The 9 Best Coffee Bean Brands For All Of Your Brewing Needs

Best dark roast: Death Wish Dark Roast Coffee

For enthusiasts of robust, dark coffee, the choice of bean is unmistakable: Death Wish Coffee. This brew offers numerous benefits for your morning routine, with its strength being the most prominent. Online reviewers frequently mention how swiftly it provides the boost they need to kickstart their day. If you've ever longed for something to make waking up at the crack of dawn a bit more bearable, or to give you the energy to conquer any challenge, this coffee is likely the solution.

That said, it doesn't compromise on flavor. Many reviewers have pointed out that it is significantly less bitter than other dark roast options. Death Wish Coffee also features rich notes of dark chocolate and black cherry, complementing its bold intensity. In other words, it's delicious enough to be enjoyed black, yet powerful enough to maintain its flavor even when enhanced with cream and sugar.

Best medium roast: Five Five Coffee's Ethiopia blend

The origin of coffee significantly influences its flavor profile. Take, for instance, this Ethiopian blend, a medium roast from Five Five Coffee in Manistee, Michigan. Like many Ethiopian coffees, it features fruity and tangy notes, but this particular blend reveals some surprising flavors on the palate as well.

Coffee expert Theo Chan notes that this coffee exhibits an "excellent chocolate depth," a characteristic typically absent in Ethiopian coffees unless they are roasted to a darker level. Although classified as a medium roast, it leans towards the darker end of the spectrum, enhancing the slightly chocolatey taste that Chan experienced.

Nonetheless, the Ethiopian blend still delivers a vibrant fruity experience, with hints of peach, various berries, and watermelon, complemented by subtle chocolate undertones. In summary, it creates a delightful sensation on the palate that few coffees can match. As Chan puts it, it's "one of the best dark roast cups I've had this year."

Best espresso: Intelligentsia Whole Bean Coffee

You've got regular coffee and then there's espresso, and while some might argue that the two should never mix, fans of Intelligentsia's Whole Bean Coffee would likely disagree. A quick look at online reviews showcases the affection coffee enthusiasts have for Intelligentsia, particularly because it excels as both an espresso and a pour-over. The brand's robust and rich flavor profile is influenced by a variety of elements. With every sip, notes of dark chocolate and marshmallow dance on the palate, followed by subtle hints of lemon that elevate the overall taste.

When it comes to enjoying this blend as an espresso, Heather Perry, an award-winning barista and CEO of Klatch Coffee, advises espresso lovers to take the time to "dial in" their brewing method. "It's perfectly normal to experiment with grind size, tamping, temperature, and other variables until you achieve the ideal result," she shares exclusively with Chowhound. This is sound advice, especially for a bean like Intelligentsia, which is bold enough to be your go-to espresso and delicious enough to savor in a large cup of coffee each morning.

Best decaf: Counter Culture Coffee's Slow Motion Decaf

In the culinary realm, made-to-order is something you usually associate with your go-to restaurant, not a coffee brand — which is precisely why Counter Culture Coffee's Slow Motion Decaf has earned a place on this list. These beans are roasted in small batches before being dispatched to customers, almost guaranteeing a fresh product. Each bag is marked with both a roast date and a "best by" date, reassuring coffee lovers that this roast is genuinely made to order.

This fact alone makes this rich, dark roast worthy of a closer look, but the novelty of having a made-to-order bag of decaf coffee would quickly fade if it didn't also deliver on taste. According to numerous online reviews, this coffee is exceptionally delicious, with many fans declaring it their top choice for decaf.

The flavor profile of the coffee features prominent chocolate notes, enhanced by subtle hints of molasses. Thankfully, the rich, fudgy taste is able to shine through, as it lacks the typical bitterness that can sometimes accompany coffee. Instead, it offers a gentle sweetness that creates a delightful flavor, whether enjoyed black or with your preferred creamer or flavored syrup.

Best budget: Café Bustelo's Supreme

If you're a coffee lover, the last thing you want to hear is "coffee" and "budget" in the same sentence, as they often come with the dreaded "bad" and "taste." However, if you've had the pleasure of trying Café Bustelo's Supreme coffee, you know that it's entirely possible to find an affordable coffee that also delivers on flavor. Plus, it's convenient since Café Bustelo offers both whole bean and ground options.

When it comes to taste, Café Bustelo's Supreme hits the ground running with a delightful kick—it's no wonder this coffee is a favorite among staff and countless java enthusiasts who rave about it on retailer websites. The coffee is rich and inviting on its own, but its true strength lies in how well it holds up against flavored creamers or robust dairy products like half and half.

