Top 15 Best Starbucks Coffee Beans Reviews in 2023

It’s quite challending to find best Starbucks coffee beans among hundreds of Starbucks products, even you’re a coffee snob.

As far as we know, Starbucks has a wide range of signature products as well as seasonal ones. To learn about its coffee will probably take you a lot of time and effort.

However, I like the idea of enjoying a cup of homemade Starbucks without stepping out of the door. Also, it’s a good way to save some bucks.

If you are also a coffee drinker, you might have heard a lot about Starbucks coffee. Furthermore, it’s a safe bet that you have the same interest like me.

Keep reading below for my full review of some well-known coffee bean products of Starbucks.

Types Of Coffee Roasts

In general, there are 3 types of coffee roasts: light roasts, medium roasts, and dark roasts.

It must be emphasized that “there is no specific and precise classification system for coffee in the roasting process”.

And in every part of the world, depending on the modified characteristics, there is a different way of calling it at each stage that the coffee is removed from the roaster.

Light Roasts (Blonde Roasts)

Light roasts are the stage where coffee is removed as soon as the first crack appears from 195 to 205 degrees Celsius. This roast are often used for coffee cupping because the seeds are able to retain the original nature and have not been interfered by the roast flavor.

At this level, the beans carry fruity, sour, sweet, and very little bitter flavors.

Some other terms of light roasts: Half City Roast, Light City Roast, New England Roast.

Medium Roasts

Medium roasts are the phase between two bursts of coffee. To be exact, it indicates the coffee phase before the second explosion appears. At that time, the bean has released a quantity of oil on the surface and the acidic level is slightly decreased.

In general, medium roasts are suitable for espresso drinks because it has smooth and balanced flavors with a mellow caramel aroma and medium body.

There are some terms related to medium roasts such as: American Roast, Breakfast Roast, Brown Roast.

Dark Roasts

Out of all coffee types, the dark roast has the maximum roasting time. After the heating process, the beans’ fruit flavor becomes minimum while roasting properties such as sugar browning, dry distillation will rise with bitterness, smokiness, burnt sugar, or tobacco aroma.

Sometimes, under the hands of a skilled craftsman, dark roasted coffee is the most addictive. But in many cases, it is only used to blend with different types of coffee for more balanced flavors.

Some other terms of dark roasts: French Roast, Italian Roast, Vienna Roast.

The table below summarizes the difference between the 3 types of coffee roasts.

Type of Roast	Color	Taste
Light	Light brown	Acidic
Medium	Brown	Balanced
Dark	Dark brown	Strong

Whole Bean Vs. Pre-Ground Coffee

The only thing why more and more coffee lovers opt for whole beans instead of pre-ground coffee because brewing with whole beans can retain maximum flavors of the coffee. For pre-ground coffee, you might not know that after being ground for about 30 minutes, coffee will lose its natural taste.

One more thing is that whole beans allow you to make various drinking options using different brewing methods from cold brews, pour-over, French press, Aeropress, Moka pot and espresso. Each of method will require different grind size from coarse to finely-ground.

Which Are The Best Starbucks Coffee Beans To Buy?

When it comes to choosing the best Starbucks coffee beans, Sumatra, and Komodo are my go-to products for versatility, complexity, and satisfaction. Moreover, Espresso Roast, House Blend, or Italian Roast are also wonderful blend for their smoothness, robustness, and sweetness.

Below are the 15 best Starbucks coffee beans I have picked. First, let’s get to know them by skimming all highlight features.

