Last Updated on July 12, 2023 by Barry Gray
Ah! Nothing beats that first early morning coffee. That is before the teeth are brushed and your fetal-like body hits the early morning rush.
Waking up is a sacred space. Or, so it should be.
That is when it is a time for mellow coffee, a gentle, none bitter, medium roast.
A breakfast blend is a medium to light roast coffee. It packs a punch due to its caffeine content, but it does come in so many different flavors as individual brewers have their own recipe for their breakfast blend. So, there’s no set blend for something to then be classed as a breakfast blend.
Of course, tastes differ. Some like to wake up with a hammer, dark and bitter with a sharp kick.
But if that is your preference, then a breakfast blend is not for you.
My Favorite Breakfast Blend
One of my favorite breakfast blends is Community Coffee Breakfast Blend.
It’s a medium roast blended with Central American and South American beans. It has a smooth, mellow flavor with hints of chocolate and caramel, which is something you will become familiar with if you dive into the world of the breakfast blend.
I have started drinking it black not to lose the taste, but I also like it with milk and sugar. It certainly comes across as versatile enough to do this.
What Is A Community or Breakfast Blend?
More specifically, a breakfast blend coffee is a mixture of coffee beans from different origins and roast levels. It is typically roasted to a medium roast, giving it a balanced flavor profile that is not too strong or weak—perfection in a mug.
Breakfast blends are often described as having a smooth, mellow flavor with hints of chocolate, caramel, or nuts. They are a good choice for people who want a flavorful coffee that is not too acidic or bitter.
But how do you even choose which breakfast blend to consume? Well, there are a few things to look for:
- Roast level: A medium roast is ideal for a breakfast blend. A darker roast will give the coffee a more intense flavor, while a lighter roast will be more mellow. That is a no-brainer.
- Origin: Breakfast blends often contain beans from Central and South America and Africa. These regions produce coffee beans with various flavors that can complement each other in a mix. This will also vary from region to region and where you live.
- Brand: There are many different brands of breakfast blend coffee available. It is a good idea to try a few other brands to find one that you like the taste of. This way, until you get more practice, you can whip up great coffee without much thought. It’s also a learning curve for making your own breakfast blends.
Once you have chosen a breakfast blend coffee, you can enjoy it in various ways.
It can be brewed using a drip coffee maker, French press, or pour-over method. It can also make espresso drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos.
I love a cappuccino; I always find the foam and softness of flavor a winner. For me, this is the drink where a good breakfast blend will really shine.
How Do You Prepare a Breakfast Blend Coffee?
I’m all about trying to ensure you get the best coffee possible, and to do that I have a few tips on how to prepare the perfect breakfast blend. I promise it’s very easy, and you will have a fantastic coffee at the end.
- Use filtered water to make the coffee. This will help to remove any impurities that can affect the flavor of the coffee.
- Grind the beans to a medium-coarse grind. This will allow the water to extract the flavor from the beans evenly.
- Brew the coffee for 4-5 minutes. This will give the coffee enough time to develop its flavor.
- Enjoy the coffee black or with your preferred milk and sugar.
I love this simplicity, and do you know what else I enjoy about a community breakfast blend?
I love how the beans are sourced from around the world, and this process helps support coffee growers worldwide. Some coffees are produced in some of the poorest countries in the world.
The fact it can help those poorer communities is important to me, but I have other reasons why it’s so good to drink these community breakfast blends.
- It offers a complexity of mellow flavors covering a broad spectrum. So it will always taste excellent.
- It is a balanced coffee that is both mild and tasty.
- It is a sustainable coffee that supports coffee growers worldwide, and if you are keen on helping fair trade, that is a bonus.
- It is a great way to start your day. Need I even have said that?
What are Some Examples of Breakfast Blends?
When you start looking at what’s out there, you will see a number of different breakfast blends exist. So, here are some of my favorites to help you with your decision.
One excellent breakfast blend is Seattle’s Best Coffee Breakfast Blend.
It’s a medium roast with a slightly more robust flavor than Community Coffee. It has notes of chocolate, nuts, and fruit.
I like to brew it in my French press and enjoy it with a pastry. Most coffees with a nutty undertone mixed in with fruit will go well with a pastry, so that’s something to keep in mind.
I’ve also had some good experiences with McCafe Breakfast Blend.
It’s a light roast, blended with Latin American and African beans. It has a bright, fruity flavor with hints of citrus and caramel.
I like to drink it iced on hot summer days.
Don’t rule out chilled coffees, either. Some of us are lucky enough to wake up to sunshine every day, and in warmer weather, this is a great option.
Your Personal Taste is Key
Of course, what constitutes a “good” breakfast blend coffee can vary from person to person. Some people prefer a more robust roast, while others prefer a lighter roast.
Some people prefer a more chocolatey flavor, while others prefer a fruity flavor. It’s all up to personal preference. I am flaky! I like different flavors on different days.
But there’s something else I want you to think about when it comes to a breakfast blend: food.
What’s Best to Eat Alongside a Breakfast Blend Coffee?
I also want to team it with the breakfast I will eat. Having the proper coffee with the right breakfast is a game changer; more on that below.
It is also trial and error.
