
How we pick our products
Getting up early isn’t easy for everyone, and some people handle it better than others. But one thing’s for sure: most of us have a specific routine to start the day on the right foot. Breakfast is a common morning custom, and this essential meal rarely goes without a cup of coffee. The properties of this drink help to shake away tiredness every morning.
There is a wide range of coffee on the market and multiple ways to prepare it. If you’re very fond of this drink, you probably stick to your favorite method to make it. However, you can bring more variation to your breakfast if decide to. All you need to do is learn more about the different varieties of coffee, and our shopping guide will help you do just that.
Contents
- 1 Key Facts
- 2 Our Selection: The Best Coffee on the U.S. Market
- 3 Shopping Guide: Everything You Should Know About Coffee
- 3.1 What is coffee exactly?
- 3.2 What are the types of coffee beans?
- 3.3 What are the different types of coffee roasting?
- 3.4 What is honey-processed coffee?
- 3.5 How are coffee beans in each harvesting region?
- 3.6 In what forms is coffee sold?
- 3.7 Should I buy whole beans or ground coffee?
- 3.8 What should I know when tasting coffee?
- 3.9 What are the advantages and disadvantages of coffee?
- 4 Shopping Criteria
- 5 Summary
Key Facts
- You can find many types of coffee on the American market. This means everyone can find their favorite flavors.
- Every coffee has a unique taste. Their different nuances and hints can be appreciated by experts and aficionados alike. The aromas naturally depend on the variety of coffee you’re drinking.
- Aroma, taste, and price are not the only important factors to consider when choosing coffee. You also need to make sure that it is compatible with your machine. It is essential that the appliance you have at home allows you to get the most out of your coffee.
Our Selection: The Best Coffee on the U.S. Market
Knowing the best options among the incredible variety of coffee available out there is particularly useful. In that regard, the opinions from past buyers are a great guide to find the most successful brands. In the following section, you will discover our very own selection of the best types of coffee available right now on the market.
- The Best Colombian Coffee
- The Best Strong Coffee
- The Best Creamy Coffee
- The Best Dark Roast Coffee
- Dunkin’ Donuts Original Blend Coffee
The Best Colombian Coffee
AmazonFresh is, you’ll have guessed, an Amazon brand that specializes in delivering quality and affordable grocery products. It’s so good that this 100% Arabica coffee has become Amazon’s Choice in the category, and past buyers have praised its overall value for money. Each package contains 32 ounces of ground coffee — that’s a whole lot of delicious cups to enjoy.
This medium-roast coffee is roasted right here in the U.S. and will give you a well-balanced taste with a smooth finish on the palate. It comes from Colombia, one of the biggest producers in the world. AmazonFresh recommends using two tablespoons for every six ounces of water. Storage-wise, make sure to seal the bag thoroughly once opened to preserve its properties.
The Best Strong Coffee
Death Wish is a fan favorite when it comes to coffee, and the brand advertises its product as “the world’s strongest coffee”. And if you’re one to value other customers’ opinions, then you’ll probably believe this. This product is a truly unique blend of Arabica and Robusta beans, creating an incredibly powerful coffee through a slow roasting process.
It’s made from only fair trade and certified organic beans, too, and that’s something to love. Death Wish will give you real caffeine kick to go about your day with the energy you need. The intensity of this coffee doesn’t mean it’s bitter at all. As a matter of fact, this New York-roasted product features a bold flavor with delicious cherry and chocolate notes.
The Best Creamy Coffee
If you know you’re way around the coffee world, you’ve heard of Lavazza. This Italian brand of coffee products has been around since the 19th century, and its experience speaks for itself. Its Super Crema coffee is quite simply Amazon’s Best Seller for coffee beans. This is a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans from five of the best coffee producers in the world.
This mix is exactly what creates the mild and creamy roast that hundreds of customers have loved. While it is designed for espresso machines, the fact that the beans are whole means you can grind them just how you like it. The almond, honey and dried fruit notes of the Super Crema are a real delight, so don’t hesitate to buy 2.2 pounds for your home.
