11 Best Whole Coffee Beans: There’s a vast array of options when it comes to selecting the finest tasting coffee beans. However, choosing incorrectly could spell disaster for your cup of Joe and result in wasted money! The great news is that we’ve taken the time to try and test numerous coffee varieties, sparing you the hassle. We’re presenting our compilation of the globe’s top coffee beans, allowing you to enjoy superior coffee right in the comfort of your home.
Top 11 Whole Coffee Beans In The World
1. Finest Single-Origin Coffees from Around the World
- Atlas Coffee
- Arabica
- Multiple origins
- Single origin, micro-lot
- Diverse flavor profiles
- Assorted aromas
- Various brewing methods
11 Best Whole Coffee Beans: If the idea of selecting just one origin for the world’s best coffee seems restrictive to you, then perhaps you should consider joining the Atlas Coffee Club’s monthly coffee subscription. We decided to try out their subscription service, which allowed us to sample premium coffees from various corners of the globe. We found it to be a simpler and more cost-effective option compared to purchasing them individually.
Every month, they deliver a new coffee sourced from a different growing region directly to your doorstep. While you can specify your preferred roast level, the selection of coffee is left in the capable hands of the Atlas experts. They even offer a recent addition to their lineup – cold brew. And so far, they haven’t disappointed us!
Atlas exclusively sources single-origin specialty beans, ensuring traceability back to a specific region, and sometimes even to a particular farm. You’ll have the pleasure of indulging in top-quality beans from a diverse range of growing regions – some renowned, while others are emerging onto the specialty coffee scene.
11 Best Whole Coffee Beans: We were particularly impressed by their Ecuadorian and Papua New Guinean beans. Using the inverted Aeropress method, brewing the Ecuadorian beans produced a cup with hints of cocoa powder and a rich, jammy texture. Similarly, brewing the PNG beans with the same method revealed delicious chocolatey and nutty undertones. Overall, we found both coffees to be flavorful and truly freshly roasted.
2. Araku Coffee
- Arabica
- Hawaii, USA origin
- Single origin, medium roast
- Sweet herbs and floral, with overtones of nuts notes
- Mild, smooth with vibrant acidity aroma
- Drip and French press
- Pour over
11 Best Whole Coffee Beans: Coffee Bros.’s latest limited-edition offering boasts one of the highest cupping scores we’ve encountered at Home Grounds – an impressive 91! This makes it the highest-scoring coffee we’ve ever tried from India, earning it the well-deserved title of Gems of Araku.
This coffee is truly a precious gem, crafted by combining Arabica beans from seven small-scale farmers in the Araku region of India. Achieving such exceptional quality has been a long-term endeavor, made possible through increased support from NGOs and the dedicated efforts of farmers striving to enhance their crops year after year. The results are nothing short of outstanding, and we eagerly anticipate the future of Araku coffee!
Following the harvest, the beans undergo a natural anaerobic processing method, a unique fermentation process that occurs without oxygen. This innovative approach is gaining popularity in the specialty coffee world due to the extraordinary flavor profiles it produces.
11 Best Whole Coffee Beans: Gems of Araku is a modern, fruit-forward coffee that may not appeal to traditionalists. Our tasting notes revealed flavors of plums, ripe berries, vibrant orange marmalade acidity, and a luscious caramel sweetness. The aroma was equally enticing, with sweet and fruity notes complemented by hints of milk chocolate. While we appreciated brewing this coffee with a Chemex to highlight its nuances, those who prefer a fuller-bodied brew praised its performance in the French press.
3. Koa Coffee
- Kona
- Arabica
- Hawaii, USA origin
- Single origin, medium roast
- Sweet herbs and floral, with overtones of nuts notes
- Mild, smooth with vibrant acidity aroma
- Drip and French press
Kona, the largest island in Hawaii, stands out as the premier location for cultivating top-notch coffee. Thanks to its exceptional micro-climate, a perfect balance of rainfall and sunshine, and nutrient-rich volcanic soil, the slopes of this island provide an ideal environment for coffee cultivation. While Kona is renowned as a prime coffee-growing region in Hawaii, it’s worth noting that there are other fine coffee beans available throughout the Hawaiian archipelago.
