Coffee lovers have been roasting up dark roast coffee beans throughout coffee’s multi-cultural history, but what makes the best dark roast coffee beans?
Dark roast coffee beans are common, especially when drinking instant coffee or at a chain coffee shop. Named after the color of the bean, dark roast coffee beans sometimes have an oily sheen coating the bean not present in lighter roasts. Dark roasts taste strong and bitter but benefit from chocolate and molasses notes.
Mass-produced roasts use dark-roasted coffee because it’s easy to get a more consistent roast. As roasting technologies advance, lighter roasts of beans have become easier to produce. But the dark roast will always be the classic.
Read below to understand what happens to coffee during a dark roast, and why the roast is still incredibly popular today.
Products reviewed in more detail
Espresso Blend - Spirit Animal
Features
Spirit Animal Coffee offers bold, rich flavors of ethically sourced, high-quality beans. Spirit Animal Coffee has a limited selection, but the quality of its dark roast is incredible. This dark roast has tasting notes of citrus, honey, sweet fruit, floral, and peach. It gave us the most delicious cup of espresso!
Pros
- Bold and rich flavor
- High-quality beans
- Ethical sourcing
Cons
- Limited availability
- Higher price point
Glory Days - Dark Roast Coffee
Features
With a smooth and well-balanced coffee, Nostalgia’s dark roast beans are packed with flavor. Its award-winning and ethically sourced beans aren’t one you should miss. This coffee is a nod to the past but a bold step into the future. It is uniquely savory and sweet. It is rich in complexity and roasted to highlight notes of toffee, fudge brownie and caramel. Produced 100% by women in Zongólica, Veracruz.
Pros
- Smooth and well-balanced taste
- Wide range of flavors and roasts
- Environmentally conscious practices
- Empowering women
Cons
- Offer limited variety
- Not available on Amazon
Lantern Robusta - Art De Vivre Dark Roast
Features
Art de Vivre offers unique and exotic flavor profiles with organic and fair trade options. Vivre’s expert roasters carefully select the correct beans to ensure its flavors are a hit. Best for those of you who favor notes of dark chocolate nuts, and a more intense coffee. For a 17.7 oz bag, the price is fair and the quality is high!
Pros
- Unique and exotic flavor profiles
- Organic and fair trade options
- Small-batch roasts
Cons
- Limited availability in certain regions
Clout Coffee Single Malt Whisky
Features
Focusing on small-batch roasting gives more control to Clout Coffee’s roasting process. The coffee leaves a smooth and well-balanced taste on your tongue with attention to detail in sourcing and roasting.
While it possesses the enticing aroma and smoothness reminiscent of whisky, it surpasses traditional whisky with its superior qualities. This coffee is a delightful and invigorating choice to lift your spirits. Crafted by combining single origin Colombian Arabica beans with freshly emptied whisky barrels, it delivers a rich and full-bodied taste. The infusion of earthy and vanilla flavors creates a remarkably smooth whisky-like finish that will leave you craving for another cup. Don't miss out on the opportunity to savor this extraordinary blend - get your hands on Clout's Whisky Barrel-Aged Coffee today.
Pros
- Smooth and well-balanced taste
- Offers both single-origin and blends
Cons
- Limited information on sourcing practices
- Packaging could be more appealing
Cooper's Cask Coffee - Colombian Dark Roast Coffee
Features
Sourced from a single-origin farm, Coopers delivers robust flavors to its dark java. Despite its wide selection of blends, the coffee is priced affordably. Grown from volcanic soil rich in minerals and nutrients, single origin Columbian coffee beans are known throughout the world for their quality. This signature roasting process helps bring out a unique and celebrated, yet mild flavor that includes hints of rustic sweetness, cocoa, and dark fruit notes. Fully Washed & Roasted in the U.S.A.
Pros
- Strong and robust flavors
- Diverse selection of blends
- Affordable prices
Cons
- Inconsistent packaging quality
- May lack flavor complexity.
Grande Domain Vienna - 100% Kona Dark Coffee
Features
Koa Coffee provides premium quality Hawaiian coffee grown on the tropical islands. With rich and complex flavors, it still manages to feature less caffeine than other coffees. Their Grande Domaine Kona has gained notoriety by being selected as a Kona Coffee Cupping contest winner for outstanding quality and balance. A decadent blend of their most flavorful Kona coffee beans and Peaberry Kona, the most rare Kona Coffee of all.
