Best Gourmet Coffee Brands For Cold Brew
I can tell you right now that preparing your own cold brew at home is quite simple.
However, if you want to make an extra delicious brew, you will want to understand some of the basic factors that go into it.
For example, you need the best gourmet coffee for cold brew
So, I’m going to show you what some of my favorite coffee brands for cold brew are, and why.
Our Best Gourmet Coffee Brands
Never Underestimate The Power of Coffee Bean
If you’re serious about your cup of joe, you may know the two main types of beans: Arabica and Robusta.
The best cold brew brands always use 100% Arabica beans.
They are less acidic and have subtle but delicious flavors perfect for cold brew.
Also, consider choosing single-origin beans instead of blends.
You will experience fuller, clearer flavors if you are using this java making method.
Drum vs. Air Roasting
Did you know that there are two main methods of roasting coffee beans?
Most companies choose to drum-roast their beans because this is cheaper and faster.
Only about 1% of companies choose the air-roasting method
However, you need to look for air-roasted beans when choosing a brand to use for your cold brew.
When air-roasting, processors carefully control the temperature and process.
This makes sure that the heat is distributed evenly, for a smoother, less bitter taste!
People also like to know : 11 Cold Brew Coffee Benefits
The Importance of Roast Levels
When you walk into your local coffee shop, the barista probably asks you whether you want a light or dark roast.
Many java lovers don’t realize that light, medium and dark all have unique benefits.
Cold brew lovers generally agree that dark is the ideal roast level. Dark roast tends to have deep, chocolatey notes.
It just so happens the cold brew method is really good for extracting these types of rich flavors.
If you prefer the lighter, fruitier notes of light roast, you will have to steep your grounds much longer.
The Best Gourmet Coffee Brands For Cold Brew Coffee
The Winner
This is a "2 lb. Bag - Dark Roast - Colombia Arabica Single Origin".
Pros
- 100% Arabica
- Single-origin Dark roast
- Bold Flavor
So of course the type of bean is important, and this product does not disappoint.
Not only is it single-origin, but it is also all dark-roast.
This gives is a very superior taste that I love when I am drinking a nice glass of cold brew coffee.
It has a bold, balanced flavor.
I don’t feel like I have to add cream or sugar or other additives, which is great (especially because my husband and I are trying to cut back on “extras” these days, for our health.)
Cons
- Price
- Not super coarse
I’ll admit, this brand is a little bit more expensive than other brands.
Depending on your budget, this may not be a problem at all!
Luckily, it is high-quality.
I did notice a bit of inconsistency with the grounds.
When you make cold brew, you should look for a large, coarse grind.
This is important for flavor extraction.
Sometimes these grounds are nice and coarse. Other times, the grinds seem a little fine.
However, the size seems mostly correct for my needs!
The 1st Runner Up
This is a Tiny Footprint Coffee Organic Cold Brew Cold Press Elixir, Ground Coffee.
Pros
- Helps the environment
- 100% Organic Arabica
- Flavorful
Tiny Footprint is an great environmentally-friendly company.
Sales from this coffee go towards helping reforestation of Ecuadorian cloud forests!
I love it when I can buy products from companies that have important missions.
Plus, the beans are Organic, which is another win in my book.
On top of that, the beans are `100% Arabica.
We know that this is the best option for making cold brew coffee.
The Tiny Footprint grounds make for a flavorful glass of delicious, chocolatey-notes.
I think that adding a little bit of cream really complements the flavor
Cons
- May taste bland to some people
- Blend
I can see how this product might taste a little bland to some coffee lovers.
It’s perfect for people who like to add a little cream and sugar.
If you like a strong black cold brew, think about choosing another product that will better suit your tastes.
One drawback is that this is a blend, instead of being single-origin.
Blends sare most ideal for things like espresso where you have to balance many factors, such as flavor and acidity.
Related reading : 7 Steps For Better Coffee
The 2nd Runner Up
This is a "Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee - Smooth & Sweet Blend - Coarse Ground Coffee".
Pros
- Organic
- 100% Arabica
- Smooth
When I buy USDA-certified Organic coffee, I feel like I am making a responsible purchase for the environment.
The fact that this blend is 100% Arabica makes it a great option for making cold brew.
It is best to use this instead of robusta beans if you’re looking for that high-quality flavor.
Also, I found that this brand makes a nice smooth cup of joe!
Like its name suggests, it is surely “smooth and sweet.”
Cons
- Blend
- Too acidic for some
- Weak for some
This product uses a blend of light, medium and dark.
Personally, I think using single-origin beans is the best for cold-immersion methods of making coffee.