11 Best Whole Coffee Beans: Investing in high-quality Kona coffee is worthwhile, provided you ensure authenticity. Be cautious of Kona blends, as only a small fraction (usually 10%) of the blend may consist of genuine Kona coffee. Opt for “Extra Fancy” grade for the highest quality. Known for its medium body, low acidity, and luxurious smoothness, Kona coffee makes an exceptional addition to your daily brewing routine, whether through auto-drip or pour-over methods. Koa Coffee offers both medium and dark roast options to suit your preferred brewing style.
4. Blue Mountain Coffee From Jamaica
- Volcanica Coffee
- Arabica
- Jamaica origin
- Single origin, medium roast
- Sweet herbs and floral, with overtones of nuts notes
- Mild, smooth with vibrant acidity aroma
- Drip, French Press (black)
11 Best Whole Coffee Beans: Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is renowned for its exceptionally limited production, with approximately 80% of each year’s harvest being exported to Japan. These beans require intensive labor, as they must be meticulously handpicked from the slopes of the mountains.
The combination of high elevation, cool temperatures, and volcanic soil contributes to a lengthy growing season of nearly 10 months, far surpassing that of other coffee-growing regions. The result is a well-balanced cup of coffee with a full-bodied texture, medium acidity, and a subtly sweet flavor profile. Many consider Jamaican Blue Mountain to be one of the smoothest brews they’ve ever tasted. Its versatile profile makes it perfect for drip coffee, whether brewed via pour-over or automatic methods. Enjoy it black to savor one of the most sought-after coffees in the world.
When purchasing Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, be cautious of misleading marketing tactics employed by certain brands. Avoid blends and any Jamaican coffee priced below $20 per pound to ensure you’re getting an authentic and high-quality product.
5. Most Sustainable Coffees
- Driftaway Coffee
- Arabica
- Various origins
- Single origin, various roasts
- Various flavor notes
- Various aromas
- Pour over, French press, cold brew
6. Organic Medium Roast Coffee
- Lifeboost Coffee
- Arabica
- Nicaragua origin
- Single origin, medium roast
- Rich, full bodied, earthy notes
- Hints of caramel and woody aromas
- French press, Pour over, espresso
If you’re in search of exceptional coffee with a consistently smooth flavor and have concerns about the potential health impacts associated with coffee consumption, then Lifeboost is a brand you should definitely explore.
11 Best Whole Coffee Beans: At the core of Lifeboost’s mission and vision is the commitment to providing healthy, organic coffee that not only benefits consumers but also supports farmers and promotes environmental sustainability. And the best part? It tastes fantastic too! After conducting our own review of several of their offerings, we found that while they offer a diverse range of coffees, their organic medium roast is an excellent starting point. According to our writer, Scott Fisher, Lifeboost Coffee’s medium roast delivers a classic, rich, and full-bodied cup of coffee that hits all the right notes.
Furthermore, Lifeboost boasts an impressive array of certifications, including USDA certified organic, mountain shade grown, spring water washed, and third-party tested for Mycotoxins. Their coffees also consistently deliver a great taste when brewed using various methods.
7. Kenyan AA Beans
- Volcanica Coffee
- Arabica
- Kenya origin
- Single origin, light roast
- Sweet fruit notes, a wine-y acidity, and syrupy body notes
- Fresh and floral aroma
- Pour over, drip machine
11 Best Whole Coffee Beans: Kenyan coffee beans are renowned as some of the finest in the world, thanks to the unparalleled efforts farmers put into cleaning and processing these beans. A significant factor contributing to the exceptional quality of Kenyan coffee is the rewarding system for farmers based on coffee quality. The government conducts auctions where all coffee in Kenya is sold, with higher quality coffees fetching higher prices. This incentivizes farmers to continually improve their crop.
