Want to find the best Puerto Rican coffee? Jump into our guide and check out our top picks so you can choose the best one for you.
In a hurry? Our top choice is the Volcanica Hacienda San Pedro Puerto Rico Coffee!
Puerto Rico is one of the most popular coffee-producing countries in the world.
But with so many options out there, it can be tough to tell what the best Puerto Rican coffee is.
Luckily for you, I’ve spent the last five years in and around the coffee industry. And I’ve picked up on what makes a great Puerto Rican coffee.
Let’s dive straight into my list of the best ones you should try!
Best Puerto Rican Coffee: Top 11 Picks
- Volcanica Hacienda San Pedro Puerto Rico Coffee (Best Overall)
- Cafe Rico Regular Ground Coffee (Best Ground Coffee)
- Cafe Lealtad Puerto Rican Coffee (Most Historic)
- Yauco Selecto Medium Roast Coffee (Best Single-Estate)
- Julian Coffee Puerto Rican Single Origin Medium Roast (Best Medium Roast)
- Yaucono Medium Roast Single-Serve K-Cups (Best Single-Serve Pods)
- Cafe Hacienda San Pedro Super Premium Peaberry (Most Flavorful)
- Alto Grande Super Premium Single Origin Coffee (Oldest Brand)
- Cafe Oro de Puerto Rico Instant Coffee (Best Instant Coffee)
- Cafe La Finca Puerto Rican Ground Coffee (Best Value)
- Cafe El Coqui Puerto Rico Coffee (Best Light Roast)
Volcanica Hacienda San Pedro Puerto Rico Coffee
When it comes to Puerto Rican coffee, Hacienda San Pedro is the standard.
It’s famous for its quality.
Subtle sweet notes of chocolate and spices. A truly fundamental flavor profile of Puerto Rican coffee from of the most consistent and innovative farms on the island.
The tasting notes pretty much set the definition of Puerto Rican coffee.
The washed processing means you get the flavor profile without any murky notes.
The medium roast keeps the coffee balanced. It’s mellow without much acidity.
Finally, this is a single-estate coffee. That means it comes from one farm and isn’t blended with any other coffee. Not from the farm, the island, or anywhere else.
It’s the single best representation of Peurto Rican coffee on the market today.
The only problem is that because it’s so good, it’s also incredibly expensive. So while I highly recommend you try it, it’s best saved for a very special occasion.
Pros
- Sweet notes of chocolate and spices are typical of Puerto Rican coffee, which means you get a clear and crisp profile
- The washed process helps to highlight to classic Puerto Rican flavor without any murky notes
- The medium roast keeps this coffee balanced and mellow, there isn’t much acidity, and it isn’t too dark
- It’s a single-estate coffee, which means it comes from one crop from one farm and isn’t blended with any other coffee
Cons
- Because of the quality and scarcity of this coffee, it’s expensive and best saved for a very special occasion
Cafe Rico Regular Ground Coffee
Cafe Rico is one of the true Puerto Rican coffee brands.
As in, they only produce coffees from Puerto Rico.
The quality of the beans comes from the sourcing Cafe Rico does. Cafe Rico sources from local farmers and ensures that every crop is right for roasting.
The fact that it’s always 100% Puerto Rican coffee also means you get a specific flavor profile. The beans aren’t blended with coffee from outside of the island.
Plus, the medium-dark roast makes this coffee a perfect daily brewer. For anything from machine to pour-over, this coffee will deliver quality cups time and again.
The bold flavor makes this a great option for drinking black or for adding cream and sugar. It’s certainly one of the more versatile Puerto Rican coffees I’ve come across.
The only downside is that the medium-dark roast does mean you lose some of the more unique flavors you’d otherwise find in a lighter roast.
Pros
- The medium-dark roast is perfect for daily brewing, it’s a balanced roast for anything from machine to pour-over
- It’s an old Puerto Rican brand, so you can trust the consistency and quality from bag to bag
- The bold flavor makes it great for adding cream and sugar
- It’s 100% Puerto Rican coffee, so you get an unblended and unique flavor
Cons
- The medium-dark roast does mean you lose a little bit of the unique Puerto Rican flavor profile you’d otherwise have in a lighter roast
Cafe Lealtad Puerto Rican Coffee
Cafe Lealtad is another small Puerto Rican brand associated with a single farm.
The farm is nearly 200 years old. Meaning it has been operating for a long time. You can taste the history in this coffee. And it’s pretty dang tasty.
It’s 100% Arabica beans. That means it isn’t blended with the less tasty and inferior Robusta beans. That helps keep the flavors pure and punchy.
