The 10 Best And 10 Worst Coffees For Dark Roast Lovers

There are four main types of coffee bean: the rare liberica and excelsa, and the common robusta and arabica. The latter accounts for up to 70% of global coffee production, with Brazil, Kenya and Colombia among the major growers. It is also behind one of the most popular forms of coffee consumed in the United States: dark roast.

The genre includes French, Italian and espresso coffee, and is often made using a French press or a pour over. While caffeine levels between light, medium, and dark roast hardly vary, there is a world of difference in terms of taste. Some people prefer medium or light roasts, but for dark roast lovers, they usually only like their coffee dark. Dark roast is full-bodied stuff, described as everything from nutty and chocolatey to bitter and, in some cases, even burned. From fresh beans to ground form and dehydrated versions for an instant pick-me-up, let's run down the best and the worst coffees for dark roast lovers.

Onyx Coffee Lab describes the Eclipse Blend dark roast coffee as "darker than a Darren Aronofsky movie at midnight." Created using Colombian beans – though that can change according to the season – it is the firm's darkest roast, and comes with a heavy body and just a hint of acidity. Expect notes of dark chocolate and burned sugar, while the company warns: "Almost all terroir is masked by a pungent roast character."

Dark roast devotees can't get enough of it, with one writing: "It is pricy, but my Dad is overjoyed at how delicious the flavor profile this coffee is. If you want a good cup of joe and want to treat yourself (or your Dad), this is it!" Another enthused: "This is one of my top 2 roasts for milk based drinks. The chocolate and caramel notes really come through, and this one also has good complexity to it!"

Dark roast coffee by definition has a robust flavor but the Skull Crusher brand pulls no punches with its high caffeine premium ground coffee. If the profanity on its website doesn't get the message across, then the 350 milligrams of caffeine per cup might. The company writes: "Freshly roasted daily at our Manchester roastery, our coffee offers unmatched quality and freshness, energising you like a lightning bolt."

While many people enjoy hard-hitting Skull Crusher, one Redditor was less than impressed. Amid a long and detailed analysis of the brand, they wrote: "I have made some nasty brews, but never before have I spat one out, nor felt ill hours afterwards. I have used the beans in an Aeropress, a V60, a moka pot, a french press, and even made cold brew, but this stuff is foul."

Dutch entrepreneur Alfred Peet quipped: "I came to the richest country in the world, so why are they drinking the lousiest coffee?" The brand he launched in 1966 is still going strong today, with a range including Major Dickason's Blend dark roast coffee. It was a collaboration between Peets and retired army sergeant Key Dickason, and is the company's best-selling coffee.

Made from a hand-roasted signature blend of beans, Peet's 'Major D' is packed with complex flavors, and is a hit with customers. One reviewer eloquently wrote: "The flavor is rich, bold, and beautifully smooth — like a hug from a grizzly bear that also gives you life advice. It's the kind of coffee that gets your attention and keeps it, with no bitterness in sight."

The Seattle-based Real Good Coffee Company uses 100% Arabica, USDA-certified Organic coffee beans for the Organic Dark Roast, which is packaged in recyclable materials. A description on gosupps.com says the dark roast has "flavors of bell pepper, cedar, and a lemony acidity," to produce a cup of coffee that is invigorating without being overpowering.

While it has proved a hit with some, this dark roast hasn't pleased everyone. One reviewer noted: "Most bland coffee I have ever tried. Me and the wife drank it for two days and decided to throw out the unground beans. Very disappointing." Another said: "I am a long time customer and decided to replace my beloved French roast with the organic. Taste is terrible to our palate. Very bitter."

Arabica beans from Sumatra, Colombia and Guatemala make up the Alpha Blend dark roast from Grounds & Hounds. The company, which donates a portion of its profits to animal rescue organizations, describes the Alpha Blend as having: "Tasting notes of cocoa, vanilla, nutmeg... followed by an enticing smokiness with a silky smooth finish." The brand's other dark roast, The Beast, is "strong enough to float a nail but smooth enough to savor a second cup."

The consensus among Grounds & Hounds customers is overwhelmingly positive. One wrote on the brand's website: "Both coffees I ordered were excellent. The taste and the equality of the products are exceptional. Of course the added bonus is that in addition to getting a superb product, you are helping animals-definitely a win-win!!!"

The wittily named Tall Dark and Handsome dark roast from Paramount Coffee is pitched at customers who are "adventurists" and who "crave a bit more from your coffee." Made using arabica beans blended and roasted by the Michigan-based company, the brand claims on the side of the bag that it is the most popular product in the Joe Knows Coffee range.

Sadly, not all customers have been swept off their feet by this dark roast. One reviewer said: "I was looking for a new coffee to try. It was not the answer. The coffee smells stale/old and tasted bitter, yuck!", while another was even more expressive: "Ruined my morning. Taste[s] like stagnant water resting in a coconut shell."

