More than ever in the 21st century, people are drinking coffee. It can be regular coffee that you buy from the store or specialty coffee you brew at home. With more and more people working late hours, starting their own businesses, or just dealing with the throes of parenting, coffee is everywhere.
Today we’ll talk about coarse ground coffee and review some of the best brands that sell it on the market.
What’s the Best Coarse Ground Coffee – Our Top 3 Picks
- Cafe Du Monde Coffee (Best Overall)
We chose Cafe Du Monde Coffee for our top pick because it has a nice unique flavor that you literally wont’ get anywhere else, which is Chicory.
- Stone Street Coffee (Smooth Pick)
Stone Street deserved to be a runner-up because of its smooth and slightly sweet cold brew that you can enjoy. It helps that it’s from Columbia too.
- Gevalia Special Reserve Coffee (Versatile Choice)
We felt Gevalia deserved a spot here because it uses 9 different 100% Arabica coffee sources and multiple countries to get that unique flavor the coffee has.
Coarse Ground Vs. Fine Ground Coffee
Coarse ground coffee has more color variation than the fine ones does. You’ll still see distinct chunks of coffee beans in coarse ground. You can literally pick out some of the pieces if you choose to.
Fine ground coffee is literally smooth with no chunks or pieces. Think of it like sugar. You can’t exactly pick up fine ground with your fingers like you can with coarse ground. There’s no way to tell the color or any other distinction in fine ground coffee.
Why Grind Size is Important
Grind size is important because of the surface area and extraction time. If it’s too fine, it’ll be extracted quickly, and the end result will be a nasty bitter coffee which we don’t want. If it’s too coarse like the ones we talked about in our roundup below and using the wrong machine, you’ll produce weak and flavorless coffee. That’s why it’s very important you know what grind size you’re working with before you attempt to brew your coffee in your coffee machine.
How and When Should You Use a Coarse Grind?
Coarse grind is good for slow extraction as it still has some chunks in it. You’ll want to do an immersion-style brew, as that’s the best way of using coarse ground. With coarse ground, there is a long steeping process (especially with cold brews) with a minimum of 12 hours.
French Press Method
Hot version
- Preheat the French Press.
- Measure your coarse grind coffee.
- Measure water/check temperature.
- Add coffee grind into hot water (water should be 195-200 degrees F).
- Close the lid and start timing.
- Decant coffee.
- Enjoy.
Cold Version (the best one)
*Directions are for 8 cup french press*
- 4 oz of coarse ground coffee should be added to the bottom of the French Press.
- 3 cups of cold water should be added, very gently.
- Stir.
- Let brew for a bare minimum of 12 hours (or however long the brand tells you to brew the coffee for) at room temperature.
- You’ll want to press & strain into a pitcher that you’ll be putting in the fridge.
- Enjoy! Remember to mix at least 1:1 coffee and water when drinking it for the best flavor.
If using a traditional automatic coffee maker, you’ll want to use MEDIUM coarse ground coffee so that you don’t sacrifice flavors.
10 Best Coarse Ground Coffees
1. Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee
We’re starting off with Stone Street Coffee because it’s getting warmer out, and we’re thinking about cold brews right now. Yes, this coarse coffee is specifically made for cold brewing, so you don’t have to look any further. It’s 100 percent Colombian Supremo. It is a roasted dark coffee, but we promise it’s not as bitter as it sounds as it’s a smooth low acidic drink that you can enjoy. According to Stone Street, they roast their coffees in small batches so that there would be consistency in their coffees. What’s even better about Stone Street is that they only purchase organic beans, ethically, of course and fair trade, making them a reputable company.
For this coffee, you’ll want to use a 4:1 ratio formula (4 parts water to 1 part coffee) and leave it be for 12-24 hours before enjoying a nice refreshing iced coffee.
If you’re still a hot coffee fan, no fret, you can just put it in your coffee machine and enjoy a nice hot cup of coffee in the morning.
