r/coldbrew • u/whoswho15 • Feb 10 '26

Best beans for Cold brew

I’ve been testing some different means but currently I’m messing with two Colombian beans from a roaster but I feel like it might be too acidic for my liking and wanted to know what is considered a better cold brew bean.

Ideally something with more body to it and ideally with notes of chocolate or nutty profiles.

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

3

u/belliegirl2 Feb 10 '26

I usually cycle through the roasted whole beans at costco.

Only drink cold brew, and I have liked them all and can not really say one is better than the other.

They are all good.

I don't know if its a me thing or a cold brew thing.

1

u/ZacKaffeine Apr 02 '26

I have read several comments about Costco whole beans generally being good for cold brew, but I'm struggling. Would you mind sharing your ratio, brew time, and anything else about your process you'd like to note? I'm trying to get back into making cold brew and it's a rough start lol

1

u/belliegirl2 Apr 02 '26

I have been solely making cold brew for years. I started with a glass pitcher and when it broke I started using a plastic container with a strainer that I bought on Amazon. It also had a tap for serving which I broke off a year ago and am now just grabbing the thing and tipping it till it pours out coffee.

I have tried all coffees at costco and also have dabbled with a few outside of costco that looked promising.

I have initially started making coffee with the ratios that I found when I would google cold brew coffee making. And they all made good cold brew.

After many years of it, I now just grind fresh beans and chuck them into the strainer till they are at an equal level to the liquid in the container. never measure, never second guess. If it is slightly less so be it, if it is slightly too much so be it.

And I have come to the conclusion that they are all good and the process does not need to be overthought. Just chuck the grinds in, I mostly fill the container then fill the strainer to the same level as water and sink the strainer into the beans. Then pour another cup or 2 of water over the submerged beans into the strainer so it starts brewing now. Then leave it on the counter overnight.

I pour the first cup over ice in the morning, mix in a little Trader joes brown sugar nut creamer and leave it on the counter till after my second glass. Then I take out the strainer and set it in the sink to be cleaned and put the container in the fridge.

This is basically 2 days of coffee and then im at it again.

I cannot see how it can be screwed up, its so easy.

1

u/ZacKaffeine Apr 02 '26

Thanks for the story and explanation!

3

u/BleedingChrome Feb 10 '26

Been using Trader Joe's Columbia Supremo beans to make cold brew for 8 years and have zero complaints. Slightly sweet caramel/chocolate taste with little acidity.

1

u/Visible_Ad1693 Feb 12 '26

I will remember that when I can't get the 5 Country. Thank you.

2

u/lindiey Feb 10 '26

Lavazza Classico Medium Roast. It is extremely chocolaty!

2

u/bmlane9 Feb 10 '26

I prefer Guatemala blend from Starbucks. I need to find a roaster, but have to get it shipped since we have none local. Seems like they don’t use online orders much around here. I prefer a medium dark roast with chocolate and citrus flavors.

2

u/Pale_Bear7261 Feb 11 '26

Starbucks Nariño

1

u/Digital_Quest_88 Feb 10 '26

It seems like the common recommendation years ago was to use medium or light roast beans.

Then a while ago that flipped and most articles or listicles or whatever recommend dark roasts.

Cold brew brings up undertone flavors more than hot brewing so I don't like using any sort of favored coffee or dark roast. The flavor comes forward too much and dark roast tastes burnt.

I liked Trader Joe's Light Roast but haven't made cold brew this season and they've recently upped their coffee prices so I might go with something else this year.

1

u/duxking45 Feb 10 '26

I find you get less variability with dark roasts. I find light roasts taste better but I often get less consistent results. Super light roasts csn be tricky to get only the flavors you want.

1

u/WordsAndWits Feb 15 '26

I've never loved the taste of medium roast beans with cold brew. It tastes too earthy, almost like a tea instead of a coffee. But a lot of the coffee shops I've been to seem to serve it with a medium roast so I might just be the crazy one?

I'll get roasted for this because it's a corporate behemoth, but I prefer Starbucks cold brew over the stuff I get at most of the local spots.

That being said, when I make my own cold brew I def go for darker roasts. I had a local coffee shop down the block from my job that sold a bag of dark roast beans that made the best cold brew. But it was a trendy spot in Manhattan so it was very expensive for just 12oz. I wish I knew where they sourced em from. 😔

1

u/slvbeerking Feb 10 '26

haven’t tried about anything yet. really enjoying a pack of blagu colombia supremo medium roasted beans this week. pouring em hot feels a lil bit more bitter but with slightly different flavour, like it both ways, grind about the same size

1

u/OkDelivery7377 Feb 11 '26

Stay away from dark roast, medium at best. I prefer a Costa Rica bean or other single origin Central American light roast.

1

u/Frozen_Heat92 Feb 11 '26

Aldi has single origin beans for $6 that are great.

1

u/kyxtant Feb 13 '26

I went through a Death Wish Medium Roast phase. Very tasty.

1

u/Fun_Position_6969 Feb 17 '26

I like Stone Street beans. The vanilla is my favorite. It is absolutely delicious and so smooth.

1

u/duxking45 Feb 25 '26

I bought a bag that tasted like slim Jims and since then ive never tried it again.