If you want the taste of your go-to coffee without leaving the house, here are the best beans to keep around, according to a long-time barista.
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Coffee has slowly become one of the only constants in my ever-changing life. Ever since I was 14 and my sister introduced me to a wonderful, steaming cup of coffee before a long day of hard work, I’ve been mercilessly hooked. I loved it so much that I decided to be a barista twice. And I still miss those days more than anything.
When I want to treat myself, I’ll grab a seasonal drink from one of my favorite coffee shops or make a cold foam-topped iced latte with my Delonghi Rivelia espresso machine. But on a regular morning when I’m running out the door, I just want something simple. Sometimes, I’ll choose from some of the best coffees from popular roasters. I particularly love the Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso. Other times, I want the comforting flavor of familiar breakfast brews. I grabbed as many beans as I could find at local grocery stores and online to find which breakfast restaurant has the best at-home beans.
Here are the brands I’ve included:
Caribou Coffee
Cracker Barrel
Dunkin’
McCafé
Panera Bread
Peet’s
Starbucks
Tim Horton’s
Via Merchant
8. Panera
I don’t typically order coffee from Panera, so I went into this taste test with an open mind. Disappointingly, Panera’s Light Roast comes in at the bottom of my list. It’s described as a bright, balanced and mellow blend, but it is a bit too mellow for my taste. The coffee lacks body and feels quite watered down.
Bottom Line: The scent of the grounds is too earthy, and the brewed coffee lacks significant body.
Via Merchant
7. Cracker Barrel
This was the only blend I couldn’t find in a retail store—I had to order online. However, if you have a Cracker Barrel close to you, I’m sure you can grab a bag for yourself in person. This Cracker Barrel Premium Blend is what is served in the chain’s restaurants, and while there aren’t many notable flavors, I didn’t mind it overall. My biggest issue is its lack of substance. The flavor, while slightly better than Panera, is muted.
Bottom Line: When I’m having a hearty brunch, I’d prefer a heartier coffee to match.
Via Merchant
6. Starbucks
For this test, I chose the Starbucks House Blend, a medium roast with notes of toffee and dusted cocoa. My biggest issue with Starbucks coffee is that it often tastes burnt. After a few sips, I was able to pick up on a toffee aftertaste, but sadly, the cocoa did not come through. This being said, it is a hefty cup, and it tastes like an on-the-go morning. Not to mention, the scent is delicious.
Bottom Life: Too bitter and burnt for my taste, but the smell is lovely, and I appreciate a coffee with substance.
Via Merchant
5. Dunkin’
Now, when it comes to busy mornings, Dunkin’ has always been my ride-or-die. I love how much fun the chain has with things like the banana menu and the Barbie pink strawberry cold foam line. But when it comes to the retail beans, it’s more middle-of-the-road. Dunkin’s Original Blend is a medium roast that I could easily drink black. While there aren’t many notable flavors, it’s simple, smooth and doesn’t taste bitter or burnt. It’s a solid cup of coffee that mixes with syrups extremely well.
Bottom Line: This cuppa lacks flavor notability but makes up for it in drinkability. Simple and smooth with little to no bitterness.
Via Merchant
4. Caribou Coffee
Caribou has always been a sleeper hit. I was around it a bit more when I was younger since my brother worked there, and on top of that, it was the main coffee spot attached to my college grocery store. Though not as many locations exist today, it’s nice to go down memory lane with the chain’s Crowd Pleaser (aka the Caribou Blend). The brew is smooth and rich with a hint of velvet. It most closely reminds me of Starbucks without the burnt and bitter aftertaste. The smell is mellow with a slightly sweet uptick.
Bottom Line: Smooth and rich with a mellow aroma, this cup of coffee is just as I remember from growing up.
Via Merchant
3. Tim Horton’s
Opinions about Tim Horton’s can be very strong. This Canadian-based coffeehouse and restaurant chain has a commanding following and killer doughnuts. I tried the Tim Horton’s Original Blend, a medium roast, and was pleasantly surprised. The flavor is bright, and the coffee itself has a rich body. The roast tastes slightly darker than the rest with a light caramel undertone.
Bottom Line: I would absolutely keep these beans in my lineup. They’re darker and full-bodied with a sweet finish.
Via Merchant
2. McCafé
McCafé drinks are highly underrated in my opinion, and I’ve never had a bad experience with any of the chain’s coffee concoctions. Honestly, I prefer its iced caramel macchiato over the Starbucks version, and I stand on that! As for the McCafé Premium Roast, I was more than pleasantly surprised. The aroma is fruity with a bright, bold flavor and a tangy aftertaste. I couldn’t stop taking sips—I almost finished the cup all in one go!
Bottom Line: Fruity and bright with a tangy aftertaste, the McCafé beans are an underrated hit.
Via Merchant
1. Peet’s
My ultimate winner is Peet’s Big Bang. This brew is a medium roast with notes of fruit, milk chocolate and graham crusts. As I took my first sip, I knew this was my favorite. I’m new to Peet’s, but wow, I wish I had jumped on this train a long time ago. The body is smooth, bold and bright. The fruity flavors are front and center with a subtle, chocolate aftertaste. All the notes blended so well together that I couldn’t stop drinking it, even after all the coffee I’d already had.
Bottom Line: Bright and bold with a fruit-forward flavor and chocolate aftertaste, Peet’s coffee is good enough to drink black even if you usually use a creamer.
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