In Kenya, coffee beans are graded based on size, with ‘AA’ being the largest, followed by ‘AB’. It’s always advisable to seek out ‘AA’ beans for the best quality. These coffees are known for their sweet fruit notes, wine-like acidity, and syrupy body, and their processing results in a remarkably clean taste profile.
As highlighted in our guide to Kenyan coffee, these beans excel in various brewing methods such as drip coffee, pour-over, or automatic brewing. Personally, I’ve been enjoying Kenyan coffee almost every morning since 2020, appreciating its medium-full body and vibrant fruit notes that never fail to bring a smile to my face with each sip.
8. Sumatra Mandheling Beans From Indonesia
- Volcanica Coffee
- Arabica
- Sumatra, Indonesia origin
- Single origin, dark roast
- Lower acidity with a sweet, smooth body notes
- Earthy, mossy, funky aroma
- Manual brew styles (eg moka pot) and espresso brewing
On the other hand, Sumatra Mandheling coffee derives its name from the Mandheling people who once cultivated it in northern Sumatra. This coffee stands out for its low acidity and smooth, sweet body. It exhibits a range of flavors, from dark chocolate and tobacco to earthy and herbaceous notes.
Coffees from Sumatra are typically processed using a hybrid method similar to wet-hulling, which significantly influences the final taste profile. With its full body and minimal acidity, Sumatra Mandheling coffee performs exceptionally well in brewing methods like the French press or pressure style brewing.
9. Nepal Coffee Himalayan
- Volcanica
- Arabica
- Rasuwa District, Nepal origin
- Single origin, medium roast
- Nuts, cranberry, prunes, and orange notes
- Earthy and fruity aroma
- French Press, Espresso, Drip Coffee
11 Best Whole Coffee Beans: The beans hail from the pristine Himalayan mountains in the Rasuwa District, situated at an impressive elevation of 13,000 feet. This unique origin imparts the coffee with a well-balanced profile characterized by earthy and rich flavor notes, complemented by subtle hints of herbs and spices. The earthy undertones are a hallmark of Himalayan coffees, owing to the fertile soil and rugged terrain in which the coffee plants thrive. Additionally, the presence of cranberry notes adds a nutty and roasted dimension to the flavor profile, while citrusy and fruity undertones lend a refreshing touch to each sip.
The processing of these beans follows a meticulous washed process, wherein the fruits are submerged in water to remove the outer pulp before being dried. This method yields a bright and vibrant cup with impeccably balanced flavors—an ideal brew for discerning palates like ours.
10. Central American Geisha Beans
- Volcanica Coffee
- Arabica
- Costa Rica origin
- Single origin, medium roast
- Natural tea-like body, sparkling flavors like citrus, mango, peach, and jasmine notes
- Floral and lemony aroma
- Pour over and filter
Geisha beans stand out as some of the most distinctive and sought-after varieties in the coffee world.
11 Best Whole Coffee Beans: What sets the Geisha bean apart? It boasts a naturally tea-like body and an abundance of vibrant, crisp flavors, including citrus, mango, peach, and jasmine. You may also detect subtle hints of bergamot or vanilla. However, due to its exorbitant price tag, this coffee is a rare find, and only a handful of cafes offer it.
On the other end of the spectrum, Monsooned Malabar beans from India offer a mellow flavor profile, deriving their name from the way the wind disperses them during the monsoon season. As the beans absorb moisture, they expand and develop a rich finish. For optimum enjoyment, we recommend trying them in a humid environment to fully appreciate their unique characteristics.
Experiment with brewing these beans using a french press, Moka pot, or any type of espresso machine to unlock their full potential.
