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The Spruce Eats / Photo Illustration by Chloe Jeong / Retailers below
Quick and convenient, pre-ground beans are the go-to option for many coffee lovers. They eliminate hassle and save money for those who don’t want to purchase an at-home grinder. While experts widely recommend whole bean coffee for the utmost freshness and flavor, ground coffee can still make a delicious cup of joe.
We’ve rounded up our favorite picks below, researching everything from the regions where coffee beans are sourced to the different size bags available to buy. Options range from light roast to dark, espresso to cold brew, and more.
Best Overall
Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mtn. Ground Organic Coffee
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Courtesy of Amazon
Strong and dynamic flavor
East to find
Versatile taste for different brew methods
A little pricey
Citrus undertones may not be for everyone
Stumptown has long been a reliable brand that coffee lovers can count on for a quality cup. While there are many great options to choose from, one of our favorites is Stumptown's Holler Mountain blend. It combines coffee beans from all around the world to create a unique yet palatable brew. The dominant notes that stand out are citrus, caramel, and jam. There are also chocolate undertones to balance the bright, tart flavors. It's a medium roast you can enjoy at any time of day. The taste is versatile enough to suit a number of brewing styles as well, from drip coffee to pour over and more.
Holler Mountain is generally available in local grocery stores, making it easy to pick up after work, and it's sold by several online sites too. Bags contain 12 ounces of organic ground coffee. Like many Stumptown products, this blend leans toward the more expensive end, but it's a reasonable price if you're looking for something a clear step above an average bag of beans.
Price at time of publish: $17
Roast: Medium| Size: 12 ounces | Available In: Whole bean and ground | Origin: South America, Central America, and East Africa
Best Dark Roast
Death Wish Coffee Co. Ground Coffee
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Amazon
Hailed as the world's strongest coffee, Death Wish delivers a caffeine punch two to four times stronger than a normal cup of joe, depending on the grounds used per brew. The high-energy hook has attracted many customers, but the flavor is what truly makes it a best seller. It's surprisingly smooth, despite the caffeine content, and filled with rich notes of dark chocolate and cherry.
Death Wish isn't your traditional dark roast (and it's certainly on the expensive end), but it's truly delicious, and the caffeine keeps you alert without any shakes or jitters. You can purchase bags in sizes of 1 or 5 pounds, as well as in whole bean variety.
Price at time of publish: $20
Roast: Dark | Size: 1 and 5 pounds | Available In: Whole bean, ground, and K-Cup pods | Origin: India and Peru
Best Medium Roast
Kicking Horse Coffee Smart Ass Blend
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Amazon
Kicking Horse makes six ground coffee varieties, including another medium roast that falls slightly on the darker side, but the Smart Ass blend strikes a terrific balance of flavor. The aroma is sweet and fruity, but as soon as you take a sip, you'll also find rich undercurrents of milk chocolate. Though slightly more expensive than some of its grocery-store competitors, this is a great option for the coffee drinker tired of making the same run-of-the-mill medium roast every day. All Kicking Horse Coffee is organic and fair trade, but keep in mind that the ground coffee is only available in one size: 10 ounces.
Price at time of publish: $12
Roast: Medium | Size: 10 ounce or 2.2 pounds | Available In: Whole bean and ground | Origin: Africa, Central America, and South America
"Arabica and robusta are the two main species of coffee. Arabica is harder to grow than robusta and has lower caffeine. It generally has more sweetness and acidity, too," says Selina Ullrich, Director of Coffee at East One Coffee Roasters. "Pretty much all specialty coffee is arabica. Robusta is a more robust species, like the name says, because it’s easier to grow in less ideal places. It has more caffeine and is much more bitter. It's often used in Italian espresso blends to add caffeine and punch and a sense of bitterness."
Best Light Roast
Starbucks Veranda Blend
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Amazon
Opinions on Starbucks famously vary. Those who avoid the ubiquitous coffee giant often do so because of taste, as the company's signature flavor is extremely robust. The Veranda Blend could be a crowd-pleaser for all, however, as this blonde roast is much mellower. The primary flavor notes are soft cocoa and lightly toasted nuts. You'll even see a difference in the coffee's lighter shade. The price is surprisingly affordable for a Starbucks product and you can purchase a bag in several sizes.
Price at time of publish: $40
Roast: Light | Size: 12, 20, 28, and 40 ounces | Available In: Whole bean, ground, instant, K-Cup pods, and Nespresso capsule | Origin: Latin America
Best Instant
Mount Hagen Instant Coffee
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Mount Hagen
Mount Hagen defies the instant coffee stigma with a product that's as tasty as it is easy to make. While this coffee won't quite compete with the real stuff, many customers say it's the best alternative. Made from 100 percent Arabica beans, the flavor is smooth and mild—a straightforward medium roast.
