Best Dark Roast Coffee Beans (Best Tasting Brands)

Once an ashy excuse to mask sub-par beans, dark roast coffee is coming into its own with more specialty roasters giving it proper attention. The result is a new breed of dark roasts, featuring vibrant, exotic, and sophisticated flavors.

You’re probably here because you appreciate the chocolate, nutty, and toasty flavors of a well-roasted dark bean. Keep reading for some handy buying and brewing tips. Skim through our top nine picks for the best dark roast coffee in 2023.

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How to choose the Best dark roast coffee Beans

The “third wave” coffee movement has revitalized dark roast coffees (1). Now a good French or Italian roast can offer no shortage of complexity. Our buyer’s guide is here to help you distinguish the best from the rest.

Please note that this guide will cover dark roast beans exclusively. For other roasts, read our guide to the best coffee beans here.

IMAGE	PRODUCT	DETAILS
TOP PICK TOP PICK	Koa Coffee Estate 100% Kona	Origins: Hawaii Tasting notes: Dark chocolate, roasted hazelnut, cedar, honey Varietal: Arabica	CLICK TO CHECK PRICE
HEALTHIEST HEALTHIEST	Lifeboost Coffee Organic Dark Roast	Origins: Nicaragua Tasting notes: Chocolate, caramel Varietal: Arabica	CLICK FOR BEST PRICE
AMAZING VALUE AMAZING VALUE	Peet’s House Blend	Origins: Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua Tasting notes: Citrus, sweet, spice Varietal: Arabica	CLICK TO CHECK PRICE
Freshest Coffee Freshest Coffee	Coffee Bros. Dark Roast	Origins: Brazil, Sumatra Tasting notes: Bold, chocolate, maple Varietal: Yellow Catuai, Red Catuai, Catimor	CLICK TO CHECK PRICE
STRONGEST STRONGEST	Death Wish Coffee	Origins: India and Peru Tasting notes: Chocolate, cherry Varietal: Arabica and robusta blend	SEE ON AMAZON
Best Decaf Best Decaf	Revelator Pale Rider	Origins: Colombia Tasting notes: Milk chocolate, caramel, red apple Varietal: Arabica	CLICK TO CHECK PRICE
	Kicking Horse Coffee Grizzly Claw	Origins: South and Central America Tasting notes: Dark chocolate, cacao nibs, brown sugar, roasted hazelnuts Varietal: Arabica	SEE ON AMAZON
	Caffe Vita Peru Rancho Sabancaya	Origins: Peru Tasting notes: Chocolate, tobacco, sun-dried berries Varietal: Arabica	CLICK TO CHECK PRICE
	Koffee Kult	Origins: Guatemala, Colombia, Sumatra Tasting notes: Cinnamon, chocolate, nuts Varietal: Arabica	SEE ON AMAZON

The flavors of a dark roast coffee

Sure, the roasting process affects the flavor of coffee beans. But, in the case of dark roasts, the flavor is defined by roasting (2).

Because darker roasts get so much of their flavor from the roasting process, they have a more uniform set of tastes and aromas. However, they are far from bland. Dark roasts usually taste like chocolate, toasted nuts, spices, and dark sugar, such as molasses and caramel, coupled with more substantial notes described as earthy, woody, and smoky. Great dark roasts often have to balance bright, fruity tones, including apples, cherries, and berries.

If you’re interested in roasting your coffee beans, check out our guide on how to roast coffee (or the video below) and our picks for the best home coffee roasters.

There are different levels of dark roast

To achieve a dark roast, coffee beans must reach an internal temperature of 464 ℉. This is a moment when the oils inside the coffee begin to migrate to the outside and give dark roasted beans their characteristic sheen. But beyond 464 ℉ there are different types of dark roasts.

The lightest dark roast is known as an Italian roast. Roasting to slightly darker than an Italian roast yields an espresso roast, though other dark roasts are often used for espresso. Darker still is a French roast, which has a heavier body and more toasted flavors. The darkest roast, which has an almost charred flavor, is a Spanish roast.

Unfortunately, many roasters use these terms interchangeably simply to mean dark roast. Thus, you can’t always count on all French or Italian roasts to be created equal. In conclusion, when shopping for dark roast beans, it will be more useful to look for flavors you enjoy than to trace the name of the roast.

Bean origin matter less

With light roasts, flavors are strongly influenced by where and how the bean was grown and processed. But this is less true of a dark roast coffee. With a darker roast, the toasted and smoky notes overshadow the flavors inherent in the green coffee bean.

Remember: when it comes to selecting dark roasted coffee beans, roaster’s skills are just as important as the quality of the coffee beans.

