter, which you can find in the lower part of the board.

Preparing the Beans

Now, it’s time to choose the beans for the challenge. You can look at the Bean Sheets and pick one that you like. If you want a full menu experience, go for any Beginner Level bean from Group 1, which you can find on the Light Brown Bean Sheet. But if you’re just playing for fun, feel free to choose any bean you want. Though, I’d recommend starting with a Beginner Level bean for your first play.

On the Bean Sheet, you’ll see a cream-colored area where it tells you how many of each token you’ll need to use. Just gather all the tokens mentioned and put them in the bag.

Roast Board

First, I want you to take a look at the Roast Board. It’s the key to a successful roasting process. Make sure you have the Turn Disc nearby, but don’t place it just yet. We’ll get to that soon, depending on how dry the current bean is.

Next, we need to set up the Unique Effect Tokens and the Wild Flavor Token. These tokens are what make the roasting experience truly unique. Put each token in its designated spot on the board.

Now, let’s add some Smoke Tokens. You’ll see spaces with smoke marks on the board. Stack two smoke tokens on some spaces, and three on others. This will give your beans that authentic roasted flavor.

And just like that, the preparation phase is complete. You’re now ready to dive into the game.

Game Play

Now comes the fun part – game play! During the game, you’ll be taking out tokens from the bag, processing them, and then returning them. This whole process is known as the Roasting Phase.

You’ll be repeating this phase multiple times. After each turn, you have a choice – you can either finish roasting and move on to the Cup Test, or you can keep going with another Roasting Phase. It’s up to you!

When you finally decide to finish roasting, it’s time for the Cup Test. This is where you calculate your score and see how well you’ve done in the bean challenge. And with that, one challenge comes to a close.

1. Advancing the Turn Disc

So, on the first step of the Roast Phase, you’re going to place the Turn Disk. You can see it as the blue numbers with water droplets on them. These numbers represent the amount of moisture in the coffee beans you’re working with. Fascinating, right? The water droplets tell you where to start the Turn Disc. How cool is that?!

To figure out the starting space for the Turn Disc, you’ll need to check the Bean Sheet for this challenge. Look at the number of Moisture Tokens indicated there. Then, put the Turn Disc on the corresponding space. For example, if there are 7 Moisture Tokens, place the Turn Disc on the “7/8” space. Easy peasy, huh? Take a look at the image below to see what I’m talking about!

When it’s my 2nd turn or any subsequent turn, I move the Turn Disc one space to the right. If the space where I’m supposed to move has Smoke Tokens, I collect all the Smoke Tokens and put them back in the bag before moving the Turn Disc.

2. Take Tokens From the Bag

• At the base of the Roast Board, there’s a temperature gauge. It’s like a thermometer that tells you how hot the roast is. On the gauge, you’ll see some big numbers in bold letters: 6, 7, 8, all the way to 14. Each number represents how many tokens you should take out of the bag on your turn.
• Before you start, make sure to give the tokens in the bag a good mix. Then, carefully take out the number of tokens shown by the bold numbers and put them in front of you. Just remember not to take more tokens than the number indicated on the gauge.

If you don’t have many tokens, just take all of them from the bag and continue.

3. Roasting

You need to process the tokens in the order described below.

Remove any Moisture Tokens from the game.

Use Immediate Effects

B. Use Flavor Effects

Increase the Roast Level

Process the tokens one by one, starting with ‘a’ and ending with ‘c’. Once you move to the ‘b’ step, you can’t go back to the ‘a’ step.

Each token can only be processed once. You can either place it on the Roast Board, return it to the box, or put it back in the bag.

Moisture Evaporation

If you find any Moisture Tokens that came out of the bag, you need to take them out of the game. You can’t keep them.

Tokens Removed from the Game

When certain tokens are taken out of the game, it’s important to keep track of the ones that remain in the bag. These tokens should not be put back in the box. Instead, it is recommended to place them nearby, in a separate area, so you can easily refer to them.

The Roast Board

Hey there! Want to know how you can earn some awesome Unique Effects? Well, I’ve got the scoop for you!

So, the Roast Board is divided into two parts: the Left Half and the Right Half. Let me break it down for you.

The Left Half is where you’ll find effects that you can use right away. It’s like instant gratification!