It's pretty expensive as far as instant goes, but since most people keep it around for a pinch or use it while traveling it won't break the bank. Each 3.53-ounce jar yields about 60 cups of coffee. The company makes a decaf variety in the same size and at a similar price point. Both options are available in single-serve sticks, which can be used for on-the-go joe. Mount Hagen is also great for making delicious whipped coffee.
Price at time of publish: $24
Roast: Medium | Size: 3.53-ounce jar or box of 25 sticks | Available In: Instant | Origin: Papua New Guinea
"I first tried Mount Hagen while traveling and was so impressed with it I started keeping a jar in my cupboard at home (especially for when I'm too lazy to brew a full pot of coffee). Instead of boiling hot water, I usually mix it with cold water and add ice cubes for quick and easy iced coffee." — Derek Rose, Coffee & Tea Expert
Best Decaf
No Fun Jo Organic Decaf Ground Coffee
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Amazon
A unique and dynamic flavor sets No Fun Jo Decaf apart from the competition. Many decaf options seem like watered-down versions of the real thing, but not here. The two primary notes in this medium to medium-dark roast are sweet blueberry and milk chocolate. While this might not appeal to everyone's palate, customers largely rave about the coffee's taste. The blueberry is noticeable but not overpowering, as it's balanced out by the smoother hints of chocolate.
No Fun Jo Decaf is made through the Swiss Water Process, which removes 99.9 percent of the caffeine. You can purchase it in a 12-ounce bag or a more cost-effective 2-pound bag. The coffee is also sold in whole bean and K-cup varieties.
Price at time of publish: $14
Roast: Medium-dark | Size: 12 ounces or 2 pounds | Available In: Whole bean, ground, and K-Cup pods | Origin: Blend origin is proprietary information
Best for French Press
La Colombe Corsica Dark Roast
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Amazon
If you're a French press owner and you've experienced a silty, gritty taste at the bottom of your cup, this is generally because the coffee grounds used were too fine. The beloved non-electric coffee maker requires a coarse grind for maximum smoothness and flavor.
You can preselect the ideal grind size when ordering any of La Colombe's delicious blends. Corsica is our favorite for French presses. Named for the island off the coast of mainland France, this coffee mixes notes of deliciously dark chocolate with hints of smokiness and red wine. The main downside is that you have to order directly off La Colombe's website for ground coffee, as most major retailers only carry the boutique roaster's bags in whole bean.
Price at time of publish: $14
Roast: Dark | Size: 1 and 5 pounds | Available In: Whole bean and ground | Origin: Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, and Mexico
Best Budget
Seattle's Best Coffee House Blend Ground Coffee
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Amazon
With 10 tasty options and a budget price, Seattle's Best is the favorite morning pick-me-up in many households. Those new to the brand (a Starbucks subsidiary) can start with the well-balanced House Blend or find favorite roasts from light to dark. There's also a couple of flavored options like Toasted Hazelnut and Very Vanilla, as well as a decaf blend.
Seattle's Best is not the bare-bones cheapest coffee out there—familiar names like Folgers and Maxwell House are slightly less expensive—but it is perhaps the best value for your money. The brand is widely available both in-store and online.
Price at time of publish: $13
Roast: Medium | Size: 12 and 20 ounces | Available In: Ground and K-Cup pods | Origin: Latin America
Best Flavored
New England Coffee Ground Coffee
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Amazon
New England Coffee is the go-to choice for variety, offering over 25 flavored blends. One popular pick is this Blueberry Cobbler flavor, a medium roast that balances sweetness with underlying notes of spice.
The century-old company crafts familiar options such as French Vanilla and Pumpkin Spice, but its assortment accommodates all taste buds (and can even get a little wacky). Some of the most unique flavors include sweet-tooth favorites Peanut Butter Banana Milkshake, Vanilla Cupcake, and Cinnamon Sticky Bun; there are also milder options like Pistachio Crème and Hawaiian Macadamia Nut. The best part? New England Coffee is a budget-priced brand readily available in grocery stores and a number of online retailers.
Price at time of publish: $21
Roast: Medium | Size: 11 ounces, 1 pound, and 5 pounds | Available In: Whole bean, ground, and K-Cup pods | Origin: Information not available
When asked how flavored coffee is made, Selina Ullrich said, "Flavor oils are added when the coffee is cooling. During that process, they spray the coffee when it’s hot with the oils so it locks into the cell structure."