Robusta beans can play more of a role

There are two commercially grown coffee bean types around the world, Arabica, and Robusta. When it comes to darker roasts, producers use both equally.

They add a depth of flavor, but they offer double the caffeine, which is an appealing quality for some coffee drinkers.

Brew properly to avoid bitterness

Dark roasts have a reputation for bitter or burnt flavors. Still, in many cases, this is a result of the brewing process, not the beans. You should brew different types of coffee roasts differently, regardless of the brewing method.

Dark roast coffee beans are less dense, making it easier for water from entering them and extracting those delicious soluble compounds. That means you can pull more flavor from a dark roast, but you’re also at higher risk for over-extraction (3).

Generally, dark roasts make great coffee for Moka Pots (like some of these) and espresso machines. It’s also good for making Cuban coffee. To avoid bitter flavors, use a gentler recipe for darker roasts. Opt for lower water temperature and either coarser grounds or a shorter brew time.

The 8 best dark roast coffees in 2023

With their toasted aromas and chocolatey flavors, dark roasted coffee beans are what many of us associate with coffee, and these days, they are better than ever. Here are nine great coffee brands to try this year.

1. Koa Coffee Estate 100% Kona – Best Overall

• Origins: Hawaii

• Tasting notes: Dark chocolate, roasted hazelnut, cedar, honey
• Varietal: Arabica
• Certifications: Kosher
• Ground or whole bean: Either

CLICK TO CHECK PRICE

Kona coffee is world-renowned for its rich and complex flavors, many of which are naturally enhanced by a darker roast. Koa Coffee is one of the foremost purveyors of Kona coffee, so you can be confident you’re getting 100% Kona coffee beans rather than a lower-quality blend.

Estate Kona coffee is more than just a name; it’s a specific term that guarantees all the coffee beans come from a single coffee farm.

Upon first brewing, expect heady aromas of cedar and roasted hazelnuts. The dominant tasting note is rich chocolate, accompanied by hazelnuts and honey sweetness. A surprisingly bright fruit note of strawberry lingers on the finish.

2. Lifeboost Coffee – Healthiest Dark Roast

• Origins: Nicaragua

• Tasting notes: Chocolate, caramel
• Varietal: Arabica
• Certifications: Organic, Kosher
• Ground or whole bean: Either

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE

Every bag of this dark roast coffee from Lifeboost begins with impeccably sourced coffee beans, which is why they produce some of our favorite coffee. Their single-origin Arabica beans are organically grown in Nicaragua mountains, on a small plantation located at 5,700 feet on the slopes of Mt. Kilambe.

The Lifeboost team source each batch by hand and monitor them carefully to ensure the rich flavors of the single-origin don’t get lost in the processing. The result is a flavorful low-acid coffee with dominant notes of caramel and chocolate, backed by hints of toasted hazelnut and vanilla. It’s the perfect partner for a nutty praline or chocolate dessert.

Aside from our full Lifeboost Coffee review, we’ve also made a video review of Lifeboost coffees and their tasting notes. Watch it here:

3. Peet’s House Blend – Best Budget

• Origins: Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua

• Tasting notes: Citrus, sweet, spice
• Varietal: Arabica
• Certifications: Kosher
• Ground or whole bean: Either

CLICK TO CHECK PRICE

Peet’s brand of coffee is well known for its signature blends, which they craft with more considerable attention to detail than any others at this price point. Their dark House Blend is their longest-standing offering, first crafted by Mr. Peet himself, and has remained a top seller through the decades.

It features a mix of beans from across Central America, all 100% arabica high-altitude grown. They are slow-roasted by hand to just beyond the second crack for a bright, balanced, and medium-bodied coffee. The result is a lively, sweet, and comforting Latin blend. It’s rich and approachable, with a pleasant spiciness and a crisp, citrus finish.

4. Coffee Bros. Dark Roast – Freshest Roast

• Origin: Brazil, Sumatra

• Tasting notes: Bold, chocolate, maple
• Varietal: Yellow Catuai, Red Catuai, Catimor
• Certifications: Kosher
• Ground or whole bean: Either

CLICK TO CHECK PRICE

For a dark roast that skews a little lighter, check out this exciting option from young company Coffee Bros. Founded just two years ago by a pair of brothers, Coffee Bros. roasts premium coffees in small batches to get the best flavor from every bean.

This dark roast is bold and sweet, like you’d expect, with a creamy mouthfeel and heavy body. It’s fantastic brewed in a French press or as a shot of espresso, and it’s delicious with milk or cream.