On the other hand, the Right Half is where you’ll find effects that you can use during the Cup Test. It’s like saving up the good stuff for later.

Now, here’s the catch. When you place tokens on the Left Half, you can use tokens straight from the bag. Pretty simple, right?

But when you place tokens on the Right Half, there’s a little twist. You have to use them as Flavor Effects first, like “Concentration”, “Preservation”, or “Dispersion”. Only then can you place them on the Right Half of the Roast Board.

Tip: Here’s a helpful hint: when you roast a particular bean, each effect from the Left Half can only be used once. The Right Half, on the other hand, is reserved only for Flavor Tokens whose effect has already been used.

Now let’s dive into the crucial concept of keeping the unique characteristics of each bean in mind during the cup test. Each move you make while roasting the beans will have an impact on their development.

A. Using Immediate Effects (when Placing On The Left Half)

• When you place a token on a corresponding space of the Left Half, you can immediately use that effect. But remember, it’s optional to place Flavor Tokens.
• Even if you have Flavor Tokens in front of you, you’re never required to place them on the Roast Board. However, if you do choose to place a Flavor Token, you must use its effect right away.
• There’s no limit to how many tokens you can place in a single turn. Feel free to go wild!

When it comes to achieving immediate effects in the game, you don’t have to place both tokens at once. You can place one token now and the other later if you want.

There are spaces called Any-Flavor Spaces that accept any Body, Acidity, or Aroma token. So you have the flexibility to choose any of these tokens for those spaces.

Each Immediate Effect can only be used once per Challenge. So it’s important to choose the right timing to use them. Sometimes, you may need to adapt to the current situation and make decisions on the fly.

Remember, achieving immediate effects is a key aspect of the game. By understanding how and when to use them, you can improve your chances of success.

Here’s an overview of Immediate Effects:

– You can place Immediate Effects tokens at different times.

– Any-Flavor Spaces accept any Body, Acidity, or Aroma token.

– Each Immediate Effect can only be used once per Challenge.

– Timing and adaptability are crucial in using Immediate Effects effectively.

So, if you’re looking to elevate your game and make strategic choices, pay attention to Immediate Effects and make the most of them!


Hey there! Let’s talk about a game called “Choose and Return.” It’s a game where you pick 2 tokens from a bag, put them back, mix them up, and then draw 2 more tokens to add to the ones you already have. It’s pretty simple and fun!

Now, let’s move on to “Cleaning Up.”

When you have Smoke, Burnt Bean, and Reject Bean Tokens in front of you, I’ll take them all away. You can have as many of these tokens as you want, and I’ll still remove them all.

Get +2 Cards

So here’s the deal: reach into the mysterious bag and pull out two more tokens. Then just add them to the ones you already have in front of you. But hold up, if there aren’t at least two tokens left in the bag, sorry, you can’t use this power move. And oh yeah, one more thing – no putting any Flavor Tokens in there when you’re down to just a couple!

Show Me 5

Hey there! Let’s talk about these 5 special tokens. They’re a little different from the rest you’ll get from the bag. When it’s your turn, grab 5 tokens from the bag. Now, out of those 5, you get to pick 2 and remove them from the game. The other 3 tokens go back into the bag. You can choose any type of token to remove, except for the Flavor Token. Oh, and if there are less than 5 tokens in the bag, sorry, but you can’t use this ability.

Wild Flavor Token

Immediate Effects and Moisture Tokens

“Redrawing 2” & “+2 Drawing”

“Drawing 5”

B. Using Flavor Effects

The Body, Acidity, and Aroma Tokens have their own special Flavor Effects. You can combine these Flavor Effects with the Bean Tokens to really amp up your game.

When you use a Flavor Effect, you should immediately put the Flavor Token you used on the Right Half of the Roast Board. If there’s no empty space on the board for the Flavor Token, you won’t be able to use that Flavor Effect.

You can use as many Flavor Tokens as you’d like in a single turn. There’s no limit.

It’s up to you whether or not you want to use Flavor Tokens. Using them is optional. You don’t have to use the Flavor Tokens you take out of the bag. Any Flavor Tokens you don’t use go back into the bag at the end of your turn.

Concentration

When you use this Flavor Effect, 2 Bean Tokens turn into 1.