Best for Cold Brew
Stone Street Coffee Cold Brew Reserve
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Amazon
Stone Street Coffee is a Brooklyn-born roaster that makes must-try grounds for your home cold brew. The vast majority of customers give the blend five stars, saying it's flavorful and fresh. One nice detail is that the coffee comes in a coarse grind, which is ideal for making cold brew. Surprisingly, the brand doesn't include instructions on the bag. That said, many cold brew recipes can be found online. Stone Street is fairly expensive, but the quality of the coffee makes up for it. You can purchase the Cold Brew Reserve blend in bags of 1, 2, or 5 pounds.
Price at time of publish: $15
Roast: Dark | Size: 1, 2, and 5 pounds | Available In: Whole bean and ground | Origin: Colombia
Best for Espresso
Illy Classico Espresso Ground Coffee
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Amazon
A very fine grind is key to getting the most out of your espresso, as well as the coffee from a moka pot or AeroPress. Illy makes it easy for you, evenly grinding robust Arabica beans so that they're ready to be packed into a portafilter.
The Italian company has been crafting espresso for over 80 years. Teeming with the sweet taste of chocolate and caramel, the Classico Medium Roast Espresso is a great place to start; however, illy also makes a delicious dark roast for those who prefer a smokier, more intense shot of espresso. The recognizable silver tins hold 8.8 ounces of coffee, and customers say they keep the coffee grounds extra fresh. Add a milk frother, and you can whip up tasty lattes and cappuccinos right from home.
Price at time of publish: $11
Roast: Medium | Size: 8.8 ounces | Available In: Whole bean, ground, K-Cup pods, and Nespresso capsule | Origin: Guatemala, Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, India, Rwanda, and Sumatra
"Espresso is a brewing method, not its own type of bean. Any coffee can be espresso if you prepare it as espresso. When people call them 'espresso beans,' they’re basically telling you it’s a dark roast and that it has a solubility targeted toward espresso preparation." — Selina Ullrich, Director of Coffee at East One Coffee Roasters
Best Alcohol-Infused
Fire Dept. Coffee Vanilla Bean Bourbon Infused Coffee
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Amazon
Coffee and spirits can be paired in countless delicious ways from cocktails and liqueurs to bags of coffee like this from Fire Dept. Coffee. The brand has a line of nine Spirit Infused Coffees, and our favorite is the Vanilla Bean Bourbon. Note that the coffee does not actually contain alcohol due to the roasting process. Fire Dept. Coffee takes raw coffee beans, infuses them with vanilla and bourbon, then roasts the beans to cook out the alcohol but leave the flavor.
We received a sample of the Vanilla Bean Bourbon blend and found it strong yet well-balanced. The notes of bourbon complement the coffee instead of overwhelming it, so this is not just a gift-worthy gimmick (although, it would make a wonderful gift) but a coffee you can regularly drink without growing tired of it. The whole kitchen will smell great upon brewing too, as the coffee has a strong aroma that's present at the start of every sip. One of the only downsides is that Fire Dept. Coffee's Spirit Infused options are slightly more expensive than the average bag of beans, but it makes sense given the added ingredients and steps in the brewing process.
Price at time of publish: $20
Roast: Medium-dark | Size: 12 ounces | Available In: Whole bean and ground | Origin: Sourcing locations are proprietary information
Best Blend
VitaCup Genius Ground Coffee
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Amazon
With its Genius Blend, VitaCup takes 100 percent arabica beans (a higher-quality option than robusta) and adds several unique ingredients to make a one-of-a-kind cup of joe. The three central ingredients are turmeric, cinnamon, and MCT oil, which is a supplement made of fats extracted from coconut or palm oil. This medium-dark roast also contains multiple B vitamins and vitamin D3.
One of our writers received a sample of VitaCup's Genius ground coffee and loved the bold flavor and undertones of spice from the cinnamon and turmeric. What really stood out to him was the coffee's richer mouthfeel, likely due to the MCT oil. Users won't have to worry about thin, watery coffee with this blend.
The coffee is a little pricey but a great buy nonetheless. Bags of ground coffee are 10 ounces. The Genius Blend is also available in K-Cup pods and single-serving sticks of instant coffee.
Price at time of publish: $15
Roast: Medium-dark | Size: 10 ounces | Available In: Ground, instant, and K-Cup pods | Origin: Brazil and Mexico
Best Custom
Zend Coffee Balanced Blend
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Quality flavor
Uniquely customizable
Great gift idea
Expensive
Zend Coffee offers three "functional blends" that customers can add to the majority of the brand's coffees for different benefits. The functional blends include: Beauty, which contains hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, and biotin; Serenity, which has L-theanine and rhodiola rosea; and Recovery, with cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and black pepper. All you have to do is start with a base coffee on Zend's website, then select one of the functional blends for a small additional fee.
