It can be hard to find that perfect brew to start your day, but thankfully, if you are a fan of dark roast, there are many options for you, it’s narrowing them down and finding the best dark roast coffee for you that’s the difficult part. So to make your job a little bit easier, we have outlined some of our favorite dark roast coffees, nine of them to be exact! So before you take your morning sip of coffee, peruse your options, your ideal dark roast could be waiting on this very list!
Table Of Contents
- 1 Top 9 Best Dark Roast Coffee Options
- 2 Why Look for the Best Dark Roast Coffee?
- 3 Conclusion
Top 9 Best Dark Roast Coffee Options
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Death Wish Coffee |
| Check On Amazon |
 | Starbucks Espresso Roast |
| Check On Amazon |
 | Subtle Earth Organic Coffee |
| Check On Amazon |
 | Real Good Coffee Co French Roast |
| Check On Amazon |
 | Lifeboost Dark Roast Coffee |
| Check On Amazon |
 | Blue Horse 100% Kona Coffee |
| Check On Amazon |
 | Kick Ass Coffee |
| Check On Amazon |
 | Black Knight Organic Coffee |
| Check On Amazon |
 | Koffee Kult Dark Roast |
| Check On Amazon |
1. Death Wish Coffee
If you need a coffee with a little more zip in each sip, Death Wish Coffee is the perfect dark roast brew for you! You’ve probably heard this brand’s name thrown around due to its high caffeine content, and Death Wish more than delivers, bringing you hours of clarity and awakeness not found in your standard coffee. With rich notes of cherry and smooth dark chocolate, this coffee is delicious as well as effective, and is relatively low in acidity to boot! Overall, if you are looking for a dark roast to get you through the nine to five, and not leave you feeling absolutely drained when you get home, we highly recommend Death Wish for you.
Specifications:
- Brand: Death Wish Coffee Co.
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Roast Level: Dark Roast
- Flavor: Chocolate
- Caffeine Content: Caffeinated
2. Starbucks Espresso Roast
The name Starbucks is probably one of the most notorious in the coffee world, and that is not for nothing. Starbucks’ Espresso Roast is the perfect blend to start your day, with hints of caramel to bring a sweetness to the bitter dark roast taste. While this is not from a small family run business, you nevertheless can be assured of a consistent quality with every purchase.
Specifications:
- Brand: Starbucks
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Roast Level: Dark Roast
- Flavor: Espresso Roast
- Caffeine Content: Caffeinated
3. Subtle Earth Organic Dark Roast Coffee
Like Lifeboost Coffee, Don Pablo’s Subtle Earth Organic Coffee is a low acid dark roast, but what’s even more impressive is that these beans are prepared specifically to order, so you have the guarantee of freshness and quality in every batch! This sweet coffee has notes of caramel, honey, and cocoa with just the smallest bite of bitterness, but has the smoothest finish and an incredibly pleasant aftertaste. These beans are also free of GMOs and are certified organic, so you can feel just a bit healthier after encountering its chocolaty flavor.
Specifications:
- Brand: Cafe Don Pablo
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Roast Level: Dark Roast
- Flavor: Chocolaty
- Caffeine Content: Caffeinated
4. Real Good Coffee Co Dark French Roast
Real Good Coffee Co has your caffeine addiction in mind when they choose to have their beans available in bulk, and not only do they cater to your caffeine needs, but they have crafted a delicious and unique brew that almost guarantees you’ll use all the beans you’re given! Their dark roast coffee is rich with hints of cedar, bell pepper, and lemon, an unforgettable combination that creates a euphoric aroma all on its own. This coffee is a great buy if you are looking for a dependable and affordable coffee that is sold in bulk.
Specifications:
- Brand: Real Good Coffee Company
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Roast Level: Dark Roast
- Flavor: French Roast Dark
- Caffeine Content: Caffeinated
5. Lifeboost Dark Roast Coffee
If you are looking for your next Dark Roast blend, look no further! Lifeboost coffee is a delicious dark roast that has its beans grown in Nicaragua at the altitude of 5700 feet, reducing its exposure to bacteria and fungi, is hand-washed in mountain spring water, and dried in methods that help reduce mycotoxins! That’s not all, Lifeboost is also a low acid coffee that seeks to eliminate any negative consequences of your morning cup, and is completely GMO and pesticide-free.
Not only can you drink this coffee and enjoy its rich flavor without the tummy ache or heartburn, but you can take a sip with a clear conscience, knowing exactly where your beans are coming from and the environmentally friendly way in which they were grown and raised, which is why this is number one in our list of the best dark roast coffee!
Specifications:
- Brand: Lifeboost Coffee
- Item Form: Ground
- Roast Level: Dark Roast
- Flavor: Dark Roast
- Caffeine Content: Caffeinated
6. Blue Horse 100% Kona Coffee
Grown in the Kona districts of the Big Island of Hawaii, Blue Horse is certainly not cheap, but what it lacks in easy affordability it makes up for in quality and flavor. Blue Horse has a vivacious and biting semi-sweet chocolate taste, with strong notes of caramel that melt in your mouth with every warm sip, and the aroma alone is enough to have you hooked! This coffee is also packaged in a resealable bag, so your coffee stays fresh longer, which will ultimately help since we guarantee that you’ll want to savor every cup!
