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- 10 Best Breakfast Blend Coffees in 2023 (Coffee Educator-Reviewed)
10 Best Breakfast Blend Coffees in 2023 (Coffee Educator-Reviewed)
A good cup of coffee can be crucial to getting you going in the morning. But, if you struggle with the classic bitter taste of coffee first thing in the morning, breakfast blend coffee can be the answer to your prayers. If you're looking for a mild but caffeine-heavy way to start your day, look no further.
After researching the best breakfast blends, we ranked the Community Coffee Breakfast Blend number one. It has the traditionally darker roast taste notes of honey and hazelnut without losing the smoothness of the breakfast blend. There are plenty more options, so make sure to check out our 10 best list with options for K-cups and pods, ground coffee, and whole bean coffee! We also explain what a breakfast blend coffee is and give tips in our buying guide, reviewed by a barista and coffee educator, on how to pick your own blend.
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.
Table of Contents
- What is Breakfast Blend Coffee?
- 10 Best Breakfast Blend Coffees
- No. 1: Community Coffee | Breakfast Blend Medium Roast | 2 pack
- No. 2: Starbucks | Breakfast Blend
- No. 3: Peet's | Colombia Luminosa K-Cup Coffee Pods | 6 pack
- No. 4: McCafé | Breakfast Blend Light Roast
- No. 5: Seattle's Best Coffee | Medium Roast K-Cup Pods | 6 pack
- 5 more products
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Is breakfast blend coffee strong?
- How much caffeine is in breakfast blend coffee?
- Complete Your Breakfast With These Essentials
What is Breakfast Blend Coffee?
Depending on how familiar you are with different coffee blends, you may have no idea what a “breakfast blend” entails. The details will vary depending on who you ask, but essentially, breakfast blend coffee is lighter roast coffee that is smooth and easy to consume first thing in the morning.
Raw coffee beans are roasted in order to make the coffee beans we love and need (or, let’s be honest, depend on). This forces them to shed their initial shell, beginning the roast process. Lighter roast coffee spends less time roasting, giving it a milder flavor while being packed with caffeine.
Note that a milder taste does not mean a weaker taste. Instead, it's more of a balanced taste - not weak, and not too acidic or bitter - which is what makes it so great to consume in the morning!
Another reason these blends are ideal for the morning is that since they are usually lighter roasts, they tend to have more caffeine (how much there is tends to vary per cup) since the caffeine is not roasted out of the beans.
In 1988, Starbucks began selling breakfast blend coffee. It was part of a new coffee line called Milder Dimensions that would be sold in its cafes. The line's roast was lighter than Starbucks' current coffee blends.
The company's goal was to create a softer flavor that would appeal to those who found black brewed coffee to be too "strong." Although there is no definitive definition of what a "breakfast blend" is, you can expect to find coffee that is medium-to-lightly roasted and has a lighter flavor profile.
How to Choose Breakfast Blend Coffee
If all the brands and types are starting to blend together, we got you. Here are a few things to pay attention to when figuring out the best blend for you. To start with, decide on your brewing method!
① Choose Your Brewing Method
The type of blend you should get depends on your brewing method of choice. Coffee comes in K-cups, ground coffee, or whole beans, which each require their own brewing methods.
K-Cups are a Convenient Choice
If you have a Keurig machine or similar, you may want to go for K-cups. They make single-serving brews and require the least amount of effort, though they may create more waste than other options. However, there are ways to be environmentally friendly while using K-cups with reusable K-cup filters or recyclable K-cups.
K-cups are convenient if you only drink a cup or two a day, but might be a hassle to deal with if you drink a lot of coffee. Likewise, it may take a while to prepare coffee for a whole party using K-cups.
K-cup coffee is for those who don't mind a weak flavor profile. You sacrifice quality and flavor for convenience and speed. Many people still prefer K-cups, but their flavor is typically weaker than that of ground or whole bean coffee. You will have more control over the flavor of your coffee if you use reusable cups.
The main issue with K-cups is that you don't know exactly what variety of coffee beans are in your cup, or how old the coffee is. They are a few specialty coffee companies that make their own K-cups; I recommend checking them out.
Simplify Your Coffee Routine With Ground Coffee
Next on the ranking of convenient brewing methods is using ground coffee. The beans are already ground, making it's easy to make coffee using a coffee machine or french press. Still, ground coffee may not be as fresh as you like and don't last as long as whole beans because it oxidizes over time.
You can definitely still have a great cup of coffee, but it's crucial to look at the “production date” and make sure it's sold in an airtight bag. Exposure to too much moisture, light, and air can make the beans lose their freshness much quicker.
Pre-ground coffee should be used within a few days of being ground. After roasting, coffee begins to lose its fragrant components. The roasting date is like the expiration date on your food. We recommend purchasing pre-roast coffee within a few weeks of its roast date to ensure the finest flavor.
