The Best Organic Coffee [Tested and Reviewed]
Updated: Aug. 13, 2024
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Whether you’re a Starbucks devotee, a java connoisseur who’s well-versed in all types of coffee or someone who’s fine with just a plain old cup of joe, there’s no denying how overwhelming it can be to pick out a coffee brand. While there are plenty out there to choose from, you might consider one of the best organic coffee companies. Free of potentially harmful chemicals and pesticides, they’re touted as being better for you (and for the planet).
We tested over a dozen organic coffees, including espresso beans and mushroom coffees, to find the very best. Plus, these picks ship directly to your door on Amazon so you’ll never go too long without your caffeine fix.
Best Medium Roast
Stumptown Coffee Roasters Founder's Blend
Pros:
- Balanced flavor and easy to drink
- Very cozy and comforting—perfect for fall!
- Modest price point
Cons:
- Slightly sour finish
Of all the organic coffees I tested, the Stumptown Founder’s Blend was my favorite. It’s rich and comforting with a smooth, balanced flavor. It’s a tiny bit sour on the finish but still easy to drink. This would be perfect on a chilly fall morning—on its own or with a small splash of pumpkin coffee creamer.
Priced at $15 for a 12-ounce bag, it’s a deliciously affordable addition to your morning routine.
Best Dark Roast
Death Wish Coffee Co. Dark Roast
Pros:
- Delicious dark roast with flavors of chocolate and cherry
- Incredibly smooth
- Modest price point
Cons:
- May not be suitable for those sensitive to caffeine
Don’t let the name scare you. Death Wish Coffee Co.’s dark roast was one of the smoothest cups I tried. Plus, the flavor descriptors of chocolate and cherry on the front of the bag were spot on. While not quite as bold as our espresso pick, this organic coffee will certainly put a pep in your step. It features both robusta and arabica beans for increased caffeine.
The price can’t be beat, either. Pick up a full pound for just under $19.
Best Light Roast
Jim’s Organic Coffee Jo-Jo’s Java
Pros:
- Smooth, complex flavor
- Mocha aftertaste
- Modest price point
Cons:
- Not ideal for those who like a really light roast
Looking for a lighter coffee without a ton of acidity? Jim’s Organic Coffee’s Jo-Jo’s Java is smooth and sippable. It tastes incredibly fresh with a slightly mocha-forward flavor. The bag is labeled as a medium-light roast, and I found that it skews a bit more medium. That said, it’s not too strong for those who prefer a lighter brew.
At just over $13 for a 12-ounce bag, this organic coffee won’t break the bank, either.
Best for Espresso
Kicking Horse Coffee 454 Horse Power
Pros:
- Strong, bold and smooth
- Delicious on its own or with creamer
- Modest price point
Cons:
- May be too dark for some, especially to sip on its own
When testing the best espresso beans, I came across several organic options. But for the best flavor, you can’t go wrong with Kicking Horse 454 Horse Power.
The name of this organic coffee is spot-on; it certainly packs a punch! Each sip is strong and bold, yet smooth. It, of course, brews beautiful espresso shots. But the real magic happens when its strength is paired with milk, foam or even ice cream (affogato, anyone?).
Content Director Nicole Doster agrees, saying, “This whole-bean coffee is smooth and chocolatey with no bitter taste. It’s the perfect crowd-pleaser.” Priced at around $1 an ounce, it’s affordable enough for everyday drinking.
Best Mushroom
Four Sigmatic Think
Pros:
- Mild flavor for a mushroom coffee
- Reduces anxiety and jitters to help you focus
- The best mushroom coffee we tested
Cons:
- Pricey
Many of the best mushroom coffees are organic, and registered dietitian Nancy Snyder found Four Sigmatic Think to be the best of the bunch. It features a mix of lion’s mane (to improve focus and memory) and chaga (to boost overall mood and well-being).
I’ve also tried mushroom coffee, and as a self-proclaimed mushroom hater, I was impressed by its mild flavor. It’s not the smoothest cup in the world—especially after sitting for a while and getting cold—but the benefits aren’t placebo. After drinking it, my morning routine came with less anxiety and no caffeine-induced jitters.
The only downside? You pay for those extra benefits. A 12-ounce bag of Think costs around $17, which is one of the pricier coffees we tested.
What to Consider When Buying Organic Coffee
First and foremost, make sure the coffee you’re buying is actually organic. “When selecting an organic coffee, ensure there is a USDA organic label on the packaging,” says Snyder. “This certifies that the coffee has been produced according to strict organic standards upheld at various stages of production, from farming and transport to roasting and packaging.”
You may also want to consider additional certifications. “Since sustainability is top of mind with many consumers, especially for items we consume every day, you can also look for a Fair Trade Certified label,” Snyder advises. “This ensures producers are upholding standards that protect the environment, support sustainable livelihoods and protect safe working conditions.”
Next, you’ll want to consider the roast level. Coffees fall into three main categories—light, medium or dark roast—and each comes with a distinct flavor profile. Light roasts tend to be a bit more acidic and fruitier, whereas dark roasts are bold and bodied. Organic coffee is available in all roast levels, and we sampled several in each category.
