We’ve got the ultimate guide to satisfying your caffeine cravings. Like a sommelier carefully selecting the finest wines, we have scoured the coffee world to bring you our top 10 favorite beans for brewing that rich and flavorful espresso.
From light roasts to dark and everything in between, prepare yourself for an unforgettable coffee experience.
Get ready to elevate your morning routine with these exquisite blends.
What Roast Is Best For Cold Brew Coffee
If you want a smooth and less acidic flavor, use a medium or dark roast when making cold brew coffee. Medium roast coffee beans are an excellent choice for cold brewing as they balance acidity and body. This roast level offers a rich and well-rounded flavor that is neither mild nor overpowering. The medium roast brings out the natural sweetness of the coffee without sacrificing its complexity.
On the other hand, dark roasts can also be used for a cold brew if you prefer bolder and more robust flavors. However, be mindful that dark roasts have higher acidity levels than medium roasts. So, if you’re looking for a smoother and less acidic experience, opt for medium or dark-roast coffee beans when making your next batch of cold brew.
Does Bean Quality Matter For Cold Brew
To make a delicious cold brew, you’ll find that the quality of the coffee beans does matter. Whether brewing espresso or a medium roast, choosing high-quality beans will elevate your cold brew experience. Here’s why bean quality is crucial for cold brew:
Flavor: High-quality beans have distinct and complex flavors that enhance the taste of your cold brew.
Smoothness: Premium beans are carefully processed to ensure a smooth and velvety texture in your cold brew.
Complexity: Quality beans offer a depth of flavor profiles, allowing you to enjoy nuanced notes and aromas in your cup.
Extraction: Well-sourced beans extract more evenly during brewing, producing a balanced and rich cold brew.
When creating the perfect cold brew, investing in top-notch coffee beans is essential to achieving exceptional flavor and satisfaction with every sip.
Our Top 10 Favorite Cold Brew Coffee Beans
If you’re looking for a fantastic selection of cold-brew coffee beans, we’ve covered you with our top five favorites.
First up is Tiny Footprint Coffee’s USDA Organic Cold Brew & Press Elixir, known for its rich and smooth flavor.
Next, illy Classico Whole Bean Coffee offers a classic taste that never disappoints.
Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee is a great choice for those who prefer organic options.
If you’re seeking a bold and robust flavor profile, Wink Coffee Cold Brew Reserve won’t disappoint.
When making your cold brew with Tiny Footprint Coffee (available here), add the ground coffee beans to a French press and stir lightly before letting it sit for 12-24 hours. This will allow the flavors to infuse into the water and create a smooth and rich cold brew elixir.
The blend of light and dark roasts spiked with Ethiopian coffees creates a unique flavor profile described as sweet, silky richness with subtle notes of bright fruit and floral tones infused in a cocoa-like body. The coffee beans used are USDA Organic, Fair Trade, and Shade-Grown Arabica Coffee, ensuring high quality and sustainable sourcing.
Pros:
Unique flavor profile
High-quality organic coffee beans
Sustainable sourcing practices
Cons:
Some customers may prefer a different roast level
Packaging issues reported by some customers
It may not appeal to those who prefer single-origin coffees or specific flavor profiles.
illy Classico Whole Bean Coffee
The illy Classico Whole Bean Coffee (available here) is known for its lingering sweetness and delicate caramel, orange blossom, and jasmine notes. This medium roast coffee comprises the finest Arabica coffee sources worldwide, creating a classic blend refined over eight decades.
illy caffè has been recognized for its ethical practices by being named on Ethisphere’s list for nine consecutive years. The unique pressurized packaging ensures optimal freshness and preserves the coffee’s flavor, complexity, and aroma. With a dedication to sustainable and responsible bean-growing methods, illy delivers a quality product that coffee enthusiasts can appreciate.
Pros:
Lingering sweetness
Delicate flavor profile
Ethical practices
Optimal freshness
Cons:
Pricey compared to other brands
Quantity may not be sufficient for heavy coffee drinkers
Some complaints about crushed tins and missing lids
Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee
You can easily adjust the strength of your Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee (available here) by adding more or less water to your brew. This gives you control over how bold or mild you want your cold brew to be.
Made with 100% organic coffee sourced from Guatemala, Peru, and Nicaragua, this medium-roasted Arabica blend offers a smooth and balanced flavor profile with notes of caramel and hazelnut. Bizzy Coffee takes pride in delivering high-quality cold brew at a competitive price.
Pros:
Adjustable strength based on the water-to-coffee ratio
The smooth and balanced flavor profile
High-quality organic coffee at a competitive price
Cons:
Limited availability in some areas
It may not suit those who prefer a darker roast.
Requires time for the brewing process
Wink Coffee Cold Brew Reserve
Despite some mixed reviews, Wink Coffee Cold Brew Reserve (available here) offers a unique flavor profile with fruity and acidic notes. This medium roast coffee, sourced from the Colombian Andes, combines the flavors of cocoa, almond, and cherry compote.
The freshly roasted beans are fire-roasted on a 1923 Jabez Burns Roaster in the Texas Hill Country, ensuring quality and consistency in every cup. Whether you prefer to make espresso, cappuccino, AeroPress, or iced latte, this coffee is suitable for various brewing methods.
Pros:
Unique flavor profile with fruity and acidic notes
Suitable for various coffee brewing methods
Freshly roasted beans ensure quality and consistency
Cons:
Mixed reviews regarding taste preferences
San Francisco Bay Ground Coffee – Cold Brew Blend
Made with 100% arabica coffee beans, San Francisco Bay Ground Coffee – Cold Brew Blend (available here) offers a smooth, balanced flavor perfect for cold brew makers. This blend is crafted with care to provide a delightful cold brew experience. The 100% arabica coffee beans ensure a high-quality taste that is both smooth and satisfying. With its well-rounded flavor profile, this ground coffee will please even the most discerning coffee connoisseurs.
