We all have our favorite type of coffee. Whether you prefer a dark roast made from coarse grounds and a French press or something less strong and dark via your reliable Mr. Coffee, a cup of Joe is the best way to start your day. And like everything in life, there’s always room for improvement. Whether it’s owning a high-end coffeemaker or buying the right milk or milk frother, the ideal method for making the perfect cup of coffee is easier than you think. In addition to tasting great and kick-starting your day, coffee also promotes liver health and reduces your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
While we’re all for coffee clubs and coffee subscription services, there will come a time when you need to be in charge of your coffee beans. We’ve done our research to bring you our comprehensive list of the best coffee beans that will surely please your palate and elevate your mornings. A word of advice: Coffee beans do expire, so don’t let them sit for too long in the kitchen. Oh, and keep your coffee pot clean, it'll lead to a better-tasting cup.
Water Avenue Coffee
Best overall
Portland, Oregon, knows coffee, and Water Avenue has long been a model roaster in the caffeine-addicted city. The outfit reigns supreme in all facets, from flavor and variety to presentation and packaging. The beans are roasted so deftly that you can recreate the quintessential coffee shop experience at home with ease. If you happen to find yourself in Portland, you can stop in to one of the company's three locations, otherwise you can buy a coffee subscription so you'll never run out.
Stone Street Coffee Company
Best dark roast
New York-based Stone Street makes a mean cup of dark coffee. Stone Street Coffee has a huge variety of blends, even some especially designed for the cold brew method. The company also has an array of options along the darker end of the spectrum, equally delicious and from all over the global coffee map. Often, a dark roast coffee is too intense to drink without a heavy pour of milk, but that's not the case here.
Cognoscenti Coffee
Best light roast
It's no surprise a warm-weather town like Los Angeles would specialize in a lighter roast style of coffee. Cognoscenti turns out some of the best in the category, without sacrificing big flavor profiles. You'll fall for this lauded roaster if you're a fan of fruit and citrus-driven coffees. If you're in Los Angeles, you can sample the brew at one of their three cafes, if you can't get to LA, you can buy a monthly subscription that starts a little over $20 a month.
Peet's Coffee
Best budget
Peet's has done some cool things over the years, like collaborating with a brewery to create a coffee-infused IPA. Throughout, the roaster has produced quality beans at a great price. Stalwart options like Major Dickason's Blend continue to impress without putting a large dent in your bank account. Peet's Coffee is pretty widely available, but if you want to save a trip to the store, Peet's does offer a home subscription, which could also make a great gift.
Onyx Coffee Lab
Best for espresso
Award-winning Arkansas specialist Onyx Coffee Lab is always up to something creative in its roastery. While its coffee bean selection is strong and worth your time, the company is also behind some fantastic espresso beans. If you want to elevate your single shot or Americano game, check 'em out. If you're in Arkansas and you want to learn more about coffee, check out the Onyx Coffee Academy, which offers in-person classes on how to make the perfect cup.
Java Pura
Best flavored coffee
Houston's Java Pura is doing great things in the Lone Star State for coffee. The company does fine cold brew, makes a surprisingly good batch of decaf (not that you don't need the caffeine), and even has a barrel-aged series of coffee beans. You can always count on big memorable flavors with this roaster, including a tasty espresso blend. If you're not quite sure about which blend is perfect for you, Java Pura does offer sampler boxes so you can try out different varieties.
Intelligentsia
Best variety
Intelligentsia has grown significantly over the years but without losing sight of its quest to produce top-notch coffee. The Chicago roaster has been at it since 1995 and has since developed relationships with coffee growers all over the planet. In turn, it has created an impressive portfolio of coffees. If you're after diversity in origin and flavor, feel free to be a coffee tourist with Intelligentsia.
Stumptown Coffee
Best whole bean
Stumptown has become a real force in the coffee landscape and for good reason. The Pacific Northwest operation sources amazing beans and delivers them freshly roasted, so you can take on the joy of grinding at home. The company's whole bean lineup is noteworthy and generally as aromatic as it is flavorful. Stumptown Coffee Roasters' subscription packages include free shipping and the chance to purchase special coffees before they are released to the general public.
Peace Coffee
Most sustainable
Out of Minneapolis, Peace Coffee has become synonymous with fair trade practices and sustainable farming. You'll enjoy sipping the roaster's work as well as knowing your money is going to something worthwhile. Peace Coffee was founded by the Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy, a nonprofit devoted to equity in farming and fair agricultural practices. Peace Coffee only purchases organic, fair trade coffees from small-scale growers that invest in their farmers.
Coava Coffee
Best single origin
A trip to Coava's flagship coffee shop is a sensory joy. Fortunately, you can recreate that experience at home with the roaster's outstanding cast of single-origin offerings. You're bound to come away with a new favorite coffee region on top of a fantastic cup of joe. If you're interested in subscriptions, you can build your own or even send a prepaid subscription as a gift.
Brooklyn Roasting Company
Best ground
Brooklyn Roasting is one of the superior East Coast roasters. Even better, the company grinds just about everything it makes, and in a variety of coarse levels depending on how you like to make your perfect cup. The outfit makes some great beans and does so in a socially conscious way that's worth supporting. Brooklyn Roasting Company is committed to fair trade standards and is committed to supporting local institutions in New York City.
Cafe du Monde
Best canned coffee
A New Orleans staple, chicory coffee is delicious and fun to drink. Cafe du Monde is the most iconic brand on the market, with its signature can and very bayou-style insignia. The taste will send you straight to morning along Bourbon Street where you can almost smell the beignets, and the best part is that you can hold on to the cool can when you're done and use it to store your coffee tools.
Kona Gold
Best splurge
Sometimes you need to go with the really good stuff. Kona is a world-renowned brand in the coffee world, and its coffee is incredibly smooth and full of many delicate flavor layers. It's best to go with the real deal (aka 100% Kona), like Kona Gold. Consider it your special occasion coffee, the one you bring out on holidays (or any day you just need a pick me up). You'll be sipping like you were staying in a fine Hawaiian resort.
The Kopi Luwak Company
Best exotic coffee
If you've never heard of Kopi Luwak coffee, which is considered to be the most exclusive and expensive coffee in the world, have we got a story for you. That's because Kopi Luwak coffee is actually made with poop!
Are you still with us? OK, we'll explain. Kopi Luwak coffee comes from beans that are initially eaten by the Asian Palm Civet, which is only found in Southeast Asia. The small furry animal, eats the ripe coffee berries, and passes them through whole, while the beans are being digested, they ferment, which connoisseurs say gives the coffee extra flavor.
The beans are then collected (and thoroughly cleaned) before they are sent to be roasted. The result is a rich, smooth brew that some say has hints of caramel and chocolate. Because of the labor-intensive method of harvesting, Kopi Luwak coffee is the most expensive in the world, with beans going up to $300 per pound. If you just have to try this exotic brew, the Kopi Luwak Company has both whole bean and ground varieties that have been ethically sourced from Indonesian suppliers.
Now you have all the tools to stay properly caffeinated. Better, you'll be drinking some of the best coffee available, which will give you a whole new appreciation of the stuff. After all, nobody deserves a mediocre cup of joe.
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