11 Best Coarse Ground Coffees Of 2024
You really can’t beat the aroma of freshly brewed coffee in the morning!
Coffee fanatics will all have very different opinions about the best coffee, from a fearsomely strong espresso to a creamy, foamy latte. But if you’re a ground coffee fan, which is the best coarse ground coffee?
So, what is the best coarse ground coffee? The best coarse ground coffee is one that is as freshly roasted and ground as possible, with high-quality coffee beans.
When it comes to choosing a type of coffee, look for one which suits your own personal preferences. It should be Fairtrade and organic if possible and come in recyclable packaging.
Are you looking for the best coarse ground coffee? Read on to find out what makes the best coarse ground coffee, and find out our picks for the 11 best coarse ground coffee brands you can buy at the store.
What Is Coarse Ground Coffee?
Coffee is sold in many different forms for us to use at home. One of these is coarse ground coffee.
The term “coarse” refers to the size that the coffee has been ground.
This can be fine (like talcum powder), medium (similar to table sugar), or our focus of today, coarse ground coffee.
Coarse ground coffee has a consistency similar to bread crumbs.
The consistency of the coffee grinds does not have any effect on the flavor of the coffee. The purpose of different coffee grinds is that they are brewed in different ways. This is because they release their flavor at different speeds when added to hot water.
What Is The Difference Between Coarse Ground And Fine Ground Coffee?
When you have larger particles of coffee beans, such as coarse ground coffee, the brewing process is very long and slow.
It takes a long time for the water to reach the interior of the coffee granules and for the flavor to percolate through to the outside and into the coffee beverage.
For fine ground coffee, the smooth powdery texture enables the flavor to be extracted very quickly. This means that the brewing process is sped up.
So, if fine ground coffee is faster, why do people use coarse ground coffee? Essentially, it comes down to the type of coffee drink you prefer.
Many of us like to use a French press to slowly brew the perfect coffee, and coarse ground coffee is perfect for this.
What To Consider When Buying Coarse Ground Coffee
There is such a huge range of coarse ground coffee available that it can feel overwhelming trying to pick the right one. While some coffees have a soft and gentle flavor, others can be stronger and more intense.
If you are on the hunt for the perfect coarse ground coffee, here is what you should take into consideration.
Your Coffee Brewing Method
If you are looking for coarse ground coffee, then it is vital to check that you are using the right brewing method to suit this coffee.
This means a method that is slow and gentle, allowing time for the water to penetrate and extract the flavor from the coffee grinds.
What are the best brew methods for coarse ground coffee? The best coffee brewing methods for coarse ground coffee are a French press or percolator.
If you prefer espresso, or coffee made using a Moka pot, then you should opt for fine ground coffee instead.
Many coarse ground coffees are also suitable for a cold brew method. To make cold brew coffee, the coffee grinds are steeped in cold water for 8-12 hours.
The grinds are then strained from the coffee, leaving a rich and intense cold coffee drink. This method is great for reducing any bitterness and acidity than hot brewing methods create.
The Freshness Of The Beans
Coffee aficionados will tell you that the fresher the coffee, the better the taste. Even when tightly sealed in an airtight container, the flavor and aroma will gradually diminish over time.
The manufacturers’ packaging plays a big part in preserving the freshness of coffee as well.
If you have a coffee grinder at home, you can grind your own coffee beans at home for the freshest possible taste! Otherwise, opt for a coarse ground coffee that is as freshly ground as possible.
Many of the top-quality coffee brands will list a ‘roast date’ on the packaging. This means you know how fresh the coffee is that you are buying, but how fresh should it be?
Darker roast coffee holds its freshness well and can last well for up to 2 months after roasting. If you prefer a lighter roast coffee, then look for one roasted less than 4 weeks ago.
If coffee is left for longer than this, the subtle flavors and aromas will start to decline. This doesn’t mean that the coffee won’t be good, but it might not be sublime!
However, some coffees will mellow with age, and many coffee drinkers prefer older beans that have lost their edge.
Level Of Roast: Light, Medium, Or Dark
You might be very confused when it comes to buying coarse ground coffee, as there are so many options available! When it comes to light, medium, or dark roast, what is the difference, and which should you buy?
When it comes to caffeine levels, there are only slight differences between roast types. Light roast coffee will contain a similar amount of caffeine as a dark roast.
The different roast levels simply alter the depth and complexity of the flavor of the coffee bean.
Light Roast Coffee
Light roast coffee aims to preserve the unique characteristics of the coffee bean. This will give you a vibrant flavor and can bring out the best in high-quality coffee beans.
The flavor will be softer and more mellow than the punchier dark roast coffees.
A light roast coffee is a subtle delight and is chosen by many coffee fanatics who want a complex flavor profile to their hot beverage.
Dark Roast Coffee
Dark roast coffee has been roasted to the point that the beans barely resemble their original form. The dark roasting method transforms the flavor profile of the coffee bean into something nutty, caramelized, and full of rich flavor.
The dark roast coffee gives you that punchy, ‘get up and go’ flavor, definitely not for those who enjoy a subtle taste to their morning drink!
