Our Test Kitchen Found the Best Brands of Coffee
Updated: Jan. 29, 2021Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links.
You start every morning with a cup. Why not make sure that morning joe is the best coffee you can buy? Our Test Kitchen shares which brands they prefer.
Most dedicated coffee drinkers out there have a brand or two that they prefer, the one that they buy over and over and over again. But do you ever wonder if your favorite cuppa is actually the best coffee out there? After all, it’s hard to know if your brand is better than another if you never try them side-by-side. That’s where our Test Kitchen comes in!
What We Looked for in a Great Coffee
Our culinary and editorial staff tried 12 brands of coffee that you commonly find at the grocery store. All coffees were purchased ground and were brewed using the same method. In this blind tasting, testers sipped and slurped while considering these criteria.
- Flavor
- Aroma
- Bitterness
- Acidity
Considering that all 12 brands were medium roasts, we wanted a coffee that offered a good balance of flavor. Bright but not overly acidic, flavorful but not too bitter. This is a fine line to walk, but when you strike the right chord with coffee, you can make some truly delicious things like this tipsy iced coffee spiked with a hint of amaretto.
Our Test Kitchen-Preferred Coffee Brands
Let’s see which brands our coffee aficionados and Test Kitchen experts ranked as the best coffee.
Best Organic (and Fair Trade!): Newman’s Own Organics Medium Roast Breakfast Blend
For a great balanced cup, our Test Kitchen can’t recommend Newman’s Own enough. This organic and fair trade (always a bonus!) blend offered an irresistible aroma that had testers going in for sip after sip. The coffee itself was flavor-forward and smooth to sip—all without any bitter aftertaste. This coffee is bold enough to jump-start the day while being balanced enough to please company when served up alongside dessert.
Best for to Wake Up To: Green Mountain Medium Roast Nantucket Blend
Our Test Kitchen also recommends Green Mountain Coffee Roasters‘ medium roast coffee. This coffee tasted slightly darker than our other medium roasts but still offered plenty of flavor with just a hint of vanilla and floral flavors. A bit more acidic than our other choices, many testers loved this bright blend. We also noticed that Green Mountain perked us a bit more than the rest. Perfect for your morning cuppa!
Smoothest Coffee: Gevalia Traditional Roast
Our Test Kitchen also enjoyed Gevalia’s medium roast option. The coffee was smooth, drinkable and not overly acidic, perfect for sipping as you enjoy good company and a few treats with your coffee klatch. If you sipped slowly, you could notice a few fruity notes in the background of this cuppa, which many testers found pleasant.
What to Make with Coffee
While most folks rely on coffee to jumpstart their day, there’s so much more you can do with a cup of joe. But before you do anything, make sure you’re avoiding these brewing mistakes. Then think about jazzing up your morning pick-me-up by turning it into a coffee shop-inspired drink. Or add some grounds to your desserts to perk them up a bit (coffee does wonders for chocolate!). Heck, coffee can even be used to create a fork-tender roast beef. You can use coffee in so many ways!
Chocolate Comfort Cake
This moist and delicious chocolate cake is usually the first dessert to go. People even eat the crumbs. It’s always my top choice for holiday dinners. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 
Tangy Baked Beans
Different, delicious and sized exactly right for two people, this easy, breezy home-style side dish is sure to please!—Dean Copeland, Ochlocknee, Georgia
Chilean Monkey Tail Punch
Stories vary surrounding the origins of this punch's unique name. Some say it was initially served in a bottle depicting a monkey with a long tail, but others suggest it was named after a funny incident with a Chilean president in the early 1900s. Whatever the origin, coffee and spirits will make this sweet chilled drink warm you right up this Christmas. It also goes by "cola de mono." —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Mom's Roast Beef
This well-seasoned roast is Mom’s specialty. Everyone loves slices of the fork-tender roast beef and its savory gravy, and people always ask what her secret ingredients are. Now you have the delicious recipe for our favorite dish!
—Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania
Jumbo Chocolate Cutouts
The recipe for these light cookies has been passed down from generation to generation. Have a little extra fun with frosting if you like. They freeze well, too!—Helen Brown, East Dover, Vermont
Beefy Sweet Potato Soup
I hate being cold, but one of the best remedies for that is warm soup. I took my mother’s water-based vegetable soup recipe and worked with it to make the flavors richer. The meat and veggies in this dish are the perfect cure for a cold night and a hungry family. —Lisa Cooper, Leander, Texas
Special Mocha Cupcakes
Topped with a fluffy frosting and chocolate sprinkles, these extra-rich, extra-delicious cupcakes smell wonderful while baking and taste even better! —Mary Bilyeu, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Hazelnut Mocha Coffee
For special occasions, this chocolaty brew will be the talk of the town. You can make the chocolate mixture a couple of days in advance. When you're ready to serve it, simple brew the coffee and whip the chocolate. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina
Coconut Fudge Cake
“A big piece of this moist cake is a chocolate and coconut devotee's dream," notes Johnnie. "You should see my husband, children and grandkids smile when I serve it.”
