Searching for a dark roast with a bold kick? Consider trying out French roast coffee! Different from what the name suggests, French roast coffee doesn't mean it came from France. It's actually a style of coffee that is roasted for a long time and at a high temperature to create a rich and intense flavor with smoky undertones. Its strong taste also stands up well to sugar, milk, or creamer.
Our favorite French roast coffee was Starbucks' French Roast. It's a blend of Arabica coffee from Latin America and Asia-Pacific and boasts a strong, rich flavor. For more options, continue reading our list of favorites! We've also made buying guide at the end, reviewed by a barista and coffee educator, that will help you navigate through all the tough choices and make the best decision.
My name is Justin McMillan, and I am a barista trainer, latte artist, and coffee enthusiast. I assist common individuals in becoming excellent baristas as part of my job. I prefer to focus on the needs and desires of each individual to help them reach their personal goals.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
The term "French roast" was created in the 19th century and referred to a style of coffee roasting in Europe that produced extremely dark coffee. Nowadays, French roast coffee refers to a very dark roast that has a robust, smoky, and slightly sweet taste.
To achieve a French roast, the coffee beans are roasted until they reach an internal temperature of 464 degrees Fahrenheit. French roasted beans have a dark brown color. They appear shiny and oily, too!
If you like a bold cup of coffee, try French roast! Due to its robust and rich taste, this type of coffee also holds up to milk and sugar well.
What type of coffee provides you with the best experience? What tasting notes do you like? Continue scrolling for tips on how to choose the best French roast coffee for you!
Usually, French roast coffees come in four different forms: whole bean, ground, instant, and K-cup. They all have their strengths and weaknesses, so take them into consideration to choose a type that works the best for you.
Exposure to oxygen dulls the flavor of the coffee. However, coffee bean shells help lock in flavors and aromas. Only when the beans are ground and brewed are the flavors and aromas released. Therefore, freshly ground and freshly brewed coffee usually produce a strong, rich flavor and aroma.
So if you're a coffee connoisseur and are looking for a full sensory experience, go for whole bean coffee! However, grinding whole beans require you to have a coffee grinder or go to a store to get them ground. It takes time to brew a cup of coffee from whole beans, too.
Still, whole bean coffee allows you to grind the coffee beans to the correct coarseness for your brewing device. Whole beans stay fresh for a long time as well since the inside is not exposed to oxygen.
Ground coffee saves you from grinding coffee beans, but you do compromise a bit on the taste and aroma of the coffee. However, it can still produce a rich and great-tasting cup of coffee if it's fresh. But how do you ensure that it's freshly ground? Simply check its "production date" or contact the manufacturer for specific information.
Storing ground coffee properly is key to preserving its freshness, too! Ground coffee can become stale quickly once exposed to moisture, air, light, and heat. So you should keep it in a dark-colored and airtight container at room temperature.
Also, pay attention to the texture of the ground coffee! Most ground coffees have a medium coarseness, which is ideal for drip machines, pour-over brewers, and standard coffeemakers. But if you're a French press user, you will need the grind to be coarse. If you use an espresso machine, you will want finely ground coffee.
For those who need a quick pick-me-up or are too busy to brew coffee, instant coffee might be a great choice. All you have to do is grab a mug, pour in some hot water, and stir the coffee powder until it dissolves.
Even though instant coffee is the most convenient option, you miss out on the taste and aroma provided by whole bean or ground coffee. On another note, instant coffee is usually packed in single-serving packets that are great for taking on the go.
K-cups are a convenient option, too! You need to invest in a single-serve coffee machine, like a Keurig, but there are some benefits. Usually, it only takes one to three minutes to brew coffee with a Keurig machine.
The vacuum-sealed foil pods also help keep the coffee grounds fresh until brewing. Therefore, K-cups can produce a rich and bold cup of coffee that's comparable to ground coffee.
Coffee usually contains caffeine, a natural stimulant that helps you stay focused, boost your energy, and lift your mood. However, if you're sensitive to caffeine, there are also decaf French roast options!
Some people mistakenly think that decaf coffees don't taste as robust as caffeinated ones, but this is not true. If processed using the right method, decaf coffees can also give you a bold and full-bodied flavor.
Specifically, we suggest choosing coffee decaffeinated using the Swiss water process for the best flavor. This process only uses water to remove up to 99.9 percent of the caffeine in your coffee. There are no chemicals involved in the process, so the flavor of the coffee remains natural without any off-putting aftertaste.
Two main factors affect the flavor profile of the coffee, including the type of the beans and their origin. Read on to know more details!