Finally, keep an eye on whether you’re buying grounds of whole beans. If you’re opting for a pour-over or drip coffeemaker, pre-ground coffee is likely fine. But if you need finer grounds for espresso or coarser grounds for French press, pick up the whole beans. Keep in mind, though, that you will need a coffee grinder if you opt for whole beans. But the trade-off is typically a fresher taste.
Other Organic Coffee We Tried
We tried over a dozen bags of organic coffee. The following are runners-up that didn’t make our favorites list, but are still worth trying:
- Lavazza ¡Tierra!: Light and fresh, this is a very nice sipper. For a light roast, it’s not sour and has a mild flavor. Lavazza is consistently one of the best grocery store brands you can buy.
- Newman’s Own Breakfast Blend: One of the smoothest cups I tried, Newman’s Own makes a very easy-to-drink organic coffee. It’s a little on the stronger side for a medium roast, but it would please most coffee drinkers. Plus, 100% of the profits go to charity.
- Peet’s Dark French Roast: One of the more complex flavors in this test, Peet’s French roast was dark and smooth. It’s a little intense but very tasty.
- San Francisco Bay Rainforest Blend: Priced at just $0.65 an ounce, this massive bag from San Francisco Bay coffee is easy on the budget—especially if you drink a lot of coffee. Flavorwise, it’s a bit confusing on the tongue but still very drinkable.
- Subtle Earth: While I found this one a touch sour, it is the best low-acid option I tried.
After testing, we would suggest skipping these:
- Chamberlain Coffee Early Bird Blend: I’ve been consistently underwhelmed by Chamberlain coffee. This starts OK, but the finish is incredibly bitter—especially for a light roast.
- Lifeboost Coffee Optimist: For a low-acidity coffee, this light roast is incredibly sour. It’s a strange flavor, and at over $2 an ounce, not worth the price.
- Anthony’s Instant Coffee: Instant coffee is tough to get right, and Anthony’s misses the mark. While easy to brew, the flavor is burnt and bitter. Plus, the aroma is incredibly unappealing. If you’re craving convenience, opt for Cometeer capsules instead.
- Amazon Sumatra Dark Roast: Maybe I just got an old bag, but this was almost undrinkable. It’s very dark, to the point of tasting burnt, with an awful mouthfeel and finish. The only bright spot is the $0.60 an ounce price tag.
How We Tested Organic Coffee
I spent over 20 hours testing the best organic coffee. My first step was researching top brands, reading product reviews and evaluating bestsellers on Amazon. I also chatted with Taste of Home editors to gather personal recommendations. Then, I ordered a dozen readily available organic coffees, ranging in size and price. I chose whole beans whenever possible, but many options were only available pre-ground.
To test the best organic coffee, I started by grinding the whole-bean options. I used my Baratza burr grinder and ground them all on the same grind setting. My goal was to replicate the size of the pre-ground coffee.
Then, I pulled out my trusty tea kettle and pour-over to start brewing. I used a coffee scale to ensure a ratio of 20 grams of coffee grounds to 300 grams of water. Working in batches, I tested all the light roasts, then medium and finally dark. I implemented a quick-fire comparison taste test, eliminating any brews that were overly bitter or stale. The remaining coffees moved forward for additional testing, and I swapped them for my typical morning beans. I tried additional pour-overs and utilized a drip machine and espresso maker. I also sampled many of the beans over ice. After multiple taste tests, I landed on five bags deserving of “the best organic coffee” title.
Why You Should Trust Us
As Senior Shopping Editor, I’ve spent six years recommending the best kitchen gear, gifts and food items to Taste of Home readers. I’ve tested hundreds of products to ensure all our picks live up to the hype. For this article, I tapped into a personal passion: coffee. In recent years, my husband and I have spent many weekends experimenting with newfangled coffee gear and tasting the best brews on the market. I’ve previously reviewed the best coffee subscriptions (including stalwarts like Trade Coffee).
Plus, this love for coffee doesn’t stop with me. Taste of Home shopping editors are no strangers to testing and reviewing coffee beans, gear and gadgets. Over the years, our Test Kitchen pros have evaluated the best drip coffeemakers and cold brew brands. In our home kitchens, our crew has assessed everything from Keurigs to flavored coffees. Our goal is to make your mornings tasty—and caffeinated!
FAQs
Is organic coffee better for you?
From a nutrition standpoint, not necessarily. But organic coffee is grown without potentially harmful chemicals, like pesticides and fungicides. That said, the organic label doesn’t apply to how the coffee is roasted, so it could potentially be exposed to those substances during the manufacturing process.
Does organic coffee have caffeine?
It depends on the type of organic coffee you choose, but the title “organic” doesn’t have anything to do with the caffeine content. Decaf organic coffee, for instance, won’t have caffeine (or will have a minimal amount). Regular organic coffee, however, will still have caffeine, just like non-organic coffee.
Taste of Home writer Amanda Tarlton also contributed to this article.
Originally Published: April 18, 2023
