Quick answer: McDonald’s uses 100% arabica coffee beans for its McCafé brewed coffee. The coffee is brewed fresh about every 30 minutes, which is a big reason it tastes better than you might expect. At home, the closest match is McCafé Premium Roast, a medium roast sold as ground coffee and K-Cups.
McDonald’s coffee has a better reputation than most fast-food coffee, and blind tasters have backed that up. Here is what is in the cup, why it tastes the way it does, and how to get it at home.
In this guide 5 sections
What coffee does McDonald’s use?
McDonald’s says its McCafé coffee is made with 100% arabica beans and freshly brewed every 30 minutes. Arabica is the smoother, less bitter of the two main coffee species; see our explainer on arabica vs robusta for the difference.
McDonald’s does not publish its exact blend or suppliers, but long-time roasters for its US restaurants have included Gaviña and S&D Coffee. Since 2019, McDonald’s USA says all of its McCafé coffee has been sustainably sourced, through its own program with Conservation International or from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.
Why does McDonald’s coffee taste so good?
- It is fresh: brewing a new batch about every 30 minutes keeps coffee from sitting on a hot plate and turning bitter.
- It is not roasted dark: the packaged McCafé Premium Roast is labeled a medium roast, and the restaurant coffee tastes similarly balanced rather than burnt.
- It is consistent: the same beans and standardized brewing mean a cup tastes much the same at every location.
Blind tasters agree. In a March 2007 test, Consumer Reports rated McDonald’s coffee best among McDonald’s, Starbucks, Dunkin’ and Burger King, calling it “decent and moderately strong” with “no flaws,” while Starbucks was “burnt and bitter.”
What sizes does McDonald’s coffee come in?
McDonald’s sells hot brewed coffee in small, medium and large sizes. Small is commonly 12 oz and medium 16 oz; check your local menu for current prices, which vary by location. McDonald’s also sells iced coffee and espresso drinks under the McCafé name.
How do you make McDonald’s coffee at home?
McCafé packaged coffee is made and sold by Keurig Dr Pepper under license, as ground coffee and K-Cups in grocery stores. Brew it in a drip machine with a measured coffee-to-water ratio and drink it fresh. It won’t be quite as authentic as a fresh cup from the restaurant, but you can get pretty close.
This is my preferred bag of beans that tastes almost exactly like the stuff they serve in stores; click here to see it on Amazon:
Frequently asked questions
Is McDonald’s coffee 100% arabica?
Yes. McDonald’s states that its McCafé coffee is made with 100% arabica beans.
Is McDonald’s coffee better than Starbucks?
It depends on your taste. McDonald’s coffee is a milder medium roast, while Starbucks roasts darker. In Consumer Reports’ 2007 blind test, tasters preferred McDonald’s. If you like Starbucks, read what coffee beans Starbucks uses.
Can I buy McDonald’s coffee in stores?
Yes. McCafé Premium Roast is sold as ground coffee and K-Cups at most US grocery stores. Compare it with other options in our supermarket coffee taste test.
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