The Best Dark Roast Coffee
This South Florida company has a reputation for perfectly blending coffees from around the world into flavorful combinations, and that many high ratings can’t be faked. Koffee Kult’s Dark Roast is an expert mix of Arabica whole beans from Colombia, Guatemala, and Sumatra, which is then prepared by a roaster master right here in Hollywood, Florida.
Each batch of Dark Roast made is packaged straight after roasting to best preserve its properties, and the resealable packaging means you can do the same at home. This coffee has low acidity with cocoa and cinnamon flavors that are sure to entice you. Once your beans are ground, Koffee Kult recommends using one tablespoon of coffee for 4 to 6 ounces of water.
Dunkin’ Donuts Original Blend Coffee
If you didn’t know Dunkin’ Donuts sold its own coffee, you do now. And Americans love it so much that its Original Blend is Amazon’s Best Seller for ground coffee. This medium-roast product is made from 100% premium Arabica beans ground by the company for you to brew right away.
The brand recommends using 1 1/2 tablespoons of its ground coffee per 6 ounces of water to achieve the Dunkin’ taste you love. The mild, smooth and flavorful aroma of this product is also ideal to get creative and prepare different types of beverages. If you like iced coffee or cappuccino, Dunkin’ Donuts’ Original Blend is perfect!
Shopping Guide: Everything You Should Know About Coffee
We hope that our rating of the best coffees on the American market allowed you to discover some characteristics you weren’t too familiar with. Before you settle for a specific product, there are other key criteria that you should learn about. We’ll tell you everything you need to know to purchase a coffee that will satisfy your taste buds.
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What is coffee exactly?
The coffee plant needs a warm and humid climate to grow. It contains caffeine, a natural stimulant that can help you fight sleep and tiredness. This beverage will provide a sense of well-being within minutes of being consumed.
What are the types of coffee beans?
- Arabica coffee. It comes from Ethiopia, in Africa. It has different subtypes but doesn’t contain a large percentage of caffeine. Its taste and aroma are intense. A high altitude — between 900 and 2,000 meters — is required to cultivate this type of coffee. Washed beans are added to give this intense touch, as well as natural ones.
- Robusta coffee. Originally from Zaire, it doesn’t grow at such high altitudes — generally between 200 and 600 meters — but needs greater temperatures. A cup of this Robusta coffee has twice as much caffeine as Arabica. It’s slightly bitter to the taste.
What are the different types of coffee roasting?
Lighter coffee will contain more caffeine. The type of roast will not only determine the intensity, but also the taste of the coffee. In natural coffee, the beans are roasted as soon as they are harvested; this allows them to better maintain their original flavor. The Torrefacto process, on the other hand, consists of roasting them with sugar; this gives a slightly different taste to the drink. You can also find a blend of natural and Torrefacto beans.
What is honey-processed coffee?
The husk is removed from the seed, and some of the mucilage is left behind. More is removed for the white and yellow honey processes. The golden, red and black keep more mucilage, giving more body to the coffee. The latter three also need to dry for longer. The darker the color of the bean is, the longer the process will have lasted. Coffee is dried in the sun during the golden honey process, but in the shade for all others.
How are coffee beans in each harvesting region?
Country | Region | Characteristics |
---|---|---|
Brazil | South America | Mild and sweet taste, with a light aroma. |
Mexico | Central America | Subtle, somewhat acidic and high-quality taste. |
Colombia | South America | Bitter taste, great body, intense aroma, and medium acidity. |
Costa Rica | Central America | Intense flavor with fruity notes and great body. |
Tanzania | Africa | This coffee has great acidity and quite intense aromas. |
Ethiopia | Africa | Acidic beans with an intense flavor and a fruity touch. |
Kenya | Africa | Its aroma stands out, as do its acidic notes. |
Yemen | Asia | Their mochas are famous, with a slight chocolate flavor. |
Java | Asia | Its intense bitterness most stands out. |
Sulawesi | Asia | Its flavor and acidity are very intense. |
In what forms is coffee sold?
