Last Updated on November 26, 2022
Do you love the taste of coffee but find the regular, unflavored variety a bit too bland at times? If so, then you need to check out the best flavored coffee beans!
These beans are pre-flavored with delicious and unique flavors that will take your morning cup of joe to a whole new level. In this blog post, we will explain how flavored coffee is made and provide some tips on how to choose the right beans for your palate.
We will also recommend some of our favorite brands of flavored coffee beans for you to consider.
By the way, if you click on a link and then decide to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
- Best Flavored Coffee Beans – the Short List
- What is Flavored Coffee?
- How is Flavored Coffee Made Using Coffee Beans?
- Naturally Flavored vs Artificially Flavored Coffee
- Flavored Coffee Beans vs Coffee Syrups
- The Best Flavored Coffee Beans – Our Recommendations
- Volcanica Caramel Chocolate Flavored Coffee
- Out of the Grey Pumpkin Snuggle Coffee
- Caramel Pecan Scones Coffee from Door County Coffee
- Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Aged Coffee from Cooper's Cask
- San Francisco Bay Hazelnut Creme Coffee
- The Best Tasting Coffee Beans, Naturally
- How to Flavor Your Coffee Naturally, at Home
- FAQ
- Is flavored coffee caffeinated?
- What is the difference between flavored coffee beans and coffee syrups?
- What are some of the most popular flavored coffee beans?
- Is flavored coffee bad for you?
- Conclusion: Best Flavored Coffee Beans
Best Flavored Coffee Beans – the Short List
In a hurry for the best flavored coffee list? Here are our picks for the top flavored coffee brands. We even selected our favorites for your consideration, too. If you want more details, check out our comment about each brand further down the post.
Note that we don’t number our favorites, or choose the ‘best of the best’. Why? Because we all have unique coffee palates, my friend, and you may prefer one flavor or brand over another. They’re all quite wonderful.
- Volcanica: Caramel Chocolate Flavored Coffee
- Out of the Grey: Pumpkin Snuggle Coffee
- Door County Coffee: Caramel Pecan Scones
- Cooper’s Cask Coffee: Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Aged
- San Francisco Bay: Hazelnut Creme
What is Flavored Coffee?
Flavored coffee is coffee that has been infused with a variety of different natural and artificial flavors. The most common flavors used in flavored coffee include chocolate, vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut. However, there are endless possibilities when it comes to flavoring coffee, and many companies experiment with unique flavor combinations.
Coffee can be flavored using a variety of methods, including adding flavoring agents directly to the beans, infusing the beans with essential oils, or steeping them in flavored syrups. While some purists may balk at the idea of flavored coffee, there is no denying that it can be a delicious treat.
So go ahead and explore the wide world of flavored coffees – you may just find your new favorite cup of joe.
How is Flavored Coffee Made Using Coffee Beans?
The coffee bean is naturally quite bitter. In order to enjoy its flavor, coffee beans are usually roasted. This process brings out the natural sugars in the bean and gives it a more complex flavor. Depending on how long the beans are roasted, they can take on different flavors.
For example, light roast beans tend to be more fruity, while dark roast beans have a richer, more chocolatey taste. Once the beans are roasted, they can be flavored in a number of ways.
One popular method is to add essential oils to the beans before grinding them. This ensures that the flavor is evenly distributed throughout the coffee. Another common technique is to infuse the grounds with flavor before brewing. This allows the coffee drinker to enjoy a range of different flavors in their cup.
Whatever method is used, flavored coffee is a delicious way to enjoy one of the world’s most popular beverages.
Naturally Flavored vs Artificially Flavored Coffee
The debate between naturally flavored and artificially flavored coffee is one that has been around for a long time. Both types of coffee have their own set of pros and cons, and the best way to decide which one is right for you is to understand the difference between the two.