• Best Overall – Sumatra Dark Roast Starbucks Coffee Beans
  “Strong smoky smell together with sweet and herbal flavors, refreshing dark-roasted and full-bodied Arabica.”
• Best Budget – Breakfast Blend Medium Roast Starbucks Coffee Beans
  “Great first cup of a day, goes well with breakfast, medium roast with a balanced taste, fits the budget.”
• Best for Cold Brew – Siren’s Blend Starbucks Coffee Beans
  “Unique combination of coffee from East Africa and Latin America, light and smooth taste with a hint of citrus and chocolate.”
• Best for Latte – Espresso Dark Roast Starbucks Coffee Beans
  “Versatile, great for espresso based drinks, morning energy boost, attractive crema.”
• Best for French Press – French Roast Starbucks Coffee Beans
  “Intense and smoky flavor with bold taste and bitter finish, made for French press method.”
• Best for Espresso – Komodo Dragon Blend Starbucks Coffee Beans
  “Dark roast coffee with a complex aroma, suitable for true coffee lovers who are looking for interesting blend for their daily coffee rotation.”
• Best for Cappuccio – House Blend Starbucks Coffee Beans
  “Smooth, delicious and balanced taste with a hint of nuts and cocoa, able to drink without sweeteners, best for making cappuccino.”
• Best for Iced Coffee – Pike Place Roast Starbucks Coffee Beans
  “Iconic blend of Starbucks, chocolate note, and roasted nut flavor complement for coffee taste, great for breakfast and after dinner.”
• Best Decaf – Decaf Caffè Verona Starbucks Coffee Beans
  “Combination of beans from Latin America, Indonesia, and Italy, has no caffeine, undertones of dark chocolate and caramelized sugar.”
• Best for Light Roast – Veranda Blend Blonde Roast Starbucks Coffee Beans
  “100% high-quality Arabica, blonde roast, mild-tasting blend with toasted malt and baking chocolate aroma.”
• Best Dark Roast – Italian Roast Dark Roast Starbucks Coffee Beans
  “Strong, robust and full-bodied coffee, interesting blend to enjoy with no bitter aftertaste.”
• Best Medium Roast – Brazil Latin American Blend Premium Select Starbucks Coffee Beans
  “100% Arabica and originates in Latin America, smooth and mellow flavors with sweet aftertaste.”

Starbucks Coffee Beans Comparison Chart 2023

If you are interested in buying the best Starbucks coffee beans, you should consider some features, including weight, types, flavor, and origins. Below is a handy table where you can easily compare these products.

Top 15 Best Starbucks Coffee Beans Reviews in 2023

Keep reading to find out more about the pros and cons of 15 best Starbucks coffee beans products:

1. Sumatra Dark Roast Starbucks Coffee Beans

(Best Overall)

If you’re a dark roast type of coffee drinker, you might want to give Starbucks Sumatra Coffee Beans a try.

My first impression of this coffee was when I began to grind it at home. The strong smoky smell, together with sweet and herbal flavors, have entirely conquered me.

What is more, the overall taste is full and aromatic. There are pleasant bitterness and a hint of sourness. That means it has a low acidity compared to other coffee blends.

Sumatra beans are originated from Indonesia. The beans are 100% dark-roasted and full-bodied Arabica.

It’s perfect for drinking a cup of Sumatra in breakfast, especially with savory pastry.

Key Features:

• 100% whole bean Arabica
• Grown and harvested in Sumatra, Indonesia
• Dark roasted and full-bodied
• Earthy and herbal

Product Specifications:

Dimensions	9.53 x 8.9 x 7.95 inches
Item Weight	5.1 pounds
Origins	Indonesia
Ingredients	100% Arabica
Direction	2 tablespoon of coffee for 6 fl. oz of water

Watch for more detailed review about Sumatra:

2. Breakfast Blend Medium Roast Starbucks Coffee Beans

(Best Budget)

If you want to slowly awaken your senses in the morning with a cup of delight and mellow coffee, purchase Breakfast Blend now.

For me, Starbucks is always bringing a good coffee to the table and this blend won’t let you down. The medium roast lends it a smooth, light, and balanced taste that I bet can be enjoyed by most family members. It also comes with a touch of tanginess and sweetness,

You can drink it black because it doesn’t taste as strong as dark roast type. Moreover, it tends to complement your breakfast and also goes well with chocolate, milk and cream.

I highly recommend this blend as coffee lovers’ first cups of a day.

Key Features:

• Medium-roast Arabica coffee
• Originated in Latin America
• Smooth and mellow aroma
• Light and slightly burnt coffee taste
• A hint of sweet orange and brown sugar
• More acidic

Product Specifications:

Dimensions	9.5 x 9 x 7.9 inches
Item Weight	5.1 pounds
Origins	Latin America
Ingredients	100% Arabica
Direction	2 tablespoon of coffee for 6 fl. oz of water

Like more feedbacks before purchasing? Click to see:

3. Siren’s Blend Starbucks Coffee Beans

(Best for Cold Brew)

People love cold brew drinks because they can transfer the original and well-rounded coffee beans’ flavors to the cup. For the same reason, it’s also essential to choose the right beans for daily delicious cold brew at home.