You can more completely savor the specific flavors that way.
It felt a little acidic in the back of my throat.
If you are drinking cold brew because you have a sensitive stomach or are trying to avoid acidity, look for a different product.
Lastly, I can see how this might taste a little “weak” for some people.
For this reason, I recommend brewing it at room temperature and not in the fridge as some people suggest.
Related reading : Why Coffee Taste Bad?
This is a " Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend, Medium Espresso Roast, 2.2-Pound Bag".
Pros
- Multi-purpose
- Strong, rich flavor
You might be wondering:
What is an espresso blend doing on my list of gourmet cold brew brands?
Well, I ran out of other coffee and decided to try using this for my cold brew!
And guess what?
It turned out great!
Sometimes it’s nice to have good, multi-use coffee in the house so that I can be flexible with my brewing methods.
Just be sure to grind it coarsely before use.
Also, I loved the strong, rich flavor of this product.
Cons
- Mix of Arabica and Robusta
- Intended for espresso
One drawback of this product is that it is a blend of the two different types of coffees.
This isn’t ideal for making cold brew coffee.
Also, this product is supposed to be for making espresso.
That’s why it’s a blend in the first place: when making espresso, you must balance flavor, acidity levels, and more.
The thing is, acidity isn’t as much as an issue with cold brew, so it’s not necessary.
This is a " Bulletproof The Original Ground Coffee, Upgraded Coffee".
Pros
- High altitude beans
- Organic, Rainforest Alliance-certified
- Screened for toxins
Usually, Arabica beans are grown at higher-altitudes.
So when this brand advertises “high-altitude beans,” I assume that means they are using arabica beans.
It’s also single-origin, which is great.
I love that this product is Rainforst Alliance-certified.
Once again, I feel like I can make an environmentally-friendly purchase.
The coffee industry can be quite damaging to rainforests.
So it’s important to buy from companies that are doing their best to prevent that.
Also, the Bullet Proof brand is all about screening for toxins and delivering a super healthy product.
You can be assured that you will not be consuming any harmful chemicals.
They say that this is good for mental agility!
Cons
- May taste “bland” to some
- Need other ingredients
The main thing to keep in mind is that the Bulletproof brand is selling their coffee beans with a recipe that they want you to follow.
That means you need other ingredients and supplies.
They say that in order to benefit from the “Bulletproof diet,” you will need to put your coffee in a blender with ghee or other types of special oils.
So if you don’t have a blender, you won’t be able to do it.
Also, not everyone likes to put things like butter in their coffee, although it is a rising health trend!
But if you don’t like the taste of butter in your beverage, you can still make regular java with these beans.
Just keep in mind that it’s made for that special recipe.
So it might taste a little “bland” to some people. Luckily, if you are using the cold brew method, it gives more time for flavor extraction.
This is a " Koffee Kult Dark Roast Coffee Beans - Highest Quality Coffee".
Pros
- 100% Arabica
- Environmentally-friendly production
- Smooth, flavorful
I really appreciate that this company uses environmentally-friendly processing techniques for their coffee products.
It’s so important to offset the damage that the coffee industry can sometimes contribute to.
This item creates a strong, chocolatey flavor!
You don’t have to add any extras to your coffee if you use Koffee Kult’s Dark Roast.
Even though they are not specifically geared toward cold brewing, I think the end result to delicious.
Related reading : 13 Coffee Brewing Tips
Cons
- Some acidity
- May taste bland to some
- Blend
I notice just a small amount of acidity, but not so much that you can’t use it for making cold brew.
It’s a blend with a few different notes, which means it may be most ideal for espresso.
I also tried making regular drip coffee with this blend, and it was quite aromatic and tasty!
This is a good product if you want a multi-purpose bean.
If you are specializing in cold brew, you will want to make sure that you have a perfect cold grinder.
I mean, a coffee grinder with a coarse setting on it for this to work.
This is a "Death Wish Organic USDA Certified Whole Bean Coffee".
Pros
- Fair Trade, Organic
- Very strong
- Nicely roasted
I have to say, Death Wish must have done a great job roasting their beans!
Sometimes you can tell when the beans are burnt in stronger coffees.
And Death Wish makes a VERY strong coffee!
My husband works late some nights.
He drank some of the cold brew I made with these beans and said it gave him quite the kick!
On top of that, these are Fair Trade AND certified Organic.
That means they are better for your health, the environment, and the people who grow the coffee beans.
Cons
- Price
- Might be too strong for some
One thing about this product is that it is definitely pricer than some of the other coffee brands out there.
Many will tell you that it is perfectly worth it, however.