Coffee has a luxury sector and the Peaberry Whole Dark Roast from Koa Coffee definitely occupies this territory. Made from the tiny percentage of Kona coffee cherries that contain a single, rather than two raw coffee beans, this Hawaiian brand has been dubbed the 'Champagne of Kona', and is described as: "Full bodied and smooth, with just a hint of bite."

Customers from around the world are happy to pay the $60 price tag for an 8-ounce bag, with one writing: "Best coffee ever. Full bodied flavor and aroma. I get this if the Peaberry is not available. Worth the extra expense to have it shipped to me to Australia." Another kept it short and sweet: "This is the best coffee I have ever had!" If you want the taste but not the expense, Hualalai Estate Whole Bean 100% Peaberry Kona Coffee is a modest $36.99 for a 7-ounce bag.

When it comes to a dark roast that divides coffee lovers, the Post Alley Blend from Seattle's Best Coffee is up there. Described by the company as a "smoky and intense French roast with a wonderfully smooth side," and pitched at "the bold, the strong, the original," it certainly has its fair share of supporters.

However, those who have noticed a change in Seattle's Best Coffee's darkest roast don't mince their words. One review on the company's website read, "This used to be one of my favorite coffees but it is nothing like what I used to buy. It used to be a fine grind and black. Now it is brown and the grind is coarse. Terrible coffee now." Another said: "Original Post Alley was so dark and delicious, this new roast is swill."

The coffee industry has faced challenges over its ethical and sustainable practices, but one of the companies trying to turn that poor reputation around is Tiny Footprint Coffee. Among its range is the Nicaragua Segovia PRODECOOP dark roast, made from beans grown on family-owned farms, and is organic, kosher and fair trade.

The website says it offers "Sultry, bold dark roast tones with notes of chocolate," while hints of "bright apricot, fig, and spice" remain after roasting. A donation from every sale goes to a tree-planting project in Ecuador's Mindo cloud forest, and customers love the coffee's flavor, too. One reviewer wrote: "The beans are consistently fresh, with a rich, balanced taste that makes every cup feel like a treat. Whether you're pulling shots or making lattes, this coffee never disappoints."

Coffee from Sweden's Gevalia brand — immediately recognizable thanks to its distinctive yellow packets — can be found in supermarkets throughout the United States. The range comprises four dark roasts, including this Espresso Roast variety, though they all carry the same online description, offering "rich and never-bitter dark roast coffee."

While some coffee lovers swear by the Gevalia brand, not everyone is a fan. One Redditor said: "It tastes like dirt water to me — but then again, I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area, land of the 3rd wave of coffee roasters and EPIC coffee snobs. But seriously, I'd rather drink diner coffee any day over Gevalia." Another reviewer quipped: "Not the best tasting coffee mocha. Not the worst. Won't buy again."

Buying quality arabica beans from around the world and roasting them in small batches is what gives San Francisco Bay French Roast its full-bodied taste, according to the company. It does more than sell coffee that packs a flavor punch too. A fund created by the firm has helped build more than 60 schools, over a dozen medical centers and 1,700 housing communities.

Fans are unequivocal in their support. A review on the brand's website read: "This coffee is essential for our daily routine. We have tried so many others and none compare to the bold taste and smell of this coffee! We love it!! Don't ever want to run out! That's an emergency in our household!" A coffee lover on Reddit recommended it too, saying: "That's my dirty coffee secret treat. Huge, Smokey body. Good price."

Established in 1919, family owned Community Coffee Company is a giant name in the coffee landscape but that doesn't mean they hit the bullseye every time. The Signature Blend Ground Coffee is made from 100% arabica beans and described by the company as "rich and flavorful." While it's certainly found an audience among dark roast fans, some are less than enthused.

One Walmart reviewer wrote: "Disappointing, would give it zero stars if I could. Have had bad coffee, but this is by far the worst. Community Coffee Breakfast Blend doesn't smell like coffee or taste like coffee. Tastes like nothing but hot water. I hate to throw things away, but this is going in the trash." Another online buyer said: "Not sure if Community makes an ACTUALLY DARK roast, but I'd sure love to swap a bunch, as I have a couple of hulking bags of this stuff that I'd trade in a jiffy..."

Had Red Riding Hood included coffee in her basket of treats for Grandma, chances are she would have chosen the Raven's Brew Coffee brand, just for its air-roasted Wicked Wolf dark roast. Described as: "Dark berry, spice and chocolate toffee with a heavy, full body and medium acidity," it is available as a whole bean, ground or single serve product.

A shopper who stumbled across the brand said: "I found this coffee on the clearance rack at the local grocery. I fell in love with it. Dark, with a subtle sweet spice. I will be ordering it regularly! YUMMM!" An iHerb reviewer wrote: "The whole beans smelled beautiful when I opened the package, and I was not disappointed by the flavor after brewing a pour-over cup. Great looking package as well. The quality was certainly up to my standards."