Sausage-Herb Dressing
To make time for last-minute Thanksgiving essentials, I prep the sausage part of this recipe a day or two ahead of time, then finish the dressing in my slow cooker on the big day. It has stood the test two years running! —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida
Frothy Cafe Bombon
I discovered this layered java beverage during my honeymoon in Spain. —Keri Hesemann, St. Charles, Missouri
Nutella Banana Cream Pie
Here’s a banana cream pie with a little Italian flair. The chocolate and hazelnut
go well with the banana, and the rolled chocolate pie crust makes it extra-special.
If you don’t have time to melt and pipe the chocolate stars, just sprinkle the top
of the pie with grated chocolate or cocoa powder instead.
—Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
Tender Maple-Glazed Pork Chops
Tender pork chops are cooked in a maple glaze that makes every bite absolutely succulent. The hearty entree delivers big flavor without a lot of fuss. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Three-Layer Chocolate Ganache Cake
This decadent triple-layer beauty is pure chocolate indulgence. The cake layers can be frozen prior to final assembly; in fact, they're easier to work with when frozen. —Kathleen Smith, Overland, Missouri
Irish Coffee
This Irish coffee lives up to its reputation as a relaxing after-dinner drink. Creme de menthe adds a colorful touch to the cream. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker Potluck Beans
It was the morning of our family potluck and I still needed something to bring. I threw together this recipe while drinking my morning coffee. By the end of the gathering, the beans were all gone and someone had even washed the crock for me! —Mary Anne Thygesen, Portland, Oregon
Cast-Iron Apple Nutmeg Coffee Cake
I'm not a great baker, but I do love coffee. In an effort to practice my baking, I use up the morning's last bit of coffee to make this cake—literally. It is super moist and crumbly, and tastes like you dunked your cake right into a cup of hot joe. — Darla Andrews, Schertz, Texas
Chocolate-Caramel Rum Coffee
This decadent coffee drink can stand alone as a final course or as a delightful complement to any chocolate or caramel dessert. Our family loves it after a special dinner or just for sipping in front of the fireplace. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio
S'mores Creme Brulee
A big bite into a scrumptious s’more brings back sweet campfire memories. This fancy take on the classic treat is perfect for a fall meal and will be adored by young and old alike. —Rose Denning, Overland Park, Kansas
Hot Ginger Coffee
I like to sit by the fire and sip this coffee on a cold winter day. It's a great warm-up after shoveling snow, skiing, skating or snowmobiling. —Audrey Thibodeau, Gilbert, Arizona
Creamy Tiramisu Cheesecake
The Italian word "tiramisu" means "pick-me-up" and refers to a dessert of ladyfinger sponge cake dipped in coffee, embracing mascarpone cheese. Work that in with cream cheese and you have a guaranteed picker-upper that redefines a classic. —Mrs. Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
Tipsy Iced Coffee
My family loves this frozen coffee with Amaretto and whipped cream. Serve it at brunch or as an after-dinner treat.—Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
Coffee-Braised Roast Beef
This recipe has been a family tradition since 1974. The meat is quick and flavorful, so it's a nice welcome home after a long day of work. The coffee adds an intriguing flavor to the roast, and the juices can be thickened for a delicious gravy.—Nancy Schuler, Belle Fourche, South Dakota
Mocha Baked Alaskas
Make these baked Alaskas ahead of time—you can torch the completed desserts and freeze them up to 24 hours before serving. —Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida
Spiced Devil's Food Cake
One of my mom's friends gave her this recipe when I was a child, and it has been a family favorite ever since. When your chocolate sweet tooth acts up, this really hits the spot! —Linda Yeamans, Ashland, Oregon
Java Muffins
If you love your morning java like I do, get a double dose by paring this crunchy pecan-topped muffin with your favorite hot cup of Joe. They travel well and are ideal to take to work—for that mid-morning coffee break, of course. —Zainab Ahmed, Mountlake Terrace, Washington
Homemade Irish Cream
Add some creamy goodness to your cup of joe with a splash of this alcohol-free version of the Irish favorite. —Marcia Severson, Hallock, Minnesota
Chocolate Cannoli Cake