There are two main types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. Many coffee drinkers prefer Arabica beans due to their complex and pleasant flavor. Usually, they boast a smooth and slightly sweet taste with notes of chocolate, caramel, and nuts. Some Arabica beans have a fruity character, too!
Robusta beans are affordable, but they have a strong, hardy taste with rubbery or grainy notes. They are notoriously bitter as well. But compared to Arabica beans, Robusta beans have 83 percent more caffeine. So if you need a strong cup of coffee to wake you up, Robusta coffee might be a great choice.
If you find Robusta coffee too bitter or too dark to drink, add some sweetener, milk, or cream to counteract the bitterness and strength of the coffee. You can also choose a blend of Robusta and Arabica beans for a more mellow flavor.
Coffee is produced in all regions of the world, and the climate, altitude, and soil condition of the region can really influence the flavor and quality of the coffee. Nowadays, the most popular coffee producers are located in Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
South America has good conditions for growing coffee, including high mountains, nutrient-rich volcanic soils, and humid climates. Coffees from South America exhibit a medium-bodied and slightly sweet flavor. They usually have nutty, caramel, or chocolatey notes.
Coffee beans sourced from Central America are also famous thanks to their well-balanced, clean, and smooth flavor. Some common tones of Central American coffees include fruits, bittersweet chocolate, and nuts.
The rich volcanic soil and high mountain ranges in African countries like Ethiopia and Kenya are ideal for growing coffee as well. African coffees vary widely from region to region but are usually bright with fruity, citrus, or floral tones.
Southeast Asian countries with a tropical climate and deep fertile soil, like Vietnam and Indonesia, also grow great-tasting beans. These coffees feature a full-bodied taste with notes of spices or dark chocolate.
Single-origin coffees are sourced from one region and highlight the unique flavor profile of the beans. Compared to coffee blends, they often have a richer and more robust taste.
On the other hand, blends combine coffees from more than two origins for a well-balanced yet sophisticated flavor profile. For example, a French roast coffee made with beans from South and Central American regions can have a full-bodied flavor with notes of spices and cocoa.
If you don't know specifically what kind of flavor you like or just want to try out different things, go for a coffee blend! But if you want to taste the original flavors of the beans, choose a single-origin coffee.
Most coffee farmers struggle to earn an adequate income to support their families. To help ensure that they're paid a fair wage and treated equally, many companies are committed to fair trade practices. Many also organize their own programs or initiatives to improve the working conditions of coffee farmers.
On top of that, a lot of manufacturers are taking initiatives to reduce their product's carbon footprint and address urgent sustainability issues. If you want to know if the brand you're buying from is positively impacting communities and the environment, check their website and see if they're organizing or supporting any social programs.
Looking for a rich and robust cup of joe? Starbucks' French Roast might be able to satisfy you! It combines Arabica beans from many regions, including Asian-Pacific and Latin America, to deliver an intense and full-bodied flavor with smoky hints. Plus, Starbucks is dedicated to supporting local coffee farmers, and their coffee is ethically sourced.
Some reviewers mention that the coffee they received is not that fresh and doesn't produce a strong aroma. Even so, this ground coffee blend is many reviewers' favorite, thanks to its bold, rich, and smoky flavor. For others, this coffee has a smooth flavor without a bitter aftertaste.
This Organic French Roast by Peet's Coffee is made of 100 percent Arabica beans from Latin America. It features a smoky and robust flavor with sweet notes of caramel. Whole bean coffee keeps the flavor and aroma locked in until you grind it. So with this type of coffee, you will get a robust and aromatic flavor profile!
Overall, buyers compliment the taste of this whole bean coffee, saying it's full-bodied, smoky, and strong. They say that it's different from other dark French roasts that tend to be intensely bitter; this one is quite smooth but still holds up well to milk or cream.
Made of 100 percent Arabica beans originated from Central and South America, this whole bean coffee is responsibly sourced and packaged fresh. With this coffee, you will be able to brew a full-bodied, smoky, and robust cup of coffee with notes of cinnamon and chocolate.
Some buyers say the beans are too oily and jammed their coffee grinder. Yet, the majority praise the rich and intense flavor of this coffee. Many are also pleased with its freshness, mentioning that they're greeted with a pleasant aroma of fresh beans upon opening the bag.
Gevalia is a Swedish coffee brand that has been in existence since 1853. Their French roast coffee is crafted from 100 percent Arabica coffee beans and delivers a rich and complex flavor accompanied by hints of dried fruits. The body is full and aromatic, while the finish is smooth.
A few buyers complain that this French roast is not as dark as they prefer. Even so, the review section is still overwhelmingly positive. Most reviewers compliment its bold and flavorful taste, noting that it doesn't taste bitter at all.