I wanna tell you about this awesome thing I found called the Body Token’s Flavor Effect. It’s super cool because it combines two bean tokens and creates a whole new token that’s equal to the sum of the two. So, let’s say you have a token with a value of 1 and another token with a value of 2. When you use the Body Token’s Flavor Effect, it’ll create a new token with a value of 3. Or if you have two tokens with a value of 2 each, the Flavor Effect will give you a new token with a value of 4! How neat is that?

But hang on, there are a couple of things you need to know. The bean tokens you wanna combine must be Roast-Level 1, 2, or 3. And the total value of the tokens you wanna combine can’t be more than 4. So, if you have a token with a value of 1, you can combine it with another token that has a value of 1, 2, or 3. But if you have a token with a value of 2, you can only combine it with another token that also has a value of 2. That’s how you keep it under 4.

Now, let’s talk about concentration. It’s super important when you’re playing Coffee Roaster. When you wanna use the Body Token’s Flavor Effect, you gotta stay focused and concentrate. Just keep 2 beans from increasing levels, and you’ll be good to go.

So, that’s the deal with the Body Token’s Flavor Effect. It’s a really cool feature in Coffee Roaster that lets you combine bean tokens to create new ones with higher values. Just remember the rules and stay concentrated, and you’ll be roasting those beans like a pro!

Flavor Effect of the Acidity Token

The Acidity Token’s Flavor Effect allows me to return 2 bean tokens back to the bag, all while keeping their roast level unchanged. It’s like a magical trick where I can make beans disappear and reappear without anyone noticing.

Now, which beans are eligible for this magic trick? Well, any 2 Bean Tokens with a roast level of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 can be chosen. It doesn’t matter if the two tokens have the same roast level or not. The only requirement is that I choose exactly 2 tokens. I can’t just preserve one bean and put the other one back.

Using Concentration

Dispersion

Here’s another interesting aspect of the game. With the Concentration ability, I can turn 1 bean token into 2. It’s like multiplying beans! Just imagine the possibilities and how it can help me in my coffee-roasting journey.

• The Flavor Token has a special ability to split one bean token into two smaller tokens.
• To use this ability, the bean token must be at Roast-Level 2, 3, or 4. For example, a Roast-Level 2 token can be split into 1 & 1, a Roast-Level 3 token can be split into 1 & 2, and a Roast-Level 4 token can be split into 2 & 2.

Using Concentration

Using the Wild Flavor Token

Hey there! So, let’s talk about the Wild Flavor Token. This little thing is pretty cool because it can replace any Flavor Token for a Flavor Ability. When you use that Ability, you gotta put the Wild Flavor Token on a space that matches the corresponding token for that ability.

But here’s the thing: if you use the Wild Flavor Token for Aroma’s Dispersion Effect, you can’t put it on a space just for Body or Acidity. Instead, you gotta put it on a space as if it were an Aroma Token.

Stacking 2 Flavor Tokens while Placing

Now, here’s something interesting: sometimes you might have these Flavor Tokens that you haven’t used yet. Well, here’s the deal – you can place any 2 of those unused Flavor Tokens and put them on the Right Half of the Roast Board. The top token is the one that matters for the placement rules, but you can ignore the type of the token that’s at the bottom. This trick can come in handy when you can’t or don’t wanna use a Flavor Ability.

Oh, and by the way, you can also place the Wild Flavor Token in a special way. If you put it on the top, it can go on any space you want.

Hey there! Let’s talk about how to place and collect unique effect tokens in the game. But first, I want to mention that other tokens, like Flavor Tokens such as Bean, Smoke, Reject Bean, and others, cannot be placed in the same way as the ones we’re about to discuss.

So here’s how you place and collect unique effect tokens:

• When you use a Flavor Effect, you need to place the used Flavor Token on the Right Half of the Roast Board in a space that makes sense.
• After you have placed both necessary tokens, you earn a Unique Effect Token. These Unique Effect Tokens come into play after the Roasting Phase, during the Cup Test Phase. When you get a Unique Effect Token, make sure to place it on the Cup Board in the space that matches the token’s picture.
• In order to earn a Unique Effect Token, you have to fill both spaces. However, you don’t have to fill them on the same turn. You can play one token on one turn and save the other token for a future turn.