You should steer clear of store-bought coffee. Most of the time, the coffee sold here has been sitting around for a long time, which is why it tastes so bad. For the best-tasting coffee, look for freshly ground beans at a café or supermarket where they can grind the coffee for you.
Use Whole Beans for the Freshest Cup
The least convenient but best-tasting option is using whole bean blends. Be ready to invest in a coffee bean grinder, hand grind your beans, or take frequent trips to grind them at a store. Still, using whole beans is a surefire way to get the freshest, most aromatic coffee first thing in the morning.
Furthermore, you get to choose the size of your ground, which may come in handy if you use a French press. These often require a rougher ground than what you can buy in stores. Grinding whole beans ensures that the coffee hasn't had much exposure to the environment around it before it becomes a delicious cup of joe!
② Go Local or Stay With What You Know
You'll come across coffee produced by local businesses or large, well-known corporations. The draw of going local is that you can help support smaller businesses and diversify your coffee palate. However, finding the right brand can be time-consuming and take some trial and error.
If you prefer to just go with what you know, your classic Starbucks roast will definitely do the trick. Flavor-wise, local brands tend to have more unique flavors than corporations, which tend to produce more generic coffee for a wider audience.
Aside from taste, many local brands tend to focus more on fair-trade and eco-friendly practices. If your coffee is fair-trade, it means that measures were taken to ensure that everybody was paid a fair and livable wage and worked in ethical environments.
If you want to confirm your coffee is truly sustainable from plant to packaging, you can check the company's website. Sustainable coffee roasters will be as transparent as possible!
③ Pay Attention to Taste Notes
There are four major taste note categories: chocolate and caramel, nutty, fruity, and citrus. Flavor notes are not added flavors, but natural flavors coming from the bean processing. Since chocolate and caramel taste notes are prominent in darker roasts, they will not be as common with breakfast blends.
Fruity flavors are brought out by unwashed or naturally processed beans, whereas washed beans lead to more of a citrus note. These notes are both found more commonly in light roasts, thus are flavor notes you often encounter in your breakfast blend search.
④ Consider the Quantity and Frequency
If you're buying coffee for a full house of coffee drinkers, definitely go for a large volume (about 20 ounces). However, we would not suggest buying blends in bulk for only one to two people because they are best enjoyed up to three weeks after opening.
If you are someone who likes to explore your options, buying one blend at a time may be the best method for you. While this is less convenient, it's a way to continuously try something new and does not bind you to one blend.
However, if you are more of a creature of habit or simply don’t have time, then a subscription is a convenient way to keep your favorite blend coming. If you find a blend that you like, many companies offer subscription services that can make your coffee one less thing to worry about.
10 Best Breakfast Blend Coffees
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Community Coffee Breakfast Blend Medium Roast | | Smooth, Bright, and Community-Focused | |
2 | Starbucks Breakfast Blend | | Rich and Citrusy Breakfast Blend | |
3 | Peet's Colombia Luminosa K-Cup Coffee Pods | | Aromatic Coffee With Lively Taste Notes | |
4 | McCafé Breakfast Blend Light Roast | | Familiarly Bright Taste That is Climate Pledge Friendly | |
5 | Seattle's Best Coffee Medium Roast K-Cup Pods | | Locally Roasted Medium-Roast K-Cups | |
6 | San Fransisco Bay OneCUP Breakfast Blend | | Compostable K-Cups With a Balanced Taste | |
7 | Caribou Coffee Daybreak Morning Blend | | A Smooth Combination of Floral and Nutty | |
8 | Happy Belly Decaffeinated Breakfast Blend Coffee | | The Best Decaf Breakfast Blend | |
9 | Real Good Coffee Company Breakfast Blend Light Roast | | Coffee for Every Brewing Method | |
10 | Equal Exchange Organic Ground Coffee | | Fair-Trade Coffee With a Chocolate-Heavy Taste |
Community CoffeeBreakfast Blend Medium Roast ｜ 2 pack
Smooth, Bright, and Community-Focused
This coffee, though a medium roast, still has the smoothness of a breakfast blend. The honey and hazelnut tasting notes are great for people who prefer more of a savory flavor rather than fruity. Community Coffee is community-focused, from responsibly-sourced beans to giving back to local schools.
A few reviewers feel this coffee is a bit weak and overrated in terms of taste. However, many are pleasantly surprised at the quality of the ground beans, saying they are even comparable to freshly ground beans.
StarbucksBreakfast Blend
Rich and Citrusy Breakfast Blend
This is a wildly popular breakfast blend coffee choice; it's Amazon's Choice and a best-seller. Its ground coffee and K-cup variations are similarly popular. The rich, fruity notes allow for a smooth morning coffee experience. This is a great coffee for those who prefer tangy notes.
A couple of reviewers claim that the beans they got were old and stale, but overall, most are excited about this breakfast coffee. Many say they love the smooth and rich taste of this coffee. They like to grind the beans in the morning for the freshest coffee possible.