Siren’s Blend is always my go-to staple. This product is a unique combination of coffee from East Africa and Latin America.

Siren’s Blend is a whole bean coffee that is roasted at the medium level. Therefore, it owns a bright taste, lively aroma, light acidity without a touch of bitterness.

Using the cold brew method, you can extract the hidden notes of the juicy, citrusy, and chocolaty blend.

Key Features:

• The medium roast coffee beans
• Offers authentic flavors
• Comes from East Africa and Latin America
• Bright taste with notes of juicy, citrusy and chocolaty blend
• Kosher certified

Product Specifications:

Dimensions	7.8 x 4.2 x 2.8 inches
Item Weight	1.3 pounds
Origins	East Africa and Latin America
Ingredients	100% Arabica
Direction	2 tablespoon of coffee for 6 fl. oz of water

4. Espresso Dark Roast Starbucks Coffee Beans

(Best for Latte)

First and foremost, Espresso Roast is the most versatile coffee blend you’ve ever found in the Starbucks coffee shop. It goes well with many refreshing and satisfying beverage recipes, and especially you can use it for almost any drinks with an espresso base.

To be more specific, this product gives you super strong coffee with robust, full-bodied, rich, and caramel flavors. Due to that, it’s excellent for a wake-up coffee and pairs well with sweet treats.

Furthermore, Espresso beans retain oil, which makes an attractive crema layer when preparation.

Last but not least, it has a trace of sweetness, so it’s perfect for a nice latte anytime.

Key Features:

• Robust and full-bodied taste of coffee
• 100% whole bean Arabica
• Dark roast
• Contains much oil
• Caramel flavor with a trace of sweetness

Product Specifications:

Dimensions	2.8 x 5 x 8.8 inches
Item Weight	1.25 pounds
Origins	Latin America and Asia/Pacific
Ingredients	100% Arabica
Direction	2 tablespoon of coffee for 6 fl. oz of water

5. French Roast Starbucks Coffee Beans

(Best for French Press)

If you want to avoid heartburn when drinking coffee with high acidity or if you like to indulge your palate with deep and rich flavor, you should put a hand on French Roast.

This product is made of 100% Colombian Arabica coffee. It’s whole beans, so you need to grind it before brewing.

In terms of taste, it has an intense and smoky flavor. Each coffee beans are roasted until they are almost burnt. As a result, the French roast owns a bold aroma with a bitter finish.

It’s made for the French press brewing method and doesn’t work well with any quick extraction process like espresso.

Key Features:

• 100% Colombian Arabica coffee
• Dark roasted whole coffee beans
• The full-bodied, bold and robust taste
• Intense and smoky flavor

Product Specifications:

Dimensions	12.8 x 7 x 3.8 inches
Item Weight	2.5 pounds
Origins	Colombia
Ingredients	100% Arabica
Direction	2 tablespoon of coffee for 6 fl. oz of water

6. Komodo Dragon Blend Starbucks Coffee Beans

(Best for Espresso)

Besides the robust taste of dark roasted beans, Komodo Dragon also attracts you because of its complex aroma. It’s not as simple as a plain coffee with a single flavor.

If you have been drinking the same blend for a long time, why not try this impressive Komodo Dragon today?
This product is known as one of the best Starbucks coffee bean types.

Komodo Dragon has its origin in Indonesia, so you can enjoy its unique aroma from the Asia-Pacific region.

You can quickly feel its robust, rich, and deep flavor from the first sip, then gradually, the earthy taste, cedary spice, and herbs will emerge.

Key Features:

• Unique and multi-dimension blend
• Sourced in Indonesia
• 100% dark roast whole bean Arabica
• Strong, rich and deep flavors
• Earthy taste together with cedary spice and herbs

Product Specifications:

Dimensions	3.8 x 3.2 x 8.3 inches
Item Weight	1 pound
Origins	Indonesia
Ingredients	100% Arabica
Direction	2 tablespoon of coffee for 6 fl. oz of water

See how you like it:

7. House Blend Starbucks Coffee Beans

(Best for Cappuccino)

Are you looking for high-quality and medium roasted coffee beans for your homemade cappuccino? My suggestion is House Blend.