Now let’s talk about increasing the level of roast:

When I play the game, I usually gain 1 rank. All Bean Tokens that weren’t placed on the board or affected by a Flavor Effect get roasted, and their rank goes up by 1.

If I’m in a red zone, my rank goes up by 2 instead.

I want to talk about something really important. It’s about these special zones in the game called “Red Zones.” These zones are marked by red circles, and there are two of them on the board where Smoke Tokens were placed.

Now, usually, when you land on a space with a Bean Token, its rank goes up by 1 Roast Level. But here’s the cool part: when you land on one of these Red Zones, the Bean Token’s rank actually goes up by 2 Roast Levels instead! It’s like a turbo boost for your beans!

Oh, and there’s one more thing. The Hard Bean Tokens are a bit different. When they land on a Red Zone, their rank doesn’t go up by 2. Instead, they always become Roast-Level-0 Bean Tokens. It’s like they need a little extra time to cool down.

The Red Zone, known as ‘Crack’ by coffee roasters, is a crucial stage in the roasting process. It’s something I always keep in mind when planning my overall roasting strategy.

Let’s talk about how to use the Roast Counter. You can find it at the bottom of the Cup Board, in the orange area. The Roast Counter is there to help you keep track of the progress of your roast.

This counter represents the level of roast that has been achieved so far. Every time you increase the roast level of a bean, you move the Counter Cube along the appropriate number of spaces. This way, you can easily see how far along you are in the roasting process. It’s a smart tool to consult when you’re deciding whether to continue roasting or move on to the Cup Test.

By the way, if you ever happen to go above 39 on the counter, don’t worry! Just start again at the bottom and use 0 to represent 40. This little trick makes it easier to keep track of things. However, it’s completely up to you whether you want to use the Roast Counter or not. It adds an extra challenge if you decide not to.

Processing

• First, let’s talk about the order in which we process the Bean Tokens. We start with the highest-ranked token and work our way down.
• If you have a Bean Token in front of you, it’s time to send it back to the box. But don’t worry, you’ll get a new token of higher rank in return! Just remember, for the Red Zone, you’ll get a token that’s two ranks higher.
• Now, let’s talk about what happens when a Bean Token reaches Roast Level 5 or higher. Well, it becomes a Burnt Bean. You’ll need to put that Burnt Bean back in the box and replace it with a Burnt Bean Token from the bag.
• There are a few special tokens we need to talk about – Smoke, Reject, Burnt, and Flavor Tokens. These tokens are not affected by the processing rules we just discussed. They only go back in the bag if the Roast Board tells them to at the end of the turn.

Note: Sometimes, there may not be a token available to increase the rank of a bean through roasting. In that rare case, the bean’s rank will not be raised, and it will be returned to the bag along with the other tokens.

Moving the Counter Cube

Every time a bean’s roast level goes up, I move the Counter Cube the same number of spaces.

Decreasing the Roast Counter

• When I place a Roast-Level-1 Bean Token on the Roast Board, I decrease the Roast Counter by 1.
• While roasting, if I replace a bean with a Burnt Bean Token, I decrease the Roast Counter by the roast level of the bean.
• When I use the ‘Drawing 5’ ability and remove any Bean Tokens, I decrease the Roast Counter by the appropriate amount.

4. Returning Tokens to the Bag (Ending the Turn)

When I have processed all the Tokens, my turn is over. I need to return any remaining tokens in front of me back to the bag.

The Cup Test

Hey there! So, I wanted to talk to you about something pretty cool called the Cup Test. It’s this interesting experiment that helps you understand yourself better and discover your unique qualities. Are you ready? Let’s dive in!

Picture this: You have an empty cup in front of you. This cup represents you, your mind, and your heart. Now, imagine pouring different things into the cup. These things can symbolize all the experiences, beliefs, and emotions that make you who you are.

First, imagine pouring in your accomplishments. These could be things like winning a race, getting good grades, or even making a friend happy. How full does your cup feel? Do you feel proud of your achievements?

Next, let’s pour in your worries and fears. These could be things that make you feel anxious or scared, like speaking in public or trying something new. How much space do these worries take up in your cup? Do they sometimes overwhelm you?

Now, let’s add some kindness and love to the mix. This could be the love you have for your family, friends, or even yourself. How much love can your cup hold? Do you feel loved and supported?

