The Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew: A Comprehensive Guide

Cold brew coffee is known for its smooth, low-acid, and rich flavor, which is a direct result of the brewing process. Unlike hot coffee, cold brew uses time instead of heat to extract flavors from the beans. This gentle extraction method brings out the beans' natural sweetness while rounding off bitterness, meaning the type of coffee you choose has a significant impact on the final taste.

Key Factors for Choosing Your Beans

Several factors contribute to the perfect cup of cold brew, from the bean's roast level and origin to the grind size and freshness.

Roast Level: Finding the Sweet Spot

The roast level is a primary determinant of your cold brew's flavor. A 2024 study even found that roast level was the most significant factor influencing the sensory differences in cold brew coffee.^[3] While any roast can be used, each offers a distinct profile.

• Dark Roasts: A popular choice, dark roasts produce a brew with classic, rich flavors like chocolate and nuts. The roasting process reduces acidity, resulting in a smooth taste that holds up well to milk and sugar.^{[1, 2, 4, 5]}
• Medium Roasts: Offering a balance between the brightness of a light roast and the richness of a dark roast, medium roasts are often considered the “sweet spot.” They can produce a cold brew with a fuller body, more complex flavor profiles, subtle sweetness, and notes of caramel and fruit.^{[1, 2, 4, 5]}
• Light Roasts: While less common, light roasts produce a more delicate and nuanced cup with higher acidity and brighter, fruity, or floral notes. However, achieving a balanced flavor can be challenging, as these roasts can taste grassy or muted if under-extracted.^{[2, 3, 4, 5]}

Grind Size: Coarse is Key

For cold brew, a coarse grind is essential. The ideal grind size is often compared to the consistency of coarse sea salt or breadcrumbs. This is for two main reasons:

• Extraction Rate: The long steeping time of cold brew (typically 12-24 hours) means a fine grind would over-extract, resulting in a bitter and harsh flavor. A coarse grind slows down the extraction process for a smoother, more balanced cup.^{[8, 9, 10]}
• Filtration: A coarse grind is much easier to filter. A fine grind can lead to a cloudy, gritty concentrate with unpleasant sediment.^{[9, 11]}

Recommended Grind Settings:

• Burr Grinder: Use a coarse setting.
• In-store Grinder: Request a "French press" or "coarse" grind.

Bean Origin and Flavor Profile

The origin of your coffee beans will introduce distinct flavor notes. While blends are a good option for a balanced and consistent flavor, single-origin beans allow you to explore the unique characteristics of a specific region.^{[1, 12]}

Generally, Arabica beans are preferred over Robusta for their smoother and sweeter flavor profile. Robusta beans tend to be more bitter, though they do contain a higher level of caffeine.^[13]

Other Key Selection Criteria

• Processing Method: Naturally processed coffees tend to taste fruitier and sweeter, whereas washed coffees taste cleaner. Pick whichever aligns with your palate.¹¹
• Freshness: For the best flavor, buy whole beans, store them in an airtight container, and grind just before brewing.¹³
• Acidity Claims: Look for bags labeled with “low acid” or “smooth,” as some producers formulate blends specifically for gentle cold extraction.⁵

Recommended Beans and Brands

While personal preference is key, here are some specific types and brands of beans that are well-regarded for making cold brew:

Brewing Tips and Recommendations

• Coffee-to-Water Ratio: A common starting point is a 1:4 or 1:5 ratio of coffee to water for a concentrate. This can then be diluted with water or milk to your desired strength.^{[1, 12]}
• Steeping Process: Stir the grounds gently in cold or room-temperature water to ensure even saturation, then let it steep for 12 to 24 hours. The exact time will depend on your preference for strength and flavor.^{[1, 13]}
• Storage: Once you have filtered the coffee grounds, the cold brew concentrate can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.^[1]
• Flavor Tip: If you love fruity cold brew, choose natural-process Ethiopians and enjoy the concentrate undiluted for maximum aroma.¹⁰
• Serving Suggestions: Experiment with add-ins. Add milk, tonic water, or citrus peel to highlight chocolate or floral notes, or turn it into a dessert shake.¹⁴

Conclusion

To create your perfect cold brew, select beans that match your taste goals: medium-roast Latin-American coffees for a chocolate-forward balance, light-roast Ethiopians for floral brightness, or dark blends engineered for low-acid strength. Keep the grind coarse, the ratio generous, and the steep long. By experimenting with different beans, roast levels, and brewing times, you will be rewarded with a clean, refreshing, and personalized cold brew.

Works Cited

1. Amazon product page, Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee (accessed 2025-07-04).
2. Belnano Coffee Blog, “How to Choose the Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew” (2024).
3. Better Homes & Gardens, “How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home” (2016, updated 2023).
4. Black Ink Coffee, “The Ultimate Guide to Coffee Grinds for Every Brewing Method.” (2024, October 30).
5. Bizzy Coffee, “Choosing the best cold brew coffee grounds.” (2022, December 5).
6. Braised & Deglazed, "The Best Coffee for Cold Brew with a Recipe."
7. Choosing a coffee for cold brew. (2022, July 7). Perfect Daily Grind.
8. Coffee Machines Sale, “What roast is best for cold brew?.” (n.d.).
9. Copacabana Coffee, Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Cold Brew listing (accessed 2025-07-04).
10. Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine, “Cold Brew Research: Temperature and Time Less Impactful than Roast Level.” (2025, March 11).
11. Dark Horse Coffee Company, “Which Roast Is Best For Cold Brew? Know Before Buying.” (2023, October 30).
12. Driftaway Coffee, “How fine is the grind? Medium-fine or medium-coarse?.” (n.d.).
13. Heist Coffee, “Coarse vs Fine Ground Coffee: What's the Difference?.” (2025, January 9).
14. Home Grounds, “Cold Brew Ratio” guide (2024).
15. Home Grounds, “French Press Cold Brew: Easy Recipe” (2024).
16. Home Grounds, “The 7 Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew” (2024).
17. Home Grounds, “What Type of Coffee Should I Use for Cold Brew?” (2024).
18. In Contention, “Which Roast Should You Choose For Your Cold Brew Coffee?.” (n.d.).
19. Intercontinental Coffee Trading, “What Are the Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew?.” (n.d.).
20. Kimbo Coffee, "How to Grind Coffee for Cold Brew."
21. Kunjani, "Which Roast Should You Choose For Your Cold Brew Coffee?."
22. Parachute Coffee, “Is Dark or Medium Roast the Best for Cold Brew?” (2023).
23. Quora, “Why would I use coarsely ground coffee beans for cold brew instead of finely ground beans and then just let it steep for less time? What's the logic behind that?.” (2021, October 21).
24. Real Simple, “Best Coffee for Cold Brew, French Press, and More” (2023).
25. Reddit r/Coffee, discussion on natural vs. washed flavor differences (2019).
26. Sip Sense, “5 Best Beans for Cold Brew Coffee.” (n.d.).
27. Stone Street Coffee, Cold Brew Breakfast Blend description (accessed 2025-07-04).
28. Tasty Coffee Tales, “5 Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew” (2024).
29. The Coffee Folk, “The Best Coffee Bean Roast for Cold Brew (Light, Medium, or Dark?).” (n.d.).
30. Times of India, “Cool Coffee Cravings: Cold Brew” feature (Jun 30 2025).
31. Wailuku Coffee Company, Cold Brew Blend description (accessed 2025-07-04).
32. Wired, “What Beans Make the Best Cold-Brew Coffee?” (Apr 30 2025).