It’s a well-crafted blend of beans from Brazil and Indonesia, with the latter contributing a distinct earthy note. You’ll get the classic dark roast flavors of dark chocolate, caramel, and maple syrup, but without losing the underlying character of the origins.

Many dark roasted coffee beans fans love the bold intensity of the coffee, and Death Wish has taken this to the extreme, claiming to offer the world’s strongest coffee. A 12-ounce cup has a whopping 728 mg of caffeine, more than twice as much as an average brew.

They achieve this strength by using a blend of arabica and robusta beans, as the latter has significantly more caffeine. Despite their reputation as lower quality, the robusta beans can still contribute balanced flavors to a darker roast, and Death Wish sources only organic and Fair Trade varieties.

The result is a smooth coffee, low in acidity, and without a hint of bitterness. It has a substantial body and bold roasted flavor with more subtle notes of cherry and chocolate.

6. Kicking Horse Coffee Grizzly Claw

• Origins: South and Central America

• Tasting notes: Dark chocolate, cacao nibs, brown sugar, roasted hazelnuts
• Varietal: Arabica
• Certifications: Organic, Fair Trade, Kosher
• Ground or whole bean: Either

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Founded in the Canadian Rocky Mountains 25 years ago, Kicking Horse Coffee has become globally recognized for its high-end coffees.

The Grizzly Claw is a blend of 100% arabica shade-grown coffee beans sourced from across Central and South America. It’s a rich and decadent brew with a substantial body and bold, soothing flavors. Expect to taste dark chocolate, cacao nibs, brown sugar, and roasted hazelnuts in the cup, enhanced by sugar cane and cocoa powder’s aroma.

Brew this certified organic beans in a French press, drip machine, or pour-over brewer. Or, in the summer, take advantage of its low acidity and rich flavors, and whip up a batch of cold brew.

7. Revelator Pale Rider – Best Decaf

• Origins: Colombia

• Tasting notes: Milk chocolate, caramel, red apple
• Varietal: Arabica
• Certifications: Kosher
• Ground or whole bean: Either

CLICK TO CHECK PRICE

Revelator is a specialty coffee roaster that also operates a series of cafes, so they have the product chain covered, forming equally strong partnerships with farmers and coffee drinkers. They source new coffee frequently, ensuring it is at its seasonal best.

Their Pale Rider decaf is a blend of Colombian Arabica beans of the Bourbon, Castillo, and Caturra varieties. It changes seasonally, but always features wet-processed Colombian beans with similar flavor profiles. The result is a balanced brew that is sweet, clean, and easy-drinking. It features brighter than average flavor notes, including milk chocolate, caramel, and a red apple.

8. Caffe Vita Peru Rancho Sabancaya – Best Coffee for Cold Brew

• Origins: Peru

• Tasting notes: Chocolate, tobacco, sun-dried berries
• Varietal: Arabica
• Certifications: Kosher
• Ground or whole beans: Whole bean coffee

CLICK TO CHECK PRICE

The single-origin Peru Rancho Sabancaya from Caffe Vita offers the brightness and complexity a cold brew demands. They source it from northern Peru in the sub-region of San Martin, where the beans are grown at high elevations of 3,600 to 5,500 feet. It is slightly lighter than a typical dark roast, with a medium body and moderate acidity.

This roast is a classic expression of Peru, with notes of spice and toastiness. You will detect aromas of chocolate, blackberry, cigar box, and caramel, and experience flavors of dark chocolate, tobacco, cedar, and sun-dried berries. The finish is sweet, with subtle notes of maple and nougat.

9. Koffee Kult  – Best Blend

• Origins: Guatemala, Colombia, Sumatra

• Tasting notes: Cinnamon, chocolate, nuts
• Varietal: Arabica
• Certifications: Kosher
• Ground or whole beans: Either

SEE ON AMAZON

Koffee Kult is the rare artisan roaster that has managed to expand without sacrificing quality. Their dark roast is their most popular blend, yielding a robust and bold coffee that still manages to be smooth and clean tasting. They source specialty grade beans from Guatemala, Colombia, and Sumatra, for a mix that nicely balances the bright flavors of South and Central America with the traditionally fruity and earthy Sumatran beans.

They slow roast the beans to just beyond the second crack, for a rich and flavorful brew. It has a surprisingly bright cinnamon character, balanced with more typical dark chocolate and nut tones.

The Verdict

All you need are the right coffee beans.

We gave you nine best dark roast beans to try. However, we recommend starting with our overall favorite, Koa Coffee’s 100% Kona Estate, which is sure to wow you with its flavors of chocolate, nuts, and strawberries.