Lastly, let’s pour in your dreams and aspirations. These are the things you hope to achieve, like becoming a doctor, an artist, or a teacher. How do these dreams make you feel? Are they a source of motivation and excitement?

Now, take a moment to reflect on your cup. How full is it? Is it overflowing with positivity and joy, or is it weighed down by worries and fears? Remember, your cup is unique to you. Embrace all the things that make you who you are, both the ups and the downs.

The Cup Test is a reminder to take care of yourself and find a balance in life. It’s okay to have worries and fears, but it’s also important to fill your cup with love, kindness, and dreams. By understanding what fills your cup, you can make choices that bring you happiness and fulfillment.

So, my friend, I encourage you to embrace the Cup Test and explore what makes you, well, you. Take a moment to check in with yourself and see what you need to add or let go of. Remember, you have the power to shape your own cup and create a life that is uniquely yours. Cheers to that!

After roasting the coffee, I use the Cup Test to evaluate its flavor. It’s a simple yet important step in the process.

First, I fill the round spaces on the Cup Board with coffee samples. I place 10 tokens in total, and once they are all used, the Cup Test is complete. This allows me to move on to the next phase: scoring.

5. The Final Roasting Stage (Let’s Test the Coffee!)

Deciding Whether to Keep Roasting or Finish

Once the Roasting Stage is complete and the tokens have been returned, you have to make a choice – should you keep roasting or finish? The only time you can move on to the Cup Test is right now, at the end of a Roasting Stage.

Continuing to Roast (Moving on to the Next Turn)

If you decide to continue roasting, you start the next turn by following the steps of the “Advance the Turn Disc.”

You can only continue roasting until you reach the last step of the Temperature Gauge (Step 14). Once that turn is over, you must proceed to the Cup Test.

Finishing Roasting (Moving on to the Cup Test)

When you choose to finish roasting, you skip directly to the Cup Test.

When you play this game, you’ll have a bag of tokens and a cup. The goal is to decide where to place each token as you take them out of the bag. You can choose to put them on the tray or in the cup. If there are no empty spaces left on the tray, you have to put the token in the cup.

When you put a token in the cup, the spaces are filled from the top of the cup, going from left to right, then moving to the second row, third row, and so on. The last space that will be filled is the bottom right space in the cup.

In the cup, the two upper left square spaces already have tokens. One is the Roast-Level-3 Token, and the other is the Sweetness Token. If you haven’t earned one or both of these tokens, the empty spaces will be filled with tokens from the bag.

There is one special token called the Moisture Token. If you pull this token from the bag, you don’t put it in the cup or the tray. Instead, you immediately remove it from the game.

Have fun playing and making your decisions as you go!

When 10 Tokens have been placed or there are no more tokens left in the bag, the Cup Test ends, and it’s time to move on to scoring. However, if the tokens run out and there are only 9 or less in the cup, you’ll incur a penalty of -5 points. So be careful with your token placement!

Now, let’s take a quick look at the unique effects of each bean. Understanding these special characteristics, as well as the current contents of the bag, is crucial for preparing for the Cup Test. It’s also a good idea to collect some Unique Effect Tokens along the way.

If you’re lucky enough to have acquired any Unique Effect Tokens, you can use them during the Cup Test to give yourself an advantage. Just keep in mind that these tokens are specific to the bean’s roast level.

So, as you embark on this coffee-tasting adventure, remember to pay attention to the rules, gather your Unique Effect Tokens, and prepare for a truly unique experience. Good luck, and enjoy!



When it comes to the Cup Board game, there is a special token called the Sweetness Token that plays an important role. It is placed in the Top Left space of the Cup Board’s Cup area. This token has a unique ability and is treated just like a Roast-Level-3 Bean Token when scoring. However, it cannot be redrawn once it is placed.

So what does the Sweetness Token do?



Hey there! Let me tell you about this cool token called the Sweetness Token. It’s placed in the Top Center space of the Cup Board’s Cup area. You see, it’s a special type of Flavor Token, and it’s really important if you want to earn the full 10 Flavor Points on the Group 3 (Dark Brown Bean Sheets).