Medium Roast Coffee
Medium roast coffee sits midway between the two and is a good ‘all round’ coffee that many coffee lovers enjoy.
Type Of Coffee Bean: Arabica or Robusta
Now, whole books are written about the types of coffee beans, and many expert tasters spend hours debating the merits of the different types!
Coffee tasting is a serious business, and creating the perfect blend is a life-long passion for many people. To delve into how to choose the perfect coffee bean is a wormhole we’re not going to go into here, but we’ve got the ultimate beginners guide!
Coffee comes from a coffee tree, which produces a fruit called the coffee cherry. Within each coffee cherry is a central seed – this is the coffee bean.
Each coffee tree will produce about 10 pounds of coffee cherry each year, which yields 2 pounds of green coffee beans.
There are two main types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica coffee beans fetch the highest prices because they produce a better standard of coffee and are also more difficult to grow.
Robusta beans are lower-quality and tend to be used to make instant coffees and blends.
The coffee seeds, or beans, are dried and the outer shell removed after harvesting. The beans are then graded into sizes, before being roasted and ground into the coffee product we are all familiar with.
This ground coffee, when combined with hot water, creates a beverage with a taste like no other! It also contains caffeine, which has a stimulating effect on humans.
Many of us just can’t get started in the morning without a hot cup of coffee! So, what types of coffee beans should you look out for in coarse ground coffee?
Arabica beans account for about 60% of the world’s coffee bean production, and there is a good reason for this. This popular coffee bean has a multi-layered and intricate flavor, with a great aroma.
You will find that most high-quality coarse ground coffees are a form of Arabica bean. You will see variations on this, such as the Arabica Peaberry coffee bean.
The complex flavors of Arabica beans are easily overwhelmed by rich creamers and will not shine when used to brew cold coffees.
The second most common type of coffee bean is the Robusta. This has a strong, punchy flavor, and twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica beans!
Robusta coffee beans work well if you are a lover of sugar and creamer in your coffee.
There are also rarer types of coffee beans that are occasionally used, such as Liberica and Excelsa. These are most commonly used in blended coffees, as their flavor is considered to be inferior when used as a stand-alone coffee bean.
Country Of Origin
Although the same types of coffee beans are grown around the world, the area they come from can have an impact on the flavor of the coffee.
This means that location is just as important as bean type when it comes to choosing the perfect coarse ground coffee.
Look for a flavor that you like! This might sound obvious, but personal preference is important when it comes to coffee.
You might love a Columbian light roast and your friend adores a dark roast Kenyan coffee, but neither of you is wrong!
Also, different flavors will work at different times. Your morning coffee preference may be very different from the one you enjoy after dinner.
Coffee to be enjoyed with a rich chocolate cake can be very different from the one you sip away at while working at your desk.
Ethics: Choose Fairtrade Coffee
When it comes to ethical credentials, coffee was one of the first Fairtrade products that many of us saw on the grocery shelves.
Fairtrade means that the farmers who produce the coffee beans are paid a fair and sustainable price for their product.
Naturally, this means that consumers pay a higher price for the end product. However, without the backing of consumers, coffee farmers will not be able to continue production and expand their farms to meet rising demand.
Many of us have concerns for the future of our planet, and rightly so! When choosing coffee there are two things that we can do to reduce our global footprint.
The first of these is to carefully select coffee that has recyclable packaging. The other thing we can do is aim to buy organic coffee. These two things can go a long way to reducing our impact on the environment.
The 11 Best Coarse Ground Coffee Brands
From organic light roast Arabica beans to a punchy dark roast Robusta, the key to buying the perfect coarse ground coffee is to pick one which is guaranteed to tingle your tastebuds.
Here are our top picks for the 11 best coarse ground coffees!
1. Gevalia Special Reserve Coarse Ground Coffee
Key features:
- Beans: Arabica
- Origin: Guatemala
- Roast: Medium
- Flavor Profile: A medium-bodied coffee with earthy, smoky notes and a hint of cocoa
Our top pick today is the perfect ‘all rounder’, a medium roast that will please most coffee lovers.
Made with 100% Arabica beans grown in Guatemala, this coarse ground coffee has a delightfully earthy flavor with hints of cocoa.
This coffee will work well for anyone who enjoys black coffee, and also those who like a splash of creamer or a sprinkling of sugar.
This coffee comes in a resealable back to lock in flavor and aroma and is perfect for slower brewing methods such as a French press.
It is also Rainforest Alliance Certified, which promotes more sustainable farming methods to improve farmer livelihoods & prevent climate change.
2. Stack Street Organic Cold Brew Coffee
Key features:
- Beans: Arabica
- Origin: Colombia
- Roast: Dark
- Flavor Profile: Smooth, well balanced, rich
If you love a dark roast coffee or are a fan of the cold brew method, then this is the coarse ground coffee for you!
Robust and strong in flavor, this will give you a beautifully smooth cold coffee drink with an intense flavor.
Like all Stack St. coffees, this product is certified as organic. This gives you the peace of mind that no synthetic fertilizers have been used to grow your coffee beans. It also comes in the perfect packaging to keep your coffee fresh for longer.