In short, it’s delicious coffee, which is not too bitter or too bland. It might be suitable for any family member who just wants a quick and decent coffee cup before leaving for work.

House Blend is made of 100% Latin America Arabica. Thanks to its medium roast, the coffee tastes smooth without a trace of bitterness, and you can easily add sugar to have a perfect coffee cup whenever you’re in the mood for some caffeine.

You can also use it to make espresso and any recipe related to espresso, like making cappuccino.

Finally, if you pay close attention to how it tastes, you might realize the nutty and cocoa notes, making the blend richer.

Key Features:

• Medium roast whole bean
• 100% Latin America Arabica
• Balanced and medium-strong flavor
• A hint of nut and cocoa
• No bitterness

Product Specifications:

Dimensions	3 x 6 x 12 inches
Item Weight	2.5 pounds
Origins	Latin America
Ingredients	100% Arabica
Direction	2 tablespoon of coffee for 6 fl. oz of water

Before enjoying a cup of House Blend. Let’s see how it tastes:

8. Pike Place Roast Starbucks Coffee Beans

(Best for Iced Coffee)

This product is named after the place where the first Starbucks was opened in 1971, so it’s one of the most iconic blends.

Pike Place is the perfect combination of chocolate note and roasted nut flavor. It’s an ideal type of coffee for early morning and after dinner.

The overall coffee taste is balanced, and there are no overpowered favors. Not to mention, you can also easily realize all the undertones when slowly sipping a cup of Pike Place.

The light and bright aroma of Pike Place makes people feel satisfied and also gives a gentle energy boost during working hours.

Key Features:

• Grown and harvested in Latin America
• 100% medium roast whole bean Arabica
• Has light and bright taste
• A balanced combination of coffee
• Hidden chocolate and roasted nut flavor

Product Specifications:

Dimensions	9.5 x 9 x 8 inches
Item Weight	5.1 pounds
Origins	Latin America
Ingredients	100% Arabica
Direction	2 tablespoon of coffee for 6 fl. oz of water

Coffee tasting with Pike Place Roast from Starbucks Coffee:

9. Decaf Caffè Verona Starbucks Coffee Beans

(Best Decaf)

The most notable about this blend is that its multi-region. To be more specific, it’s the rare combination of beans from Latin America, Indonesia, and Italy. Beans are roasted then mixed according to the selected ratio.

Verona’s decaffeinated version still keeps the original flavor of dark roast Verona which is a strong, bold, and slightly bitter aftertaste.

However, it has a lighter side, so the overall taste doesn’t become too dark. You can add more sweeteners, cream, or milk to dilute your cups.

Decaf Caffè Verona has undertones of dark chocolate and caramelized sugar. And the best part of it is that it has no caffeine. Therefore, you can enjoy this aromatic beverage whenever you want during a day.

Key Features:

• No caffeine
• Multi-region Arabica beans
• Ground and dark roasted
• Full-bodied, bold and slightly bitter
• Hidden dark chocolate and caramelized sugar

Product Specifications:

Dimensions	9.4 x 4.2 x 2.8 inches
Item Weight	1 pound
Origins	Latin America, Indonesia, Italy
Ingredients	100% Arabica
Direction	2 tablespoon of coffee for 6 fl. oz of water

Click to see how to taste coffee in right way with Verona:

10. Italian Roast Dark Roast Starbucks Coffee Beans

(Best Dark Roast)

If you are a true fan of dark roasts and also favor a slight touch of sweet aftertaste, this product is for you.

The taste of Italian Roast is so strong that even when you mix it with milk or sugar, you can still feel the coffee’s robustness on your tongue. Once you get used to it, you quickly become addicted.

I myself have bought several roasts of Starbucks, but they are not dark enough and do not have the complexity that this blend does.

The hidden flavors of dark chocolate and toasted marshmallow make Italian Roast become more attractive and worth trying.