Now, here’s where things get interesting. If you use the Sweetness Token in a bean that doesn’t actually need it, it acts as a Wild Flavor Token during scoring. It’s like a wild card that can be used to boost your points. But wait, there’s more! If all the Flavor Tokens needed for the maximum Flavor Points are already in the cup, then the Sweetness Token doesn’t serve any purpose. It just hangs out there, looking pretty but not doing anything.

Oh, and one more thing. Once you draw the Sweetness Token, you can’t redraw it. So you gotta use it wisely. It’s a one-time deal, you know?

Now, let’s talk about another cool token – the Redraw-2 Token.



Here’s what you need to do: place this token right beside the cup on the right side. When the cup is filled with 10 tokens, pick any 2 round tokens from those 10 and put them back in the bag. Now comes the fun part – draw 3 tokens at the same time and choose any 2 out of the 3. Put those 2 tokens in the 2 empty spaces in the cup. Even if there’s extra space in the tray, the chosen tokens must go in the cup. The other token goes back in the bag. You can decide whether or not to use this token’s ability, but if you do, you have to use it to the fullest. You can’t return just 1 token to the bag. And here’s a rule: if you draw any Moisture Tokens from the bag, they’re taken out of the game right away. Keep drawing tokens until you have 3 non-Moisture Tokens.

Time to Draw & Choose



When playing the coffee roaster game, there’s a special token that comes into play – the Extra Tray Token. You’ll find this token outside of the cup, on the right side. It has an important role when filling up the second row of the cup.

Once you acquire the Extra Tray Token, it’s not something you can choose to ignore. You must use it. So here’s how it works:

When it’s time to add tokens to the cup, you’ll take two tokens from the bag at the same time. You’ll then have to choose one of the two tokens and place it in the cup. It’s important to note that even if there’s empty space in the tray or an extra tray available, the chosen token must always be placed in the cup. The other token is simply returned back to the bag.

This process of taking two tokens and placing one in the cup is carried out for both appropriate spaces in the second row. It may sound a bit confusing at first, but don’t worry – it’ll become clearer as you play the game and get more familiar with its mechanics.

Now, let’s move on to the next step in playing the coffee roaster game. But before we do, take a moment to consider the strategic possibilities that the Extra Tray Token brings to the table. It’s definitely a game-changer, and it can greatly influence your roasting strategy. So keep it in mind as you progress through the game and make those important decisions.





When you play the Cup Board game, a token called Extra Tray is placed below the tray area. Once you have the Extra Tray Token, you can use the two round spaces below it just like the normal tray spaces. It’s a special bonus that gives you extra options. But remember, the Extra Tray Token can’t be carried over to the next game; it’s only valid for the current Cup Test.

At the end of the Cup Test, all the Unique Effect Tokens are taken off the Cup Board and put back in their proper places on the Roast Board. This ensures a fresh start for the next game.

Now let’s talk about scoring. In the Cup Board game, points are awarded in three different ways. These points are added up, and any penalties are subtracted. The result is your final score for the bean challenge.

You can earn Roast Points, which are a measure of how well you roasted the coffee beans. The better the roast, the more points you get. It’s all about finding that perfect balance of flavor and aroma.

There are also Quality Points, which reflect the quality of the beans you used. A higher quality bean will earn you more points. It’s important to choose your beans carefully if you want to maximize your score.

Finally, there are Taste Points. These points are based on how well you brewed the coffee. The taste and texture of the final cup are crucial here. It’s all about extracting the right flavors and achieving the perfect balance.

Once you add up all your points and subtract any penalties, you’ll have your final score. The higher the score, the better you did in the bean challenge. So aim for the top and show off your coffee skills!



When you roast coffee beans, you have the opportunity to earn points based on how close your roast is to the target level. These points are important and can be found in the Roast Points section of the Bean Sheet for the specific type of coffee bean you are using. Each total roast level is represented by a star, and you will see a number written below the star indicating how many points you have earned.

It’s worth noting that not all roast levels have points associated with them. If a roast level is not listed with a point value, it means that roast level does not earn you any points.

Earning Skill Points



Hey there! Have you ever wondered how you can earn more points in the world of beans? Well, I’ve got an inside scoop for you. If you manage to collect a bunch of beans with the same roast level, you’ll score some extra points!