Roasting coffee beans leads to two 'cracks': The first kick-starts the flavor and aroma, while the second releases gases and oils. Koffee Kult says its Dark Roast Gourmet Blend is taken to the second crack before being popped in a cooling bin, to ensure it has a "captivating, heavy-bodied taste." However, this blend of 100% arabica beans from locations including Brazil and Colombia isn't a hit with everyone.

One verified buyer on the site wrote: "Dark roast to second crack? No not even close. Jitters from first sip, absolutely wrecks the stomach. Can't even drink it." Another online customer summed up their analysis with: "So long story short I would save your money and look elsewhere. $27 is not a ton of cash for 2lbs of coffee but there are less expensive options out there that taste a whole lot better and won't leave you feeling like you want to yack 10 minutes after you drink a cup."

Not every brand would describe their product as 'dangerous' but Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC doesn't let semantics get in the way of marketing. Its Organic Black Knight has "notorious notes of tropical plantains and an intense caramelized sugar finish," according to the company, which evokes the derring do of Arthurian times.

Coffee lovers have taken it to their hearts. One customer wrote on the site: "Black Knight has become one of my favorites. The Black Knight tis as fearless and bold a brew as ever there was. It slays the dragons of dawn bringing clarity, gallantry and a touch of nobility to your day." Another online buyer said: "Tastes like way more expensive coffee. Beans were roasted to my preference. Taste is great, as well as the smell. Given the price point — you can't ask for more. Highly recommend."

With a brand name that can be traced back to the earliest days of coffee distribution in the United States, Yuban is a firm favorite for millions of consumers. It's sold in supermarkets throughout the U.S., but the seeds of its current unpopularity could lie in the mention of "continuous innovation and refinement" on Yuban's website. What does that mean? They changed the beans.

One Walmart customer said: "We have loved Yuban dark roast for years; it is the only brand we have bought since I cannot remember when. The last two cans we have bought have been very bitter and very hard to drink." Another buyer said: "Time was, Yuban was sought after, heavily fragrant, great tasting, ambrosia-like coffee. No longer. This was most disappointing in all aspects. Bland taste, no aroma, nuthin' special about it. But it's still pricey!"

Whether you embrace the religious message behind the coffee from Reformed Roasters or not, the coffee definitely has sparkle. According to the company, coffee should: "Raise the prostrate, strengthen the weak and refresh the weary." The best-selling Total Depravity dark roast, made using beans from Sumatra, Brazil and Costa Rica, comes in bean and ground form, as well as a handy 2-ounce sample size.

One customer wrote: "Incredibly amazing. Love the witty sense of humor in the packaging and the focus on Reformed Theology!" while another said: "This is my favorite of all the Reformed Roasters coffees. I've purchased both the whole beans and ground versions, and both make the best coffee I've ever had. It is bold and smooth — neither bitter nor acidic."

Brands that have been around for a while often have to shake up their image to catch the interest of new generations of customers. In 2022, Folgers launched a publicity drive to revive its somewhat stale reputation. While older customers knew and loved it, in 2024, Hawkeye Beacon listed Folgers as the number one coffee brand to avoid, citing "a series of questionable practices."

Ethical and sustainability issues aside, some consumers just didn't like the taste of its products, including the Black Silk dark roast ground coffee. One customer review said: "I always drank Jet Fuel and they took it off the market, so I switch[ed] to Folgers Black Silk dark roast which was great until several months ago, it lost its robust flavor. I am on automatic ordering; but I am going to stop my deliveries... This is not the Folgers I used to drink."

Costa Rica isn't just an amazing place to live, it's home to some of the finest coffee beans in the world, and they're used in Volcanica Coffee's delicious Tarrazu Reserve Dark Roast. It has flavor notes of tropical fruit, citrus and apricot, according to the company, and is Rainforest Alliance and kosher certified.

It all adds up to a recipe for success among dark roast fans. One Trustpilot reviewer said: "Absolutely delicious! I am loving the Costa Rican Dark Roast Coffee. I look forward to my morning coffee. It's on subscription so I never run out." Another online buyer wrote: "This coffee, the Costa Rican Reserve Tarrazu, is worth every penny and more. It is smooth and rich in real coffee flavor, delicious to the last drop."

Coffee store chains can feel like a home away from home, especially with brands like Starbucks, which have a global reach. Having Starbucks coffee in your kitchen cupboard gives us a taste of that 'to go' lifestyle at home, and Starbucks has a range of dark roasts to appeal to every customer.

Or perhaps not. In a Facebook thread, posted under the simple question "Worst coffee?" lots of commenters pointed the finger at the Seattle brand. One said: "Starbucks is the worst coffee I've ever tasted. I took 1 sip and spit it out. plus it was overpriced," while another posted: "Starbucks coffee is disgusting. Tastes like it was made yesterday and sat on a burner all night." Other commenters said it had a "burnt" flavor, "a weird aftertaste" or was simply "undrinkable."