This ground coffee is crafted with beans from Latin America and is decaffeinated using the Swiss water process, so it still retains all the aroma and flavor of the beans. It features a smooth and smoky flavor with sweet notes and tastes great with milk or cream. What's more, this ground coffee is USDA certified organic and fair-trade.
The majority of reviewers are impressed with its rich, smooth, slightly sweet, and strong flavor without the slightest bitterness. Many happily share that processing using the Swiss water decaffeination method gives the coffee a natural taste.
Olde Brooklyn Coffee's French Roast Whole Bean is small-batch and freshly roasted every week in New York for the best quality. It's a blend of beans sourced from some of the most well-known coffee producers, including Guatemala, Brazil, and Colombia, for a complex flavor.
Some buyers mention that the flavor is a bit bitter. Yet, this whole bean coffee wows many reviewers with its full-bodied and dark taste with a rich aroma. Many further share that the beans have an oily and shiny coating, a sign showing that they're fresh!
These K-cups are made of Arabica beans carefully selected from Africa, and the pods have more coffee than usual. They are slow-roasted for a full-bodied, dark flavor. This coffee has notes of anise, bittersweet chocolate, and plum jam. And since it's decaffeinated, you can enjoy it anytime without getting the jitters!
A few reviewers complain that the K-cups keep exploding and causing a mess. Nevertheless, most reviewers rave about this decaf coffee's strong, aromatic, and smoky flavor, adding that it tastes as good as caffeinated ones. They say it doesn't taste bitter, too!
Café Du Monde is a well-known coffee shop in New Orleans that has been in business since 1862. Their French roast coffee is crafted purely from Arabica beans and has a smooth flavor with notes of chocolate. It's great for making cold-brew coffee, too!
A few customers notice that the coffee has a slightly bitter aftertaste. On the other hand, most reviewers are happy with its smooth, strong, and rich taste. They further note that even when sugar and cream are added, the coffee flavor still comes through.
McCafé's French Roast K-cups contain 100 percent Arabica ground coffee grown in the mountainous areas and tout a full-bodied and rich flavor with a smooth dark cocoa finish.
For some reviewers, this coffee tastes a little too weak for a French roast. Nonetheless, many are hooked on its smooth and non-bitter flavor. Many further add that this K-cup coffee stands up well to sugar and creamer.
Made from a blend of Robusta and Arabica coffee beans responsibly sourced and grown, this French roast has a strong and slightly bitter flavor. It offers a convenient way to make coffee when you're busy. All you have to do is mix one packet with eight ounces of hot water and stir until everything is combined.
The majority find this instant coffee bold, rich, and fragrant. They mention that it dissolves easily in hot water and tastes great with milk and sweetener. Reviewers also like the individual packets, saying they're easy to grab and go.
To make tasty French roast coffee, you need the right equipment! Check out the articles below to learn about what tools can help you brew a good cup of coffee.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
Apps
Business apps, Cooking apps, Dating appsHome goods
Bath supplies, Ceremonial occasion supplies, Cleaning suppliesHome electronics
Air conditioners and coolers, AV accessories, Blenders and food processorsPC
Computer supplies, Desktop computers, TabletsCamera
Camera bags and backpacks, Camera supplies, Digital single lens camerasBeauty
Blushes, Bronzers, CleansersHealth
Body care products, Health accessories, Health foods and supplementsFood and drinks
Alcohol, Breads and jams, Cocktails and ready-to-drink alcoholic beveragesKitchen
Coffee and tea products, Cooking utensils, CupsFashion
Footwear products, Men's shoes, SandalsShoes
Accessories
Wristwatches, Accessories and jewelry, Umbrellas and parasolsKids and baby
Baby carriers, Baby food, Baby formulaInterior
Beds, Beds and bedding, ChairsHobbies
Aromatherapy products, Art supplies, Arts and collectiblesOutdoor
Barbecue grills and fire pits, Camping beds and cots, Camping gearHome, garden, and tools
Agricultural materials and gardening supplies, Exterior and garden furniture, Materials and repairing agentsSports and fitness
Sports shoes, Surfing supplies, Badminton suppliesPets
Bird and small animal supplies, Cat supplies, Dog suppliesMedia
Books and magazines, CD, Children's books, picture books and illustrated encyclopediasGames
Gaming accessories, Nintendo Switch games, PC gamesAutomotive
Car accessories, Car navigation systemsGifts
Christmas gifts, Father's Day gifts, Gifts for childrenMobile devices
Mobile phone and smartphone accessories, Wearable devices and smart watches