While Trader Joe’s is best known for its affordable and high-quality groceries, one of its lesser-known gems is the expansive collection of coffee beans. From different roasts and origins to flavor profiles, the selection showcases the heart and soul of the global coffee landscape. Today, we embark on an adventure to explore, taste, and review these gems. Our goal? To find the best Trader Joe’s coffee beans, and rank them from worst to best.
The Diverse World of Trader Joe’s Coffee
Setting foot in the coffee aisle of Trader Joe’s, you’re greeted with a rich tapestry of coffee beans. There’s a staggering range of roasts – light for those relishing a less bitter profile, to dark for those who find comfort in a robust, full-bodied brew. The coffee varieties span across continents, offering distinct regional flavors, from the full-bodied African blends to the smooth, earthy tones of South American brews.
With such a variety, making a choice can be a challenge. But hold tight – herein lies the chance for discovery and to nail down your favorite cup of joe!
The Review Process
As a former barista at the Boat Basin Cafe Downtown New York, I’ve drawn on my experience to evaluate Trader Joe’s coffee offerings. Armed with a dependable coffee grinder and my trusty french press, I bravely dived into this caffeinated undertaking to taste, note down, and rank each coffee.
The process was as straightforward as it was exciting. Each coffee was sampled black, brewed using the same method for consistency. I kept an eye (and nose) out for aroma, mouthfeel, flavor profiles, and overall balance. The goal wasn’t just to find the subjectively flavorful coffee options at Trader Joe’s, but to provide a useful reference guide for every kind of coffee-lover out there.
Worst to Best: Coffee Rankings and Reviews
| Trader Joe’s Coffee Variety | Roast Type | Flavor Notes | John Bird’s Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombian Coffee | Medium Roast | Lacks Depth | ★★★☆☆ |
| French Roast Coffee | Dark Roast | Smoky aroma, inconsistent flavor depth | ★★★★☆ |
| Breakfast Blend | Light Roast | Robust aroma, mellow sweet notes | ★★★★☆ |
| French Vanilla Coffee | Not stated | Creamy, sweet | ★★★★★ |
| Indian Peaberry Coffee | Not stated | Bold, Dark chocolate notes, fruity acidity | ★★★★☆ |
| Organic Sumatra Coffee | Dark Roast | Smoky, balanced with sweet finish | ★★★★☆ |
| Decaf Joe Medium Roast | Medium Roast | Good body and satisfying flavor | ★★★★☆ |
| Organic Ethiopian Yirgacheffe | Medium Roast | Fruity vibrancy, floral undertones | ★★★★★ |
| Summer Camp by Campfire | Not stated | Smoky aroma, marshmallow and chocolate notes | ★★★★★ |
Given Trader Joe’s coffee varieties, it was inevitable that some beans would stand out, while others formed a solid baseline for everyday brewing. From the stack, I’ve picked a few varieties to break down for you.
Starting from the bottom, let’s talk about Trader Joe’s Colombian Coffee. This medium roast seemed promising but fell short on the flavor department. It fell into what many dub as the ‘generic coffee’ category – not offensive, but not exciting either.
Moving up the ladder, the French Roast Coffee fared slightly better. Its heavy, smoky aroma was enticing, but the promised flavor depth was inconsistent. Nevertheless, for fans of a darker, bolder roast, this might just do the trick.
Next, came the Breakfast Blend. This light roast was a pleasant surprise, with its mellow, sweet notes and robust aroma – truly a nice, light cup of coffee to start the day!
Notable Mentions: Unique Flavors and Blends
While reviewing the range, a few unique and engaging blends stood out. The Trader Joe’s French Vanilla Coffee, for instance, was a delightfully creamy surprise. As an offering with an added flavor, it was naturally sweet and made for an excellent dessert coffee.
Then, there was the intriguing Indian Peaberry Coffee. These rare, singular beans from the mountains of Southern India packed a punch. Its unique flavor profile could not be ignored, with dark chocolate notes and a pleasingly sharp, fruity acidity.
