If you’re a writer, you know that a good cup of coffee can be essential for getting into the flow. But not all coffees are created equal. Some coffees are too acidic, which can give you a jittery feeling. Others are too bitter, which can make it hard to focus.
The best coffee for writing is a whole bean coffee that is medium roasted and has a balanced flavor profile. This type of coffee will give you a boost of energy without making you feel jittery, and it will help you stay focused on your writing.
Here are a few of the best whole bean coffees for writing:
Our Top 5 Picks
- BEST OVERALL: Stumptown Coffee Roasters Whole Bean Coffee
- RUNNER-UP: Kicking Horse Coffee, Whole Bean
- BEST BUDGET KING: AmazonFresh Direct Trade Rwanda Whole Bean Coffee
- BEST VERSATILE: Lavazza Gold Selection Filtro Whole Bean Coffee
- BEST VALUE: DEATH WISH COFFEE – Whole Bean Coffee
1. Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Medium Roast Organic Whole Bean Coffee
Stumptown Founder’s Blend is a full-bodied medium roast coffee with notes of vanilla and cocoa powder. It is sourced from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico, and roasted in Portland, Oregon. Stumptown is committed to sustainability and social responsibility, and their Founder’s Blend is a great example of their commitment to quality.
Key Features:
- Medium roast
- Organic
- Whole bean
- Flavor notes of vanilla and cocoa powder
- Sourced from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico
- Roasted in Portland, Oregon
- B Corp certified
Pros:
- Full-bodied and flavorful
- Smooth and balanced
- Bright and sunny flavor profile
- Committed to sustainability and social responsibility
Cons:
- Can be expensive
- Some reviewers find it to be too acidic
2. Kicking Horse Coffee, Grizzly Claw, Dark Roast, Whole Bean
Kicking Horse Grizzly Claw is a bold and flavorful dark roast coffee with notes of rich dark chocolate, cacao nibs, brown sugar, and roasted hazelnuts. It is certified organic, fairtrade, and kosher, and roasted in the Rocky Mountains of Canada. Grizzly Claw is a great choice for coffee drinkers who want a high-quality dark roast coffee that is also ethically sourced and sustainably roasted.
Key Features:
- Dark roast
- Whole bean
- Certified organic, fairtrade, and kosher
- Flavor notes of rich dark chocolate, cacao nibs, brown sugar, and roasted hazelnuts
Pros:
- Bold and flavorful
- Smooth and balanced
- Ethically sourced and sustainably roasted
- Convenient whole bean format
Cons:
- Can be expensive
- Some reviewers find it to be too bitter
3. AmazonFresh Direct Trade Rwanda Whole Bean Coffee, Light Roast
AmazonFresh Direct Trade Rwanda Whole Bean Coffee is a bright and flavorful light roast coffee with notes of smooth citrus and floral notes. It is directly traded with coffee farmers in Rwanda, ensuring that they receive a fair price for their beans. This coffee is a great choice for coffee drinkers who want a high-quality light roast that is also ethically sourced.
Key Features:
- Light roast
- Whole bean
- Direct trade
- Flavor notes of smooth citrus and floral notes
Pros:
- Smooth and flavorful
- Bright and complex flavor profile
- Ethically sourced and directly traded
- Convenient whole bean format
Cons:
- Some reviewers find it to be too acidic
- Can be expensive
4. Lavazza Gold Selection Filtro Whole Bean Coffee Light Roast
Lavazza Gold Selection Filtro Whole Bean Coffee is a smooth and flavorful light roast coffee with notes of vanilla and chamomile flower. It is ethically sourced and directly traded, and blended and roasted in Italy. This coffee is a great choice for coffee drinkers who want a high-quality light roast that is also authentically Italian.
Key Features:
- Light roast
- Whole bean
- Authentic Italian
- Blended and roasted in Italy
- Aromatic notes of vanilla and chamomile flower
Pros:
- Smooth and flavorful
- Bright and complex flavor profile
- Ethically sourced and directly traded
- Convenient whole bean format
Cons:
- Some reviewers find it to be too acidic
- Can be expensive
5. DEATH WISH COFFEE – [1 lb] and VALHALLA JAVA Odinforce Blend [12 oz] Whole Bean Coffee
This bundle includes two of the most popular and highly rated coffees on the market: Death Wish Coffee and Valhalla Java Odinforce Blend. Both coffees are bold and flavorful, with a high caffeine content. They are also ethically sourced and sustainably roasted. If you are looking for a coffee that will give you a boost of energy and help you power through your day, this bundle is for you.
Key Features:
- USDA certified organic
- Whole bean coffee
- Includes Death Wish Coffee (1 lb) and Valhalla Java Odinforce Blend (12 oz)
- Arabica and Robusta beans
- Bold and flavorful
Pros:
- Smooth and balanced flavor profile
- High caffeine content
- Ethically sourced and sustainably roasted
- Convenient whole bean format
Cons:
- Can be expensive
- Some reviewers find it to be too acidic or bitter
Final Verdict
The best coffee for writing is a matter of personal preference, but all of the coffees that I have recommended in this thread are high-quality and have a good reputation among coffee drinkers.
Here is a summary of the key features and pros and cons of each coffee:
Stumptown Founder’s Blend Organic Whole Bean Coffee
- Key features: medium roast, organic, whole bean, flavor notes of vanilla and cocoa powder
- Pros: full-bodied and flavorful, smooth and balanced, bright and sunny flavor profile, committed to sustainability
- Cons: some reviewers find it to be too acidic, can be expensive
Kicking Horse Coffee, Grizzly Claw, Dark Roast, Whole Bean, 10 Oz – Certified Organic, Fairtrade, Kosher Coffee
- Key features: dark roast, whole bean, certified organic, fairtrade, and kosher, flavor notes of rich dark chocolate, cacao nibs, brown sugar, and roasted hazelnuts
- Pros: bold and flavorful, smooth and balanced, ethically sourced and sustainably roasted, convenient whole bean format
- Cons: can be expensive, some reviewers find it to be too bitter
AmazonFresh Direct Trade Rwanda Whole Bean Coffee, Light Roast, 12 Ounce (Pack of 2)
- Key features: light roast, whole bean, direct trade, flavor notes of smooth citrus and floral notes
- Pros: smooth and flavorful, bright and complex flavor profile, ethically sourced and directly traded, convenient whole bean format
- Cons: some reviewers find it to be too acidic, can be expensive
Lavazza Gold Selection Filtro Whole Bean Coffee Light Roast, Authentic Italian, Blended and roasted in Italy,Vanille and Chamomille flower aromatic notes, 2.2 LB
- Key features: light roast, whole bean, authentic Italian, blended and roasted in Italy, aromatic notes of vanilla and chamomile flower
- Pros: smooth and flavorful, bright and complex flavor profile, ethically sourced and directly traded, convenient whole bean format
- Cons: some reviewers find it to be too acidic, can be expensive
Death Wish Coffee and Valhalla Java Odinforce Blend Bundle
- Key features: USDA certified organic, whole bean coffee, includes Death Wish Coffee (1 lb) and Valhalla Java Odinforce Blend (12 oz), Arabica and Robusta beans, bold and flavorful
- Pros: smooth and balanced flavor profile, high caffeine content, ethically sourced and sustainably roasted, convenient whole bean format
- Cons: can be expensive, some reviewers find it to be too acidic or bitter
Ultimately, the best way to decide which coffee is right for you is to experiment and see what you like best. I recommend trying a few different coffees from different roasters to find one that you enjoy. And don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations from friends, family, and baristas.