Key Features:

• Originated in Latin America and Asia/Pacific
• 100% whole bean Arabica
• Dark roast
• Robust taste with flavors of dark chocolate and toasted marshmallow

Product Specifications:

Dimensions	2.75 x 5.05 x 8.75 inches
Item Weight	1.25 pounds
Origins	Latin America and Asia/Pacific
Ingredients	100% Arabica
Direction	2 tablespoon of coffee for 6 fl. oz of water

Let’s discover more about Italian Roast:

11. Kenya African Blend Premium Starbucks Coffee Beans

Kenya African Blend might be an excellent gift idea for someone who loves coffee and always eager to explore new flavors.

It’s a safe bet this product is a good alternative and definitely won’t let you down.

This unique blend is sourced in premium coffee growing areas in Kenya and Africa. The beans are selected carefully and specially roasted for the best result.

You can feel smooth and sweetness in each sip of coffee no matter what brewing methods you choose or what ingredients you add to your cups. The tropical fruits and brown sugar undertones complement perfectly to the taste of the coffee.

Key Features:

• Premium Arabica coffee beans
• Sourced in Kenya and Africa
• Whole bean coffee
• Bright and balanced flavors
• Smooth taste with tropical fruits notes and brown sugar undertones

Product Specifications:

Dimensions	5.6 x 3.9 x 2.4 inches
Item Weight	9 ounces
Origins	Africa
Ingredients	100% Arabica
Direction	2 tablespoon of coffee for 6 fl. oz of water

Interesting feedback about Kenya African Blend:

12. Brazil Latin American Blend Premium Select Starbucks Coffee Beans

(Best Medium Roast)

Brazil Latin American Blend is the right choice for someone who wants to enjoy a great-tasting coffee cup in the morning. The balanced and refreshing flavors of this blend will slowly wake up your body and mind and get ready for a new day.

Brazil Latin American Blend includes medium-roasted beans, so it appears not too strong and suitable for many people.

It has smooth and mellow flavors with a clean aftertaste. If you pay more attention to every sip, you might get the sweet maple, vanilla notes following toasted nuts aroma.

Notably, it’s made of 100% Arabica and originates in Brazil, Latin America.

Key Features:

• Medium roasted coffee beans
• Smooth and balanced flavors
• Sweet maple, vanilla and toasted nuts notes
• Premium quality
• Comes from Latin, America

Product Specifications:

Dimensions	9.5 x 9 x 7.9 inches
Item Weight	5.1 pounds
Origins	Latin America
Ingredients	100% Arabica
Direction	2 tablespoon of coffee for 6 fl. oz of water

13. Costa Rica Latin American Blend Premium Select Starbucks Coffee Beans

I recommend Costa Rica Latin American Blend to fans of medium roast blends with complexity. It owns smooth flavors with hidden cocoa aroma. This product will bring a new and refreshing breeze for your day, whenever you need it.

What is more, you can notice the lemony sweetness and cocoa flavors from Costa Rica Latin American Blend. Moreover, it’s made of 100% Arabica from Latin America.

In terms of satisfaction, you should take time to drink this coffee sip by sip to feel the vibrant and bright undertones.

All in all, I think it’s a must-try coffee from Starbucks, especially if you are looking for a new and appealing blend.

Key Features:

• Medium-roasted coffee
• Comes from Latin America
• 100% Arabica
• Smooth and balanced flavor
• Hidden lemony sweetness and cocoa

Product Specifications:

Dimensions	10.6 x 7.45 x 5.05 inches
Item Weight	9 ounces
Origins	Latin America
Ingredients	100% Arabica
Direction	2 tablespoon of coffee for 6 fl. oz of water

Curious about Costa Rica Latin America Blend? Click to know more:

14. Veranda Blend Blonde Roast Starbucks Coffee Beans

(Best Light Roast)

Veranda Blend has a light, smooth, and mellow taste due to blonde roast, which is ideal for people who love coffee but couldn’t tolerate bitterness.

This mild-tasting blend can also bring you toasted malt and baking chocolate aroma; therefore, it’s quite satisfying because you can indulge yourself in different flavors.

Moreover, the beans are not too oily. As such, it’s great for making espresso and drinks with espresso bases like cappuccino, latte, and mocha. To your surprise, Veranda Blend produces the beautiful crema on top of the cup.

