The Best Coffee Beans in the World — Must Try List!
Table Of ContentsDrinking just coffee is sometimes not enough. You need something better, something like maybe the best coffee in the world. To get that type of coffee, you need to get the best coffee beans in the world, and that is something I can help you out with!
For years, I have been dedicated to trying out all the whole bean coffee blends that I could get my hands on. No matter if the beans are dark or light roasted, caffeinated or not, I would give them a shot to see if they would fit my favorite brewing methods. After a couple of years, I can say with certainty that I have found nine splendid blends that you can use on various occasions.
Depending on the type of brewer you are using or the type of taste you want to get from your coffee, one of these nine blends can be your go-to blend. Make sure to go over the detailed reviews given below to find out what makes each of these blends so amazing. I cannot wait for you to read all about it!
TOP PICK
All of these blends are best for some reason, but as my all-time favorite, I have to choose, because I love a classic pour-over brew with Fresh Roasted’s Costa Rican Tarrazu! Try it for yourself with your chosen brew method and it won’t disappoint.
Here Are the Best Coffee Beans You Should Try
Product | Key Features | |
---|---|---|
Best For Pour Over |
Fresh Roasted Coffee, 100% Costa Rican Tarrazu
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Best Light Roast |
Subtle Earth Organic Coffee – Light Roast
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Best Dark Roast |
Peet’s Coffee, Organic French Roast
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Best Organic |
Death Wish Coffee Whole Bean Dark Roast
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Best For French Press |
Death Wish Coffee Valhalla Java Odinforce Blend
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Best For Espresso |
Peet’s Coffee, Dark Roast Espresso Forte
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Best Italian Beans |
Lavazza Espresso Italiano Whole Bean Coffee Blend
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Best Espresso Beans For Crema |
Lavazza Super Crema Espresso Medium Roast
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Best Decaf |
Jim’s Organic Coffee – French Roast Decaf Dark
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1. Fresh Roasted Coffee Costa Rican Tarrazu Whole Coffee Beans
Fresh Roasted Coffee Costa Rican Tarrazu
Key Features:
- Medium roast
- Single origin
- Grown on high altitude
- Washed and drum-dried
Here are fantastic beans that will give you an unforgettable coffee experience with the most basic pour over or drip method. Do look into this Costa Rican Tarrazu bean from Fresh Roasted Coffee. It is made with medium roasted beans that have been washed and drum-dried.
This coffee is amazing because it is made in a completely eco-friendly way, it is Fairtrade, and it tastes fantastic. You can use it with a pour-over, automatic drip machine, a French press, or even an espresso machine.
Pros
- Honey and chocolate notes
- High-quality beans only
- Great packaging
Cons
- Beware of buying stale bags
That’s it for my top pick. Check out my other recommendations for pour over here.
Check Amazon2. Cafe Don Pablo Subtle Earth Organic Coffee – Light Roast
Subtle Earth Organic Coffee – Light Roast
Key Features:
- Light roast
- Honduras origin
- Non-GMO beans
- Arabica beans only
Going from a medium roast into light roast beans, this Subtle Earth coffee from Don Pablo will make you fall in love with light roasts. These beans have a very mild acidity despite its roast level. You will get a smooth coffee with a pleasant aftertaste each time you brew!
This light roast is made from Arabica beans only; all of them are grown sustainably on farms in Honduras. After picking them, the beans are roasted in small batches with extreme precision. Most batches have amazing taste and low acidity!
Pros
- Chocolatey and velvety
- Certified organic
- Suitable for various brewing methods
Cons
- Some batches may be more acidic than others
You can expect to get coffee that will have caramel taste notes and a consistent taste. The finish will be mild but sweet, with little to no acidity throughout. If you are looking for delicious light roast beans, you cannot go wrong with this one!
Check Amazon3. Peet’s Coffee Organic French Roast Whole Coffee Beans
Peet’s Coffee Organic French Roast Whole Coffee Beans
Key Features:
- Dark roast
- USDA organic
- 100% Arabica beans
Even though there are a few dark roast blends on this list, the best dark roasted blend is yet to come. This organic French roast from Peet’s Coffee is the best thing ever, especially for those who like coffee that is easier on the stomach. If that sounds familiar to you, you should try drinking a dark roast coffee, and this blend should be the one you try first!
To make this blend, the company uses beans that are of Latin American origin. They are all organic beans, hand-selected as well as hand-roasted. When it comes to the grind, you can choose if you want to get them as ground or as whole beans!
Pros
- Smoky, bittersweet taste
- Caramel taste notes
- Also available as K-Cup pods
Cons
- Beans may go stale quickly
If you are looking for an organic dark roast blend, this one is the first one you should look into. No need to check if the coffee bean production complies with certain standards – these are some of the best dark roast beans you can find right now!