3. Born To Be Mild Light Roast Coffee
Key features:
- Beans: Unknown
- Origin: Unknown
- Roast: Light
- Flavor Profile: Smooth and light, with a hint of sweetness
If you’re a fan of light roast coffee, finding a course ground variety can be a tricky business!
Most lighter roast coffees tend to come in a finely ground form and are brewed using faster methods such as a Moka pot.
If you want a light roast coffee suited to slower brewing methods, then this is the one for you. This low-acid coffee gives a complex and interesting flavor, perfect for serving hot and black.
4. Primos Coffee Co French Press Specialty Coffee
Key features:
- Beans: Arabica
- Origin: Nicaragua
- Roast: Medium
- Flavor Profile: Mild and subtle, sweet with citrus notes
Made with premium Arabica beans, this single blend medium roast coffee is perfect for those who love to drink coffee throughout the day.
The delicate and subtle flavor never becomes overpowering, and a cup of this delightful coffee will refresh you at any time of day.
5. Stone Cold Jo Dark Roast Organic Coffee
Key features:
- Beans: Arabica
- Origin: Unknown
- Roast: Dark
- Flavor Profile: Hints of toffee, caramel, chocolate, and grape
This dark roast organic coffee is a delicate blend of Arabica beans, giving a rich and intense flavor.
It works well as a cold-brew coffee, as well as slower hot brewing methods such as a French press.
The coffee beans for this blend are carefully selected to create the perfect flavor, with a smooth coffee taste and hints of sweetness and fruitiness. It will stand up well to creamers and sweeteners or can be enjoyed on its own.
6. Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee Smooth & Sweet Blend
Key features:
- Beans: Arabica
- Origin: Guatemala, Peru, and Nicaragua
- Roast: Medium
- Flavor Profile: Smooth with tones of caramel and hazelnut
This coffee is a delicate blend of light, medium, and dark roast coffee beans, sourced from Central and South America.
The careful blend gives a smooth coffee with a natural sweetness, great for cold brews and slow hot brewing methods.
Like all the Bizzy range, this product is ethically sourced and organic, giving you peace of mind when enjoying your morning coffee.
7. Birch Glen Roasters Crème Brulee Flavored Coffee Blend
Key features:
- Beans: Arabica
- Origin: Unknown
- Roast: Medium
- Flavor Profile: Carmel, custard-like flavors
If you’re a fan of flavored coffees, then you will love this Crème Brulee flavored coarse blend.
The delicate medium roast Arabica beans blend perfectly with the burnt sugar & custard flavors to give a taste sensation in a cup.
Many of us have tried (and failed) to recreate the perfect flavor of coffee-shop beverages at home, but with this sublime flavored coarse blend coffee, Birch Glen Roasters have come pretty close!
8. Tiny Footprint Coffee Organic Cold Brew
Key features:
- Beans: Arabica
- Origin: Variable
- Roast: A mix of light and dark roasts
- Flavor Profile: Sweet & silky with subtle fruit, floral, and cocoa tones.
If you prefer a lighter cold brew coffee than the normal punchy dark brew versions, then this is the coffee for you.
With a blend of light and dark roasts, it makes a delightful cold brew coffee that will tantalize the taste buds!
This bag of coffee is carbon negative, and with every bag that’s sold, Tiny Footprint donates a portion of the proceeds to fund reforestation in Ecuador’s Mindo Cloud Forest. Very cool indeed!
9. The Coffee Fool ‘Fool’s House Italian’ Decaf Organic Fair Trade Coarse Grind Coffee
Key features:
- Beans: Arabia
- Origin: Unknown
- Roast: Medium
- Flavor Profile: Dark, bold roasted flavor
Sometimes, we all just need a coffee without the hit of caffeine!
If you don’t want to be buzzing all afternoon, or need a bedtime drink, then the Fool’s House Italian is a great choice.
A medium roast coffee with a dark flavor, this decaffeinated course ground coffee tastes smooth, with no bitterness or tangy undertones.
It tastes great on its own, or can also stand up to a splash of creamer or sugar.
10. Java Planet Organic Cold Brew Coffee
Key features:
- Beans: Arabica
- Origin: Unknown
- Roast: Dark
- Flavor Profile: Smooth and intense with chocolatey tones
If you want to recreate the perfect coffee shop dark blend at home, then this organic cold brew coffee is the one to try.
Made with carefully selected Arabica beans roasted in small batches, every batch is guaranteed to give the best possible flavor.
The organic credentials of this coffee mean it has been grown in the best possible conditions, creating a healthy caffeinated drink with minimal environmental impacts.
11. Thank The Goat Premium Arabica Medium Roast Coffee
Key features:
- Beans: Arabica
- Origin: Columbia
- Roast: Medium
- Flavor Profile: Smooth, subtle, non-acidic
This carefully selected Arabica coffee gives a great medium-strength flavor, perfect for a daily breakfast brew.
This particular coffee is from the Cacau region in Columbia.
The manufacturers oversee every step of the process, from growing the beans through to the final packaging. This guarantees great quality and flavor in every pack.
This is a premium coffee that can be enjoyed every day. The flavor is smooth and subtle, with no bitterness or nasty aftertaste.
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