Finally, you should grind the coffee right before brewing to keep it fresh.

Key Features:

• Blonde roast and whole bean
• Originated in Latin America
• 100% high-quality Arabica
• Light, smooth and mellow taste
• Toasted malt and baking chocolate aroma

Product Specifications:

Dimensions	10.5 x 9 x 7.9 inches
Item Weight	12 ounces
Origins	Latin America
Ingredients	100% Arabica
Direction	2 tablespoon of coffee for 6 fl. oz of water

Watch for more details about this coffee:

15. Guatemala Antigua Whole Bean Starbucks Coffee Beans

As the name implies, this blend is from Antigua Valley, Guatemala. Moreover, it’s 100% high-quality Arabica, so it’s delicious to taste.

On top of that, this product features medium-dark coffee, which owns bold and robust flavors and is loved by many coffee drinkers.

It is worth noting that Guatemala Antigua has relatively high acidity and comes with an astringent aftertaste.

What is more, there is a deep and rich sweetness from cocoa and slightly spicy notes. Those hidden undertones take time to recognize, making this blend more enjoyable for you to savor.

It is one of the best Starbucks coffee beans for cold brew and iced coffee.

Key Features:

• 100% high-quality Arabica
• Comes from Antigua Valley, Guatemala
• Medium-roasted coffee
• Bold and robust coffee flavors
• Cocoa and slightly spicy notes
• Subtle aftertaste

Product Specifications:

Dimensions	7.5 x 3.9 x 3.2 inches
Item Weight	1 pound
Origins	Latin America
Ingredients	100% Arabica
Direction	2 tablespoon of coffee for 6 fl. oz of water

How Should You Choose The Best Starbucks Coffee Beans?

Here is some information that you should consider before buying the best Starbucks coffee beans.

Product Name

Coffee name is the basis for distinguishing many different product lines of the same brand.

Usually, the name of the product is related to the properties of the coffee. For example, the name “dark roast” is a product featuring a bold and robust coffee flavor, used explicitly for espresso.

Origins

Italy, Indonesia, Guatemala, and Ethiopia are the names of coffee-growing countries sourced from Starbucks coffee beans. Each region evokes different flavors of coffee.

Guatemala is characterized by a nutty flavor, while Ethiopia evokes a sour taste of citrus.

In short, the same coffee beans are grown in different regions will produce different coffee flavors.

Species

There are 2 popular types of coffee: Arabica and Robusta. Robusta coffee is more bitter and blander than Arabica. Most of Starbucks coffee beans are 100% Arabica.

In terms of appearance, Arabica coffee beans are long, the middle groove usually has a wavy shape while Robusta beans are round, the groove between the beans is usually a straight line.

Arabica coffee beans contain a lot of lipids (about 60%) and the concentration of sugar is almost twice that of Robusta.

This is a compound that plays an important role in the roasting process, helping Arabica beans form aromatic substances and affect the flavor of coffee. That is why Arabica coffee is aromatic, sour and has a richer taste than Robusta.

Roast Level

The blend might be light-roasted coffee, which is highly acidic and less bitter.

Conversely, if it is a dark roast, the taste appears bitter and less sour. In terms of flavors, medium roasts might be the most balanced types of coffee.

The roasting types will help you to choose the right brewing device. Moreover, light roast goes well with drip style while dark roast should be used for espresso.

Flavors And Undernotes

You should read the information on the product package so that you know the typical flavors of coffee: cocoa, caramel, vanilla, fruity, peach, and more.

Brewing methods
In my opnion, the way you decide to brew the coffee depends on type of coffee. Because each type is suitable for some specific brewing styles, corresponding to the different roasting degrees.

FAQs

We have some questions about the best Starbucks coffee beans. Let’s discover the answer to each of them.

My Top Pick

When everything is said and done, I have given you a reference list of 15 best Starbucks coffee beans products. Each product is backed with a thorough description of flavors and essential notes.

I hope you can make your own selection and find your new favorite blend for coffee rotation.

And the winner for me is Sumatra Dark Roast Starbucks Coffee Beans for its boldness, satisfaction, and great for espresso.

Comment me your feedback on the best Starbucks coffee beans. I would love to hear from all of you.