Who Owns And Produces Caribou Coffee?

Quick answer

• Caribou Coffee is owned by JAB Holding Company.
• JAB Holding Company is a privately held German investment firm.
• They also own other major coffee brands like Keurig Dr Pepper and Peet’s Coffee.
• Caribou Coffee itself is produced and roasted by the company’s own facilities.
• They manage their supply chain from bean sourcing to final roast.
• The brand focuses on ethically sourced beans.

Who this is for

• Coffee drinkers curious about the company behind their favorite brew.
• Aspiring coffee business owners looking at market ownership structures.
• Anyone interested in the business side of the coffee industry.

What to check first

Let’s get your Caribou Coffee brewing dialed in. Sometimes the issue isn’t the beans themselves, but how you’re handling them.

Brewer type and filter type

Your brewer matters. Are you using a drip machine, a pour-over, or something else? Each has its own quirks. Filter type is key too. Paper filters catch more oils, giving a cleaner cup. Metal filters let more through, adding body. It’s a trade-off, really.

Water quality and temperature

This is huge. Stale, chlorinated tap water can wreck good coffee. Filtered water is usually the way to go. And temperature? Too hot, you scald the grounds. Too cool, you under-extract. Aim for 195-205°F (90-96°C). Get a thermometer if you’re serious.

Grind size and coffee freshness

Freshly ground beans are a game-changer. Pre-ground coffee loses its zing fast. Match your grind to your brewer. Coarse for French press, medium for drip, fine for espresso. Caribou Coffee beans are best used within a few weeks of roasting. Check the bag for a roast date, not just a “best by” date.

For the best flavor, consider using freshly roasted Caribou Coffee beans. You can find a great selection of their beans online.

Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee, Medium Espresso Roast, Arabica and Robusta Blend, 2.2 lb Bag, Package May Vary (Pack of 1)

• SUPER CREMA: A 2.2 lb whole bean coffee bag ideal for espresso preparation
• INTENSITY AND ROAST: This full-bodied medium roast offers a bold and creamy finish
• BLEND: Made from Arabica and Robusta beans, this naturally caffeinated blend is sourced from 15 coffee-growing countries around the world
• PREPARATION: Ideal for espresso preparation.
• BREWING GUIDE FOR SINGLE ESPRESSO: 0.28 oz of ground espresso delivers a 1 oz espresso shot

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Coffee-to-water ratio

This is your recipe. Too much coffee, it’s strong and bitter. Too little, it’s weak and watery. A good starting point is 1:15 to 1:17. That means 1 gram of coffee to 15-17 grams of water. Weighing is best, but for a standard 12 oz cup, around 2 tablespoons of beans is a common measure.

Cleanliness/descale status

A dirty brewer is a flavor killer. Coffee oils build up. Mineral deposits from hard water clog things up. Regularly clean your brewer. Descale it every few months, depending on your water hardness. It makes a night-and-day difference.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

Here’s how to get a solid cup, whether you’re using Caribou Coffee beans or any other good quality roast.

1. Gather your gear.

• What to do: Get your brewer, filter, grinder, scale (if you have one), kettle, mug, and fresh Caribou Coffee beans.
• What “good” looks like: Everything is clean and ready to go. No lingering old coffee smells.
• Common mistake: Grabbing stale beans or a dirty grinder. Avoid this by setting up your station before you even think about water.

To ensure consistent results, especially when using your Caribou Coffee beans, a coffee scale is an invaluable tool for precise measurements.