The Allure of Organic and Fair Trade Options
In recent times, consumers are making greener choices. They’re looking for brands that promote sustainable farming and fair trade. In faithful Trader Joe’s fashion, you’ll find several organic and fair-trade options in their coffee range.
Their Organic Sumatra Coffee was a standout in this category. A dark roast with mysterious smoky layers, complimented by a sweet, clean finish. On the sustainability front, Sumatra Coffee comes from a cooperative of small farmers committed to organic farming – ethically sourced and full of flavor!
Navigating Decaf and Medium Roasts
Decaf coffee often gets a bad rap, but when done right, it can offer all the satisfaction of regular coffee, minus the caffeine. One such example is Trader Joe’s Decaf Joe Medium Roast. This blend holds its ground against its caffeinated counterparts, delivering rich taste and good body.
Likewise, Trader Joe’s Organic Joe Medium Roast aims to please. It’s a simple, well-roasted coffee with no frills – a reliable daily brew for those who appreciate middle-of-the-road roasts.
Bursting with flavors, these coffee variety embody how diverse a simple cup of coffee can be.
Author’s Note: Gratitude for the opportunity to be on this caffeinated adventure, and the pleasure of sharing these findings with fellow coffee aficionados. As I always say – the world of coffee is wide, complex and intrinsically fascinating. So whether you’re a seasoned coffee connoisseur or just starting out, remember – the journey is just as important as the destination. And what a delight it is to encounter new flavors, nuances, and experiences along the way!
The Top Picks: The Best Trader Joe’s Coffee Varieties
Each coffee variety is like a port of call on our journey across the seas of caffeine, but a few stand tall as our constant guiding stars. One such hero of the sea is the Organic Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. The high-altitude, rich soil of Ethiopia produces coffee beans known for their singular, fruity vibrancy and floral undertones. This medium roast captures the essence of Ethiopian coffee deliciously, wrapping it all in a dark, rich chocolatey body.
Navigating closer to our final destination, we met the Colombian Supremo Coffee. A medium-dark roast, this coffee is sourced from the Colombian Andes, which are famously conducive to coffee cultivation. Its robust body, resonant acidity, and unique flavor notes make it a worthy second runner-up.
The Ultimate Winner: Summer Camp by Campfire
Concluding our caffeinated journey, standing on the peak of coffee-mountain, we found our crown jewel – Summer Camp by Campfire. It hit the perfect balance – sophisticated and flavorful without unnecessary complexity. Its comforting, campfire-smoky smell is accompanied by underlying notes of marshmallow. The taste brings forth flavors of toasted nuts and chocolate, smoothly rounded off with a mellow sweetness. It’s like a delightful summer evening in a cup, a taste of nostalgia under a star-loaded sky.
Honestly, who could ask for more from their coffee?
Conclusion: Choosing Your Ideal Trader Joe’s Coffee
We’ve tasted and navigated our way through various Trader Joe’s coffee varieties, each brew unique in its flavor profile and brewing characteristics. While our palates played judge, remember, the ultimate choice for the best Trader Joe’s coffee beans will be influenced by individual preferences.
So step foot into the amazing world of Trader Joe’s coffee – from organic and fair-trade options to flavorful coffee options and roasts. The purpose of this guide isn’t to dictate tastes but to offer a compass, a guide through the overwhelming caffeinated sea that is Trader Joe’s Coffee aisles. So whether you agree or disagree with our rankings, one thing’s for certain: there’s a world of coffee at Trader Joe’s waiting for you to explore.
It’s been a pleasure sharing these reviews and rankings, and I hope they serve as a window into the wonderful world of Trader Joe’s coffee chain. Until our next caffeine adventure, remember: Life’s too short to drink bad coffee!
Additional Recommendations and Resources:
For more Trader Joe’s coffee reviews and information:
- Trader Joe’s Coffee Page
- The Best Trader Joe’s Coffee, Ranked by the Masses
- What are the Best Trader Joe’s Coffees? These 10 will get you going
Remember, the world of coffee is as wide as it is delightful. Happy brewing!