There are several factors to consider when choosing the best coffee beans for cold brew. One important factor is the roast level. It is generally recommended to use a medium to dark roast for cold brew as these roasts have a richer and bolder flavor that can hold up well in a cold brew. This is because dark roasts are less bitter, and a coarse grind reduces the surface area in the brewing process. Light roasts tend to be more acidic and have a brighter flavor profile, which can be overwhelming.

To make cold brew coffee, it’s important to use a coarse grind of coffee. This is because a coarse grind allows the flavors to be extracted more slowly, which results in a smoother, less bitter final product. It also has a lower surface area than coffee of a finer grind, which will reduce over-extraction & bitterness.

A coarse grind is similar to a French press grind and larger than you would use for a typical drip coffee maker. It’s important not to use finely ground coffee for cold brew because it will result in over-extraction and bitter coffee. Not to mention, coarse coffee is a lot easier to grind and filter.

Best Beans For Cold Brew

1: Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee, Strong & Smooth Blend, Low Acid

Stone Street Coffee is our go to pick because they bring a dark roast that is specifically coarsely ground for cold brew. Made from 100% Arabica coffee beans, this dark roast Colombian supremo is some of the largest and highest quality beans from Colombia. Freshly roasted in Brooklyn, New York this coffee brings smooth and consistent flavor that is also low in acidity and bitterness. Definitely some of the best coffee for cold brew coffee.

• Perfected for cold brew
• Balanced flavor
• Low Acid

2: Papua New Guinea Dark Roast Coffee Reserve

Sourced from Papua New Guinea is this complex Dark Roast Reserve with mango and papaya fruitiness. With an incredible aroma, the reserve is sweet and floral. Other flavor notes include toffee, lemon, brown sugar, and molasses. Volcanica prides itself on their roasting facilities in Atlanta Georgia, which roasts the coffee and quickly seals it for shipping generally within one business day. This ensures the freshest coffee arriving to your doorstep, and makes the cold brew that much better. This coffee is certified Kosher and one of the best coffee beans for cold brew.

• Dark roast
• Sweet & Floral
• Toffee, lemon, brown sugar, molasses
• Roasted in the USA
• Fair trade certified
• Certified Kosher

3: Peet’s Luminosa Breakfast Blend

• Excellent light roast bean
• Passion flower, stone fruit, cacao flavor notes
• Breakfast blend makes for an excellent cold brew

4: Peet’s Uzuri African Blend

From East Africa, Peet’s brings the Uzuri African Blend, a Dark Roasted coffee with flavor notes of orange blossom, and black cherry. These are the best coffee beans for cold brew because of the silky smooth body gives this coffee an exquisite and juicy flavor. Using the washed-process, you can rest easy that you’re getting the freshest coffee possible from Peet’s. With different grind options on their site, we recommend buying the whole beans and grinding them with either a manual burr grinder or an automatic burr grinder for consistency. This will help lock in the flavor of the bean until the last moment, and thus preserve the flavor for your cold brew. They roast this coffee 5 days a week, it’s sealed immediately after roasting, and it ships out directly to your doorstep so there is no middle man or warehouse time.

• Signature blend
• East African
• Washed process
• Helps small-scale farmers

5: Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee

Bizzy organic cold brew coffee is another top choice when it comes to cold brew coffee. Medium roasted, coarsely ground, sustainably sourced, Bizzy brings smooth and sweet to the forefront with notes of caramel and hazelnut. Bizzy coffee is made up of 100% Arabica coffee beans that are sourced from organic farms in Guatemala, Peru, and Nicaragua. The coffee is also certified organic and non-GMO, making it an appealing option for health-conscious coffee drinkers.

• 100% organic
• Coarse ground
• Overwhelmingly positive taste in reviews

6: Tiny Footprint Coffee Organic Cold Brew

Tiny Footprint Coffee’s Organic Cold Brew is a unique coffee product that not only provides a great coffee experience but also has a positive impact on the environment. The company claims that it is “carbon negative,” meaning that it actively removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thus reducing its carbon footprint.

Tiny Footprint Coffee Organic Cold Brew is made from 100% certified organic and fair trade coffee beans, which are carefully selected and roasted to perfection. The coffee is also packaged in compostable and biodegradable packaging, further reducing its environmental impact.

Their coffee is silky, sweet, with bright fruit and floral tones with a cocoa body, this coffee is made to please! Medium roast this coffee is shade grown using 100% Arabica coffee beans.

• Certified organic
• Course grind for the perfect cold brew
• Well liked

7: Stone Cold Jo Cold Brew

Stone Cold Jo is a fair trade & USDA organic certified silky smooth dark roast made from high-quality, carefully selected Arabica coffee beans that are roasted to a medium-dark roast to bring out the coffee’s natural sweetness and smoothness. This blend is designed to create a rich, flavorful cold brew coffee with a low acidity and a smooth, velvety finish.

