Roasted coffee beans

7 Best Coffee For Percolators in 2024

Henry
Henry Muller
Barista

If you use a percolator to brew coffee, you will need coffee of good quality to brew a better cup.

Percolators, with their unique brewing process, require a distinct type of coffee that fulfills various factors to deliver a rich and boldly flavorful cup.

In this article, I will list the best coffee for a percolator coffee maker. You can use any of these coffee brands to enhance the taste of coffee.

Things to consider when buying coffee for a percolator

1) Type of coffee

You can use any type of coffee with percolators, but medium- to coarse-ground coffee is generally recommended for optimal results as it soaks water more effectively and results in an even extraction.

2) Freshness

Similar to the fundamental requirements for crafting a flavorful cup of coffee, the choice of fresh coffee beans is essential for percolators. Freshness strongly influences the flavor and fragrance of the coffee.

3) Origin

Considering the origin of coffee beans is a good practice while looking the coffee for your percolator. This selection plays a key role and affects the overall flavor, aroma, and quality of the brew, aligning it perfectly with the percolation brewing method.

4) Roast level

It is often observed that when you use lightly roasted coffee in a percolator, it can retain the beans' intrinsic flavors and carry fruity and floral notes but get watery when passed through a percolator.

So, here I will suggest using medium to dark roast coffee. It is because medium roast coffee retains a balance between mild sweetness and less acidity, while darker roasts yield a cup with bolder and smoky flavors.

5) Grind size

Considering the grind size of coffee is important while brewing coffee using a percolator. Medium- to coarse-ground beans are preferred to prevent over-extraction in percolators.

7 Best coffee for percolators

1) McCafé premium medium roast ground coffee

McCafé premium coffee

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This coffee blend is made exclusively with 100% Arabica beans, which are known for their exceptional flavor and aromatic qualities. Arabica beans are sourced from high-altitude regions, where they develop a more complex and refined taste due to the slower growth process.

By choosing Arabica beans, McCafé ensures that each cup is filled with a well-balanced and delightful flavor profile.

McCafé's Medium Roast blend brings peace of mind. The coffee is certified by Orthodox Union Kosher (U) which meets the highest standards of kosher certification. This means that the production process adheres to strict guidelines to meet the requirements of kosher dietary laws.

McCafé is committed to sustainability and the well-being of both the planet and the communities involved in coffee production. The company sources 100% of its coffee responsibly, ensuring that it is ethical and environmentally friendly.

By buying this ground coffee, you can contribute to many good works for society. Moreover, this commitment positively impacts the quality of life for the hardworking farming communities that cultivate coffee beans.

2) Tim Horton's original blend

Tim Hortons original blend

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Along with the percolator coffee maker, this coffee ground product can be used for the Keurig coffee maker too. So if you use both coffee makers to brew coffee, you should consider this product.

The coffee beans used in this product are 100% Arabica beans sourced from the most renowned regions of Central and South America. These regions' high-altitude conditions and unique microclimates contribute to the beans' exceptional flavor profiles.

Tim Hortons takes responsibility for the environment and community seriously. This brand also prioritizes sustainable practices. It also encourages you to play a part by emptying the grounds of your used coffee pods and recycling them whenever possible in your area.

3) Folgers Gourmet medium-dark roast

Folgers Gourmet medium-dark roast

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This product is a canister of percolator-compatible coffee packaged with 24.2 oz of pure coffee grounds. This product has been categorized based on the reviews of lots of people. Since it is good to use medium-dark roast grounds, this product also includes the same.

The coffee beans used in this product have been roasted in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana. Each coffee batch is well-crafted to bring out the essence of the beans.

4) illy Intenso ground drip ground coffee

 illy Intenso ground drip ground coffee

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Illy Intenso dark roast coffee grounds are a harmonious composition of nine of the finest Arabica coffee sources worldwide. This product provides you with an exquisite coffee blend that delivers an intense and robust flavor profile.

The notes of this coffee ground are deep cocoa. All the coffee beans used in this product are 100% Arabica.

With Illy, it is even easy to store the coffee grounds, as this product comes with a commitment to preserving the full flavor and complexity of their blend, which is evident in their unique pressurized packaging.

This innovative approach protects the coffee's aroma and ensures optimal freshness. From the first moment, the package is opened to the last drop in the cup

5) Kicking Horse dark roast coffee

Kicking Horse dark roast coffee

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With its captivating flavor profile, Kicking Horse's dark roast coffee exudes a rich character featuring dark chocolate, cacao nibs, brown sugar, and roasted hazelnuts. This coffee blend promises a transformative experience with each sip.

The coffee beans used in this product are cultivated in Central and South America through a socially and environmentally responsible approach. If you buy this product, sharing some of its shares with the farmers who provide the coffee beans for this blend can maintain sustainable businesses.