This is the best of the best; sun-drenched Kona coffee, harvested by hand and roasted to a perfect Vienna roast, which is a little darker than medium. For connoisseurs, that’s a perfect second-crack so you taste both the roast and the exquisite flavor that only comes from the Mauna Loa region of the Kona Coffee belt. This coffee will spoil you for any other. Pre-ground, so there’s no need to grind; just open the bag and brew. You’ll love the consistency, knowing they'll grind your Kona coffee exactly the same every single time.
Pros
- Premium quality Hawaiian coffee
- Rich and complex flavors
- Directly sourced from their farm
Cons
- Higher price point
- Beans sourced from a single location
Single Origin - Columbian Supremo "Euro-Italian" - Specialty Coffee
Features
Out of the Grey has a cup of coffee for every drinker. Their specialty coffee features unique flavor profiles that excel as dark roasts.
Experience the smoky richness of our coffee, infused with delightful flavors of cherry, blueberry, chocolate, and caramel. This exceptional blend offers a lively and effervescent acidity, accompanied by a lightly syrupy mouthfeel. It is an ideal option for coffee enthusiasts who experience digestive issues or simply prefer low acidic coffees with a higher concentration of antioxidants. Indulge in this unique and satisfying choice that combines flavorful nuances with a gentle, soothing effect on your palate.
Pros
- Specialty coffee with unique flavor profiles
- Supports social and environmental causes
Cons
- Relatively higher price range
- Limited information on sourcing and roasting methods
French Roast Coffee - Hawaiian Coffee
Features
With authentic on-the-island coffee flavors, Hawaiian Coffee knows how to make a dark roast to keep you riding the wave all day. Their flavors taste smooth and well-balanced from the first sip to the last.
Introducing Lion French Roast Coffee, a product hailing from the volcanic landscapes of Hawaii. This coffee is renowned for its intense and full-bodied flavor profile. With a delicious dark roast coffee finish, it delivers a robust and satisfying experience. Prepare yourself for a bold, snappy, and aggressive classic French Roast that exudes attitude and character. This coffee is perfect for those seeking a cup with a little extra punch and flair. Embrace the boldness of Lion French Roast and elevate your coffee-drinking experience to new heights.
Pros
- Authentic Hawaiian coffee flavors
- Smooth and well-balanced taste
Cons
- Higher price point
- Limited availability outside of Hawaii
Smokehouse Dark Roast - Altruistic Joe
Features
Altruistic Joe offers smooth blends packed with flavor while supporting charitable causes. They are a veteran-owned business dedicated to sourcing the best coffee in the world. Their commitment lies in providing freshly roasted coffee, ensuring exceptional quality with every cup. Moreover, they proudly donate 20% of all net proceeds to support charitable causes.
Indulge in our meticulously crafted "dark" roast coffee, a perfect addition to your coffee repertoire. Discover the rich flavors of cocoa, dark cherry, and a subtle hint of smoke, all masterfully blended to create a delightful sensory experience. This versatile coffee pairs exceptionally well with milk and sugar, offering a harmonious balance, or enjoy it straight black to fully appreciate its unique qualities. Rest assured, this dark roast is never bitter, always delivering a smooth and full-bodied taste that lingers. If you have a fondness for dark roasts, this coffee is sure to please your palate and become a favorite in your collection.
Pros
- Smooth and flavorful blends
- Affordable pricing
- Charity Focused
Cons
- Limited variety of blends and origins
- Packaging could be more visually appealing
Costa Rican Dark Roast Coffee - Reserve
Features
Experience the excellence of Costa Rican Dark Roast Coffee - Reserve, sourced from the prestigious coffee-growing region of Tarrazu. Renowned as one of the finest coffees globally, Costa Rican Coffee captivates with its light, clean flavor profile and captivating aroma. Expertly roasted to a full roast color, the natural oils shimmer on the surface, showcasing the peak expression of this exceptional blend. Notably, this coffee is rated as low acid, offering a smoother and more gentle experience on the palate. Delight in the distinct qualities of Costa Rican Dark Roast Coffee - Reserve, where quality and flavor converge in every sip.
Pros
- Exotic and rare coffee origins
- High-quality beans
- Offers a wide range of roast profiles
- Rain Forest Alliance Certified
Cons
- Website can be difficult to navigate
- Limited availability in physical stores
The Roasting Process
Many people don’t understand how much work goes into each bag of packaged coffee, or how their roast impacts the coffee they’re buying. Roasting profiles vary from a light to a dark roast. Dark roasts impart different flavors and smells into your cup with slightly less caffeine. The best way to think about the light-to-dark roast is on a linear spectrum. Lighter roasts have received less heat or time in the roaster, whereas darker roasts have more heat.