The medium to medium-dark roast makes this a balanced and mellow coffee that is perfect for any brewing method. It tastes great when batch brewed but also as a French Press or Moka Pot.
It has a rich and bold flavor that is typical of Puerto Rican coffee. If you’re a fan of deep flavors of chocolate and molasses, then you’ll love Cafe Lealtad.
The only thing to note is that it only comes ground. That means it will age faster than if you had beans and could grind at home. Plus, you cannot tweak the grind for different brewing methods.
Pros
- This is 100% Arabica coffee, which means it isn’t blended with the less tasty and inferior Robusta beans
- The medium to medium-dark roast makes it a balanced and mellow coffee perfect for any type of brewing method
- The farm these beans come from is nearly 200 years old, which means there’s a lot of history behind the coffee
- The rich and bold flavor is typical of Puerto Rican coffee
Cons
- It only comes ground, so it will age faster than if you were to buy beans and grind at home
Yauco Selecto Medium Roast Coffee
Simply put, Yauco Selecto makes this list for being one of the most aromatic Puerto Rican coffees out there.
What do I mean when I say aromatic? I mean that it has a rounded and full smell from the moment you open the bag to the first sip of hot coffee.
But it doesn’t just stop at the smell. It has a great balance of flavors as well.
The medium roast keeps a great balance between typical Puerto Rican richness and the smooth flavors of a lighter roast.
Plus, it’s a single-estate coffee. That means it comes from only one farm. This isn’t a blended coffee. Not with another crop or another farm.
And it still does carry great Puerto Rican flavors like chocolate, molasses, and dried berries.
The only downside is that it’s a little pricey. It’s best for the home barista who likes to try out excellent coffee or for special occasions.
Pros
- It is a very aromatic coffee, so it smells great and inviting
- The medium roast keeps the balance between the typical Puerto Rican richness and the smooth flavors of a lighter roast
- It’s a single-estate coffee, which means it comes from one farm and isn’t blended with beans from another crop
- It carries a typical Puerto Rican flavor of chocolate, molasses, and dried berries
Cons
- It is a little pricey, so it is maybe best to save this for a special occasion
Julian Coffee Puerto Rican Single Origin Medium Roast
Julian Coffee is a smaller roaster that is relatively new to the game. But that shouldn’t scare you away from trying out a bag or two.
This is still a single-origin coffee. And Julian Coffee only partners with family-owned farms. That means that in each bag, you get a farm-specific flavor profile.
Plus, Julian Coffee roasts in small batches. Roasting in small batches allows Julian Coffee to ensure that you get the freshest possible roast each time you buy a bag.
Speaking of the roast, this is a medium roast. I prefer medium roasts from Puerto Rican coffees. They balance the richness that’s typical of the region with more complex flavors from a lighter roast.
Finally, Julian Coffee sells this as a whole bean. Buying the whole beans means your coffee will stay fresh for longer than if you buy pre-ground.
The only downside of that is that you need a grinder at home to grind the beans. Although it would definitely give you the freshest coffee possible, I still like to have a choice to buy whole bean or pre-ground coffee.
Pros
- The medium roast gives this coffee moderate complexity and rich flavors, perfect for any brewing method
- Julian Coffee only partners with family-owned farms, which means you get specific flavor profiles
- Julian Coffee roasts in small batches, which means you get the freshest roast possible in each bag
- It’s sold in whole beans, which stay fresh for longer than buying pre-ground coffee
Cons
- Because it’s sold only as the whole bean, you’ll need a grinder to grind the beans at home
Yaucono Medium Roast Single-Serve K-Cups
This coffee is on the list for the convenience of being single-serve pods.
I mean, how great is it that there’s a Puerto Rican coffee in a K-Cup?
K-Cups are super convenient for busy mornings when you need a quick coffee. But they are also great for events or at the office when you need to serve a lot of people.
The medium roast inside these pods keeps each one balanced. There isn’t any variance in taste from pod to pod. You can trust that you’ll get the same delicious coffee in each one.
And each one is recyclable. That helps lower the environmental impact of drinking single-serve pods.
But best of all, this is still 100% Puerto Rican Arabica beans. That means it isn’t blended with beans from around the world. And it certainly isn’t blended with the inferior and less tasty Robusta beans.
The only downside is that Puerto Rican coffee can sometimes be pretty mild. So brewing these pods in bigger sizes sometimes means they can taste weak.