- Flavor: Slightly Sweet
- Origin: Columbia
- Strength: Dark Roast
- Aroma: Vibrant
- Roasted in: Brooklyn, NY
Pros:
- 100 percent Colombian Supremo
- Dark Roast
- Organic Beans
Cons:
- It can taste weak and bitter at times
2. Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee
Here is another iced coffee favorite by Bizzy that you should consider. It’s sweet and smooth coming from Guatemala, Peru, and Nicaragua. What’s better, if it matters to you, is that the beans are fair trade organic. If you are “busy” and need iced coffee, you’ll have to let it sit for 14-20 hours, and it has 15-20 cups. While you may not get to enjoy it right away, you’ll get to enjoy it days after.
If you are still iffy on cold brews, you can just throw this in your favorite french press or coffee maker and enjoy the coffee.
- Flavor: Sweet
- Origin: Guatemala, Peru & Nicaragua
- Strength: Smooth
- Aroma: Light
- Roasted in: USA
Pros:
- Sweet
- Fair Trade Organic
- Made for cold brews (can be used for hot coffees too)
Cons:
- Doesn’t clearly say there are nuts in this coffee for allergy reasons. There are Hazelnuts in this coffee.
3. French Press Specialty Coffee
We’re finally getting into hot coffees with the French Press Specialty Coffee by Primo’s Coffee Company. Coming from Nicaragua, the coffee is roasted in Texas, and apparently the company claims that they never blend their coffee which means it’s consistent. It is a medium roast, so not too bitter. Primo is unique because it’s direct trade coffee. If you really want this as a cold brew, though, you’ll have to adjust proportions, but it could work as a pour-over.
- Flavor: Medium Roast
- Origin: Nicaragua
- Strength: Medium
- Aroma: Diverse
- Roasted in: Texas
Pros:
- Made for hot coffees
- Never blended
- Medium Roast
Cons
- Can be on the weaker side
4. Stone Cold Jo
If you want your coffee to really taste like coffee, you’ll like Stone Cold Joe. So, this is 100 percent dark roast, and it has hints of silky toffee, chocolate, caramel, and grape in it. It is 100 percent Arabica, Organic and Kosher, making this the popular choice for many coffee lovers. If you want a cold brew, you’ll have to do a 4:1 ratio in your French press and put it in a pitcher. Then you’ll want to leave it for at least 12 hours before enjoying it. If enjoying it hot, you’ll need a couple of tablespoons of this coffee to 6 ounces of water and steep for at least 4-5 minutes in your French press.
- Flavor: Toffee, Chocolate, Carmel, and Grape
- Origin: Middle East
- Strength: Dark Roast
- Aroma: Chocolatey
- Roasted in: USA
Pros:
- Silky and smooth
- Chocolatey flavor
- Organic and Kosher
Cons:
- On the weaker side and expensive for what you get.
5. Cold Brew Lab Extra Coarse Grind
It may seem like that it’s just dark roast coffee, but don’t fret, there are actually two different color profiles for you to enjoy. There are dark beans and medium that are blended and coarse ready for you to use, especially if you enjoy a cold brew. This coffee is 100% from Columbia, and it is certified fair trade. It’s also roasted in New York City, so you know the quality is there. You can enjoy this coffee cold (you’ll need to brew it for 12-15 hours, especially because it’s a dark blend and all) and hot with your French press.
- Flavor: slightly sweet
- Origin: Columbia
- Strength: Medium/Dark Roast
- Aroma: Vibrant
- Roasted in: NYC
Pros:
- Two different color profiles (dark and medium)
- Made from Columbia
- Some sweetness can be consumed on its own
Cons:
- Weaker than it claims to be
6. The Chosen Bean Cold Brew Coffee
With the Chosen Bean, you are sure to get quality coffee whether you like it cold or hot as it’s a blend from Guatemala, Sumatra, Ethiopia, and Mexico. You get a blend of light and dark medium roast and some nutty and chocolate undertones making this a delicious coffee worth sipping. You’ll have to brew it for 18 hours though, if you want to drink it cold or a few minutes if you want to enjoy it hot. This coffee is certified fair trade and organic.