All the coffee beans used in this blend are organic, Fairtrade, Kosher, shade-grown, and made from 100% Arabica beans.

6) French Market medium-dark roast coffee

French Market medium-dark roast coffee

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This product is a blend of original coffee beans and chicory. This blend is expertly roasted and carefully crafted to create a well-rounded flavor profile that perfectly complements a New Orleans meal. The addition of chicory adds a touch of complexity and a pleasantly authentic finish to the coffee, which makes it a beloved choice among locals and visitors alike.

French Market Coffee offers medium-dark roast ground coffee blended with imported French chicory. This combination brings out the coffee's caramelized sweetness, elevating the flavor to new heights.

This product is crafted with 100% Arabica coffee beans. This blend ensures a premium and soulful coffee experience with every cup.

The French Market Coffee brand is known for handcrafting its blends in small batches. Their master roasters pour their passion into every step of the process, ensuring the highest quality and consistency.

All the coffee beans used in this product are sourced from New Orleans.

7) Eight O'Clock medium roast coffee

Eight O'Clock medium roast coffee

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This is Eight OClock's medium-roasted coffee ground. The coffee beans used in this product are 100% Arabica and are sourced from the regions of Latin America and East Africa.

This product can strike a perfect balance between the brightness of lighter roasts and the boldness of dark-roasted coffee beans.

The coffee beans used in this are sourced from carefully selected regions across Latin America and East Africa. This global search by their Master Roasters ensures that only the finest beans find their way into the coffee grounds, promising a coffee experience that is both flavorful and aromatic.

If you brew coffee using these grounds, you will embark on a journey of different tastes. The initial sip unveils the coffee's sweet undertones, followed by the pleasant fruitiness that lingers on the palate. The overall experience is complemented by a well-balanced finish, leaving you satisfied with every cup.

If you prefer kosher-certified coffee, then again, this product can be suitable for you as it is kosher-certified.

Most suitable percolator coffee - based on origin


Here are some of the best coffees that help you brew flavorful cups with percolators:

1) Colombian coffee

Colombian coffee offers a medium body with nice acidity and nutty undertones. It is preferred for percolators due to its balanced flavor profile, medium roast suitability, resilience to strong extraction, consistency, and versatile nature.

2) Ethiopian coffee

If you want to brew coffee with fruity and floral notes, you can pick Ethiopian beans. Its distinct flavor profile, robust origin characteristics, balanced acidity, and medium roast make it a suitable choice for percolators.

3) Indonesian coffee

Indonesian coffee, such as Sumatra or Java, has earthy and rich flavors, yielding a full-bodied and robust cup of coffee. Its full-bodied character, resilience to over-extraction, darker roast compatibility, low acidity, and unique terroir influence make it a preferred choice for percolators.

4) Peruvian coffee

To enjoy a mild and smooth taste with a gentle flavor, pick Peruvian coffee with a subtle acidity. Its balanced flavor, medium roast, resilience to extraction, and aromatic qualities make it a preferred choice for percolators.

5) Guatemala coffee

Guatemalan beans are bright and acidic and come in various flavors, from caramel and chocolate to fruity undernotes, adding complexity to your percolated brew. Its complex flavor profile, medium roast, acidic brightness, regional variations, resilience to extraction, versatility, aromatic qualities, and cultural significance make it a great choice for percolators.

Best coffee grind size for a percolator

Most experienced baristas suggest medium-coarse or coarse-ground coffee beans as ideal because they soak more water and prevent fine particles from clogging the percolator's filter, resulting in over-extraction.

Best roast level of coffee for a percolator

Medium-to-dark roasts are highly recommended, as they work best in percolators, can withstand the long brewing process, and produce rich, bold flavors.

Wrapping up

Percolators offer a unique brewing experience, thus selecting the right coffee is essential for achieving a satisfying cup.

I hope by now you have a complete idea about coffee to use with percolators and factors to consider when buying them. Experiment with different combinations to brew your perfect percolated cup.

FAQs

1) Can you use whole coffee beans in a percolator coffee maker?

Yes, you can use whole coffee beans in a percolator. But you need to grind it to the appropriate size before brewing. It is always suggested to grind the beans just before brewing to preserve freshness and flavor.

2) How do you know when percolated coffee is done?

When percolated coffee reaches the desired strength, it is considered done. The brewing time can differ based on the percolator you have and the amount of coffee you are brewing.

3) What is the best way to store the coffee grounds for a longer period?

The best way to increase the shelf life of coffee grounds is to keep them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing them in the refrigerator or freezer, as they can build up moisture and affect coffee flavor.

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Henry Muller

Team TAB
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I am a barista by profession hailing from NC. My journey began in my late teens when I started working as a barista in a local coffee shop. My passion for coffee quickly became evident as I immersed myself in the art of espresso extraction, latte art ...