Using the wrong brewing method for the grind will always lead to disaster. I did that early on in my coffee brewing days and thought I was going to sit down to sip utopia, only to spit it out immediately.
Poor coffee will also mean you are less likely to enjoy the breakfast you to have alongside your coffee. So, it’s best to have a decent handle on what you are brewing and why as it saves both time and money.
So, here are some examples of the breakfasts you can have that will work well with your breakfast blend.
- Scrambled eggs and toast: A medium roast breakfast blend with hints of chocolate and caramel would go well with this classic breakfast. The sweetness of the coffee would complement the salty and savory flavors of the eggs and toast.
- Continental breakfast: A light roast breakfast blend with hints of fruit and citrus would be a refreshing choice for a continental breakfast. The creamy flavor of the coffee would not overpower the delicate flavors of the pastries, yogurt, and fruit.
- Fruit breakfast: A medium roast breakfast blend with hints of chocolate and nuts would be a delicious choice for a fruit breakfast. The richness of the coffee would complement the sweetness of the fruit.
- Bacon and eggs: A medium to dark roast breakfast blend with strong notes of chocolate and spice would be a hearty choice for a bacon and eggs breakfast. The salty and savory flavors of the bacon and eggs would not overpower the bold flavor of the coffee.
- Breakfast burrito: A medium roast breakfast blend with hints of chocolate and caramel would be a well-rounded choice for a breakfast burrito. The sweetness of the coffee would complement the savory flavors of the eggs, beans, and cheese.
These suggestions are just a starting point. The ideal breakfast blend for you will be based on your personal preferences and breakfast choices.
Keep trying different combinations until you discover what works best for you. That is the whole point of preparing great coffee.
Tips on How to Pair Breakfast Blends with Breakfast Foods
I know it can be tough to know if you have correctly paired the right food with the right coffee. So, here are my top tips that should help you out.
- Consider the flavors of the food you’re eating. Choose a coffee with a lighter roast if you’re eating something sweet, like pancakes or waffles. Choose a coffee with a darker roast if you’re eating something savory, like bacon or eggs.
- Think about the intensity of the flavors. If you’re eating something mild, like oatmeal or yogurt, choose a coffee with a milder flavor. If you’re eating something more intense, like a breakfast burrito or a bagel with cream cheese, choose a coffee with a more intense flavor.
- Experiment until you find what you like. There are no hard and fast rules for pairing breakfast blends with breakfast foods. The best way to find the perfect combination is to experiment and see what you like best.
What are the Best Brewing Methods for a Breakfast Coffee?
I’ve previously mentioned how it’s important to know the correct brewing methods for a breakfast coffee. Here are my suggestions on why certain brewing methods work well with this coffee.
Pour over: This is a simple and easy way to brew coffee. You will need a pour-over dripper, a filter, and a kettle. Heat water to just below boiling and pour it slowly over the grounds in the filter. The water will drip through the grounds and into a carafe below.
French press: This is another easy way to brew coffee. You will need a French press, coffee grounds, and hot water. Add the coffee grounds to the French press and pour hot water. Let the coffee steep for 4 minutes, then press down on the plunger to separate the grounds from the brewed coffee.
AeroPress: This unique brewing method uses a plunger to create pressure and extract the coffee flavor. You will need an AeroPress, coffee grounds, and hot water. Add the coffee grounds to the AeroPress and pour hot water over them. Stir, place the plunger on top, and press down for 2-3 minutes.
Moka pot: This stovetop brewing method creates a strong, concentrated coffee. You will need a Moka pot, coffee grounds, and water. Add water to the bottom chamber of the Moka pot and coffee grounds to the filter basket. Screw the top of the Moka pot and place it on the stove. The coffee will brew through the grounds and into the top chamber.
Espresso machine: This more advanced brewing method produces a concentrated coffee with a thick, foamy layer called crema. You will need an espresso machine, coffee grounds, and water. The espresso machine will heat water to a very high temperature and force it through the coffee grounds, creating the espresso.
Cold brew: This unique brewing method uses cold water to extract the coffee flavor. You will need a French press, coffee grounds, and cold water. Add the coffee grounds to the French press and pour cold water. Let the coffee steep for 12-24 hours, then press down on the plunger to separate the grounds from the brewed coffee.
How you make your coffee in the morning will depend on what you have at hand, your time, and whether you feel like it. I recommend sticking to a milder, mellow coffee, as this goes with everything.
What are Some Examples of Brands Offering a Breakfast Blend?
While giving a complete list is not possible, here are some names of brands currently offering a fantastic breakfast blend.
- Lavazza (Italy)
- Illy (Italy)
- Gevalia (Sweden)
- Maxwell House (United States)
- Nescafé (Switzerland)
- Taster’s Choice (Brazil)
- Juan Valdez (Colombia)
- Peet’s Coffee (United States)
- Blue Bottle Coffee (United States)
These are coffees that are readily available and take little fuss to prepare.
My Conclusion
A breakfast blend is the perfect way to start your morning, and I suggest getting your hands on a good blend to provide you with that all-important spark to kickstart your day.
Focus primarily on light to medium roasts with a balance of different beans to give you a range of flavors. It should not be too robust and intense but deliver a smooth pleasant coffee that makes you glad to be alive.
