8 Best Ground Coffees, Tested by Food Network Kitchen

Don’t let the term “light roast” fool you. This is a solid brew. Light roasts are roasted for less time and at a lower temperature than dark ones, so they generally have a higher caffeine level and a more complex flavor. This blend is very smooth, with hints of fruit, but it isn’t overly acidic and it doesn’t have a hint of bitterness. It’s highly satisfying; not super rich, but definitely not thin. The coffee flavor comes through beautifully, whether you take it black or with cream.

Aside from the fact that this is a delicious medium roast coffee, thanks to its cheeky name, it would also make a fun gift. It’s smooth and rich, with great flavor and no bitterness. For that friend or loved one who just straight-up enjoys a quality cup of coffee–not too dark, not too light, just right–this will become a morning go-to. (P.S. That friend or loved one can be yourself.)

If you love a dark roast but French roast is too much, this one’s your jam. Made with a blend of organic beans sourced from Central America, it’s rich and smooth, bold but not overpowering, and not sour or acidic. It’s strong, but perfectly delicious and drinkable black, and holds up its flavor with a splash of half and half. Plus, you can feel great about sipping this brew daily, because the company donates 10% of profits to charities that benefit military veterans.

French roast is a type of dark roast, but it’s darker than other dark roasts, because it’s roasted longer. Peet’s is everything you want in a French roast–it’s rich, bold and strong, without any sourness. This is a full-bodied coffee, with a nice complex flavor that holds up both black and with cream. Though it feels like a French roast would have more caffeine than a lighter roast thanks to its strength, it doesn’t (it actually has slightly less than a light roast), so you can sip away without additional jitters.

It’s easy to see — or rather, taste — why this brand is so beloved. It brews up a strong, rich, smooth cup that is reminiscent of espresso, without a hint of bitterness. It’s a quality, solidly delicious coffee, as good as or better than many more expensive brands. No wonder Cafe Bustelo has been around for nearly a century and is still going, well, strong.

If you like a hint of vanilla in your coffee, and not an overly sweet, milkshake kind of brew, this one’s for you. It’s made with just the right amount of vanilla bean syrup to give it a slightly floral vanilla aroma and taste, which enhances the flavor of the coffee rather than overpowering it. Made with beans from El Salvador, this medium roast is strong, smooth and rich, with a very light acidity and no bitterness. It’s a truly satisfying brew, a vanilla coffee for grownups.

Hazelnut and coffee go together so well, as long as they work together, without one overpowering the other. Don Francisco’s has an ever-so-slight tinge of coconut, which helps to balance out the flavor. The result is a medium roast coffee with an authentic hazelnut aroma and flavor that still allows the coffee to shine through. With a medium level of richness and strength, it’s a really pleasant, drinkable brew whether you prefer yours black or with cream.

Decaf gets a bad rap, and sometimes deservedly so — the process of decaffeination can leave coffee tasting flat, bland, or sour, or even give it a chemical tinge. But you don’t have to settle for a less-than-awesome cup just because you prefer decaf. No Fun Jo Decaf is a medium roast coffee with milk chocolate and berry notes, medium richness and just enough strength. It won’t knock you over, but it definitely scratches the coffee itch, without compromising on flavor (it’s Swiss water processed, so the caffeine is removed without the use of chemicals). Plus, it’s organic.