Non-GMO, this coffee is naturally low acid, and ground coarsely so it’s perfect for your next cold brew. With notes of toffee caramel and chocolate grape you’ll know you’re getting a great bean from a good source while supporting a small business.

• Organic, non-GMO, Kosher
• Unique flavor

8: Inspired Coffee Co Cold Brew (Salted Caramel)

The Inspired Coffee Co Salted Caramel Cold Brew Coffee is made from high-quality, carefully selected Arabica coffee beans that are roasted to perfection and combined with natural caramel and salt flavors. The result is a delicious and smooth cold brew coffee with a sweet and buttery caramel finish and a hint of salt to balance out the sweetness.

This flavored coffee blend is a great option for coffee drinkers who are looking for a sweet and indulgent coffee experience. The salted caramel flavor adds a unique twist to the traditional cold brew coffee, making it a perfect treat for those who enjoy sweet and creamy flavors.

What Is Cold Brew Concentrate?

Cold brew concentrate is made by steeping ground coffee beans in cold water for an extended period, typically between 12 and 24 hours. The resulting brew is then strained to remove the grounds, resulting in a concentrated coffee that is smooth, rich, and full-bodied with low acidity.

One of the benefits of cold brew concentrate is that it has a longer shelf life than regular brewed coffee, as it is less prone to going stale due to the lack of heat used in the brewing process.

Why Cold Brew?

First off, let’s talk about why cold brew has a special place in my heart—and on our menu. Cold brew is more than just coffee; it’s a labor of love. It takes time, patience, and the right beans to get that smooth, low-acidic cup that you can’t help but savor. Plus, you get to experience coffee flavors in a whole new way.

The Best Grinder For Cold Brew

The best grinder for any coffee is going to be adjustable depending on the size of the grind you need. This is why we don’t generally recommend blade grinders, because they are essentially blenders that chop the beans into an inconsistent size. A Burr grinder is going to give a consistent grind because it uses two either stainless steel or ceramic disks that adjust their distance for a consistent grind size. We recommend either this manual grinder or the Ode Brew Grinder.

WE RECOMMEND: Ode Burr Brew Grinder

For many, the day begins after that first sip of espresso. But what differentiates a good shot from a great one? The secret often lies in the beans. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the world of espresso beans and find the perfect match for your palate.

The Espresso Bean Basics

Espresso is not just a type of coffee; it’s an experience, a ritual. Originating from Italy, espresso requires a specific kind of grind, brewing method, and beans.

Single-Origin vs. Blend: The Great Debate

• Single-Origin Beans: These are sourced from one place, be it a country, region, or even a single farm. Their allure lies in their distinct, often unique flavors. These beans are for you if you’re after a coffee that tells a story of its origin.
• Blends: These are a mix of beans from different places, crafted to create a balanced flavor profile. Blends are great for those who crave consistency in their espresso shots.

Which is better? It boils down to personal preference—experiment with both to discover what resonates with your taste buds.

The Art of Roasting: Understanding Roast Levels

Roast levels greatly influence an espresso’s taste:

• Light Roasts: These beans have a milder flavor, often with floral or fruity notes. They may be acidic for some espresso purists.
• Medium Roasts: A crowd favorite for espresso, these beans balance acidity and deeper flavors.
• Dark Roasts: Rich and bold, with flavors like chocolate and caramel dominating. It’s ideal for those who love a robust shot.

Freshness: The Unsung Hero of Great Espresso

Coffee beans are like time capsules, locking in flavors that diminish with time. For the freshest espresso:

• Always check the roast date. Aim for beans roasted within the last month.
• Store beans in a cool, dark place, preferably in an airtight container.

Arabica vs. Robusta: The Bean Showdown

• Arabica Beans: Known for their sweetness and complexity, Arabica beans are often preferred for espresso due to their subtle flavors.
• Robusta Beans: These pack a punch! They have more caffeine and often impart a more potent, bitter taste.

While Arabica is the darling of specialty coffee shops, some traditional Italian espressos blend Arabica and Robusta for that extra kick and crema.

The Best Coffee Beans For Espresso

1. Volcanica Espresso Dark Roast Coffee

Volcanica brings their excellent balance coffee with caramel notes of sweetness with this espresso dark roast coffee bean. Dark roasted, low acidity, it has a complex aroma that comes locked into the beans. When ordered directly from Volcania they roast it right before it ships, sealing all these aromas and flavors into the bean. There is no time sitting in a warehouse where the flavors and aromas dissipate. Volcanica will ship whole beans, or grind it to whatever consistency needed depending on brew type. Although we always recommend buying whole beans for the best results, and grinding with an adjustable Burr grinder for a consistent size.