Check Amazon4. Death Wish Coffee Whole Bean Dark Roast
Death Wish Coffee Whole Bean Dark Roast
Key Features:
- Dark Roast
- USDA Certified Organic
- Beans of various origins
Most coffee beans that are not organic are usually treated with some chemicals and similar ingredients that compromise the taste and quality. To avoid putting toxins in your body through the coffee, I recommend that you go with a blend made of organic beans only – and what better organic blend than this one from Valhalla Java!
You can order these coffee beans from the company’s website or find them in a local store. They are the best organic beans currently on the market. I always recommend that the coffee beans you choose are ethically and sustainably grown and harvested, and this blend checks that box as well!
Pros
- Robust flavor
- Fairtrade beans
- Grown on volcanic soil
Cons
- Some batches can have a bland taste
There is nothing better than some organic beans that can give you a great cup of coffee with a strong taste and a pleasant aroma. If you are looking for something like that, just look into this one-of-a-kind blend that I have here. You will not regret giving it a shot!
View our other organic coffee picks here.
Check Amazon5. Valhalla Java Medium-Dark Roast Whole Coffee Beans
Valhalla Java Medium-Dark Roast Whole Coffee Beans
Key Features:
- Medium-dark roast
- Blend of Arabica and Robusta beans
- Origin: Indonesia, Central and South America
- Fairtrade beans
Let’s move from Valhalla Java’s dark roast into their medium-dark roast whole bean blend that is perfect for French presses! With these beans, you might not be able to do the roasting yourself, but you can certainly do the grinding yourself. All you need is to get the blend and grab your grinder!
As mentioned before, this blend comes in whole beans that you need to grind before using them in a French press. The optimal grind size for this case is a coarse grind, so you should get your beans to that grind before adding them to your French press. Using the ground beans, you can then make your coffee in a matter of minutes!
Pros
- Smooth and earthy
- Certified organic
Cons
- Some batches can be a bit too dry
If you are looking for the best beans that you can brew with a French press, I again recommend medium to dark roasts. This blend fits that description, so you have to look into it! It can give you the tastiest coffee with little to no effort.
Check Amazon6. Peet’s Coffee Espresso Forte Whole Coffee Beans
Peet’s Coffee Espresso Forte Whole Coffee Beans
Key Features:
- Dark roast
- Arabica beans only
- Single-origin beans
Peet’s Coffee is another great company that has created quite a few well-known blends over the years. While to some it may be just another blend, Espresso Forte is everything to people who want to drink espresso daily. With a strong taste and even better aftertaste, this blend is bound to blow you away!
This blend can be used with various brewing methods – from an espresso machine to a pour-over and a French press. There are no limits to the use of these great beans. However you use them, you will always get the same amazing taste. How cool is that?
Pros
- Bright taste
- Smooth crema
- Hazelnut notes
Cons
- Packaging is easily damaged
This is a great blend made specifically to give you strong coffee with a lot of crema and a perfect taste. I recommend that you give this signature blend from Peet’s Coffee a chance before trying their other blends as well!
Check out more of the best espresso beans here.
Check Amazon7. Lavazza Espresso Italiano Whole Coffee Beans
Lavazza Espresso Italiano Whole Coffee Beans
Key Features:
- Medium roast
- Blended and roasted in Italy
- Mild intensity
Everyone knows that to get the taste of real Italian espresso, you should opt for medium to dark roasted beans. Well, I have the perfect blend to help you achieve that – the Espresso Italiano from Lavazza. This is the second time that I mention this company in my review, and understandably so – their coffee blends are just amazing!
You can choose to order these coffee beans as whole beans, ground beans, or K-Cup pods. Depending on the machine you have and how quickly you are planning on using the beans, you should decide between these options and get the one that fits your needs best!
Pros
- Sustainably grown
- Suitable for various brewing methods
Cons
- Some batches may be too dark roasted
This is one of the most affordable blends on my list. If you have an espresso machine and you want to get the best from it, I recommend that you get this blend and try it out. Believe me, it is worth the time and effort!
Check Amazon8. Lavazza Super Crema Espresso Whole Coffee Beans
Lavazza Espresso Italiano Whole Coffee Beans
Key Features:
- Medium roast
- Blend of Arabica and Robusta beans
- Suitable for various brew methods
Lavazza is one of the most famous coffee manufacturers. If you are into coffee and you appreciate a good cup of it, there is a good chance that you have tried these beans before. The Super Crema espresso blend from Lavazza is the greatest thing that you can use to make espresso with the best crema.
If you are looking for espresso beans that can give you a well-balanced taste that is not acidic, not too strong, and also not too bland – this blend should be perfect for you! The beans come at a bit of a higher price, but they are worth the investment. I do not doubt that you will not regret giving them a chance!
This coffee is a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans. You can expect the Arabica beans to dominate, but you will also be able to feel the Robusta beans as well. Both types of beans are natural, and they offer a well-balanced taste.
