World’s Top 10 Best-Tasting Coffee Brands Ranked

If you've ever wondered which coffee brands consistently deliver the richest, most balanced cup—without paying boutique roaster prices—you're not alone. Choosing a great-tasting coffee shouldn't require a PhD in specialty brewing, yet sorting through dozens of global brands leaves most drinkers guessing. So which ones actually taste the best, according to expert tasters?

The top spot goes to Gloria Jean's Coffees Colombian Supremo Medium Roast, followed by Newman's Own Organic Colombian Especial Medium Roast—both scoring highest in flavor balance and richness in a major taste test by Consumer Reports.

How Consumer Reports Ranked the World’s Best-Tasting Coffees

According to a report by PR Newswire, Consumer Reports assembled a panel of expert tasters who sampled around 1,000 cups from 23 different coffee products. The panelists rated each coffee based on taste, leading to a ranked list of the best-tasting options available in the U.S. market.

Gayle Williams, Deputy Editor of Health at Consumer Reports, noted that the winning Colombian from Gloria Jean’s had a “more robust and well-balanced flavor profile” than other contenders. Despite its premium taste, it didn’t carry the highest price tag.

The Top 10 Best-Tasting Coffee Brands

The final rankings from Consumer Reports are as follows:

• 1. Gloria Jean's Coffees (Colombian Supremo Medium Roast)
• 2. Newman's Own (Organic Colombian Especial Medium Roast)
• 3. Peet's Coffee
• 4. American Minos Coffee (Decaf Colombian)
• 5. Starbucks Coffee
• 6. Great Value (Walmart’s 100% Medium Roast)
• 7. Kirkland Signature
• 8. Paula Deen
• 9. Eight O'Clock Coffee
• 10. New England Coffee (Decaf Colombian)

Both the top two coffees are medium roast Colombian single origins, priced around $13 per pound. For decaf drinkers, the New England decaf Colombian offers strong flavor at roughly $9 per pound. Notably, Walmart’s Great Value medium roast scored similarly to Starbucks, showing that premium taste doesn’t always come with a premium label.

The Origins and Romantic Legends of Coffee

Coffee is now a daily staple for millions, but its journey from forest floor to global cup is steeped in legend, adventure, and discovery. The most popular origin stories include the “Shepherd’s Tale” from 16th-century Ethiopia and the “Arab Monk” legend from 13th-century Arabia.

The Shepherd’s Story

In 16th-century Ethiopia, a shepherd noticed his goats became unusually energetic after eating red berries from a certain bush. After trying the fruit himself and feeling refreshed, he shared it with local monks. They too experienced a boost in alertness, and soon the berries were used to make a stimulating drink, later praised by doctors for its invigorating effects.

The Arab Monk Legend

In 1258, a exiled tribal leader named Omar found himself starving and weary near the city of Mocha in Arabia. While resting under a tree, he observed birds singing energetically after pecking at red fruits. He boiled the fruits and discovered a delicious, energizing drink. Using the brew to help the sick, Omar eventually earned forgiveness and returned home as a saint. This story highlights coffee’s early role as both food and medicine.

The Romantic Voyage of Coffee to the Americas

One of the most romantic tales involves French naval officer Gabriel Mathieu de Clieu, who in approximately 1720 or 1723, managed to transport a single coffee tree from Paris to Martinique. After failed attempts on earlier voyages, de Clieu successfully transported one carefully nurtured sapling from Nantes, shielding it in a glass case on deck to protect it from saltwater and temperature shifts during the journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which coffee brand ranked highest in taste according to Consumer Reports?

Gloria Jean's Coffees Colombian Supremo Medium Roast ranked #1 for best taste, followed by Newman's Own Organic Colombian Especial Medium Roast. Both are medium roast single-origin Colombian coffees noted for their rich, balanced flavor profiles.

What makes Gloria Jean's coffee the top-rated?

The tasting panel from Consumer Reports described Gloria Jean's Colombian as having a more robust and well-balanced flavor compared to other coffees tested. It delivered a richer cup without being the most expensive option on the market.

How did Walmart’s coffee compare to Starbucks?

Walmart’s Great Value 100% Medium Roast coffee scored similarly in taste to Starbucks, showing that some store-brand coffees can rival popular chains in flavor quality.

Are there any decaf options in the top 10?

Yes, the New England Coffee Decaffeinated Colombian ranked #4 overall and is specifically recommended for decaf drinkers. It offers strong flavor at approximately $9 per pound.

What price range do these top coffees fall into?

The top two coffees are priced around $13 per pound, while the decaf option from New England costs about $9 per pound. Even the high-ranking store brands like Walmart’s Great Value remain affordable.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Lovers

For fans of balanced, medium-roast Colombian coffee similar to the top-rated Gloria Jean’s and Newman’s Own, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Yirgacheffe for bright citrus and floral notes, or their Brazil Yellow Bourbon for sweet chocolate and nuttiness. Both highlight the kind of clean, complex cup profile that earned top marks in blind taste tests. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.