French vanilla coffee is a welcome change from plain black coffee. It is also considered a luxury coffee drink and for good reason. It is vibrant and fruity, with an alluring coffee flavor and a vanilla aftertaste. If you are looking to try the best French vanilla coffee, keep reading!
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My Top French Vanilla Coffee Recommendations
There are so many brands offering French vanilla coffee. However, not everyone is able to achieve the classic taste that sets this coffee apart from its counterparts. Following is my list of the best French vanilla coffees based on their taste, freshness, and aroma.
Best Overall French Vanilla Coffee: Lifeboost Coffee French Vanilla
The Lifeboost Coffee French Vanilla beans come from the small farms located in the mountains of Nicaragua, making them exclusive and distinguished. Since the coffee plants are grown in shade, they have naturally low acidity, lower than other beans on the list, which appeals to people with a sensitive digestive system.
Lifeboost beans are medium roasted to enhance the coffee flavor while retaining the subtle sweetness. They are mixed with high-quality, natural French vanilla oil to provide them with an intense floral taste. The only drawback is that the vanilla flavor tends to fade slightly during the brewing process. Regardless, the coffee still feels rich, creamy, and smooth.
The incredibly aromatic beans are Fair Trade certified. This means that the company has adopted practices that support the farmers and the environment. It is the only French vanilla coffee on my list with a Fair Trade certification.
The beans are also organic and pesticide-free. Finally, a small portion of the revenues earned is invested towards the sustainability of the rainforest.
Pros:
- Fair Trade and Organic certified
- Naturally low acidity, which is suitable for sensitive stomachs
- No artificial flavors or sweeteners for an authentic taste
Cons:
- Beans are sourced from a limited region, which does not allow for a diverse flavor profile.
- Vanilla taste fades during the brewing.
- Healthy, Heavenly Coffee: Our French Vanilla coffee gets its rich flavor from natural oil based...
- Delicious, Ethically Sourced Coffee: You've tried the rest, now buy the best; Lifeboost Non-Gmo...
- Grown In The Mountains Of Central America: Lifeboost Single Origin Acid Free Coffee is shade grown...
Best Ground French Vanilla Coffee: Dunkin’ French Vanilla Coffee
Dunkin’s is a popular donut shop with a decent coffee variety, one of these is their iconic French vanilla coffee. With Dunkin’ French vanilla coffee grounds, you can brew the popular drink right at home. The rich Arabica beans are sourced from South America and roasted medium.
The coffee has a distinct, very noticeable sweetness with a syrupy vanilla flavor, which is more intense than other coffees on my list. The coffee flavor is also less bitter compared to other varieties on my list. Therefore, if you are looking for French vanilla on the sweeter side and do not mind the low bitterness of the brew, this would be the perfect pick for you.
While the Dunkin’ French vanilla coffee delivers a smooth and flavorful cup, it does not taste the same as the coffee available in their shops. This is because the roast is slightly different, to make coffee grounds simpler to brew at home.
While some of the other coffee beans from Dunkin’ had a Fair Trade certificate, I was unable to find the certification for the French vanilla grounds.
Pros:
- Premium Arabica beans that produce an elevated tasting brew
- Versatile beans that can be used for cold brews and hot beverages, such as cappuccinos
- Ground coffee makes it quick and easy to brew at home
Cons:
- French vanilla flavor is muted compared to the signature drink served at shops
- Absence of Fair Trade certification
- Contains 1 - 12 ounce bag of ground coffee
- Crave-worthy vanilla flavor
- A smooth and flavorful medium roast coffee, specially blended and roasted to deliver the same great...
Best Robust French Vanilla Coffee: Eight O’Clock Coffee French Vanilla
The Eight O’Clock Coffee French Vanilla combines the classic Eight O’Clock coffee roast with good quality French vanilla flavor to give you a fragrant cup of coffee.
The beans are 100% Arabica and roasted medium, like the other coffee beans on the list, to create a balanced flavor profile. They are sourced from different parts of South America, similar to Dunkin’ French vanilla, for a diverse flavor profile.
French vanilla by Eight O’Clock has notes of caramel flavor, which adds another layer of dimension to the brew. Thus, you can detect layers of creaminess, richness, and sweetness, combined with the satisfying floral vanilla taste in your brew.
Even though I could not find a Fair Trade certification, the company is still giving back to the farming community in other ways. They have partnered up with various organizations to support the farmers and improve their quality of life.