Pros
- Single-serve pods are convenient for busy mornings
- The medium roast keeps each pod balanced and smooth
- Each pod is recyclable, which helps lower the environmental impact of drinking single-serve pods
- It’s still 100% Puerto Rican coffee, which means it isn’t blended with other coffees from around the world
Cons
- Because of the milder nature of Puerto Rican coffee, brewing these pods at bigger sizes can make them taste weak
Cafe Hacienda San Pedro Super Premium Peaberry
Hacienda San Pedro is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after farms in Puerto Rico.
It has been consistently one of my favorites over the years. It’s famous for its full flavors and dedication to quality.
Getting your hands on beans from Hacienda San Pedro is quite an accomplishment.
And this coffee is peaberry coffee. Peaberry beans are a natural mutation of the coffee cherries where they only produce one large bean instead of two. The result is an immensely flavorful coffee.
Plus, these cherries were hand-picked. That means that each bag is almost guaranteed to be only high-grade coffee beans.
This is a medium roast. I like that for this coffee since peaberries are such a flavor bomb. The medium roast helps keep this coffee balanced and drinkable.
The only downside is that this specialty coffee only comes in whole beans. You’ll need a grinder at home in order to brew. And if you don’t have one, you will have to skip this coffee.
Pros
- Peaberry beans are packed with flavor, which means each cup you brew will have an incredible profile
- The medium roast keeps a balance between the flavor-bomb peaberry beans and a smooth, drinkable coffee
- San Pedro is one of the most sought-after farms in Puerto Rico, so getting your hands on these beans is noteworthy
- These beans are hand-picked, which means you can be certain of each bag’s quality
Cons
- This only comes as the whole bean, so you’ll need a grinder at home to brew this coffee
Alto Grande Super Premium Single Origin Coffee
Alto Grande claims to be “the coffee of Popes and kings.” Whether that’s true or not is hard to say. But Alto Grande has been around since 1839, so anything is possible.
The coffee itself is pretty good. It’s 100% Arabica. That means it isn’t blended with any less tasty and inferior Robusta beans.
It’s also 100% Puerto Rican coffee. So it isn’t blended with crops from other parts of the world. Alto Grande also only produces Puerto Rican coffee, so you can always be sure you’re getting the same flavor profile.
Speaking of the profile, this coffee has a full body and a sweet aroma. That makes for a very pleasant drinking experience.
It’s pretty typical of Puerto Rican coffees.
Alto Grande also has a milk chocolate undertone, which adds a little complexity to the typical Puerto Rican profile.
The only downside is that it doesn’t come in airtight containers. It’s best to drink each tin quickly.
Pros
- It’s 100% Arabica beans, which means it isn’t blended with any less tasty and inferior Robusta beans
- It has a full body and a sweet aroma, which makes it a pleasant and mellow drinking experience
- It has undertones of milk chocolate, which is a great addition to the typical mild flavors of Puerto Rico
- It’s also single-origin, which means this coffee is only from Puerto Rico and isn’t blended with crops from around the world
Cons
- It doesn’t come in airtight, resealable containers, so it’s best to drink each tin quickly
Cafe Oro de Puerto Rico Instant Coffee
I know that I’ve said instant coffee just doesn’t really cut it. But as far as instant coffee goes, this Cafe Oro is actually pretty good.
Instant coffee does serve a purpose, though. It’s really the most convenient option for busy mornings.
I typically use instant coffee when I’m out camping or don’t have access to great brewing equipment.
Plus, this Cafe Oro is a medium roast. That means the coffee itself is still mellow and balanced. Instant coffee is usually tangy and acidic, so this is good news.
And it’s still 100% Puerto Rican coffee. You can be sure that this isn’t blended with other coffees.
And it’s great for serving a lot of people all at once. Brewing big batches is as easy as boiling more water and dumping in more instant coffee.
But let’s not sugarcoat it. Instant coffee will always be a little less tasty than its freshly brewed alternatives.
Pros
- Instant coffee is maybe the most convenient form of coffee for busy mornings
- The medium roast means this coffee is still balanced and mellow
- It’s still 100% Puerto Rican coffee, which means it isn’t blended or cut with crops from other parts of the world
- It’s great for serving multiple people quickly in a pinch
Cons
- Instant coffee will always have an inferior taste to freshly brewed coffee
Cafe La Finca Puerto Rican Ground Coffee
Cafe La Finca is a great medium-dark roast coffee.
The roast gives the classic Puerto Rican flavor profile a little more richness and boldness. It’s perfect for adding cream and sugar or still drinking black.
Plus, it’s completely Puerto Rican coffee. It isn’t blended with other beans from around the world.
On top of that, it’s 100% Arabica coffee. That means it isn’t mixed with the less delicious and inferior Robusta beans
The profile is described as an island profile. That means that it has fresh but mild flavors. That makes brewing and drinking this coffee pleasant and enjoyable for most people.
