Once thought of as a sub-par roast, darker beans are finally getting the recognition they deserve. Whether you know and love the deep, nutty flavor of a dark roast or you’re just looking to try something new, these dark roasts are the best of the best.
Different Levels of Dark
It’s important to understand what makes a dark roast, and the different kinds of dark roasts you can buy. To achieve a dark roast, coffee beans must reach an internal temperature of 464 ℉. This is the threshold where oils inside the coffee bean begin to migrate to the outside and give dark roasted beans their characteristic sheen.
Beyond 464 ℉ there are different types of dark roasts. The lightest of the dark roasts are known as Italian roasts. Keep roasting, and you get an espresso roast. Even further, you get a French roast, known for their heavy, toasted flavors. A Spanish roast is the darkest of the dark roasts, with an almost charred flavor profile. Spanish roasts are the most acquired taste of all the dark roasts.
In Darker Roasts, Robusta Beans Matter
Often regarded as lower quality than Arabica beans, the darker, earthier flavors of robusta beans can find a place in high-quality dark roast blends. Robusta beans also help deepen the flavor profile, and offer more caffeine than Arabica beans. For these reasons, producers often use both beans in dark roast blends.
Flavors Matter
With dark roasts, it is a better idea to choose a coffee based on flavors than on bean type or origin. While in lighter roasts place of growth plays a large role in the overall flavor of the bean, in darker roasts the toasted and smokier elements often overshadow the subtle flavors inherent in the green bean.
For this reason, it is recommended that, when shopping for a coffee, you pay specific attention to the flavor elements you like in a blend. Darker roasts will usually favor darker flavors, such as chocolate, caramel, maple syrup, spices, red fruit, toasted nuts, and smokiness.
Best Overall: Coffee Bros. Dark Roast
Thick, dark chocolate. Creamy caramel. Fresh maple syrup. The Coffee Bros. Dark Roast whole bean coffee is a bold blend made with 100% Arabica beans. The coffee has the perfect amount of darkness, while still being approachable.
The Coffee Bros. have perfected the roasting process, avoiding that charred, bitter taste, and helping bring out the natural subtleties of these high-quality beans. The beans also tastes incredibly fresh, a nicety we can’t stress enough.
If you’re looking for a roasty and full-bodied dark coffee that will wake up your taste buds in the morning or pull you through a never-ending afternoon, this is the dark roast for you.
Best Budget: Peet’s Coffee House Blend
Peet’s house blend is a fantastic dark roast, with beans from Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. The flavor profile and detail of these beans are unparalleled at this price point.
Known for their signature blends, this offering from Peet’s Coffee is their longest-standing offering, first crafted by Mr. Peet himself, and has remained a top seller through the decades.
The beans are pleasantly dark, yet very consumer friendly. It’s rich and approachable, with a pleasant spiciness and a crisp, citrus finish. This offering from Peet’s is a fantastic choice if you’re just getting into darker roasts.
Best Premium Coffee: Koa Coffee Estate Dark Roast Whole Bean Blend
This whole bean blend from Koa coffee is a premium dark roast with beans sourced from Hawaii. With fascinating notes such as dark chocolate, toasted hazelnut, cedar, and honey, this dark roast has a uniquely rich and interesting flavor profile.
Kona coffee is renowned worldwide for its richness and complexity, and kona beans are often naturally enhanced by a darker roast. All of the beans are sourced from the same farm, ensuring consistency in flavor, and consistency between bags. You get to experience the classic subtle taste of the kona beans.
Upon first brewing, cedar and toasted hazelnut dominate the aroma, but dark chocolate and hazelnut are the main flavor notes.
This coffee is a fantastic choice for those looking for a dark roast bursting with sophistication and complexity.
Strongest Coffee: Death Wish Coffee
They claim it’s the world’s strongest coffee. We’d have to agree. Death Wish has outdone themselves with this premium blend of Arabica and Robusta beans. Despite their often misguided reputation as lower quality, robusta beans can still add good flavor to a roast, and Death Wish sources their premium beans from organic and Fair Trade sources.
It’s strong. How strong you ask? A 12-ounce cup has a whopping 728 mg of caffeine, more than twice as much as an average brew. The resulting brew is smooth, without any unpleasant bitterness, and has underlying notes of cherry and chocolate.
This is an excellent coffee for hard-core caffeine fans, and those looking for a bold blend to imbue them with a persistent pep in their step.
Best Dessert Coffee: Blossom Roasters Dark Side Of The Moon Blend
If you like a coffee with a little sweetness, the Dark Side of the Moon Blend by Blossom Roasters is sure to tickle your fancy. Dubbed the “Creme Brulee” coffee, it has notes of caramel and dark cocoa giving it a toasty, smoothe character.
This coffee is excellent with breakfast – particularly with breakfast muffins or pastries. A blend of South American and African beans, they’re roasted just right, not too dark, but rich and dark enough for a smooth, satisfying cup.
If you fancy yourself a sweet tooth who loves a good dark roast, this interesting and supremely original blend may be for you.
Best French Roast: French Roast by Lion Coffee
While some French roasts can end up tasting ashy and burnt, the French roast by Lion Coffee tastes very dark while remaining pleasantly smoky and sweet.
The roast is decadently dark yet smooth, with beans sourced from Hawaii. Well bodied, this coffee is perfect for those looking for a dark roast to brew strong, dark coffee.
Best Decaf Coffee: Revelator Pale Rider
Revelator’s Pale Rider is a dark roast decaf blend of premium Arabica beans sourced from Columbia. The main flavor notes of this blend include milk chocolate, fudge, caramel, and red apple. The brew comes out sweet, clean, and extremely easy-going.
The coffee is dark yet approachable and extremely drinkable, with a bold start and smooth finish. Revelator also runs a chain of coffee shops, so they know their stuff, forming equal partnerships with coffee drinkers and coffee growers.