Pros:
- 100% Arabica beans that impart a rich, smooth taste
- The company donates to charities working for the local farming community every time you buy a bag
- Hints of caramel for an elevated taste
Cons:
- The taste might be too bitter for those who want a sweeter-tasting French vanilla coffee
- The coarse ground can result in a weaker brew
French vanilla coffee is a welcome change from plain black coffee. It is also considered a luxury coffee drink and for good reason. It is vibrant and fruity, with an alluring coffee flavor and a vanilla aftertaste. If you are looking to try the best French vanilla coffee, keep reading!
- GREAT TASTING Coffee for over 100 years – Winey notes and a rich, elegant aroma with a full-bodied...
- MEDIUM ROASTED COFFEE: Smooth and soft bodied medium roast. Perfect for in the morning or a...
- BOLD FLAVORS: Blend of sweet vanilla, subtle notes of caramel and an exceptionally smooth flavor....
Features to Consider for French Vanilla Coffee
To enjoy the best tasting French vanilla coffee, you should ideally check its roast, origin, and type of beans. Understanding the characteristics of a superior tasting French vanilla coffee will help you make an informed decision, so you never have to throw another cup of joe in the sink. Following is what you should consider:
| Lifeboost Coffee French Vanilla | Dunkin’ French Vanilla Coffee | Eight O’Clock Coffee French Vanilla | |
| Roast | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Fair Trade Certified | Yes | No | No |
| Origin | Small farms in Nicaragua | South America | South America |
Roast
Roasting is one of the primary steps that determine the final taste and aroma of the brew. Some coffee varieties have a flavorful cup when roasted towards the darker end while others make a delicious brew when roasted lightly. Here is how the roast affects the flavor:
- Light roast leads to the most acidic beans, with high levels of caffeine. It retains the original taste of the bean, which is mild, organic, and slightly sour. Light roast French vanilla coffee produces a silky, sweet brew, with a prominent vanilla taste.
- Medium roasts have a slightly deeper coffee taste and harbor much of the caffeine content. French vanilla tastes best when the beans are medium roasted, as the various flavor elements (sweet, sour, and bitter) perfectly complement each other. Thus, I have included only medium roast French vanilla coffee on my recommendations list.
- Dark roast beans have strong, robust flavors, with barely any undertones from the original bean. They are also the least acidic and caffeinated. Go for this roast only if you like bold, smoky flavors in your cup.
Coffee Beans
The two most common and popular beans, from hundreds of varieties, are Arabica and Robusta. Both have great flavors and aromas and make flavorful cups of coffee. However, Arabica is slightly superior in taste, quality, and aroma.
On the other hand, Robusta is favored for its higher caffeine content and pronounced bitterness.
Most coffee brands use a blend of the two bean types or 100% Arabica for French vanilla coffee. Consequently, it has a smoother, finer taste that is not very bitter. Before buying the coffee, check the percentages of each bean type to ensure that the coffee is not too robust for your taste.
When buying the French vanilla coffee, I suggest going for one that has the highest percentage of Arabica beans. Both Dunkin’ and Eight O’Clock on my list are made with 100% Arabica coffee beans.
Origin
The growing region, with its altitude, shaded region, amount of rainfall, and temperature, has a significant impact on the flavor of the coffee. Thus, each sector has a distinct tasting coffee that is distinguished from the other regions.
Moreover, some areas have the ideal conditions to naturally produce the best-tasting coffee. Therefore, the origin of the coffee beans is often mentioned on the packaging as a sign of the superiority of the blend.
As obvious from my recommendations list, I prefer the French vanilla coffees emerging from either South American (Dunkin’ and Eight O’Clock) or Central American (Lifeboost) farms. These beans create the most aromatic and beautiful cups of French vanilla coffee.
Moreover, these regions are some of the leading producers of Arabica beans, whose flavors amalgamate seamlessly with the fragrant vanilla extract, making a tantalizing cup of joe.
Related Questions
Does French Vanilla Taste Good?
French vanilla is a blend of strong floral notes and a rich creaminess. It combines the sweetness with a strong coffee taste. The aroma is similar to black coffee, yet more syrupy. Whether you would like this more vibrant coffee depends on your affinity towards the vanilla flavor.
What Is the Difference Between French Vanilla and French Vanilla Coffee?
French vanilla coffee is made by flavoring the beans using synthetic vanilla (Vanillin) or vanilla extracts. French vanilla refers to the classic taste of vanilla ice cream made using the French method. It has an egg-custard base, which gives the French vanilla ice cream a richer, deeper taste and soother consistency.
Conclusion
I hope the guide will introduce you to a distinguished breed of coffee, characterized by its perfect blend of bitterness from the coffee and the sweet, creaminess of the vanilla. Whether you are looking for a low-acidic option, a robust variety, or the ease of coffee grounds, I have got you covered.
