The Ultimate Guide to the Best Coffee Bean Blends for Every Palate

Are you on the never-ending quest for the perfect cup of joe? Look no further! Whether you're a dedicated coffee connoisseur or simply crave that daily caffeine kick, we've got you covered. In this article, we're diving into the world of coffee and exploring the best coffee bean blends that will tantalize your taste buds and awaken your senses. From the rich and velvety to the bold and robust, get ready to embark on a flavorful journey with these exceptional coffee blends. Get your mugs ready, because this is a brew-tiful adventure you won't want to miss!

Stumptown Coffee Roasters

Stumptown Coffee Roasters may not be a household name, but they have gained popularity in an industry where consumers have high standards for the quality of their coffee. Despite not being found on every street corner, Stumptown takes the number one spot on our list and is highly recommended by experts.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters Founder’s Blend, as mentioned by Tasting Table, is a relatively new player in the coffee industry but has quickly gained a reputation for exceptional quality. Since its establishment in the 1990s, Stumptown has risen to become one of the best coffee companies through its commitment to coffee science and careful sourcing of products. Stumptown offers coffee beans that capture the complexity of the coffee experience in an accessible way, encouraging customers to learn and appreciate with each cup. While their beans may be on the pricier side, having Stumptown coffee on hand for special occasions or leisurely mornings can truly transform your coffee experience.

“The Manual” attests to Stumptown's success in the coffee industry, with their Pacific Northwest operation sourcing exceptional beans and delivering them freshly roasted for customers to grind at home. The aroma and flavor of Stumptown's whole bean lineup are noteworthy.

According to The Spruce Eats, it's impossible to determine the absolute best coffee due to individual preferences. However, Stumptown has consistently been a top contender in the coffee game for decades. Their Holler Mountain blend stands out for its strong yet balanced flavor, making it a perfect choice for daily drip coffee as well as other brewing methods like espresso and pour over. This medium roast offers smooth notes of chocolate and caramel with a hint of citrus and berry jam. Available in grocery stores and online, it can be purchased either as whole beans or pre-ground.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters' Holler Mountain

Best Overall

Partner's Coffee Roasters's Brooklyn

Pros

• Balanced
• Medium roast

Cons

Ever since I discovered Partner's Brooklyn roast, it has become my go-to coffee for everyday use. It offers a balanced flavor profile with hints of milk chocolate and toffee, without being overpowering. It consistently brews a perfect pour-over every morning.

Best Budget

Blue Bottle Coffee Hayes Valley Espresso

Pros

• Performs well in multiple brewing methods
• Great for drinkers who enjoy a slightly sweet, yet strong, cup

Cons

• Expensive

These beans performed excellently whether brewed with an espresso machine, a drip coffee maker, or a French press. The French press method, in particular, brought out the best in these beans. French press involves steeping coarsely ground beans in hot water for a few minutes before pressing on the grounds to extract the coffee. This brewing method produces a robust flavor and a creamy mouthfeel, complementing the vanilla-scented and lightly sweet characteristics of the Hayes Valley Espresso.

The Hayes Valley Espresso from Blue Bottle Coffee is named after the San Francisco neighborhood where the brand's first store was located. This blend is the darkest option, offering deeply roasted notes with a subtle hint of acidity.

Roast	Dark
Size	6 oz., 12 oz.
Origin	N/A
Manufacturer tasting notes	baking chocolate, orange zest, brown sugar

11

Best Cold Brew

Stone Street Coffee Company Knee Buckling Espresso

3

Best for Espresso

Allegro Coffee Organic Italian Roast

2

Best Value

Chamberlain Coffee Fluffy Lamb Vanilla Blend

4

Best Medium Roast

Caffe Vita Queen City

6

Best Medium-Dark Roast

Starbucks Veranda Blend

7

Best Light Roast

Onyx Coffee Lab El Salvador Santa Rosa Washed

Pros

• Transparent pricing
• Brand pays 3-4x more than Fair Trade standard

Cons

• Expensive

Indulge in this luxurious cup of coffee made with beans from El Salvador. The dedicated team at Onyx Coffee Lab collaborated with local partners over several days to carefully select, process, and taste the beans to create the perfect blend. Tasters praised the rich, roasted flavor and balanced acidity of the coffee. Although it is delightful on its own as a drip coffee, it can also be enjoyed in various ways, such as adding it to a vanilla latte with a hint of cinnamon.

