Flavored Coffee Guide: Find Your Perfect Cup Based on What You're Craving

Short answer: if you want dessert in a mug, go chocolate (Mocha, Turtle, Mexican Chocolate). If you want something warm and nutty, go Hazelnut or Pecan Pie. If you want a classic, easy crowd-pleaser, go French Vanilla or Caramel. If it's the holidays, go Pumpkin Spice, Candy Cane, or Cinnabun. All of our flavored coffees start as fresh roasted beans and use all-natural flavoring, no artificial aftertaste, so the flavor differences below actually come through in the cup.

In this article

• How flavored coffee is actually made
• For chocolate and dessert lovers
• For nutty and warm flavors
• For classic, easy crowd-pleasers
• For holiday and seasonal sipping
• FAQ

How flavored coffee is actually made

Flavored coffee starts as regular roasted beans. After roasting, the beans are coated with flavoring, either natural extracts and oils or artificial flavor compounds, which get absorbed into the bean before packaging. That's the whole process, no sugar or syrup baked in.

The difference between a flavored coffee that tastes good and one that tastes like a candle is almost always whether the flavoring is natural or artificial. All of our flavored coffees use all-natural flavoring on freshly roasted beans, so you get real hazelnut, real vanilla, real cinnamon character instead of a synthetic aftertaste.

For chocolate and dessert lovers

If your ideal cup tastes like dessert, start here.

Turtle layers chocolate, caramel, and a hint of hazelnut, basically the candy in coffee form. Mexican Chocolate adds cinnamon and vanilla alongside the chocolate for a smooth, warming cup that also doubles as an after-dinner drink with a splash of liqueur. If you've seen the viral Dubai Chocolate candy trend, our version brings that same chocolate and pistachio-inspired flavor into a single origin coffee blend. And S'mores is exactly what it sounds like, toasted marshmallow and chocolate in every sip.

For nutty and warm flavors

If you like your coffee cozy rather than sweet, this is your lane.

Cinnamon Hazelnut pairs the same nutty base with warm cinnamon for a mellow, smooth cup. Pecan Pie is built on a single origin specialty blend with roasted pecan, caramelized sugar, and browned butter notes, closer to dessert than coffee.

For classic, easy crowd-pleasers

These are the flavors that work for almost everyone, which makes them a safe bet if you're buying for a group or an office.

Caramel brings an all-natural, sweet buttery flavor that also works as the base for iced or blended drinks. Cinnabun gives you the flavor of a cinnamon roll with none of the added sugar or calories, a genuinely useful trick if you're watching sugar but still want something that tastes indulgent.

For holiday and seasonal sipping

Some flavors just belong to a specific time of year.

When winter rolls around, Candy Cane and Mint both bring a cooling, refreshing edge that pairs especially well with a darker roast base or a splash of chocolate creamer.

Frequently asked questions

Is flavored coffee less healthy than regular coffee?

Not inherently. Flavored coffee usually contains no added sugar, the flavor comes from oils or extracts absorbed into the bean, not sweeteners. The calorie count is close to identical to unflavored coffee unless you add cream, sugar, or syrup yourself.

What's the difference between natural and artificial coffee flavoring?

Natural flavoring comes from real extracts, oils, or spices, which is why it tastes closer to the actual ingredient. Artificial flavoring uses lab-created compounds that mimic a flavor and can leave a synthetic aftertaste, especially in cheaper coffee. All of our flavored coffees use all-natural flavoring.

Can I use flavored coffee for espresso?

Yes. A few of our flavors, including Pecan Pie, Dubai Chocolate, and S'mores, are also offered in an espresso grind specifically for this. Just be aware the flavor will come through more intensely in a concentrated shot than in drip coffee.

Does flavored coffee go bad faster than regular coffee?

No, flavored coffee has a similar shelf life to unflavored coffee. Like any coffee, it's best within a few weeks of the roast date and should be stored in an airtight container away from light and heat.

Which flavored coffee is the least sweet?

Mocha and Hazelnut tend to read as the least sweet of our flavors, since both lean savory and nutty rather than sugary. If you want flavor without a dessert-like sweetness, start with one of those two.