Pros
- Best for espresso with crema
- Hazelnut and brown sugar notes
- Creamy taste
- Suitable for various brew methods
Cons
- Taste of Robusta is somewhat overpowering
If you are a fan of espresso with crema, this is the blend you need to do it right! Thanks to these beans, you can get thick crema that will taste as amazing as the rest of the coffee. I cannot recommend this blend more!
If you’re one of those espresso lovers who are deeply into crema, check out the rest of our picks of beans that’ll give you amazing crema.
Check Amazon9. Jim’s Organic Coffee French Roast Whole Coffee Beans
Jim’s Organic Coffee French Roast Whole Coffee Beans
Key Features:
- Medium roast
- Blend of Arabica and Robusta beans
- Suitable for various brew methods
After all these great caffeinated blends, I think it is time to mention one decaf blend as well. This blend from Jim’s Organic Coffee is the greatest blend that has a very dark roast. At the same time, you can rest assured that the beans are decaffeinated with just water – and natural Swiss water nonetheless!
This company offers various decaf blends – some flavored, others not. If you don’t have a grinder, you can also get your blend as pre-ground beans. That way, you will not have to worry about finding a grinder and grinding them before you use them!
Pros
- Strong taste
- USDA certified organic
Cons
- Quite pricey
Decaf blends are great because they taste just as good as regular coffee. At the same time, they can benefit your health and shield you from the side effects. I recommend that you give this decaf blend a try and see how this type of coffee suits your taste buds!
If decaf is your preference, do check out our roundup of the best decaf coffee beans.
Check AmazonHow to Pick the Best Coffee Beans
Even though you now know a lot about coffee beans from around the world, you might still be wondering about the difference between the roasts, the types, and the origins of the beans. To make things a bit clearer for you, I will give you an easily comprehensive buying guide that will explain all about these things. Let’s get right into it!
Arabica or Robusta Beans?
The difference between Arabica and Robusta beans is mainly in their taste. Arabica beans tend to have a sweeter, smoother taste, while Robusta beans generally have a stronger, bitterer taste. Depending on the taste you are looking to get, you can decide between one or the other, or maybe even a blend of the two!
Dark, Medium, or Lightly Roasted Beans?
The roast can make a huge difference in the taste of the coffee, so you have to select carefully. Lightly roasted beans are generally more acidic beans with less oil on the surface. Then, medium roasted beans have the most balanced taste, while dark roasted beans are oilier and bitterer. Each type of roast will bring out different qualities in the beans, and it’ll be great fun to explore all those flavors.
What you’re looking for is not so much the roast level, but the roast quality. Small batch roasting will usually give you the evenness and consistency that will ultimately give you a satisfying brew.
Look for brands with history and reputation, as this tells you that they have experienced roasters who can uphold excellence in their roasts.
It is also important to check for the roast dates. Big commercial brands like Starbucks will probably just have a consume by date, but specialty coffees will have a roast date printed on the pack. You want to consume your coffee between 7 and 21 days from the roast date.
Ground or Whole Coffee Beans?
Most coffee blends come as whole bean, ground bean blends, or maybe even as K-Cup pods. When it comes to the difference between ground and whole beans, I would say that the biggest thing that separates one from the other is the freshness. Whole beans tend to stay fresh for longer, while ground beans can go stale pretty quickly if they are not stored properly.
If possible, get some whole beans and grind them immediately before you plan on brewing coffee. That way, your coffee will preserve the freshness and it will taste better.
What About the Origin of the Beans?
You can also decide between single-origin beans and blended beans. The former usually has an unaltered taste, while the second can give you a bolder, more balanced taste. I recommend that you try both and decide which one you like best because the choice will depend mostly on your preference.
FAQS on Coffee Beans
Before I wrap this guide up, I want to tell you a few other pieces of information regarding the coffee bean blends that I dedicated this review to. The information given below can help you decide which coffee blend you want to go with. Let’s see what else you need to know about them before you try them out!
Which country has the best coffee beans?
It is said that the best beans come from Latin America – more specifically from Colombia. However, there are great coffee beans that grow in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Ethiopia, Hawai’i (Kona), and so on. You can check the blends given above for the origin of the beans and decide which you would like to try first!
Bean Voyage!
That is everything you should know about the world’s best coffee bean blends! It would be great to have two or three of these picks in your pantry so you can have something different every day. You’ll find that there is something special about all these blends.
If you don’t know where to start, start with Fresh Roasted Coffee Costa Rican Tarrazu prepared using your pour over or drip.
Let me know if you would like to recommend some other blends that you think I should have included in this list. I am open to all suggestions and cannot wait to read all your comments!
Owen is a writer and editor at Caffe Streets who considers himself a coffee fanatic. He spends his time researching and testing different coffee beans and brewing methods and sharing what he learns with others.