It all depends on your budget, but you can be assured that you will get your bang for your buck.
If you have a smaller budget, look for cheaper brands, as there are plenty of other great options.
This coffee might be TOO strong for some coffee lovers.
Especially if you are a little more sensitive to caffeine than other people.
I recommend testing out different strengths and steeping times to get the right level for you.
Coffee using Death Wish beans can be a little overwhelming if you’ve never tried it!
This is a "2LB Cafe Don Pablo Subtle Earth Organic Gourmet Coffee".
Pros
- Organic
- 100% Arabica
- Smooth, full-bodied
This item creates such a silky, deep, balanced flavor that is perfect for making cold brew.
This is probably because it is 100% high altitude beans, which makes its flavors much more aromatic when extracted during the brewing process.
Not only is this coffee flavorful and satisfying, but it is also certified Organic.
That means bringing in less chemicals into my house.
I also appreciate that Subtle Earth really supports sustainable farming practices.
I am happy to have my money go to such important missions.
Plus, most Organic brands are really expensive, but this one is very affordable
Cons
- May taste bland with hot preparation methods
- Weak for some
- Slightly burnt taste
I think that immersive methods like cold brew or french press are really the best use of this product.
I found that when I made regular drip coffee, it tasted a little bland compared to my cold brew.
It’s a little weaker than other brands.
You will want to use more than usual if you want your java tasting as strong as you’re used to.
And finally, it does have that slightly “burnt” after-taste, probably due to their roasting methods.
However, it is very subtle and probably won’t bother most people!
This is a " AmazonFresh Colombia Whole Bean Coffee, Medium Roast".
Pros
- 100% Arabica
- Smooth
- Flavorful
No robusta beans here, which makes it’s a great contender for making cold brew!
These beans provide my coffee with a nice, smooth texture and taste.
You just need to make sure you get the right grind for these beans
(remember, you will need a very coarse grinder if you’re preparing it cold style.)
This does make a flavorful coffee.
I like that when you cold brew it, it really extracts the aromatics.
Cons
- Ashy smell
- Aftertaste
When I first opened the bag, I noticed a sort of ashy smell.
This can make you wonder if there’s something wrong with the coffee.
Don’t let it get to you: that’s not really what it tastes like after you brew it!
I do notice a small bitter aftertaste when I drink my java that I don’t always notice in other brands.
Personally, I really like a smooth finish when it comes to drinking my cold joe.
If that doesn’t bother you, you can still make some great java with these beans.
This is a " Kicking Horse Coffee, Kick Ass, Dark Roast, Whole Bean".
Pros
- Organic and fair trade
- Dark roast
- Arabica
This smooth, non-acidic choice is a multi-purpose bean but provides a deep, chocolatey taste that is great for making cold brews.
It is certified Organic and Fair Trade, so you can trust that your money is being well spent.
It’s a dark roast, which is ideal for this method of java preparation due to flavor extractions.
It is also 100% Arabica beans. As you know, that is ideal.
I also like that you can purchase these as whole beans, so that I can grind them precisely to my liking.
Cons
- Somewhat oily
- “Burnt” taste
- Not as flavorful for some
I did notice that these beans can be quite oily.
This isn’t always a big deal, except that I always use my coffee grinder when preparing cold brew.
The grinding is one of the most important parts, but oily beans have a tendency to clog grinders.
You just have to be sure what if you use theses beans, you must regularly check your ginder for clogs.
There can be a slightly burnt taste when using these beans.
Luckily, I found that using the cold brew method actually gets rid of that.
It is more noticeable if you brew these with heat.
Lastly, it might not seem all that flavorful for people who are used to something much “deeper.”
But luckily, if you make a cold brew, that’s not as noticeable.
If you like to put cream and sugar in your caffeine pick-me-up, then it’s not an issue.
Conclusion
It can be tough to decide which coffee is best for your tastes and brewing preferences.
However, I think the clear winner in this lineup is Cold Brew Reserve Coarse Ground Coffee - 2 lb. Bag - Dark Roast - Colombia Arabica Single Origin.
This product by the Stone Street Coffee Company matches many of the qualities we are looking for in the perfect cold brew coffee.
For one, it is 100% high-altitude Arabica beans, which is important if you want to get it right!
It’s also a dark roast, which provides optimal flavor especially for cold brew.
Although they don’t air-roast their beans, they do focus on a small-batch operations to ensure high quality.
This also helps keep the prices down.
I like that for a decent price, you can get a very good product.
I hope you found this information useful!
Have you tried any of these brands?
Let me know what you think in the comments! Feel free to share your own recommendations!