With its excellent price and quality, this coffee is a fantastic choice for holiday gatherings, especially since it pairs wonderfully with the eggnog that's so readily available this time of year. But honestly, this coffee is a treat any time of year.

Best craft: Strait Coffee Roasters' Granja La Esperanza Pink Bourbon

Granja La Esperanza Pink Bourbon coffee, sourced from Strait Coffee Roasters in San Jose, California, has a name that evokes the image of a bourbon cocktail you'd order at the start of happy hour and continue sipping until last call. However, the reality is that this is the perfect coffee to enjoy as the bar winds down at 2 a.m.

It's completely non-alcoholic (unless you decide to add a shot). The name is inspired by the pink-tinted coffee berries. Similar to its stronger, boozy namesake, Pink Bourbon coffee boasts an "exceptionally smooth" mouthfeel, as noted by Chan, who describes its pour-over version as "glycerine-like." In terms of flavor, this Colombian coffee presents a vibrant blend of floral and fruity notes, complemented by a subtle hint of dark chocolate in every sip, resulting in an incredibly smooth cup of coffee.

Best beans for a percolator: Caribou Coffee's namesake blend

A percolator coffee pot is to coffee what the volume knob is to a radio — a means to amplify the good stuff. Just like the radio dial, your percolator allows you to adjust the strength of your coffee by controlling the boiling time on the stove. However, there's a catch: the coffee you use in a percolator can easily turn into a thick sludge, especially if you start with a robust blend like a smoky French roast. The solution? Opt for a medium-roast coffee, such as Caribou Coffee's Caribou Blend Medium Roast.

Many online reviews indicate that, while this coffee has the deep, rich flavor often linked to darker blends, it lacks the bitterness found in some medium to medium-dark roasts. Instead, it offers notes of lemon and cardamom, along with hints of raisin and dark chocolate.

This is great news when it’s time to dust off your percolator. Since you can enhance the flavor intensity when brewing with a percolator, the medium strength of Caribou Blend holds significant promise. It can serve as a smooth base for an afternoon iced coffee or a robust morning brew, depending on how long you choose to boil it. Experimenting with different brewing times is worthwhile to discover your perfect cup.

Best for a cold brew: Speedwell's Cold Brew Blend

A delicious cold brew can be just as invigorating as a chilled glass of Coca-Cola on a warm day, which is why the cold brew featured on this list carries subtle hints of cola flavor. While Speedwell's Cold Brew Blend doesn't replicate the taste of Coke exactly, it also presents secondary notes, primarily of chocolate and red grape. Its sweet and refined profile perfectly captures the essence of what makes cold brewing unique.

Most coffee enthusiasts are familiar with the conventional hot brewing method, where hot water is forced through a coffee filter filled with ground coffee. However, the cold brewing technique might be a bit more enigmatic for some. The primary distinctions between these two methods are the water temperature and the duration the coffee is in contact with the water.

In cold brewing, the water is initially cool, and the coffee is steeped in cold water for up to 24 hours. The strength of the coffee is partly derived from this brewing method. To enhance the flavor, Perry recommends that cold brew aficionados "choose beans known for their robustness, ensuring the flavor remains strong even when mixed with water or milk." Nevertheless, since the steeping process intensifies the coffee's flavor and sweetness, you might prefer to savor it straight from the glass, just like you would with your favorite Coke.

Best overall: Theory Coffee Roasters' Ethiopia Banko Taratu

At times, you may crave a bit of coffee in the afternoon, while other times, tea is your preference. And occasionally, you find yourself torn between the two. In those instances, you won't regret choosing a bag of Theory Coffee Roasters' Ethiopia Banko Taratu. This coffee offers delightful notes of orange and bergamot, evoking memories of leisurely afternoons spent enjoying Earl Grey with a touch of cream and sugar.

Yet, it remains distinctly coffee. The bergamot is prominent, complemented by the coffee's rich jasmine and fruity undertones. Paul Piggott notes that this coffee boasts a full mouthfeel and a "vibrant acidity," making it "delicious as a pour-over or iced coffee."

Ethiopia Banko Taratu is an heirloom-quality coffee with a robust flavor, undoubtedly influenced by its unique growing and processing conditions. Cultivated at elevations between 1,950 and 2,300 meters and subjected to double fermentation, this coffee is truly exceptional and our top choice for "Best Coffee Overall."