Here’s the lowdown: For every 3 bean tokens of the same roast level you place in your cup, you’ll earn 1 point. But wait, it gets even better! If you collect 4 tokens, you’ll get 2 points. And if you go all the way up to 7 tokens, you’ll score a whopping 5 points! It’s like a bean bonanza!

Now, I should mention that anything less than 2 tokens won’t earn you any points. And no matter how many beans you collect, if you reach 8 or more tokens, you’ll still get 5 points. It’s all about finding that sweet spot, you know?

Flavor Points



When it comes to coffee beans, it’s essential to preserve their unique flavors. You’ll be pleased to know that doing so can even earn you points! Check out the ‘Flavor Points’ section on the Bean Sheet for more information.



In the Cup Test, I have the Flavor Token symbols drawn. These symbols are the ones I want to have in the cup.

If I have one of these tokens placed in the cup, I earn one point. Having two tokens gives me three points, while three tokens grant me six points. If I manage to get all four required tokens, I’ll earn ten points.

However, placing Flavor Tokens in the cup that are not the desired ones does not earn any points. Having more tokens of a certain type than the specified number also doesn’t increase my points. One important thing to note is that the Wild Flavor Token can be used as any Flavor Token (Body, Acidity, or Aroma Token), but it cannot be used as a Sweetness Token.

Negative Points

If any tokens of the types listed in the box below are in the cup, they become minus points.

The tokens in the tray or extra tray do not affect my score at all.



So, here’s the deal. Sometimes, you’ll get a penalty, a minus point, if you do certain things. Let’s take a look at those cases.



Let’s Take on the Next Bean Challenge!

Hey there! Before we tackle the next bean challenge, we need to do some prep work. First things first, let’s empty out the bag of any remaining tokens. Then, make sure to clear out all the tokens from both the Cup Board and the Roast Board. We want to start fresh!

Now that everything is cleared out, it’s time to set up the boards again. Arrange them just like you did before. And now, we’re ready to choose our next bean from the next group. Exciting, right?

Remember, the next bean challenge is waiting for us, and we’re up for it! Let’s give it our best shot!



There are 22 different beans to choose from, and they are split into three groups based on their color: light brown, brown, and dark brown. Each group is further divided into three difficulty levels.

When you start a full menu, you begin with a bean from Group 1, which is the light brown group and is usually the easiest level. After that, you move on to Group 2 and then Group 3, playing one bean from each group.

The difficulty level of the beans is determined by your previous performance in the Cup Test. If you score 9 or less points, you’ll play the next bean at the Beginner Level. With a score of 10-14 points, you’ll move on to the Advanced Level. And if you score 15 points or more, you’ll be playing on the Expert Level.

The results of your Cup Test in Group 2 will affect the difficulty level of your beans in Group 3. You can choose any bean from the group that corresponds to your skill level. So, pick wisely!



Starting on Group 1’s Expert Level

If you want to start making the Full Menu on Group 1’s Expert Level, you need to have already reached the rank of Middle Level Roaster (refer to page 16) or higher.

Once you’ve reached the rank of Middle Level Roaster or higher, even just once, you have the freedom to start making the Expert Level of Group 1’s Bean anytime you want.

Specialty Coffees

In Coffee Roaster, there are 5 specialty coffees. A specialty coffee is a coffee bean that has been carefully reviewed and recognized for its high quality.

These beans are of superior grade with very few defects, but they have a very narrow window for roasting to achieve a delicious flavor, and they are all very challenging to roast.

However, when the roasting level is just right, you can experience an incredible, flavor-packed charm that you can never get from an ordinary bean.

Hey there! So, I want to tell you about these five awesome beans that are considered experts in the coffee world. These beans require some serious roasting skills, but if you want to be a true coffee master, these specialty beans are definitely worth a try.

Time to Wrap It Up!

Once you’ve completed three challenges involving these beans, the game comes to an end. It’s time to tally up your scores for the three Cup Tests and record them on your score sheet.



Earning a Rank

Hey there, I’m excited to share with you how your rank as a Coffee Barista is determined based on your total score. It’s a pretty neat way to see how competent you are!

Points
Rank


60+	Meister
+53-59	Top Roaster
+47-52	Town’s Best Artisan
+40-46	High Level Roaster
+35-39	Middle Level Roaster
+28-34	Most Promising
+20-27	Entry Level Roaster
19-	Apprentice Roaster