10 Best Whole Bean and Ground Coffees in 2022 (Starbucks, Death Wish, and More)

If you’re a fan of hassle-free pre-ground coffee, then go ahead and stick with the ground stuff. However, if you've got other devices and want to unlock more flavor out of your morning caffience fix, think about buying whole bean instead.

Coffee will loses flavor and aroma over time, and this process is made quicker by grinding coffee. To create a full-bodied, aromatic coffee, grinding your own coffee per use is best. Plus, whole bean coffee is typically cheaper.

In order to enjoy whole coffee beans, however, you’ll need a coffee grinder. There are both manual and electric grinders, both of which have their pros and cons, but are relatively simple to use. If you've chosen whole beans and to grind your own beans, then you'll also have more control over the kinds of brews you can make.

If you’re always short on time or just want a simple solution to get your wake-up buzz, then ground coffee is the go-to choice. Next is making sure to pick the freshest, best ground coffee. When buying, focus on the size of the bag you get. 

Grounds go stale faster than whole beans, so don’t buy a big bag unless you plan on drinking it all quickly. Pay close attention to the “Best By” date.

When buying ground coffee, also glance at the instructions on the bag. Each blend will tell you how the coffee should be stored, the best ratio of coffee to water, and which brew style is best. Fine grinds are better for espresso, coarse is best for the French press method, medium is best for drip machines, and so on.

The first step in picking a coffee you'll like is a bit complex. You’ll want to first look at the region where the coffee comes from.

Each region produces coffee with distinct flavors. Coffee from Java, for example, is low in acidity with a strong body, Indian coffee beans are typically smooth and mild, and coffees from Latin America often contain notes of chocolate and nut.

In some cases, the manufacturer of the the coffee you buy will label their products with distinct tasting notes, such as bitter caramel or hints of vanilla. Use these as another pointer to help guide you in the right direction.

The second thing to look for, blend or single-origin, is an aspect people don't typically look at unless you really want to know about your coffee. But, as this helps define regional flavors, taking a look at the type of blend your coffee is can help you figure out what kind of flavor profile your beans will have.

Blends are composed of a combination of coffee from various regions. Some blends are regional, but sourced from many locations, while others are more diverse (such as Mexican, Ethiopian, and Bolivian). 

Single-origin coffee, like its name, comes from just one area. Unique regional characteristics are very pronounced in single-origin coffee, making this type of coffee better for people who want to understand where their beans are coming from and want to taste distinct flavors.

Since neither blend nor single-origin are inherently better than the other, you’ll have to experiment a bit to see which you like best. As mentioned before, check the tasting notes on the package for help!

Did you know that roast time determines the acidity level of your coffee? The more acidic, the brighter and more sour your coffee tastes. As you roast your coffee, it loses its shine and bitterness seeps in. You can use milk and sugar to adjust bitterness levels, but it's best to start with a bean you already know the flavor profile of.

Generally, coffees that have been roasted for less time have stronger acidity levels. These include light roasts, medium roasts (also called “city roast”) and most cinnamon coffees. You can enjoy all of these black, but they also make great Americanos.

Darker roast coffees are less acidic, with stronger body. French roasts are great with milk, so they make the ideal café au lait. Full-bodied Italian roasts make great espressos with their strong taste. Overall, pay attention to the roast because it will change the taste of the coffee.

There are a multitude of brew methods you can use for making coffee - the French press, cold brew, espresso, and drip methods are just the tip of the iceberg. Though all kinds of coffee can be used interchangeably for each brew technique, there are optimal roasts for each.

Medium to dark roasts are best for French press and espresso machines, light roasts are good for cold brews or pour overs, and dark roasts are perfect for the Aeropress. This is largely based on how each method extracts flavor from the beans.

Hot or cold coffee is also a part of the brewing process. If you're thinking about making an iced coffee drink, then low-acid, medium roasts are typically better.

Dark roasts, as a whole, are suited well for sugar and milk - this takes away some of the inherent bitterness in the beans. They're often used to make classic French-style and New Orleans café au laits. If you want to be a purist, then using a French press and French roast beans can make a good café au lait, too. Cuban coffees are also better with darker blends. 

Go for lighter roasts when you want black coffee. Light roasts are made so that the the full flavor of the original bean can be enjoyed, so the addition of milk or sugar will mask all those lovely fruity and floral scents!