Naturally flavored coffee beans are flavored using natural flavors and methods such as adding fruit or spices to the beans before they are roasted. This type of flavoring can give coffee a more subtle flavor that is less intense than artificially flavored coffee.
However, it can also be more expensive and difficult to find consistently good quality beans.
Artificially flavored coffee beans are coated with a synthetic flavoring after they are roasted. This type of flavoring generally results in a more intense flavor, but it can also taste artificial or chemically.
Ultimately, the best type of coffee for you is the one that you enjoy the most. So, don’t be afraid to experiment with different types and find the one that you like best.
Flavored Coffee Beans vs Coffee Syrups
If you’re like most people, your coffee-drinking habits were probably established long before you stopped to think about what goes into your cup. Whether you picked up the habit from your parents or grandparents, or you were just looking for a way to wake up in the morning, chances are that you didn’t spend a lot of time considering the difference between flavored coffee beans and coffee syrups.
But if you’re interested in diversifying your coffee repertoire, it’s worth taking a closer look at these two options.
Flavored coffee beans are typically roasted with flavoring agents added to the bean during the roasting process. This results in a more subtle flavor that can be enjoyed on its own or customized with heavier cream and sugar toppings.
Coffee syrups, on the other hand, are added to brewed coffee after the fact. They provide a more intense flavor that is often used as a base for elaborate specialty drinks.
Coffee syrups offer a more affordable way to add flavor to your coffee. They come in a wide variety of flavors, from classic options like vanilla and hazelnut to more unique choices like chocolate and pumpkin spice. The main drawback of coffee syrups is that they can be too sweet for some people’s taste.
So, which is right for you?
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. If you like exploring new flavor profiles, then trying out different flavored coffees might be the way to go. If you’re more of a traditionalist who likes their coffee black, then sticking with plain beans is probably best. But if you’re feeling adventurous, why not experiment with both? There’s no reason you can’t enjoy both flavored coffee beans and coffee syrups. After all, variety is the spice of life!
The Best Flavored Coffee Beans – Our Recommendations
Volcanica Caramel Chocolate Flavored Coffee
If you’re a chocolate and caramel fan, you’ll love the simply flavorful experience of Volcanica’s Caramel Chocolate Flavored Medium Roast Coffee.
Rated 4.9 out of 5 by reviewers
Available in whole bean, drip grind, espresso grind, and French press grind
Out of the Grey Pumpkin Snuggle Coffee
There’s a lot to love with this handcrafted coffee from Out of the Grey, especially the name! The flavor is enticing with it’s smooth, warm spicy cinnamon, pumpkin, and syrupy brown sugar flavors. This dark medium roast is suited for coffee drinkers with digestive issues, or those that prefer low acidic coffees.
Rated 5 Stars by all reviewers!
Available in Regular or Decaf, whole bean or in a wide variety of grind sizes
Use coupon: Compliments of The Coffee Files-10 and save 10% on your order!
Caramel Pecan Scones Coffee from Door County Coffee
Think about the aroma of caramel and pecans drizzled with brown sugar icing. Got it? Okay – that’s what will waft up to your senses when you brew a cup of this popular flavor from our friend at Door County Coffee. Actually, they have quite a few amazing flavored coffees, all roasted in small batches by this small, family-owned business. I’ve enjoyed their coffee for quite awhile and it’s always fresh and tasty.
Thousands of reviewers have rated Door County flavored coffees 4.4 out of 5
Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Aged Coffee from Cooper’s Cask
So you want something unique with your flavored coffee beans? How about the smooth full body flavor and vibrant boutique of aromatics with Barrel Aged Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey flavored coffee? Roasted in small batches to ensure a bold, flavorful coffee. You’ll appreciate the craftsmanship when you open the bag and smell the aroma!
Rated 4.7 out of 5 by hundreds of reviewers
San Francisco Bay Hazelnut Creme Coffee
This highly popular brand offers a variety of coffee roasts, and when it comes to the best flavored coffee beans, Hazelnut Creme is a winner. You’ll enjoy the rich flavor, hint of sweetness (not too sweet), and the enticing fragrance of hazelnut.