Specifications:
- Brand: Blue Horse 100% Kona Coffee
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Roast Level: Dark Roast
- Flavor: Chocolate, Caramel
- Caffeine Content: Caffeinated
7. Kick Ass Coffee
Just like the name indicates, this is not a coffee to be taken lightly, or to be looked over. Kick Ass coffee is a dark roast that is rich in flavor, holding notes of chocolate, licorice, and mouth watering molasses, that pairs perfectly with a chilly winter morning! Though this blend goes great with a french press, its flavor shines through no matter how you choose to brew! Overall, as far as flavor and quality is concerned, Kicking Horse’s “Kick Ass” Coffee, is very aptly named.
Specifications:
- Brand: Kicking Horse Coffee
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Roast Level: Dark Roast
- Flavor: Kick Ass – Dark Roast
- Caffeine Content: Caffeinated
8. Black Knight Organic Coffee
If you love dark roast, and the strong flavors associated with it, then Fresh Roasted Coffee’s Black Knight coffee is the perfect blend for you! It is a coffee that is overflowing with tropical notes with a splash of caramel flavor, and while it might be a tad too strong in flavor for those who aren’t accustomed to dark roast, for those who enjoy it, it is a great way to start your day, especially since it tastes great whether brewed hot or cold!
Specifications:
- Brand: Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Roast Level: Dark Roast
- Flavor: Black Knight
- Caffeine Content: Caffeinated
9. Koffee Kult Dark Roast
If you are tired of oily coffee beans, then Koffee Kult is the best brand for you! This company strives to deliver non-oily beans with aromatic flavors, such as the strong cocoa, and smooth notes of cinnamon that accompany this brew. Not only does Koffee Kult have delicious flavors, but it is available in multiple sizes, so you don’t have to be stuck with a ginormous package of a coffee you might not end up loving. While there have been reports of the dark roast being weak, the flavors more than make up for it, if they are one of your main priorities!
Specifications:
- Brand: Koffee Kult
- Item Form: Whole Bean
- Roast Level: Dark Roast
- Flavor: Cocoa, Cinnamon
- Caffeine Content: Caffeinated
Why Look for the Best Dark Roast Coffee?
Dark Roast vs Light Roast
First off, let’s establish the fundamental differences between light and dark roast. Light roast coffee is, naturally, goes through less roasting than its dark counterpart, making it denser due to the lack of evaporated moisture, and leaving it with a thinner body and a more delicate taste. Dark roast on the other hand, is roasted for longer, meaning they are drier and do not exhibit as complex of a flavor profile as lighter roasted beans, and they typically have a bit less caffeine.
The Benefits of Dark Roast
While in comparison to light roast, per the above description, dark roast seems to have less of an appeal, the truth is in fact, not all that straightforward. While dark roast coffee might not be able to convey a wide array of flavors, the individual flavors featured are bolder as a result. Not only are the ways in which the levels of roast exhibit flavors different, but dark roast coffee is typically less acidic, and each roast has its own added health benefits.
Dark roast, for example, is full of antioxidants (such as Vitamin E and glutathione), can aid in weight loss, have higher levels of N-methyl pyridinium which reduces the amount of acid produced in the stomach, and have a greater amount of phenylindanes which aid in the prevention of nervous system deteriorating diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. All in all, there are lots of benefits to drinking dark roast.
Dark Roast: Origins
Believe it or not, where your coffee beans are grown has a lot of bearing on the quality, acidity, and flavor of your coffee beans. Here we have outlined what these origins have to offer:
South America
- A large amount of the world’s coffee supply comes out of Columbia and Brazil, and they typically grow above average quality beans with lower levels of acidity than other regions.
Africa
- Arabica beans are probably one of the most well known coffee beans to come out of Africa, and they produce bold and strong coffees with a wide variety of flavors, that often lean towards the fruitier side.
Central America
- Central America has a very wide range of beans and an even wider range of flavors, but typically these coffees carry with them distinct aromas, rich flavors, and a fair amount of acidity (generally about mid-level).
Southeast Asia
- Arabica beans can also be found in Southeast Asia, but the Robusta beans are a bit more prominent, holding earthy notes within bold flavors.
India
- Many of the coffees that hail from India bring with them very mellow and rich flavors also prominently featuring the Arabica and Robusta beans.
Conclusion
There are many things to consider when finding the dark roast coffee that is right for you, whether it be caffeine content, flavor, aroma, or just basic price, but overall they are all prevalent factors in the decision that could make or break your morning routine.
Our top pick is Lifeboost Coffee simply due to its great taste, health benefits, and the environmentally-conscious nature of the company and production, but that being said, this amazing coffee might cost more than you are willing to pay, but that is why we have eight others lined up for you! So in the event you don’t love Lifeboost as much as we do, or you simply want to go in another direction, scroll back up this list and find the coffee you’ve been waiting for!
Best Coffee Thermos – Top 9 Options