11. Yirgacheffe Beans From Ethiopia
- Volcanica Coffee
- Arabica
- Ethiopia origin
- Single origin, light roast
- Light body, with complex fruit and floral notes
- Earthy, with cinnamon and strawberry aroma
- Drip and pour over
Yirgacheffe holds a revered status within the global coffee community, with Ethiopia itself being the birthplace of coffee and Yirgacheffe beans serving as a source of national pride. Renowned for their exceptional quality, the finest Ethiopian coffee beans are typically processed using the wet method, resulting in a light-bodied, almost tea-like coffee imbued with intricate fruit and floral notes.
It’s no surprise that coffee enthusiasts often encounter offerings from this region in specialty coffee shops, as these beans are often considered the gateway to exceptional coffee. When lightly roasted, Yirgacheffe coffees shine in automatic drip or pour-over preparations, and they also lend themselves beautifully to iced coffee or cold brew applications for a refreshing twist.
Where Do You Source Your Beans?
The finest coffee originates from individuals who are deeply passionate about the craft. Take a moment to ponder: who could possibly care more about coffee than you do?
Local Roasters
The primary answer lies with local roasters. When you purchase coffee directly from a reputable local roaster, you’re investing in a premium, freshly roasted product crafted by someone who genuinely cares. Embark on your journey to discovering exceptional coffee by exploring nearby roasters and sampling their offerings.
Subscription Services
Another appealing option is to subscribe to a coffee service. With a “coffee of the month” club, you can sample some of the nation’s finest offerings from local roasters without the need for extensive research.
To differentiate themselves, subscription services provide enticing opportunities for exploring new coffees. Some surprise subscribers with a different selection each month, while others offer virtual coffee tastings. By participating, you become part of a broader coffee experience – from understanding the origins of your coffee and the treatment of farmers to refining your palate through diverse bean varieties.
Online Roasters
If access to a top-tier local roaster is limited, the next best alternative is to order from an online roaster. This also saves you time from searching for the best local roaster, if that’s what bothers you.
Where Not to Purchase Coffee Beans
Avoid making the most common mistake when buying coffee online. There are certain places you should steer clear of when purchasing coffee beans. Resist the temptation to buy from:
- Grocery stores: These often sell low-quality beans with a lengthy shelf life. The exception here is Whole Foods and other artisan stores.
- Amazon: Surprising as it may seem, Amazon is not an ideal source for fresh coffee. The issue lies in freshness; coffee is often roasted in advance to facilitate packaging, shipping, and warehousing. Despite claims of “Fresh Roasted” on Amazon listings, the reality may be quite different, with some beans being up to six months old. That’s hardly fresh!
How to Select Whole Bean Coffee Beans
11 Best Whole Coffee Beans: With thousands of options available online, choosing the best coffee can be overwhelming. Simplify your decision-making process by asking yourself one of these two straightforward questions:
What Type of Brewer Are You Using?
This is a fundamental yet often overlooked aspect of selecting the finest whole coffee beans. Consider which coffee brewing method you intend to utilize, as this will directly impact your choice of beans. Familiarize yourself with your preferred brewing style and discern which beans align best with your preferences.
What Flavors and Characteristics Are You Seeking?
11 Best Whole Coffee Beans: The second question to ponder is straightforward: what flavor and characteristics are you aiming for? Some coffee enthusiasts crave wine-like, floral flavor profiles, while others prefer a robust, full-bodied coffee with notes of dark chocolate and earthiness, ideal for adding milk. Additionally, there are options for flavored, organic, decaffeinated, low-acid, and more. Determine your desired flavor profile to guide your bean selection.
Final Thoughts
11 Best Whole Coffee Beans: There’s no definitive answer because the concept of the “best coffee” is entirely subjective! By now, you should have acquired some exquisite Arabica coffee. It’s time to brew and savor it, but don’t forget to store it properly – utilize a storage canister and keep it away from direct light.
FAQS: