Mexico has a rich history of culture and tradition. There you can find a variety of food, tequila, and colorful festivals celebrating Mexican culture! But did you know that Mexican coffee is also part of their tradition?
Mexico began growing coffee beans dating back to the 18th century, but in the 20th century their coffee bean production blossomed. In the 21st century, Mexico is one of the top coffee producing countries in Latin America.
Mexican coffee may not be the first type of coffee you think of when you search for a good coffee brand, but it is one that you should consider. The best Mexican coffee brands represent Mexico’s spicy, vibrant history and culture with the right amount of body, flavor, blend, and freshness.
Key Takeaways:
- Mexican coffee dates back to the 18th century with a significant upswing in production in the 20th century, making Mexico one of the top coffee-producing countries in Latin America.
- Mexican coffee is typically 100% organic and the beans are often grown by small-scale farmers.
- The flavor of Mexican coffee is greatly influenced by the geography and conditions in which the beans are grown, resulting in flavors ranging from nuttiness with notes of chocolate to a full-bodied spiciness with hints of caramel or cinnamon.
- Part of the uniqueness of Mexican coffee comes from the brewing process which often incorporates cinnamon and brown sugar to bring out the natural spices in the beans.
- Mexican coffee is generally medium-roasted resulting in a balanced acidity and a mild taste with natural nutty, spicy flavors.
- Among the top Mexican coffee brands are Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC, Volcanica Coffee Company, La Monarca Bakery, Anthony’s Organic Whole Bean Coffee, Etnia 52, Coffee Bean Direct, Dancing Moon, Fuego Sweets, Cafe Garat, Come Alive Organics, and Lacas Coffee Company.
- Key considerations when buying Mexican coffee should include the coffee’s flavor, the roast, the coffee blend, preferred brewing method, and the price.
Why is Mexican Coffee so Good?
Once you try Mexican coffee, you will find that it tastes different from other coffees. There are various reasons for this, all of which contribute to its unique and delicious taste.
It’s Organic
Mexican coffee is known for being 100% certified organic. It is grown in the southern parts of Mexico where the soil is perfect for producing the finest Mexican coffee beans.
Not only are Mexican coffee beans organic, but the majority of the beans are grown by small-scale farmers who take special care to grow and handpick every bean. Some Mexican coffee farmers wet process and sun dry their beans to really bring out the natural flavors.
Natural Flavors
Being organic has its perks. Mexican coffee offers flavors that come straight from the earth. The natural flavors of Mexican coffee beans depend on the region in which they are grown.
From the humidity in Chiapas to the volcanic soils of Veracruz and in the mountains of Southern Mexico, flavors range from nuttiness with notes of chocolate to a full-bodied spiciness with hints of caramel or cinnamon you can only get from Mexican coffee beans.
Brewing Process
Part of the spice you taste in Mexican coffee comes from the beans, but that’s not the only way you will experience Mexican culture in a cup of coffee.
To experience authentic Mexican coffee, you need to know what is different about the brewing process compared to other types of coffee.
The flair of Mexican coffee comes from adding cinnamon and brown sugar during the brewing process.
It brings out the natural spices in the beans and makes Mexican coffee taste so good. Some coffee brands do the work for you by adding the cinnamon and sugar into the coffee grounds.
Is Mexican Coffee Bitter or Sweet?
Mexican coffee is roasted until it is at a medium roast. It has a balanced acidity and a mild taste. Although it has more acidity than a dark roast, the natural nutty, spicy flavors tone down the acidity and bring it enough sweetness to balance the taste of the beans. Therefore, the answer isn’t one or the other. Instead, balanced is the proper word for defining the body of Mexican coffee.
11 Best Mexican Coffee Brands
1. Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC – Organic Mexican
The Fresh Roasted Coffee company was established in 2009 and has delivered fresh, organic, and kosher coffee ever since.
Their Mexican roast is one of their many popular roasts. This roast is single-origin from Mexico. These beans are wet processed and sun-dried to ensure the only chosen beans are the best.
The medium roast blend is nutty and sweet, with a bit of fruitiness. The beans contain no artificial flavors or additives, so what you taste is all natural.
Pros
- Certified Organic
- No additives
- All natural flavors
- Kosher
- Single-origin
- Fresh, whole beans
Cons
- Mild/slightly muted flavor
2. Volcanica Coffee Company – Mexican Coffee
Volcanica Coffee Company is family owned and operated. They offer exotic coffee that is grown and roasted with quality ingredients.
Their Mexican roast is a dark roast coffee with low acidity and a rounded, sweet, earthy taste. It has chocolatey undertones and comes from the Chiapas region.
Pros
- Low acidity
- Well-rounded taste
- Sweet and earthy
- Chocolatey undertones
Cons
- Pricey
3. La Monarca Bakery – Cafe De Olla
La Monarca is known for their pastries, hot chocolate, and coffee. They are dedicated to the environment and ensure their products are without preservatives or artificial flavoring.
Their Cafe De Olla coffee is a dark roast that comes pre-ground with cinnamon and sugar mixed into the coffee grounds. You get an authentic cup of Mexican coffee with every brew.
Pros
- Preservative free
- Sweet and spicy
- No artificial flavors or colors
Cons
- High sugar content
4. Anthony’s Organic Whole Bean Coffee – Unroasted
Anthony’s coffee beans are USDA organic certified and verified Gluten Free. They are grown in the volcanic soils of Mexico and come unroasted so that you can roast and grind to your liking.
These organic green coffee beans will take you back to the self-roasting days when people didn’t buy pre-roasted beans. Nothing gets fresher than roasting and grinding your own beans at home. Once roasted, these beans land on the medium to dark scale with an earthy taste and just the right amount of acidity.
Pros
- Organic certified
- Gluten free
- Fresh
- Balanced
Cons
- Some may not want the extra work of roasting
5. Etnia 52 – Oaxaca Intenso Mexican Coffee
Etnia 52 began their journey selling food, but in 2016 they joined the coffee industry and has since become a notable brand.
With their specific roasting and grinding processes, Etnia 52 delivers premium coffee beans in packaging constructed to keep them fresher and longer. Their Oaxaca Intenso Coffee is bold and aromatic with hints of dark chocolate, caramel, and floral notes.
Pros
- Packaging keeps freshness longer
- Strong and aromatic
- Hints of dark chocolate and caramel
- Floral notes
Cons
- Too bitter for some
6. Coffee Bean Direct – Organic Whole Bean Coffee
Coffee Bean Direct keeps their roast going to ensure you get the freshest coffee in every bag. They are climate-friendly, organic, and fair trade.
Their Chiapas whole bean coffee is a lighter roast with fruity and nutty flavors and on the acidic side of the scale. Despite its acidity, it has a balanced body for your enjoyment.
Pros
- Organic
- Climate-friendly
- Balanced body
- Fruity and nutty
Cons
- May be too light for some
7. Dancing Moon – Mexican Chiapas Coffee
Dancing Moon is also another climate-friendly, fair trade, and organic-certified. The brand was founded in 2015 and has grown tremendously since its founding.
Their Mexican Chiapas whole bean coffee is a dark roast with a chocolatey, sweet, nutty flavor with a bit of citrus. It is single-origin and non-GMO.
Pros
- Fresh, whole bean
- Non-GMO
- Organic
- Balanced body
Cons
- Mild flavor
- Pricey
8. Fuego Sweets – Cinnamon Spiced Cafe De Olla
Fuego Sweets made by Caralarga, a small California business, is roasted fresh and packaged in their small facility. This small batch of coffee brings Mexico right into your home.
It is a medium-dark roast that is ground and mixed with cinnamon and sugar to give you the authentic Mexican experience of Cafe De Olla. The roast brings out its natural chocolaty, nutty flavors.
Pros
- Fresh
- Cinnamon flavor
- Natural flavors come through
- Beautiful aroma
Cons
- Only comes in a 12 oz bag
9. Cafe Garat – Gourmet Mexican Coffee
Cafe Garat puts a lot of work into making their beans truly gourmet. They deliver their best – from picking only the perfectly ripe beans to roasting them just enough for the natural flavors to come out.
This gourmet Mexican coffee is a medium roast that offers a bold brew that goes down smoothly. It has a balanced body, an excellent aroma, and a deep taste.
Pros
- Gourmet
- Balanced body
- Deep taste
Cons
- Pricey
10. Come Alive Organics – Cafe De Olla Mexican Coffee
This authentic Mexican coffee is another delicious blend of coffee grounds, cinnamon, and sugar. It is a medium-dark roast that brings out its natural flavors and has some spices mixed in to make it extra delicious. You will taste a little bit of chocolate, caramel, and nuttiness in each cup. With all flavors combined, your taste buds will be dancing.
Pros
- Full of flavor
- Sweet and spicy
- Natural flavors come through
Cons
- May be too sweet for some
11. Lacas Coffee Company – Dark Roast Mexican Coffee
Lacas Coffee Company has been roasting coffee beans since 1921. With over 100 years of experience, they have their roasting process down to an art.
It is fair trade certified, climate pledge friendly, and certified organic.
Their dark roast Mexican coffee comes as a whole bean or medium ground. It has a deep profile and medium body with chocolate and black cherry flavors.
Pros
- Deep flavor profile
- Comes whole bean or ground
- Natural flavors of chocolate and black cherry
- Certified Organic
Cons
- Pricey
Mexican Coffee Buyers Guide
Knowing what to look for in Mexican coffee will save you the headache of figuring out which one fits your desires best. Here is what you need to know.
Flavor
There is a lot that goes into the flavor of Mexican coffee. You will find that most Mexican coffees have nutty and fruity flavors combined with notes of chocolate, cinnamon, and spices. The best Mexican coffees deliver these flavors organically, with flavors naturally ingrained into the beans.
Roast
Most Mexican coffees are medium roast, but you will find some that are roasted medium-dark. The sugar and cinnamon that goes into the classic cup of Mexican coffee works wonderfully with a medium roast and helps even out the taste for a perfect finish.
However, if you prefer bolder coffee with less acidity, you can opt for a medium-dark roast and enjoy the flavors of a Mexican coffee with a little more kick.
Coffee Blend
Some Mexican coffees come with blends of cinnamon and sugar, making a sweet, flavorful cup of Mexican coffee many seek. If you watch your sugar intake and like to control how sweet it is, stay away from these pre-blended coffee grounds.
Brewing Method
Pre-ground Mexican coffee is brewed in a variety of ways. You can make it with a regular drip coffee maker, in a French Press, or using the pour over method. You will have more options if you like to grind your own beans at home.
Price
It’s always important to look at what you’re getting compared to how much you are spending. If your budget allows it, splurge and spend a little more on the premixed coffee grounds for convenience.
If you need to save a buck, there is nothing wrong with adding your own cinnamon and sugar at home. Whichever way you have it, choose one that will leave you smiling to the last drop.
The Best Choice
The best choice is number one on the list. Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC’s Mexican coffee is at the top of the list for many reasons.
This coffee is versatile because it is single-origin, certified organic, and kosher. It has zero additives and no artificial flavors, so all the flavors you get are 100% natural. The flavor is mild with nutty and fruity notes, making it perfect for adding some cinnamon and sugar for a flawless cup of Mexican coffee.
The beans come whole, so you can grind them to the consistency you like and have a fresh cup of coffee each time you brew.
Will this be your pick? Take another look at the list and decide which one you want to try.
If you’re new to Mexican coffee, go with a medium brew. For a bold cup of coffee, go for the dark roast. For convenience, go with the premixed ground coffee beans for a balanced sweet and cinnamony cup of Mexican coffee.
FAQ: Mexican coffee brands
What is the flavor profile of Mexican coffee?
Mexican coffee generally offers a rich, complex flavor profile that’s influenced by its growing conditions. The natural flavors can vary depending on the region where the beans were grown. Typically, these flavors can range from nuttiness with notes of chocolate to a full-bodied spiciness with hints of caramel or cinnamon.
What type of roast is commonly used for Mexican coffee?
Most Mexican coffee beans are typically medium-roasted. This provides a balanced acidity and a mild taste, allowing the natural nutty, spicy flavors of the beans to shine through. However, some Mexican coffees may be medium-dark roasted for individuals who prefer a bolder coffee flavor with slightly less acidity.
How is Mexican coffee brewed?
While the brewing method can vary based on individual preferences, a traditional Mexican coffee brewing process often incorporates cinnamon and brown sugar to enhance the natural spices of the coffee beans. Some Mexican coffee brands also sell pre-ground coffee beans mixed with cinnamon and sugar for a more convenient brewing process.
Can you tell me more about the production of coffee in Mexico?
Mexico has a long history of coffee production dating back to the 18th century. In the modern-day, the country is considered one of the top coffee-producing nations in Latin America with a significant increase in production witnessed in the 20th century. A significant percentage of Mexican coffee is 100% organic, grown by small-scale farmers who take special care to handpick and process the beans.
What are some top Mexican coffee brands?
Some of the top Mexican coffee brands as of 2023 include Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC, Volcanica Coffee Company, La Monarca Bakery, Anthony’s Organic Whole Bean Coffee, Etnia 52, Coffee Bean Direct, Dancing Moon, Fuego Sweets, Cafe Garat, Come Alive Organics, and Lacas Coffee Company.
What is special about “Café de Olla”?
“Café de Olla” is a traditional Mexican coffee preparation that typically involves brewing coffee in a traditional clay pot with cinnamon and brown sugar. This method enhances the natural spices in the beans and creates a unique, flavorful coffee experience. Some brands offer pre-ground coffee beans mixed with cinnamon and sugar to replicate this authentic method.
Are there any special brewing techniques for Mexican coffee at home?
If you’re brewing Mexican coffee beans at home, you can opt to grind your own beans for maximum freshness. Consider using a method like a French Press or pour-over, which allows the full range of flavors to express themselves. For a traditional Mexican coffee, add a hint of cinnamon and a spoonful of brown sugar to your coffee during the brewing process.