As the coffee roasts, the moisture inside the bean gets hot and bursts out. Roasters call this burst from within the bean a “crack” and expect every bean to crack at least twice during the roast. These cracks are hallmarks of the roasting process, as the second crack means the beans have reached a darker roast.
If you keep roasting past the second crack, your beans will begin to look glossy as the remaining oils inside the bean are pulled to the surface. These oily beans are considered versions of darker roasts like French, Italian, and Vienna roasts.
Light roasts have slightly more caffeine and more healthy antioxidants than darker roasts because the roasting process extracts caffeine and antioxidants through the evaporating moisture.
But for consumers, the smell and taste of the beans will be the main distinguishing feature between roasts.
Flavor and Aroma
The flavor and aroma differences between dark and other types of roasts can be confusing, so we’re going to help you know what to expect before you buy.
The dark roast is the classic roast, because people have been roasting it over open flames for centuries. Dark roasted beans will give your coffee a strong aroma and smooth flavors that may resemble chocolate or molasses. In addition to an unmistakable bitter taste, darker roasts can be thicker to the point of heavy cream.
Unless you like your coffee black, with a dark roast you’re likely going to be adding some milk and sugar to your cup. Because of that strong coffee flavor, dark roasts have become popular at franchise coffee shops because the coffee flavor can withstand the fancier sugar and milk coffee drinks.
Medium and lighter roasts taste less bitter and more acidic. But make no mistake, if you like your coffee strong or black then dark roasts are the right roast for you. Consumers should also know that where the bean was grown impacts the flavor of the coffee as well.
Which coffee drinks pairs best with dark roast coffee beans?
Dark roast coffee beans are known for their bold and robust flavors. They tend to have a rich, intense profile with notes of chocolate, caramel, and even smokiness. Here are three coffee drinks that pair well with dark roast coffee beans:
- Espresso: Dark roast coffee beans are commonly used in espresso due to their strong flavors. The concentrated shot of espresso complements the boldness of the dark roast, creating a robust and satisfying drink.
- Café Mocha: The combination of dark chocolate and dark roast coffee is a match made in heaven. The deep flavors of the dark roast coffee beans blend harmoniously with the chocolate, resulting in a decadent and indulgent café mocha.
- Cappuccino: The creamy and velvety texture of a cappuccino can balance out the intensity of dark roast coffee beans. The frothed milk adds a touch of sweetness and smoothness to the bold flavors, creating a well-rounded and satisfying beverage.
- Vietnamese coffee: The strong flavors of the dark roast cut through the sweetness of the condensed milk, creating a well-balanced and indulgent combination.
Remember, coffee preferences can vary, so feel free to experiment and adjust the ratios of coffee to milk or chocolate according to your taste preferences.
Brewing Dark Roast Coffee
If you’re going to be spending extra effort to buy the best dark roast coffee beans, you better brew it right.
Many people know the water-to-coffee ratio is important, but that’s not all. Because your dark roast was roasted to give you a strong coffee flavor, a little bit of brew goes a long way.
To avoid an obsidian-black cup of coffee, grind your coffee coarse and brew it for a shorter time. I recommend using Chemex or pour-overs to ensure the water doesn’t soak in the beans too long. Play your cards right and you’ll be able to taste the chocolate and molasses flavors that can sometimes be overpowered by the strong coffee flavor.
Conclusion
Dark roast coffee is a common yet classic in American coffee culture. From chains to specialty shops, you’ll never be too far from a black cup of joe. Be sure to consider the farm location when picking out the beans to get you through your day.
But with our list of brands, you’ll undoubtedly find the best dark roast coffee for your palate. Happy sipping!
Author
Scott's tasted his first cup of coffee in college. The sludgy cup came from the gas station closest to his apartment when he needed to stay awake during an all-night study session. Thankfully, this cup was not his last. He and his wife now enjoy a cup or two of home-brewed coffee with breakfast every morning and enjoy exploring new coffee shops and eateries. As a former journalist, he works as a communication manager for a local, art-focused nonprofit in Arizona most days and freelances the rest. As a writer at heart, Scott appreciates the union of his craft and love of coffee at Roast Love.
