For coffee lovers, finding the right coffee for any brew method can be a very personal thing.
When I’m looking to try new coffee beans for any brew method, I want to consider a few things: What type of experience am I looking to get out of this coffee? What’s my final cup going to look and taste like? And finally, what’s my budget look like?
For siphon brewing, I want to not only get a great cup but I want to have an experience of total control over my coffee that only a siphon brewer can give me.
At a Glance: Our Top 4 Picks for Best Coffee Beans for Siphon Brewing
Because of the cloth filter, the way the brewer works, and the temperature control; I know that I’m going to be getting a cup with unmatched clarity, allowing the more delicate flavor notes to shine through.
Let’s break down how we can find the best coffee beans for siphon coffee brewing.
Quick Summary: Best Coffee Beans for Siphon Brewing
 | Our Top Choice DUNE COFFEE: ECUADOR CHITO |
| Check Price → |
 | BLK AND BOLD COFFEE: LIMU, ETHIOPIA – SINGLE-ORIGIN |
| Check on Amazon → |
 | RED BAY COFFEE: COLTRANE |
| Check on Amazon → |
 | STUMPTOWN: HOLLER MOUNTAIN |
| Check on Amazon → |
Quality
Let’s take a second and talk about quality. Since we’re really going to be tasting the coffee here, we want to look for something a little higher in quality, that way we’re able to really savor the tasting notes and let the natural flavors of the coffee shine through.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you need to go out and get yourself some Kopi Luwak coffee, unless you really want to, but maybe forgo the Folgers for this one and grab a bag from our picks below.
A Quick Aside: Single Origin vs Blends
When you’re picking a new coffee, you also want to be aware of whether it’s a single-origin or a blend.
While one isn’t better than the other, single-origins are just one bean that comes from a specific region, while blends are, well just that, a blend of coffee mixed together to get the best flavors from each coffee.
Each has its pros and cons but for the siphon coffee maker, my favorites are usually single-origins.
The Grind
You could have the most amazing coffee in the world, but if it’s ground too fine or too coarse, it will end up tasting either sour or watery and then you’re left with a big waste of money.
To get the best out of a siphon brewer you’ll want to grind your coffee to something that looks like beach sand or on the finer side of medium.
It’s always best to grind your coffee yourself if you can. This is going to give you the most control over your brewing experience and help you dial in the grind for the best-tasting coffee.
When it comes to grinders, the industry standards are burr grinders. The most common ones tend to have a set of conical burrs that, when fitted together, give you a constant grind that helps in getting a nice, even extraction from your coffee.
The Roast
The roast you pick will determine the most about your final cup. We dive into it here a little bit, but for a more in-depth discussion on coffee roasts, check out our article on “Light vs Dark roasts”.
Light Roast
Have you ever noticed that light roast coffees tend to have tasting notes like floral or blueberry? This is because of the short roast times these coffee beans tend to go through.
The longer a coffee is roasted, the more the sugars within the bean caramelize and the more delicate floral and fruity flavors are lost. It’s these flavors that we are looking for to take full advantage of the siphon brewer.
Medium Roast
This is the darkest you want to go when picking a coffee for your siphon brewer. The longer roast times mean the sugars have more time to caramelize, giving you more chocolatey and caramelized flavors.
Medium roasts lead to a cup that is a bit more balanced, with a good amount of flavor and acidity. They can also be a little easier on your stomach.
Best Coffee Beans for Siphon: Our Recommendations
With all of that in mind, let’s take a look at some of my favorite all-natural coffees to reach for when brewing a cup with my siphon coffee maker.
Light Roasts
Dune Coffee: Ecuador Chito
Dune Coffee: Ecuador Chito
This elegant Ecuadorian coffee features a bouquet of fresh floral notes up front, complemented by zesty citrus and faint hints of spice cake.
This single-origin coffee is allowed to shine when using our siphon brewer. The floral and tangerine flavors really come through which gives you a sweet and brighter cup.
Keep in mind though, like with most light roasts, that brightness and acidity can be tougher on your stomach.
This is a great example of the type of coffee we are looking for, but it may not be for everyone at a higher price point.
Blk and Bold Coffee: Limu, Ethiopia – Single-Origin
My budget light-roast pick goes to Blk and Bold’s Limu, Ethiopian light-roasted coffee. This coffee packs a punch and the blueberry and honey-tasting notes really have a chance to sing in a siphon brewer.
Not only are you getting a great cup of coffee but you’re getting it from a great company that donates 5% of its proceeds to helping at-risk youth.
Medium Roasts
Red Bay Coffee: Coltrane
Named after legendary musician John Coltrane, this single-origin tastes excellent when paired with a siphon brewer.
The coffee brings a harmonious balance to the black grape and dark chocolate, producing a cup of coffee that anyone can enjoy.
If you’re trying to impress someone who might not be ready to take the leap into lighter-roasted coffee, this coffee should be at the top of your list.
Stumptown: Holler Mountain
If you’ve spent any time in the specialty coffee world, you’ve probably heard the name Stumptown and for good reason – their coffees are the baseline for me.
You always know you’re going to get a great cup of coffee and their Holler Mountain blend is no different, making this our budget medium roast.
You’re getting a great whole-bean coffee, with a kick of citrus and a nice caramel finish, that won’t break the bank.
Let’s Wrap it All Up
Those are my picks to help you build a baseline when picking a new coffee to run through your siphon brewer. But let’s be honest, there are a lot of great options out there.
So, take your newfound coffee knowledge and try them all! And don’t forget, if you don’t end up liking a hot brewed coffee, you can always just throw it into a cold brew blend and hope it hides the flavor.
Happy Caffeinating!