The term "Washed" refers to the coffee's processing method. The beans are fermented underwater for 12-36 hours, which breaks down the outer layer and makes the coffee easier to dry. After fermentation, the coffee is washed and agitated to remove the remaining fruit layer. Finally, the coffee is spread out on tables to dry under the sun.

Roast	Medium
Size	10 oz
Origin	El Salvador
Manufacturer tasting notes	Rose, white grape, fig, black tea

Pros

• Available in different grind sizes to suit your coffee machine
• Transparent pricing

Cons

• Expensive

This coffee demonstrates that a high caffeine content is not necessary for a delicious cup. (The decaffeination process typically removes about 97% of caffeine, so decaf coffee still contains around 2 mg of caffeine per cup.) Tasters were impressed by its rich aroma, chocolatey flavor, and perceived strength compared to other decaf options. One taster even likened its fermented, malty taste to that of a stout beer. Clearly, complexity in a cup doesn't solely rely on caffeine.

This women and Latinx-owned company was founded by Jen Apodaca, the Runner-up of the 2022 Roasters Championship and the Winner of the 2019 Cup Tasting at the U.S. Coffee Championships.

Roast	Medium
Size	10 oz.
Origin	Cajamarca, Peru
Manufacturer tasting notes	Chocolate malted ice cream

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10

Best for French press

Coffee Project NY 32 Degrees Cold Brew Coffee Beans

Pros

• Make-ahead
• Available in multiple quantities

Cons

• Not recommended for hot coffee drinkers

Although any coffee bean can technically be used for cold brew, this particular bag is specifically crafted for the cold brew process. Kaleena Teoh, Co-Founder of Coffee Project New York, explains that they carefully selected and profiled the coffee to ensure its solubility is ideal for cold brewing. Tasters appreciated the low acidity and smooth finish of this sweet, chocolatey, and slightly fruity coffee.

If you've never made cold brew before, it's a simple process. You can use a cold brew coffee maker or prepare it without one. Just combine 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee with 4 cups of cold water in a covered container, refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours, strain, and enjoy. This method is perfect for busy mornings since the grounds need time to steep.

Roast	Cold brew
Size	10 oz., 2 lb., 5lb.
Origin	N/A
Manufacturer tasting notes	Dark chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, brown sugar, stone fruit. Low acidity, creamy body.

Dunkin' Original Blend Medium Roast

Starbucks Breakfast Blend

Starbucks Espresso Roast

Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso

La Colombe Nizza Medium Roast

Tandem Coffee Roasters Stoker

Peet's Coffee Major Dickason's Blend

Death Wish Coffee Co. Dark Roast

Kicking Horse Coffee Decaf Dark Roast

Lavazza Dek Whole Bean Coffee Blend

These are the best coffee options available, each with its own unique features and flavors. Whether you prefer a medium roast, dark roast, decaf, or espresso, you'll find a delicious and high-quality coffee to satisfy your taste buds.

In a world full of diverse coffee blends, these top-notch picks are sure to satisfy your craving for a rich and flavorful cup of joe. From the smooth and velvety Stumptown Coffee Roasters' Holler Mountain to the bold and intense Death Wish Coffee Co. Dark Roast, these bean blends will transport you to coffee paradise with every sip. So, whether you're a coffee aficionado looking to try something new or a casual drinker in search of the perfect cup, these top coffee bean blends are a must-try. Elevate your coffee experience and indulge in the best of the best.