Best Coffee On Amazon

Buying coffee on Amazon has become the new trend now, especially nor days. After years of success, Amazon has become the largest online retailer in the world and lots of coffee brands are using it.

Coffee is a gigantic industry and one of the largest exports, second only to oil. It is one of our oldest traditions, dating back centuries and an important part of human culture.

Today, more than 80 percent of Americans drink coffee every single day and is one of the most consumed drink worldwide.

And as a dedicated real coffee drinker or an aspiring home barista, you will probably buy your coffee from specialty coffee shops or your local grocery store.

However, did you know that Amazon is rapidly becoming a go-to retailer for specialty coffee?

Buying your coffee beans from Amazon has several advantages including a huge variety, plenty of fair trade and direct trade options, exclusive specialty coffees, and very fast shipping.

You will never run out of different, fresh coffees to try if you take the time to spend a while browsing from Amazon’s huge selection.

Sounds great, right?

But, hey, we made it easier for you and took the liberty to sift through the extensive range of coffee from amazon, bringing you a definitive guide to the best coffee on Amazon.

Top 10 Best Coffee On Amazon

Choosing The Best Coffee on Amazon

Still can’t decide which coffee to purchase. Our buying guide should point out important factors to consider so you can choose the right one.

The Coffee Growing Regions

Different regions of the world grow some dramatically different flavors of coffee. Elevation, soil, and organic quality are crucial factors in the bean farming systems.

More than 50 countries produce coffee beans and within these regions, there are likely more sub-categories of coffee beans.

Here are some general characteristics of the most popular regions in the world:

1) South & Central America

Coffee grows pretty well In the tropical and subtropical climates of this region of the US.

From the Andes Mountains of Peru to Panama straight to the highlands of Guatemala, coffee growing is a very common occupation for the locals.

In general, coffee is grown in South and Central America usually has a satisfying sweetness and a crisp acidity. In Ecuador, the taste can have a honey-like sweetness and crisp floral note. In Guatemala, this usually materializes a sugary sweetness and red apple acidity.

There are always outliers. The low altitude of Brazil tends to produce coffees with gentle sweetness, mellow acidity and rounded nutty and chocolate flavors. Mexican coffees are also similar, featuring pleasant notes of spice and earthy flavor.

2) Arabia and Africa

The very birthplace of coffee and its culture, the Arabian Peninsula, and Africa are amongst the most diverse growing regions of coffee in the world. This is mainly due to the large biodiversity of coffee varieties.

Although other areas of the world have more 3 or 4 varieties, Ethiopia is the home to not hundreds, but thousands of local coffee varieties.

The coffees from Africa are loved for their intense fruity flavors. The Ethiopian varieties, in particular, are known for their rich blueberry aromas, providing a coffee experience like no other. Also, there are other fruity notes such as strawberries, apples, and even peaches which can be tasted in other varieties.

Meanwhile, in Eastern African countries such as Rwanda and Kenya, coffees usually have sweet spiciness and earthiness to them, as well as the crisp floral aromas.

Meanwhile, Burundi, although not producing that much coffee currently, is renowned for growing coffees with cola-like complexity and acidity.

Going to the West, countries like the Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone mainly grow Robusta beans.

3) Asia & The Pacific

The coffee-growing scene in Asia is also pretty diverse. Coffees from this area cannot really be generalized since Asia is the largest continent on the planet.

Indonesia was one of the very first Asian countries to be given coffee plants to grow in the late 1500s. Coffee from the Java and Sumatra islands usually have sweet spice and earthiness notes and woody flavors like spruce or pine.

Meanwhile, other Pacific regions and islands produce similar coffees but on a much smaller scale.

India, on the other hand, is known for its specialty-grade Robusta coffee beans. In addition, Vietnam becomes the second-largest coffee exporter in the world, growing mostly Robusta varieties.

Arabica VS. Robusta: Battle of the Species

If you’re new to the coffee world, then hearing arabica and Robusta may be confusing to you.

So, let’s shed some light on that, shall we?

There are numerous coffee plant species. However, there are only 2 varieties that are used in commercial coffee growing— the Coffea Arabica and the Coffea Canephora) or more commonly known as Robusta).

• Robusta Coffee

Robusta is the species that have lots of branches, yielding more coffee cherries every season. They look strong and big and highly resistant to climate change, disease, and harsh weather. They are forgiving to grow, but it is also what makes them not so flavorful.

With so many branches and cherries produced in each plant, each coffee bean does not have access to many nutrients, causing the brewed coffee to be less tasty and flavorful.

The plant produces a lot of bitter caffeine in order to ward off diseases and pests but also impacts the flavor of the coffee beans. The robusta varieties taste bitter and uninspiring, having 50 – 75 percent more caffeine than the arabica coffees.

There are several specialty-grade robusta coffees in the world. In general, however, robustas are not used by the specialty coffee industry. Also, most robusta coffees go into low-grade blends, instant coffees, and artificially-flavored coffees.

• Arabica Coffee

On the other hand, Arabica coffee plants do not have as many branches and do not produce as many cherries as Robusta. They tend to look weak and are not so great with climate change, do not like the harsher weather, and are fairly prone to catching diseases.