The only downside is that Cafe La Finca has been known to have shipping problems in the past. Some customers reported the bags being open and spilling coffee beans on arrival.
Pros
- This is a medium-dark roast coffee, so it has a little more richness than a lighter roast without being overpowering
- It’s 100% Puerto Rican coffee, so it isn’t blended with anything and comes entirely from the island
- The profile is described as an island profile, which means it has fresh but mild flavors, perfect for easy drinking and brewing
- It’s 100% Arabica beans, so it isn’t blended with the inferior and less delicious Robusta beans
Cons
- Cafe La Finca has been known to have some shipping problems in the past
Cafe El Coqui Puerto Rico Coffee
Cafe El Coqui is out of San Sebastian. San Sebastian isn’t the first place people think of when they think of Puerto Rican coffee regions.
That makes this coffee rather unique.
Plus, it’s a light roast. The lighter roast keeps things lively in the cup. You get a fresh take on classic Puerto Rican flavors.
Speaking of flavors, the tasting notes on this coffee are toasted nuts, milk chocolate, and a hint of citrus. Those notes are spot on and provide a really unique cup of coffee.
Don’t get me wrong, when I say unique, I also mean delicious.
And it’s 100% Puerto Rican coffee, so there’s no need to worry about this being a blend from different regions.
The only thing to note is that it comes pre-ground. So, you’ll need to go through it pretty quickly before it starts to lose its flavor.
Pros
- The light roast keeps things nice and lively and brings out great Puerto Rican flavors
- The tasting notes of toasted nuts, milk chocolate, and a hint of citrus are spot on and provide a unique and delicious cup of coffee
- It’s 100% Puerto Rican coffee, so it isn’t mixed with other crops or regions
- It’s from San Sebastian, which isn’t necessarily known for its coffee growing, so it’s a unique Puerto Rican coffee
Cons
- It comes pre-ground, so you’ll need to drink it quickly before it starts to lose its flavor
How To Buy The Best Puerto Rican Coffee
As with buying any kind of coffee, you need to consider a lot of things.
And Puerto Rican coffee is no different.
But the biggest things you need to think about are grind, flavor, and roast.
So, let’s quickly go over all those things in this section.
Should You Buy Ground Or Whole Beans?
Up first, buying ground coffee vs buying whole beans.
I always recommend that if you have the means, go for whole beans.
Why?
The beans simply last longer. Once beans are ground, they start to oxidize faster. That basically means they start to lose their flavor and will start to taste flat and bland.
However, buying ground coffee isn’t necessarily a bad idea.
If you drink a lot of coffee in a short time, then buying ground isn’t much different.
Also, if you don’t have a decent entry-level grinder, then buying whole beans doesn’t make sense at all.
BOTTOM LINE
Buy whole beans if you have a grinder, or don’t go through beans that quickly. Buy ground if you don’t have a grinder or go through coffee quickly.
What Flavors Should You Look For?
Each region in the world has its own flavor profiles and characteristics.
Puerto Rico coffee is known as island coffee. Typically it has chocolate, molasses, and dried berry notes.
But be aware that Puerto Rico is also known for having mild coffees that are approachable and not acidic.
Think smooth and drinkable rather than punchy and acidic.
The growing region is actually pretty small relative to other regions around the world. That means that there isn’t a huge variation between farms.
All that to say, any coffee from Puerto Rico will be tasty.
BOTTOM LINE
Just make sure you buy 100% Puerto Rican coffee, and you’ll find great flavors. It will be smooth, drinkable, and mild.
What Roast Level Is The Best?
Puerto Rico has a long history of coffee. And has sometimes struggled with quality.
That means that sometimes different years can have wildly different tastes.
One way to combat those changing flavors is to roast slightly darker. Roasting a little darker helps to mask any defects or imperfections in the beans. It also helps mellow out any unwanted acidic or dry, ashy tastes.
That said, I recommend finding a nice medium roast for day-to-day brewing.
BOTTOM LINE
Try to find a medium roast for day-to-day brewing. But go for a lighter roast if you’re feeling adventurous and trust the roaster.
My Final Verdict
Okay, after all that, I’m sticking with the Volcanica Hacienda San Pedro Puerto Rican Coffee as my number one choice.
It has typical Puerto Rican flavors of chocolate and spices. The washed process helps those flavors come through strong and crisp in your cup.
The medium roast keeps everything balanced.
And it’s a single-estate coffee, which means it only comes from one coffee farm.
I highly recommend you try a bag!