Peet'sColombia Luminosa K-Cup Coffee Pods ｜ 6 pack
Aromatic Coffee With Lively Taste Notes
The combination of floral and fruity taste notes gives this coffee a bright, or luminous flavor. For optimal freshness, these beans are hand-roasted in small batches. The flavor is specially curated to be unique, for those of you who are exploratory consumers.
Some reviewers are dissatisfied with the K-cup packaging, saying it makes a mess of their coffee machine. On the other hand, the majority rave about the great taste of the coffee. And the coffee stays fresh, so overall, buyers are happy.
McCaféBreakfast Blend Light Roast
Familiarly Bright Taste That is Climate Pledge Friendly
This coffee is fruity without being acidic and helps you start the day on a smooth note. Though it's from a large corporate brand, it is still 100 percent responsibly sourced and claims to help increase the quality of life for farming communities.
Some reviewers complain that the taste differs from what they have expected and love. However, many reviewers give high praises for this coffee, especially loving how it's not too bold and tastes as good home-brewed.
Seattle's Best CoffeeMedium Roast K-Cup Pods ｜ 6 pack
Locally Roasted Medium-Roast K-Cups
For a slightly darker breakfast blend, try this citrusy blend. It's also available as ground coffee for those who don't use Keurig machines. The brand suggests using the eight ounce setting on your machine for the perfect cup.
A few reviewers have issues with the K-cups, experiencing explosive pods. However, many reviewers love the taste of this coffee. They claim it is not too bitter nor acidic and still gives them the kick they need.
San Fransisco BayOneCUP Breakfast Blend
Compostable K-Cups With a Balanced Taste
This coffee is a bit dark considering it's a breakfast blend, but it still has the smooth, balanced qualities of a classic breakfast blend. The big draw of this coffee is that the filters on the pods are compostable and that the company uses their profits to improve the quality of life for their farmers and local communities.
Some reviewers do not like how bitter this coffee is. Still, many love it for its freshness. They also appreciate the company's sustainable and ethical practices. This is the perfect coffee for those who like a dark roast.
Caribou CoffeeDaybreak Morning Blend
A Smooth Combination of Floral and Nutty
Since this coffee is full of flavor, it's a great option for those who like unique taste combinations. It's handcrafted in small batches, guaranteeing fresh flavor with each cup. As a Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee, this is also a coffee committed to making a better world.
Happy BellyDecaffeinated Breakfast Blend Coffee
The Best Decaf Breakfast Blend
If you love your cup of morning coffee but have difficulty dealing with caffeine, try this decaffeinated morning blend. It has a neutral flavor and medium acidity level, making this a great coffee for relaxation.
Some reviewers feel this blend is too weak. However, many reviewers, especially those who are watching their caffeine intake, like the flavor of this coffee and say they don't miss their caffeinated coffees! The taste is mild and not too bitter.
Real Good Coffee CompanyBreakfast Blend Light Roast
Coffee for Every Brewing Method
These whole beans make a delicious cup of coffee no matter which method you use. They come in a huge pack, which is ideal for houses with several coffee drinkers or big coffee lovers. The taste notes create a citrusy and smooth flavor with a hint of milk chocolate.
A few people feel the flavor did not meet their expectations. But for the most part, people are pleased with the aroma of this coffee and find the level of acidity to be just right for them. They say the coffee is sweet and not very bitter.
Equal ExchangeOrganic Ground Coffee
Fair-Trade Coffee With a Chocolate-Heavy Taste
With subtle hints of vanilla, milk chocolate, and citrus, this coffee is on the sweeter side, and may be the perfect choice for those with a strong sweet tooth! All ingredients are fair-trade and sustainably grown for an ethical brew.
A handful of reviewers claim they received stale coffee, but overall, the majority agree that this coffee tastes great. They say it has a medium roast, making it slightly bitter. It's become many people's favorite coffee!
Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to reviewing and commenting on our buying guide, Justin also took the time to answer some commonly-asked questions about breakfast blend coffee.
Is breakfast blend coffee strong?
"How you define 'strong' matters since it is subjective," Justin explains. "If you want strong flavor, examine your brewing method and how much coffee you use. Breakfast blends are lightly roosted. This causes a light, acidic taste and less body. Hence, it will taste 'weak' compared to a dark roast. You get less of the roast flavor."
How much caffeine is in breakfast blend coffee?
Justin says, "In general, it is difficult to determine whether a breakfast blend contains more caffeine than other blends. Where the coffee was grown affects its caffeine content. So come coffees, such as Tanzanian peaberry, have more caffeine. Coffee's caffeine level is unaffected by roasting. Dark roasted coffee offers higher caffeine by ratio because of the weight loss during roasting."
Complete Your Breakfast With These Essentials
A healthy and filling breakfast can be the thing that drives you throughout the day. You may not always have time to cook a big breakfast, but quick breakfasts can be just as delicious and energizing! These are some of our favorite easy breakfast essentials.
Top 5 Breakfast Blend Coffees
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