However, with so few cherries and branches, each coffee beans gets a lot more nutrients, resulting in more diverse and complex flavor profiles. The plants also create less caffeine, making it less bitter.

Arabica coffee beans can have all kinds of flavor profiles, from earthy to floral to fruity and beyond. There is a ton of diversity among arabicas making them the number one choice in the specialty coffee industry and the best coffee on Amazon.

Obviously, not all arabica coffee is delicious, however, if you are after quality, then you go with arabica.

Some Notable Coffee Varieties

The family tree of coffee does not stop at Robusta and Arabica. There are more varieties, the familial layers below the species. In general, most varieties will have a similar flavor, but a few shares some really distinct flavors.

The most common varieties are typica and bourbon, which are some of the oldest arabica varieties. They are the source of many newer varieties.

Either by natural hybrids, natural mutations, or hybrid cultivations, these 2 varieties have created several more!

Another popular variety is the Gesha. It was collected in Ethiopia and brought to Panama, where it has become its own distinct variety.

This variety is known for its vibrant floral notes and exotic acidity that are unlike other coffee varieties.

Meanwhile, Central America offers new starmaya variety. This is the only 1dst generation hybrid to be propagated by seed, instead of expensive biotechnology.

It was created in 2017 and has received several awards for its high yields and exceptional flavors.

In Kenya, the Scott Agricultural Laboratories created the SL34, SL28, and SL14 varieties in the 1930s. Their goal was to cultivate a coffee plant variety that can handle the extreme drought in Kenya.

Fortunately, they achieved that goal with the SL28, but they also created 2 other varieties with exceptional complexities and flavor quality.

Blend or Single Origin?

The next thing you want to consider when choosing the best coffee on Amazon is whether you’d like a single origin or blend.

You have probably noticed that blends are not the main coffee type anymore. With single origin coffees exploded in popularity across the globe, you might be wondering the key differences between the two.

Blends are simply a combination or mixture of complementary coffees from various farms, regions, and even countries. Blending coffee beans can help take the edge off any coffee by pairing it with one or two other varieties.

This can help in creating a unique flavor experience when done properly. Single origin coffees, on the other hand, are coffees from a single farm.

Since they are not blended with coffees from other farms, they make it easy to taste the original farm’s and region’s unique flavor profile and characteristics.

There is a lot of diversity among the single origin coffees.

Coffees originating from Peru taste different than those from Kenya. And even on the smaller scale, coffees from Southern Guatemala have a different taste from the ones in Northern Guatemala.

Buying single origin coffee can offer you the chance to enjoy the original and unique flavors down to the farm level. However, while blends do not give you as much flavor clarity as to the single origins, they do have their own advantages.

The biggest one is that they are usually well-rounded and a more approachable option to the coffee lovers who might not enjoy some of the more exotic single origins.

Choosing A Roast

Longstanding coffee fans and experienced home baristas will already be familiar with the type of roast that they like. However, for those who are still catching up, choosing a roast can be a bit tricky.

This is particularly true with the wide choice of the best coffee on Amazon.

Don’t worry though, let us guide you to the different types of roasts and what you should expect from each.

1) Light Roast

Basically, the light roasted coffees are the closest to the original plant origins. Although they do not taste “vegetal” or “green” like they do unroasted, light roast coffee still tastes acidic, natural, floral, and even fruity.

These coffees are more likely to retain the unique flavor profiles and characteristics from their origin region and farm.

The light roast coffee beans are usually characterized by crisp and vibrant acidity. This acidity provides life to the coffee and can enhance the aromas and flavors.

However, not everyone likes the high acidity level with some finding it too sour or bright.

But, if you do not like bitter coffees, then light roast coffees are your best bet. This is because the beans were not roasted long enough to create the bitter compounds.

In general, light roasts have a dark tan appearance and don’t have any visible oils on the outside of the coffee beans.

2) Medium Roast

Once roasted a little longer and darker, the coffee beans will have a deeper brown color with a possible light sheen of oil. At this stage, the acids begin to calm down and are balanced out due to the increased presence of the natural sugars.

The sugars tend to also give the medium roasted coffees sweet flavor notes of honey, molasses, and caramel.

The coffee beans will still have some of the unique characteristics of their plant origin, however, the rougher edges are balanced out by its deeper roasting process.

Also, the coffee beans are a bit more forgiving to brew than the light roast coffees and are more well-rounded. Not only that, but medium roast coffees also have rich flavors and aromatics, with a minor, but well-balanced bitterness.

3) Dark Roasts

Once the light and medium stages are passed, the coffee beans will have a dark brown color with light layers of oil on its surface.

The dark roasts usually have the fewest characteristics of their origin, but that does not mean that they are all unexciting or uniform.

The dark roast coffee beans can still be fairly flavorful and diverse. The rough edges of its origins are smoothed and balanced out by the satisfying sweetness.

The acidity is significantly mellowed down, and that rich sweetness is present. Plus, dark roasts can be quite flavorful and aromatic.