Pros:
Smooth and balanced flavor
Perfect for cold brew makers
High-quality arabica beans
Sustainable and eco-friendly sourcing practices
Satisfaction guarantee from a trusted brand
Cons:
Limited availability in some regions
It may not appeal to those who prefer darker roasts.
Some customers have mixed feelings about the taste
Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee
Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee (available here) is worth considering if you’re looking for the best coffee beans for making espresso. While it may be specifically crafted for cold brewing, its dark roast Colombian beans can also produce exceptional espresso shots. This blend’s nutty and chocolate notes create a rich and bold flavor profile that pairs beautifully with milk or can be enjoyed independently.
Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee comes in a 1 lb resealable bag, ensuring optimal freshness with every use. Freshly roasted in Brooklyn, NYC, these gourmet arabica coffee beans from Colombia are known for their quality and consistency. With a strong and smooth taste, this blend delivers a satisfying cup of coffee that will leave you wanting more.
Pros:
The rich and bold flavor profile
It can be used to make both cold brew and espresso shots.
Freshly roasted in Brooklyn, NYC
Cons:
It may not be ideal to prefer a lighter espresso roast.
Shipping charges may disappoint some customers
Availability issues with occasional out-of-stock situations
OVALWARE 08 Neptune – Cold Brew
The OVALWARE 08 Neptune Cold Brew (available here) is a popular choice for coffee lovers seeking a creamy and sweet flavor with hints of chocolate and almond. Crafted specifically for cold brewing, this blend of Brazilian and Colombian coffee beans offers a low-acidity, medium-roasted profile that delivers a smooth and non-acidic taste. The USDA/ECOCERT certified, 100% Arabica beans ensure the highest quality in every cup.
Packaged in a resealable bag, the freshness is preserved until the last drop.
Pros:
Creamy and sweet flavor with hints of chocolate and almond
Low acidity for a smooth taste
High-quality 100% Arabica beans
Cons:
No roast date on packaging
Cameron’s Coffee Original Cold Brew Blend
When brewing Cameron’s Coffee Original Cold Brew Blend (available here), you’ll experience a smooth and mellow flavor with hints of milk chocolate and a creamy finish. This cold brew blend is handcrafted in small batches using 100% Premium Arabica beans. The coarse ground coffee is ready to be brewed into a deliciously creamy and mellow cup of cold brew. With no issues of acidity or harshness, this coffee offers a slightly sweet flavor that is enjoyable without being overpowering. It can be steeped for 24 hours, but you can adjust the brewing time to your personal preference.
Pros:
Smooth and enjoyable taste
No issues with acidity or harshness
Slightly sweet flavor
Cons:
Vanilla hazelnut blend can be too sweet on its own, often mixed with original blend
Roast Ridge Ground Cold Brew Coffee Blend
Roast Ridge Ground Cold Brew Coffee Blend (available here) is perfect for cold brew enthusiasts looking for a smooth and rich flavor without the hassle of grinding their own beans. This coffee blend is made from premium beans sourced sustainably from farms in Colombia and South America, ensuring a high-quality taste. The beans are roasted in single batches to bring out the prime flavor, resulting in a satisfying cup of cold brew every time.
The Roast Ridge Cold Brew Coffee has received positive reviews from customers who appreciate its taste and value. Many have found it to be enjoyable and have even switched to this brand after trying it. The flavor is consistently good, making it worth purchasing multiple times.
However, there have been some negative comments regarding the grind size of the coffee grounds. Some customers have experienced issues with clogging screens on their cold brew makers due to fine grounds, while others found that the coarse ground wasn’t as expected.
Pros:
Smooth and rich flavor
Good value for money
Enjoyable taste
Cons:
Inconsistent grind size may cause issues with brewing equipment
Stella Blue Cold Brew Arabica Big Cat Blend
If you’re looking for a cold brew coffee that’s full of flavor and supports a good cause, Stella Blue Cold Brew Arabica Big Cat Blend (available here) is a fantastic choice. This blend is not only delicious but also helps in protecting the big cats.
The taste of this coffee is mind-blowingly good, with a strong flavor that isn’t overwhelming or bitter. It’s easy to make by simply tossing a few bags in water and letting it sit in the fridge for 8 hours. The convenience of having ready-to-drink coffee in the morning has made it an essential part of my daily routine.
With every sip, I appreciate how Stella Blue Cold Brew saves me time and money compared to going to Starbucks.
Pros:
Amazing taste
Easy to prepare
Portion of proceeds go to charity
Cons:
None mentioned
Conclusion
So there you have it, the 10 best coffee beans for espresso. Whether you prefer a light, dark, or medium roast, there is a bean on this list that will satisfy your taste buds.
Remember, the quality of the bean matters when it comes to making the perfect cup of espresso. So don’t settle for anything less than the best.
Choose one of these top-notch beans and elevate your espresso experience to new heights. Cheers!
Mike Shaw
Mike is a fervent aficionado of all things coffee. His journey has taken him from the verdant coffee farms of South America to the vibrant coffeehouses of Europe and many places in between. Over the years, he's delved deep into the intricate tapestry of coffee, savoring, brewing, and analyzing myriad varieties. For Mike, coffee transcends its role as a morning energizer; it's a world waiting to be explored and cherished.