- Flavor: Nutty and Chocolaty
- Origin: Guatemala, Sumatra, Ethiopia, and Mexico
- Strength: Light/Dark Medium Roast
- Aroma: Chocolaty
- Roasted in: USA
Pros:
- Chocolatey flavor
- Certified Fair Trade and Organic
- Nutty undertones
Cons:
- Weaker than most coffees, so you may have to put more when brewing
7. French Vanilla – Flavored Cold Brew Coffee
The Inspired Coffee Co dark roast Columbian Supremo is already naturally flavored. They have claimed that there’s a hint of nuttiness, but there are no nuts in it which is very good. For cold brews, you’ll want to use a 3:1 ratio, or for regular just 1:1.
- Flavor: Natural
- Origin: Columbia
- Strength: Dark
- Aroma: Hints of nuttiness
- Roasted in: Texas, USA
Pros:
- French Vanilla Flavor
- Nutty undertones
- No bitterness
Cons:
- It can be slightly acidic
8. illy Intenso Ground Drip Coffee
Illy is a bit different than the previous coffees that we’ve rounded up because it’s not as coarse. But they still use 9 Arabica coffees from around the world, making it a pretty tasty blend. If you’re following a kosher diet, you’ll be happy to know that this coffee is kosher-friendly. It’s also dark roast, so it’s a smooth, vibrant blend. You’ll need to brew it for a certain amount of time before you can enjoy it.
- Flavor: Natural
- Origin: Middle East
- Strength: Dark
- Aroma: Rich
- Roasted in: Italy
Pros:
- 9 different Arabica sources to make blend
- No bitterness
- Rich Coffee Aroma
Cons:
- Overpriced for what you get
9. Cafe du Monde Coffee and Chicory
The Cafe Du Monde Coffee is unique because they mix coffee and chicory in their blend. It means the coffee is very bold, so it may be bitter for some people but for others, it may be perfect. This coffee is also not as coarse as the other ones that we’ve rounded up today. You’ll need to mix hot water with this coffee to enjoy it. It can be found in person at the popular Cafe Du Monde in the French market in New Orleans, LA, or you can buy it online.
- Flavor: Smooth with Chicory
- Origin: France
- Strength: Dark
- Aroma: Vibrant, Smooth
- Roasted in: New Orleans
Pros:
- Sold 24/7 at Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans
- Made with Chicory
- Good value for money
Cons:
- It can taste like burnt grass to some people
10. Gevalia Special Reserve Guatemala
Finally, we’ve saved the Gevalia coffee for last because the coffee comes from 100 percent Arabica beans from Guatemala. It’s a medium roast, so it’s smooth and not bitter, and it’s coarse enough to be used in your French press if you wish to use it in that. For cold brewing, you’ll have to brew at least 24-36 hours to get a flavorful, ready-to-drink cold brew. For hot brew, you can brew it for a few minutes in your French press and enjoy the heat.
- Flavor: Bold with hints of sweetness
- Origin: Guatemala
- Strength: Dark
- Aroma: Vibrant and Bold
- Produced in: Sweden
Pros:
- 100% Arabica Coffee
- Smooth
- Non-acid (good if you have acid reflux issues)
Cons:
- Can taste a little too “Earthy”
FAQ
What coffee is coarse ground?
We can tell you the brands that make the best coarse ground coffee so that you know for sure you’re getting coarse ground:
- Stone Street Coffee
- Gevalia Special Reserve Coffee
- Illy Intenso
- Inspired Coffee Co
- Cafe Du Monde
- The Chosen Bean
- Cold Brew Lab
- Stone Cold Jo
- Bizzy
- Primo
- Folgers
Is coarse ground coffee the same as ground coffee?
No, because ground coffee could mean fine ground or medium ground. Coarse ground means there’s some texture in the grind.
What is coarse ground coffee used for?
They are widely used for cold brews, but you can use them for hot coffees if you want, you’ll have to adjust accordingly.
Is Folgers coarse ground coffee?
Yes, they do sell coarse ground coffee and are one of the most popular coffee brands out there.
Bottom Line
Coarse ground coffee is a popular choice for people who are really into cold brews and more. It really depends on how coarse it is, where the beans are made from, and how it’s roasted. Everyone will have a different preference, and that’s why there are so many options that you can choose from. If you have enjoyed reading this guide today, please let us know in the comments below!
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