100% arabica coffee is hand-picked and grown in the high altitudes that arabica coffee requires, so you know your coffee is quality.
Thousands of reviewers rate this brand a 4.4 out of 5 overall
The Best Tasting Coffee Beans, Naturally
Most coffee beans come from one of two main species of coffee plant: Coffea arabica, or “arabica coffee,” and Coffea canephora, or “robusta coffee.”
Arabica coffee is the older of the two species and makes up about 60% of the world’s coffee production. It is generally considered to produce a higher-quality cup of coffee, with more complex flavors and aromas.
Robusta coffee, on the other hand, is slightly higher in caffeine and has a more bitter taste. It is often used in lower-quality blends or as an inexpensive substitute for arabica coffee. When it comes to taste, then, arabica coffee is generally considered superior to robusta coffee.
However, some people prefer the bolder flavors of robusta coffee. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
How to Flavor Your Coffee Naturally, at Home
There are many ways to flavor your coffee at home, using natural additives like honey, cinnamon, ginger, monk fruit, and vanilla extract. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Add a teaspoon of honey to your coffee for a sweet flavor.
- Sprinkle some cinnamon on top of your coffee for a spicy flavor.
- Add a slice of fresh ginger to your coffee for a zesty flavor.
- Mix in a little monk fruit for a subtle sweetness.
- Add a few drops of vanilla extract for a rich, creamy flavor.
- Add in some cocoa powder + sweetener for a delicious mocha-flavored drink
Experiment with different combinations of these flavoring agents until you find your perfect cup of coffee!
How about Flavored Sugar for Your Java?
Keep your life, and your coffee, interesting with flavored sugar from Javamelts! This innovative (yet oh-so-simple) sweetener is offered in a variety of flavors like Mocha, Caramel, Hazelnut, and more.
Founded by a creative woman with a heart and a vision, Javamelts is not only perfect for your coffee, you can use it in baking, too. How cool is that? And, these sweet little packets of goodness are vegan, non-dairy, non-GMO, and kosher, too.
FAQ
Is flavored coffee caffeinated?
Yes, flavored coffee is caffeinated unless you choose to drink decaffeinated coffee. The caffeine content will vary depending on the type of bean used and the brewing method, but typically, a cup of coffee has about 95mg of caffeine.
What is the difference between flavored coffee beans and coffee syrups?
Flavored coffee beans are typically roasted with flavoring agents added to the bean during the roasting process. This results in a more subtle flavor that can be enjoyed on its own or used as a base for specialty drinks. Coffee syrups are added to brewed coffee and offer a more intense flavor. They come in a wide variety of flavors, from classic options like vanilla and hazelnut to more unique choices like chocolate and pumpkin spice. The main drawback of coffee syrups is that they can be too sweet for some
What are some of the most popular flavored coffee beans?
Some of the most popular coffee flavors include vanilla, hazelnut, chocolate, and caramel. However, there are many other flavors available, so feel free to experiment until you find your perfect cup of coffee!
Is flavored coffee bad for you?
No, flavored coffee is not bad for you. If you can tolerate regular coffee with no health issues, you can enjoy flavored coffee, too. In fact, it can actually be quite healthy! Coffee is packed with antioxidants and has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including reducing the risk of stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.
Conclusion: Best Flavored Coffee Beans
There’s quite a bit to learn and a lot to love when it comes to flavored coffee.
If you enjoy the added taste of flavorings when sipping on the java, be sure to try a sampling of several flavors and see what lights up your palate the most.
Candi Randolph is a coffee lover, blogger, and content creator who loves to share her knowledge with the coffee-drinking world. You’ll often find her tending to her coffee bar at home, deciding which method to use to brew her next cup of java. Life is full of important decisions. ☕
