Coffee

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What's behind our coffee Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 75 models in coffee to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
Overall score is based on blind taste tests by coffee experts.
Container size
The size of the container in ounces.
Price per lb.
Approximate retail price per pound.
Cost per six oz. brewed
The cost to brew each six ounce cup of coffee.
Earthy
A heavy undertone aromatic reminiscent of clean, moist garden soil.
Green/sharp
A clean, light, fleeting acid aromatic associated with high-quality Arabica beans.
Darker roast
The degree to which the coffee beans have been roasted as reflected in the aromatics. A light or underroasted product is described as having a "raw green bean" character. A very dark roasted product is described as a "charred," "burnt,"or "espresso-type product."
Woody
A dull aromatic reminiscent of wood.
Cereal/grainy
A moderately heavy to heavy aromatic reminiscent of wet grain, usually of the wheat type, and generally associated with lower-quality Robusta beans or instant coffees.
Green/ underripe
A green note reminiscent of the aroma of green coffee beans.
Cooked
The dull aromatic reminiscent of brewed coffee subjected to extended heating.
Papery
An aromatic reminiscent of wet cardboard.
Fairly to very bitter
A basic taste associated with bitter compounds such as caffeine.

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What makes a great cup of coffee? We look for smoothness and complexity, with no off-flavors. The beans should be neither under-roasted nor charred, and the brew should have at least moderate aroma and flavor. If you're looking for information about coffee, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ coffee reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our coffee buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and coffee reviews to help you choose the best coffee for your needs.

Coffee buying guide

The story that an Ethiopian goat herder discovered coffee when his berry-eating goats became frisky is likely apocryphal, but it's generally believed that coffee first came from that region. These days, Americans consume about 25 percent of the world's coffee. The average coffee drinker enjoys 3.3 cups a day, or about 1,200 cups a year. Maybe that's why there seems to be a coffee shop on every corner.

But how can you make a good cup of coffee at home with brands you can find in the supermarket? When we test coffee, we look for smoothness and complexity with no off-flavors. The beans should be neither under-roasted nor charred, and the brew should have at least moderate aroma and flavor, and subtle top notes. Some sourness and bitterness are desirable, too, to keep the coffee from tasting bland.

All coffees consist of arabica or robusta beans, or a combination. Arabica beans are more expensive and tend to make better coffee. And as with wine grapes, where the beans are grown makes a difference. Coffee is cultivated across the world in a belt generally bounded by the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Brazil is the top coffee producer, followed by Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Mexico. Ethiopia is number six.

At Consumer Reports, we test the coffees that our readers are most likely to drink. We've tested Colombian because it comes from one of the most popular regions. We've also tested and tasted blends because they're the best-selling type of ground coffee. Blends contain beans from at least two regions or countries. We plan to test coffee from more regions and recently tested Kenyan and Sumatran.

The tastes of coffee drinkers have become more discriminating in recent years and coffee drinkers are demanding more flavor from the cup. Here are some things to remember when buying your beans.

Consider how you take it. Excellent and very good coffees taste fine black. Milk and sugar can improve a mediocre coffee, but not even cream is likely to help the lowest-scoring coffees.

Choose a good coffeemaker. The best coffeemakers reach 195 degree to 205 degrees F during brewing, the temperatures required to get the best from the beans and avoid a weak or bitter brew.

Consider grinding for fresher flavor. Even the best pre-ground coffee can't beat a good quality fresh ground when it comes to taste.