True coffee lovers know that waking up to a full pot of well-made batch brew beats having to drip-feed your caffeine fix all morning.
As third-wave roasteries and speciality cafés reinvest in tried-and-trusted filter machines, batch brewing is enjoying something of a renaissance. A properly executed batch brew serves consistency, scale, and above all, flavour without the burn or bitterness that comes from rushing the ritual.
According to North Star Coffee, the ideal brew ratio lies around 60g of coffee per litre of water, with grind, temperature, and water quality all crowned as essential variables. Meanwhile, coffee consultant Scott Rao stresses that brew bed depth, coarse grind, and turnover frequency are what separate dull big pots from excellent ones. Let’s demystify the process together.
How to batch brew like a pro
@jimmythebarista Is drip coffee better than pour overs? 🤔 #coffee #hottake #barista
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Which coffee is best for batch brewing and why?
I grew to love classic batch brews during the year I spent in Canada, where every diner seemed to have a bottomless pot on the go, always hot and always ready. There’s a comfort in that steady refill and the simple pleasure of a mug that never runs dry.
On a recent road trip across North America, I found the same ritual repeated in roadside cafés and truck stops – sometimes excellent, sometimes questionable, but always satisfying. Batch brew belongs to everyone, from the the bleary-eyed commuter and the student pulling an all-nighter at the library, to the long-haul driver at 2 a.m.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, batch brewing can be surprisingly versatile. Adjust the ratio slightly and you can draw out fruit or caramel notes; switch to a different filter and the texture shifts from crisp to fuller-bodied (as I discovered when reviewing the Sage Luxe Brewer and its dual baskets).
Even water temperature can change a coffee’s personality, softening sharper origins or brightening heavier roasts. In many ways, batch brew is a canvas – a simple method that, in experienced hands, can highlight the nuances of a coffee just as well as a pour-over (if not better), with enough volume to share.
Keep scrolling for the best coffees to bring out the best in your batch brew.
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North Star Coffee The Docks House Blend
Crafted in Leeds by independent roastery North Star, The Docks House Blend is designed to be versatile enough for any brewing style, from cafetières to pour-overs. Expect notes of dark chocolate, caramel and roasted nuts, rounded out with a clean, smooth finish.
The company offers customisable grind options to suit every method, plus a convenient subscription service to keep you stocked. Rooted in sustainable sourcing and transparency, North Star has built a reputation for high-quality, ethically produced coffee — making this a staple choice for batch brewers who value both flavour and integrity.
Buy now £12.00, North Star Coffee
Tim Hortons Original Blend, Coarse Grind, Medium Roast Arabica Coffee
Canada’s most famous coffee chain delivers its signature taste in this coarse-ground medium roast, tailored for filter brewing. The Original Blend is made entirely from 100 per cent Arabica beans, offering a familiar profile of balanced acidity, gentle sweetness, and a smooth, mellow body.
With tasting notes leaning towards toasted nut and mild cocoa, it’s an easy-drinking option for those who prefer comfort over complexity. For anyone who has queued at a Tim Hortons during a Canadian winter, this bag brings a taste of nostalgia — but it’s just as reliable for a big-batch brew on this side of the Atlantic.
Buy now £15.95, Amazon
Whittard Guatemala Elephant Coffee
Whittard’s Guatemala Elephant Coffee is named for the unusually large beans grown in the high-altitude soils of the Huehuetenango region. A medium roast, it produces a full-bodied cup with notes of milk chocolate, citrus brightness and a subtle nutty finish. Whittard has long been a familiar name on British high streets, sourcing beans from around the world for over 135 years. This particular single origin works beautifully in filter brewing, where its complexity comes through cleanly without being overpowering.
Buy now £5.95, Whittard
Grind Coffee
London-based Grind has built a cult following with its pink tins and eco-friendly ethos, offering compostable pods and refill packs alongside beans. Their signature house blend, available pre-ground or whole, combines South American Arabica beans to create a profile that is smooth, rich and approachable. Expect hints of chocolate, almond and a gentle fruitiness, making it adaptable to most brew methods.
Buy now £9.95, Grind
Taylors of Harrogate Rich Italian Ground Roast Coffee, Roast 4
A classic from one of Britain’s most established roasters, Taylors of Harrogate’s Rich Italian blend is an accessible entry point for batch brewing at home. With a roast level of 4 (medium), it balances smooth chocolatey depth with a touch of red fruit brightness. Inspired by traditional Northern Italian espresso styles, the coffee is versatile enough for cafetières, drip machines and extra-large moka pots.
Buy now £4.00, Amazon
Pact Coffee Coarse Ground Filter Coffee
Pact Coffee has made its name by sourcing directly from farmers and delivering freshly roasted beans on subscription. Their coarse-ground filter coffee is roasted to order, ensuring maximum freshness and clarity in the cup. Expect tasting notes that vary with seasonal sourcing, but typically lean towards bright fruit, caramel sweetness and a rounded finish.
Buy now £17.95, Amazon
Wild Highlands Coffee, The Bothy Coffee
Roasted in the Scottish Highlands, The Bothy Coffee from Wild Highlands is a medium roast blend that champions sustainability and local identity. Expect a smooth, balanced profile with notes of cocoa, toffee and a hint of dried fruit, designed to be approachable across brewing methods. Formerly known as Ancient Coffee, The Bothy reflects the company’s ethos of celebrating rugged landscapes and clean, simple flavour.
Buy now £14.95, Wild Highlands Coffee
Hermanos El Fresno
London-based Hermanos Coffee Roasters specialise in high-quality Colombian coffee, sourcing directly from small farms. El Fresno is a standout single origin, grown in the Tolima region at high altitude. The beans deliver a lively flavour profile of dark chocolate, pistachio, orange marmalade and salted caramel sweetness, underpinned by a smooth body and clean finish. Roasted to highlight its natural fruit complexity, this coffee shines in pour-over and filter brews, where the nuanced flavours come through clearly.
Buy now £15.00, Hermanos
