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The Best Ground Coffee Brands You Should Try This Year
Our Top Picks for Ground Coffee
View all ContentsThe Best Ground Coffee
Editor’s Pick
I’m all about the Maxwell House ground coffee, and there’s more than one reason to love this blend. If you have a higher caffeine tolerance, a light roast like this one is what you should be looking for. But it’s not just the caffeine content that makes this blend so addicting. The light roast yields a complex flavor with citrusy notes and a smoother mouthfeel, making it enjoyable black or with a touch of half-and-half. Keep an eye out for those Amazon discounts; this ground coffee is an absolute steal when it’s on sale.
Pros
- Affordable
- Smoother mouthfeel
- Resealable canister keeps the coffee fresh for longer
- Comes in multiple blends and sizes
Cons
- Might not be intense enough medium or dark roast lovers
For Mental Clarity
Pros
- The mushroom blend is great for focus and productivity
- Doesn’t have a bitter aftertaste
- More intense than other dark roasts
Cons
- Not suitable for sensitive stomach
Best Dark Roast
Pros
- A flavorful dark roast
- Comes in multiple sizes and blends
- Made with responsibly sourced beans
Cons
- The dark roast gives the coffee an acidic taste
Premium Choice
I love this Starbucks blend more than I should; it gives you the signature Starbucks flavor—smooth, balanced, and never overpowering—for a cheaper price. Although it’s a medium roast, it still has a complex flavor that even light roast lovers will enjoy. I found that the subtle sweetness with notes of citrus complement each other perfectly, and you can taste the richness even in cold brews. With a 28-oz bag, you’ll save significantly compared to buying those smaller grocery store packs. And for serious Starbucks fans, this ground coffee blend is also available on subscription for convenient restocking and extra savings!
Pros
- Cheaper than buying a cup of coffee from Starbucks
- Plenty of blends and flavors to choose from
- Available in a range of sizes
Cons
- For the price, I wouldn’t say it’s any better than Chock Full (see the review below)
Most Stomach-Friendly
Pros
- It’s a low-acidity blend that won’t give you heartburn
- Smooth taste despite being a dark roast
- Mycotoxin-free and organic
Cons
- Not a lot of blends to choose from
Most Affordable
Sometimes, you just want a reliable, no-nonsense cup of coffee, and Chock Full o’Nuts delivers. The flavor is strong yet approachable, striking a perfect balance—medium-bodied but not too bold, flavorful but not bitter. The steel can packaging keeps your coffee fresh—and gives you a handy container for odds and ends once it’s empty. For me, it’s the nostalgia that makes the coffee so special. This New York-born brand has been a solid pick since the 1920s, and it’s still a winner today. Sometimes, old school is best.
What we liked
- Very affordable
- Comes in a nice steel container
- Medium-bodied profile with a smooth mouthfeel
What we didn’t like
- Not suitable if you have a sensitive stomach
Canada’s Favorite
What we liked
- Great packaging, keeps the coffee fresh for longer
- Comes in a range of sizes and blends
- Perfect for Tim Horton lovers
What we didn’t like
- Pricier than other medium roasts on the list
Also Consider
Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Freedom Fuel ground coffee pairs patriotism with a smooth, rich aroma that hits you the moment you open the bag. Despite its dark roast profile, it is surprisingly smooth and full-bodied; if you love French roast, you’ll probably find it smooth enough to drink it black, but the strong flavor will come through even with a splash of creamer or milk. Plus, Black Rifle Coffee Company supports veterans and first responders, giving back to those who’ve served.
What we liked
- Veteran-founded brand
- Roasted in-house with high-quality beans
- Great for those who prefer dark roast
What we didn’t like
- Can be too bold for some
Your Guide to Buying the Best Ground Coffee
Every coffee lover knows just how important it is to choose the freshest coffee for the perfect brew. Ground coffee offers optimal convenience and is preferred by a majority of coffee lovers in the US. There are various elements that you need to look into when buying ground coffee, starting with the flavor, quality, and blend type. Here is a complete guide on how to find the finest ground coffee for a flavorsome and creamy taste.