Presentation | Characteristics |
---|---|
Coffee beans | This is the most natural type of coffee. Remember that you will need to grind the coffee beans before being able to consume it. It offers a more intense taste and aroma. |
Ground coffee | The beans are already ground, and the powder obtained is packaged hermetically. This allows for better preservation of the aroma. Coffee makers use this type of coffee. |
Instant coffee | It can be prepared with water or milk, and you won’t need any type of coffee machine. It is obtained by dehydrating the coffee through evaporation or a cold process. |
Decaffeinated coffee | This type of coffee has the same flavor and aroma as regular caffeine coffee. In this case, the green beans are extracted before roasting. |
Should I buy whole beans or ground coffee?
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What should I know when tasting coffee?
- Body. This is what the drink passes on when it comes into contact with your palate. You should be able to perceive whether it is lighter or more intense.
- Acidity. As you now know, its cultivation very much influences this factor. The higher the altitude of the area in which the coffee is harvested, the more acidic the coffee will be.
- Aroma. Arabica coffees are soft and delicate, while Robusta products have a stronger and more bitter aroma.
- Flavor. This aspect is extremely personal and each palate will interpret it differently. You can find milder coffees or more intense ones. Some offer fruity notes, for instance, while others have caramel or chocolate hints. Ultimately, what truly matters is that you enjoy your coffee.
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of coffee?
Shopping Criteria
We’re nearing the end of our shopping guide, but we can’t let you go without emphasizing on five key aspects that we strongly encourage you to consider. You probably buy coffee at least once a month, but it’s such an essential product in many people’s lives that we want you to get it right. Here are the five criteria we’ll be discussing in the following section:
Caffeine Levels
Every coffee includes a different amount of caffeine. In that regard, you’ll need to know how caffeine affects you, as well as your personal taste. Don’t hesitate to change for a coffee with less caffeine if you notice that the quality of your rest is affected. This is particularly true if you drink it at night, in which case you may want to opt for decaffeinated. As you know, more caffeine will keep you awake.
Processing
Coffee can go through two different types of processing: washed or natural. This should generally be indicated on the product’s package. If the coffee you buy has been washed, it will offer a light flavor and an intense acidity. Natural coffee, on the other hand, tends to be more fruity, with a powerful aroma and a few hints reminiscent of wine. While these are the main processes, remember that others exist.
Altitude
As we discussed earlier, the altitude at which the coffee is cultivated also determines its final taste. Products harvested above 1,500 meters are more acid and a slight sweetness. Lower altitudes will create softer acidity and a more natural flavor. This will help you know which country the coffee originates from.
Packaging
It is important that the coffee’s package gives you a certain amount of key information. These include the packing and expiration dates, as well as the origin, the manufacturer and the batch. You’ll also find it useful if it features the variety of coffee used, whether or not it is natural, and how to best preserve it. In most cases, the packaging also indicates the type of grinding. This is a very helpful factor you shouldn’t overlook.
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Packing Date
We’ve just mentioned that most products indicate the packing date on the packaging. You want to opt for a coffee that has been recently packed, as this means that it will better retain its properties. You are not advised to keep several packages at home. If you buy your coffee only when needed, it will be fresher and therefore better.
Summary
Coffee is a must for most people. If that’s your case too, remember all the important aspects that we’ve discussed throughout our article. You should always choose the presentation form and roasting that you prefer. The origin of the coffee is naturally another key criterion. As a matter of fact, most of the properties of your drink will depend on this single information. We also encourage you to opt for quality products.
This is why you should pay attention to the packaging of the coffee, where you can learn various interesting data. Try and buy the freshest product possible. You will also want to adapt the caffeine levels to your personal tastes and needs. But in the end, what you really want is a coffee from which you will enjoy every single sip.
Did you find the information in this guide useful? If that’s the case, feel free to share our article on your social media. You can also leave us a comment in the section below, and we’ll be happy to answer any doubt you may have!
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