The Best Dark Roast Coffee, According To Reviews

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When it comes to coffee beans, roast preferences are both highly personal and hotly debated. As a refresher: light roast coffees are roasted at a low temperature for a short amount of time. Medium roasts are roasted at a higher temperature for a little longer, and dark roasts take the longest at the highest temperature. Caffeine content varies, with light roasts having a slightly higher (but ultimately negligible) caffeine content compared to darker ones. 

In terms of flavor, light roasts typically taste the "brightest" and have the highest levels of acid. Medium roasts have a fuller taste, with the toastiness imparted by the roasting process beginning to come out in your cup. Dark roasts really let you taste the roasting process, often being described as "chocolatey" or "smoky." Many coffee enthusiasts have strong opinions on each type, and all three categories have their fans. 

But what is the best dark roast for making home-brewed coffee? It's a polarizing topic, but Fresh Roasted Coffee's Organic Black Knight stands out as a favorite among the best coffees for dark roast lovers. Described on its website as having tropical-infused notes of plantains and a caramelized sugar finish, this roast has become popular among dark roast lovers, who love its full-bodied but relatively mild taste. 

Online buyers laud the roast for its balanced notes, with one describing it as a "remarkable coffee" and having a "fantastic rich flavor." Some reviewers recommend using it for cold brew, which makes sense. Consider that a coffee expert we spoke to said that using a lighter roast is one of the most common mistakes people make when preparing cold brew. Black Knight customers also appreciate its surprisingly affordable price tag. In an era of rapidly increasing food costs, coffee beans that taste good and don't break the bank may feel increasingly hard to come by. Yet another happy customer described the beans as "an outstanding coffee at a great price — significantly lower than most other top-tier coffees out there." 

One consideration is that Black Knight is frequently described by reviewers as rather mild. Many regard that as a good thing, but some dark roast fans prefer a stronger flavor. As one buyer commented, "Good value, [but] I like dark strong coffee with a bold taste. This is too mild for my taste." If you're in this camp, you might prefer Onyx Coffee Lab Eclipse Blend, which we also liked and which coffee lovers describe as having a more prominent taste (but a higher price tag). Similarly, Raven's Brew Wicked Wolf offers "chocolatey undertones without any trace of bitterness," according to one reviewer, and is less pricey than Onyx Coffee.