Factors To Consider When Buying Ground Coffee
Roast
Quality
You’ll find plenty of ground coffee options out there, but not all deliver a delicious flavor. That’s why quality coffee beans are key. The choice largely comes down to your taste buds. Arabica beans, the most popular, offer a sweet and slightly acidic aroma. On the other hand, robusta beans pack more caffeine and have a richer, buttery flavor. Knowing which type suits your taste can help you quickly zero in on the perfect cup.
Altitude
Where the beans are grown matters. Higher-altitude beans—over 1,500 meters—tend to be more acidic, while those from lower elevations usually offer earthier, more organic flavors.
Packaging date
You also need to ensure the coffee pack you buy doesn’t expire too early, as it will pour your money down the drain. So, make sure to check the packaging information on the label. You should also pick a freshly packed ground coffee so that its flavor stays intact. You are advised to buy one to two packs at a time to use fresh ground coffee for your drinks.
Flavor
Make sure your coffee hasn’t been sitting on the shelf too long by checking the packaging date. Fresher is always better for flavor. It’s best to buy only a couple of packs at a time so you always have fresh grounds ready for your next brew.
Price
Benefits of Ground Coffee
Enhanced taste
Freshly roasted coffee has a much more creamy and delicious taste compared to instant coffee. Also, ground coffee comprises a much more intense aroma and adds to the taste of the coffee.
Enriched with antioxidants
Ground coffee is generally infused with antioxidants that play a vital role in improving your health. This is because they can prevent chronic diseases that may be caused by oxidative stress. They also help protect the health of your cells while enhancing your immunity, so you can rest assured about the safety of ground coffee.
Helps ease stress
Ground coffee is generally infused with some of the richest ingredients that can limit oxidative stress as well as potential inflammation in the body.
Boosts immunity and productivity
Ground coffee can help boost your attention span and energy levels due to caffeine. Coffee travels through the bloodstream and brain, which may impact your neurons and boost your memory, mood, and energy levels. It can also improve your cognitive functioning.
Dose-dependent benefits
While coffee and caffeine are linked to tons of benefits, including the ones we discussed above, caffeine is not all sunshine and roses. Dr. Hayley Nelson, neuroscientist and founder of The Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, says, “it is important to note that the potential health benefits of caffeine are dose-dependent, and consuming too much caffeine can cause negative side effects, such as anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, jitteriness, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure.”
Types of Brewing Styles
Drip with a coffee cone
There are many ways of brewing your ground coffee, but this is one of the most simple and fast ways to brew your coffee. Here, you may need to use a coffee cone and a paper filter to pour hot water evenly on the ground coffee. Once the coffee is brewed, it drips into a pot.
Pour over with a Chemex
Chemex is a high-quality designed glass flask that utilizes a unique Chemex paper that is about 20-30% heavier than standard filters. It works very similarly to the coffee cone. Here, you need to pour hot water on the ground coffee through filter paper.
French press
Many people prefer the French press style for brewing as it is the best method for making fresh and smooth coffee. It offers more flavors than most brewing methods. The coffee is slowly soaked in a press pot and then strained in warm water to infuse the coffee’s flavors, antioxidants, and caffeine content into your drink.
Tips for Brewing Your Coffee at Home
- Make sure to rinse all the filters with lukewarm water to eliminate chemical content from the paper before use
- Make use of a narrow spouted kettle for evenly pouring the coffee
- Rinse the cups and coffee makers to keep the coffee hot for a significant amount of time
- Make sure to compost all your used coffee grinds and filters
Ground Coffee FAQs
How should I store my ground coffee?
It is generally advised to store your coffee in a dark, cool place, away from light and dampness. This method of storage helps retain the freshness of your coffee.
Are instant coffee and ground coffee the same?
Can I add warm water to my ground coffee?
Yes, you can add hot water to your ground coffee if you are in a rush. This is the easiest way to make coffee.
Can I store ground coffee in the fridge?
No, keeping coffee in the refrigerator is not a good idea if you want to keep it fresh. But if you live in a humid area and want to protect your coffee from moisture, you can store it in the fridge.
How much caffeine is too much?
If you are feeling jittery, cannot focus, and/or your stomach hurts, you're drinking too much caffeine. You want to stay under 400mg per day, according to the FDA. You also don't want to drink too much coffee later in the day as that will affect your sleep.