Features:

• Certified kosher
• Flavor notes of sweet caramel, spice, low acidity
• Dark roast
• Any grind available

2. Peet’s Coffee, Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee

The best Peet’s coffee for espresso is their dark roast called Espresso Forte, which as the name implies seems to be true. Espresso is this coffee’s forte! Peet’s Expresso Forte is 100% Arabica coffee, and sourced from the Americas and the Indo-Pacific. It is a medium-dark roast, with a full body and rich flavors of earthyness, and spiciness.

Features:

• 100% Arabica coffee beans
• Available as whole beans
• Dark roast, low acid
• Earthy flavor notes & spice

3. Black Rifle Coffee Whole Bean (Beyond Black Dark Roast)

Black Rifle Coffee’s Beyond Black Dark Roast is a well balanced dark blend with powerful aromas and notes of dark chocolate, and smokyness. It also features flavor notes of caramel, and nuts.

l especially like Black Rifle Coffee for their commitment to roasting in the USA. They have an incredibly close relationship with the coffee producers around the world and they are dedicated to hiring 10,000 veterans. It’s a good cause, and the coffee kicks butt!

Features:

• Strong & smooth
• Perfect for espresso
• Dark chocolate, caramel, nuts
• Smoky

4: Starbucks Espresso Roast

Starbucks Espresso Roast is a dark roast crafted for espresso, with a full body and robust, bold taste. It is ethically sourced from Latin America and Asia, and features notes of rich molasses and caramel, and is made with 100% Arabica coffee beans.

I recommend buying the whole bean coffee, and grinding it as needed for the ultimate freshness.

Features:

• 100% Arabica coffee beans
• Dark roast
• Full bodied, bold taste
• Flavor notes of rich molasses and caramel

5. illy Classico Espresso Ground Coffee, Medium Roast

illy is a well established Italian coffee company that specializes in espresso coffee. illy brings a unique flavor to the table with its Classico Espresso Ground Coffee with notes of chocolate and caramel. If you’ve ever visited someone in Europe, chances are this is in their cabinet! It’s a very common blend that is tried and true.

Made from 100% Arabica medium roast coffee it will not disappoint. Smooth & balanced, this coffee comes ready for your espresso machine. It also comes in an Intenso Bold Roast if looking for a bit more punch.

Features:

• Tried & true Italian espresso
• Bold, aromatic, nutty
• Finely ground, packed in an air tight container for up to two years of freshness

6. Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend, Medium Espresso Roast

Lavazza is another well established Italian coffee company. They produce the Lavazza Super Crema which is equally popular for its full body flavor with notes of hazelnut and brown sugar.

The Super Crema is the one coffee on our list that is actually a 60/40 blend of Arabica/Robusta. The result is a rich aromatic intensity with a light touch of sweetness. And most importantly, and excellent crema.

Features:

• 60/40 Arabica/Robusta blend
• Well balanced
• Available as whole bean
• Flavor notes of hazelnut and brown sugar

What Type of Ground Should You Use For Espresso?

Espresso requires a fine grind, with a particle size around 0.3 mm. This is because espresso is brewed under high pressure, which can only be achieved with a fine grind. The fine grind allows the water to extract the maximum flavor from the coffee beans.

Best Grinder For Espresso Beans

Let’s talk grinders. You’ve got two options: the manual burr grinder that’s like a vintage car—cool but takes some effort. Expect a solid 5-10 minutes of arm workout. But hey, who needs the gym when you’ve got coffee to grind? Am I right?

I recommend buying whole bean coffee and using a burr grinder to achieve a fine ground coffee. Burr grinders excel at consistent grind sizes much better than blade grinders, and this will result in an even extraction. All of the coffee grounds should be extracted at the same rate for an even flavor.

Now, if you’re more of a “time is money” kinda person, you’ll wanna go for the automatic burr grinder. Think of it as the sports car of coffee grinding—sleek, fast, and gets the job done before you can say “double shot.”

Whether you go manual or automatic, a burr grinder is your secret weapon. Why? Because these bad boys come with a whole range of settings—usually between 8 and 18—giving you the precision of a sniper. Perfect for dialing in that espresso grind to the micron.

Exploring Brands and Reviews

With countless brands on the shelves, where do you start? Dive into reviews. Coffee communities online are treasure troves of insights and recommendations. Sometimes, the best brew comes from the most unexpected beans.

Coffee Clubs and Subscriptions: A Journey of Discovery

Subscription services offer curated experiences, delivering beans from different roasters to your doorstep. It’s an excellent way for enthusiasts to explore a range of flavors without being overwhelmed.

Expert Tips and Common Mistakes

• Grind just before brewing to preserve flavor.
• Ensure your water is at the right temperature (between 195°F to 205°F).
• Avoid beans that look overly oily, as they can clog espresso machines.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect espresso beans is a journey, not a destination. As you explore, you’ll refine your palate and discover beans that resonate with your taste. Remember, the best beans are the ones you love the most. Happy brewing!