But the most prominent characteristic of dark roasts is that they are bitter. Although skilled roaster does not allow a ton of bitter compound, just enough to provide that boost to the lower notes.

Often notes of spice, chocolate, nut, and earthy flavor also appear, complimenting the origin flavors.

Other Roast Types

Roasting darker than the 3 roast levels are usually more harmful to the beans and your taste.

Italian roast, French roasts, Vienna roasts, and other roasts of the same intensity almost erase all the wonderful flavors of coffee beans, replacing them with the deep bitterness and burnt flavor as the fibers of the coffee beans literally starts burning and turning to ash.

And for this reason alone, we usually suggest that you stay away from the black-as-night coffee beans.

Whole Coffee Beans Vs. Pre-Ground Coffee

Next up, we need to talk about the form of your coffee bean.

Coffee connoisseurs have long debated whether whole coffee beans or pre-ground coffee are best. And while the majority of them vote for whole beans, we simply just can’t ditch the pre-ground coffee. 

They both have their own pros and cons.

Pre-Ground Coffee

Pre-ground coffees are easy and very convenient to use. They are ready to brew right out of the bag and do not need any special skill as well as investing in expensive equipment.

In addition, pre-ground coffees are processed with commercial-grade grinding equipment. Thus, you can ensure that you will have a consistent and uniform grind which is a big factor in creating the best tasting coffee.

Unfortunately, the pre-ground is quick to go stale. You see, all the coffee flavor is trapped inside the beans. AS soon as the beans are ground, some of these flavor some oils evaporate.

And while some companies use vacuum-sealed and airtight packaging, once you have opened the bag, it does tend to lose its freshness rapidly.

In addition, when buying pre-ground coffee, you will also need to choose the right coarseness of grind for the kind of brewing method you will use. Not all brands have this luxury, so you get what you are given.

Whole Coffee Beans

Buying whole beans means that you will grind them yourself, right before you brew, ensuring a much flavorful and fresher cup of coffee that is truer and stronger to its origin and retaining the subtle notes of the specific bean type.

In addition, grinding your own coffee beans means that you can control how coarse or how fine it will be, allowing you to make use of any brewing method you want.

Unfortunately, DIY coffee grinding means that you will need to purchase a coffee grinder. And not just any grinder will do. You will need a decent burr grinder in order to achieve great results with uniform and consistent grind size.

If you go with the cheaper blade grinders, you will have an uneven grind size that can result to over-extraction or under extraction or your coffee.

In addition, grinding your own beans is quite time consuming than buying the pre-ground coffee. Not to mention the fact that cleaning a grinder can be quite frustrating, adding to the time you will spend preparing your cup of joe. 

Regular or Decaf?

Another thing you need to consider when buying the best coffee on Amazon is to go regular, or the decaf versions.

Decaffeinated coffee is just an ordinary coffee which has been processed further in order to remove its caffeine content. Take note, however, that decaf coffee does not mean that all its caffeine content is removed.

The FDA stated that at least 97 percent of caffeine content is removed to call it decaf. As a result, in a portion of the drink, the caffeine amount is reduced from the usual 80mg – 100mg to 3mg. That’s when the coffee itself is called decaf.

So, to whom can decaf coffee be interesting?

Well, it is for the coffee lovers who want to drink several cups of coffee a day without being twitchy. Or those who can’t drink caffeinated drinks because of their diets or for health reasons.

In addition, it is suitable for people who want a cup but also want to sleep early at night. Decaf is also suitable for those suffering from anxiety problems as well as pregnant and breastfeeding moms.

Take a Closer Look At The Brand Ethics

Environmentally-friendly practices and standards are becoming more important to consumers.

If you are looking for a brand that’s fair trade certified and/or organic, then there are many out there. Thus, it may be worth a look into the business practices of the brand that you want to buy from.

Take note that the cost of organically-sourced and environmentally friendly practices is passed along to the consumer. You might pay a bit more, but your mind can rest easy knowing that the brand ethics are congruent with yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the advantage of buying the best coffee on Amazon?

A: First off, you have a large selection of coffee for every taste. In addition, thanks to the large audience and customers of Amazon, when looking for the best coffee on Amazon, you can read numerous reviews by people who have already tried a specific coffee. Plus, Amazon shipping is so cheap and fast.

Q: Can I buy the best coffee on Amazon?

A: Yes, you can surely find some of the best coffee on Amazon, thanks to their large selection of coffee— from the regular to the specialty coffees. Although it can make it harder for you to choose, it is possible to find really great products here.

Q: What are some of the coffee category you can find on Amazon?

A: You can find a coffee to every category you might need from the brewing method, degree of grinding, and roasting. You can even find selections of decaf coffee, organic coffee, low-acid coffee, flavored coffee, and other specialty coffee on Amazon.

Final Thoughts

Armed with the comprehensive buying guide, you can now surf through Amazon and find the perfect coffee for you. We hope you find this article helpful.

Do you have any questions? Feel free to voice out any concerns and we’ll try to answer them the best we can.

Until then, happy caffeinating.