Hints of orange and coffee lend standout flavor to this elegant cannoli-inspired cake. A variation of this cake was a finalist in the Best Cake in Michigan contest. —Mary Bilyeu, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Java Roast Beef
Coffee adds richness to the gravy, which is perfect for sopping up with crusty bread or draping over mashed potatoes. —Charla Sackmann, Orange City, Iowa
Peanut-Filled Devil's Food Cupcakes
This recipe features a luscious peanut butter filling surrounded by devil's food and then iced with a rich layer of ganache. They're to die for! —Mary Lou Timpson, Colorado City, Arizona
Brie Appetizers with Bacon-Plum Jam
Among my friends, I'm known as the Pork Master because I love to cook just about every cut there is. These appetizers combine soft, mild Brie cheese with a sweet-sour bacon jam that has a touch of Sriracha sauce. —Rick Pascocello, New York, New York
Mocha Mint Coffee
This doctored-up coffee benefits from hints of mint, cocoa and cinnamon. The marshmallows on top are a playful addition that brings out the youngster in anyone. —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California
Contest-Winning Moist Chocolate Cake
You don't have to spend a lot of time to serve an elegant and delicious dessert. Just mix up the batter in one bowl, bake and get ready for people to love this chocolate bundt cake. —Christa Hageman, Telford, Pennsylvania
Chocolate Ganache Peanut Butter Cupcakes
I've been baking cakes for years and enjoy trying new combinations of flavors and textures. For this peanut butter cupcake recipe, I blended peanut butter and chocolate. As soon as I took the first bite, I knew I had created something divine! —Ronda Schabes, Vicksburg, Michigan
Brownie Mocha Trifle
By using instant pudding and a convenient box of brownie mix, there's nothing to the preparation. The result is moist and chewy. And the layers look so pretty spooned into a glass trifle bowl. —Louise Fauth, Foremost, Alberta
Contest-Winning Mocha Fondue
At our friends’ 25th anniversary celebration, several couples had fun concocting this chocolate fondue. With fresh fruit, marshmallows, pretzels and vanilla wafers as dippers, everyone will want to dive into dessert! —Karen Boehner, Glen Elder, Kansas
No-Bake Cappuccino Dessert
Summer gatherings call for cool desserts like this one. Lots of the party invites I receive come with a request for this delicious treat. You can make it even more chocolaty by adding cocoa powder to the dry pudding mixes. —Mary Beth Desens, Fredonia, Wisconsin
Spiced Pumpkin Coffee Shakes
The winter holidays are my favorite time of year, and this spiced pumpkin drink is one reason I love the season so much. If you don't have a coffee maker, it's OK to use instant coffee—just make it stronger. —Kathie Perez, East Peoria, Illinois
Coconut Chocolate Muffins
With a rich dark chocolate flavor and luscious cream cheese-coconut topping, these irresistible muffins taste more like a decadent dessert than a morning treat. —Sonia Daily, Rochester, Michigan
Coffee-Braised Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Adding coffee to meat adds such a deep flavor. And this recipe is so easy—I put it in before work, and by the time we all get home, it's ready for us to dig in. —Jacquelynn Sanders, Burnsville, Minnesota
Mocha Morning Drink
When I'm sipping this delicious coffee, I almost feel like I'm visiting my favorite coffeehouse. —Jill Rodriguez, Gonzales, Louisiana
Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu
I added pumpkin and subtracted some of the coffee flavor in a tiramisu I developed for a special holiday dinner. A new Christmas tradition was born! —Heather Clary, Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Viennese Coffee
This isn't your regular cup of Joe! Dress it up with chocolate, whipped cream and more, making it a drink to savor! —Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Ginger-Cream Bars
I rediscovered this old-time recipe recently and found it's everyone's favorite. Even 4-year-olds have asked for these frosted bars as nursery treats. —Carol Nagelkirk, Holland, Michigan
Peanut Butter Truffle Cupcakes
Everybody loves cupcakes, and these have a wonderfully tasty hidden treasure inside. They're rich and delicious! —Marlene Schollenberger, Bloomington, Indiana
But what we’ve really got our heart set on is this tipsy coffee. Look how easy it is to make—and what a pretty presentation!
Note: This blind taste test was performed by our staffers and was not part of a sponsorship. All opinions shared are our own, and have not been influenced by advertisers.