After sampling a number of Zend coffees, we think its Balanced Blend is the best base option to start with. It tastes great on its own, combining sweet notes of cherry with rich chocolate undertones. And it has a hint of cinnamon to liven up both taste and aroma. The well-rounded medium roast also pairs well with each functional blend, so you don't have to worry about any clashing flavors when the coffee gets to your cup.
The functional blends are only available as ground coffee; however, all of Zend's base coffees are sold in whole bean form if you don't want to add a functional blend. The coffee is fairly expensive, but the taste lives up to expectations. Zend also offers a subscription service that reduces the price of each bag. Overall, it's a fun and unique way to customize coffee just how you want it.
Price at time of publish: $30 for Functional Blend
Roast: Medium | Size: 12 ounces | Available In: Ground | Origin: Guatemala and Tanzania
We know that the best ground coffee depends on a person's taste buds, but Stumptown's Holler Mountain is a fan favorite that we never tire of drinking. For a bolder alternative, dark-roast lovers will enjoy Death Wish Coffee—just beware of the high caffeine content.
What to Look for in Ground Coffee
Tasting Notes
Identifying the type of roast you like—light, medium, or dark—is a great place to start when trying a new coffee. But it can get even trickier than that. Keep an eye out for a blend's tasting notes, usually written somewhere on the bag. With a dark roast, for instance, you might like one that has notes of chocolate but not notes of smokiness, or vice versa.
Price
Since the majority of coffee drinkers have a cup (or three) every single day, price is an important consideration. And it's worth experimenting. See if you have a preference between a $5 bag of beans and a $20 bag. Just because a coffee is more expensive doesn't mean it's the best one for your taste buds.
Size
To get the most flavor out of your coffee, you want to use it before it goes stale. Even pre-ground coffee will be better if you brew soon after buying. So while those 5-pound bulk bags may be convenient, and even more cost effective, they could lead to bad coffee down the road. Consider your coffee drinking habits. A cup or two a day and you're likely best off with a standard 12-ounce bag.
FAQs
How much ground coffee should I use when brewing?
The right amount of coffee to use when brewing depends on several factors: the type of coffee maker you own, how much coffee you plan to make, what grind size you’re using, and how strong you like your coffee. But there is a general rule of thumb known as coffee’s Golden Ratio, which you can rely on for most brews. It’s 1 gram of coffee for every 15 to 18 grams of water. This may be tricky for some people to follow because it’s based on weight instead of volume, so a kitchen scale is needed, but it’s more reliable than measuring coffee by scoops. If you want to measure coffee in scoops, however, a good starting point is one scoop of coffee (2 tablespoons) for every 6 ounces of water; just know that this could lead to more variance in coffee strength. The Golden Ratio applies to everything except espresso, which is best with a 1:2 ratio of coffee to water or roughly 1 tablespoon of coffee for every 1.5 ounces of water.
How should I store ground coffee?
Both ground and whole bean coffee last longer when kept away from oxygen, sunlight, and moisture. So storing coffee in an opaque, airtight canister is the best way to lengthen its shelf life. Even though it’s safe to freeze coffee and it may extend freshness in some situations, it’s best to avoid the freezer. Coffee kept in the freezer for even a short period of time won’t be as flavorful or aromatic as coffee kept in a canister or airtight bag.
Can I put coffee grounds down the sink?
Dumping coffee grounds down the sink can cause issues over time. Coffee doesn’t dissolve or break down in water, at least not for a long time, so it can build up and clog your sink. Putting down the sink every once in a while shouldn’t hurt, but try disposing of coffee grounds in your trash can or composting them instead.
What grind size should I use?
Pre-ground coffee usually comes in a medium grind size, which is ideal for drip coffee makers and generally suitable for a Chemex, AeroPress, or pour-over device. To get more specific, a Chemex is best with a medium-coarse grind and a pour-over with a medium-fine grind, but you can still achieve great results with the standard medium grinds found in the grocery store. Those using a French press, percolator, or making cold brew should aim for a coarse grind, while espresso machines and Moka Pots are best with finely ground coffee.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
This piece was written by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He often drinks Kicking Horse Coffee at home, especially the brand's Kick Ass blend. His cupboard is also stocked with Death Wish Coffee’s highly caffeinated and intensely dark coffee grounds for when he’s in need of an extra pick-me-up.
Sources
Selina Ullrich, the Director of Coffee at East One Coffee Roasters, was interviewed for this piece. She has worked in the coffee industry for more than 10 years. East One was founded in 2017 and has a café in Brooklyn, New York.
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