Greater Goods Coffee Scale with Timer, 0.1g Precision Digital Espresso & Pour Over Scale for Chemex, V60, Drip & Matcha Weighing, Waterproof Silicone Cover, 6.6lb Barista Brew Capacity (Birch White)

• Barista-Level Precision: A 0.1g high-precision sensor with a rapid refresh rate responds instantly to changes in weight, helping you achieve consistent results across espresso, pour over, drip coffee, Chemex, V60, and filter coffee brewing.
• Integrated Brew Timer: A built-in count-up and count-down timer tracks bloom, extraction, and espresso shots. Ideal for dialing in espresso, timing Chemex and V60 pour over recipes, or steeping tea. Auto-shutoff helps preserve battery life between brews.
• Durable Waterproof Silicone Cover: The heat-resistant, dishwasher-safe silicone cover helps protect the coffee scale's spacious 5.25" x 5.25" weighing surface from splashes, spills, and hot equipment. The grooved surface provides added stability and makes cleanup quick and easy.
• Versatile Measurement Options: Quick-tare and 6 unit options make it easy to weigh coffee beans, espresso shots, matcha portions, and more. Choose from g, ml, lb, lb:oz, oz, and fl oz for added flexibility in the kitchen and coffee bar.
• Intuitive Design: A bright dual-color LCD display clearly separates weight and timer readings, while simple controls make daily brewing easy. Includes 3 AAA batteries and is backed by 5 years of coverage, with support from our St. Louis-based team whenever you need a hand.

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2. Heat your water.

• What to do: Heat filtered water to 195-205°F (90-96°C).
• What “good” looks like: Water is just off the boil, not actively bubbling. If you don’t have a temp-controlled kettle, let it sit for about 30 seconds after it boils.
• Common mistake: Using boiling water. This scorches the coffee grounds, leading to a bitter taste. Wait a beat.

3. Weigh your beans.

• What to do: Weigh out your Caribou Coffee beans. A good starting ratio is 1:16 (coffee to water). For a 12 oz cup (about 350g of water), aim for around 22g of beans.
• What “good” looks like: Precise measurement means consistent results.
• Common mistake: Guessing with scoops. Scoops are inconsistent. Weighing is way more accurate.

4. Grind your beans.

• What to do: Grind your beans to the appropriate size for your brewer. Medium for drip, medium-fine for pour-over.
• What “good” looks like: Uniform particle size. No dust or huge chunks.
• Common mistake: Grinding too fine or too coarse. Too fine clogs filters and over-extracts (bitter). Too coarse under-extracts (weak, sour).

5. Prepare your brewer and filter.

• What to do: Place the filter in your brewer. Rinse paper filters with hot water to remove papery taste and preheat the brewer. Discard the rinse water.
• What “good” looks like: The filter is seated correctly and the brewer is warm.
• Common mistake: Not rinsing the paper filter. That papery taste can really come through.

6. Add ground coffee.

• What to do: Add your freshly ground coffee to the prepared filter. Gently shake to level the bed.
• What “good” looks like: An even bed of coffee grounds.
• Common mistake: Not leveling the grounds. This can cause uneven extraction, with some parts brewing too fast and others too slow.

7. Bloom the coffee.

• What to do: Pour just enough hot water (about twice the weight of the coffee) over the grounds to saturate them. Let it sit for 30 seconds.
• What “good” looks like: The grounds puff up and release CO2 (the “bloom”). This allows for a more even extraction.
• Common mistake: Skipping the bloom. You miss out on degassing, which can lead to a less flavorful, gassy cup.

8. Pour the remaining water.

• What to do: Slowly and steadily pour the rest of your hot water over the grounds. Use a circular motion, avoiding the very edges. Pour in stages if needed.
• What “good” looks like: A consistent flow that keeps the grounds saturated but not flooded.
• Common mistake: Pouring too fast or all at once. This can create channels and lead to uneven extraction. Patience is key.

9. Let it drip.

• What to do: Allow all the water to filter through the coffee grounds.
• What “good” looks like: The dripping slows to an occasional drop. Total brew time should be within the brewer’s recommended range (usually 2-4 minutes for drip/pour-over).
• Common mistake: Letting it drip too long. This can lead to over-extraction of the bitter compounds.

10. Serve and enjoy.

• What to do: Remove the brewer and serve your freshly brewed Caribou Coffee immediately.
• What “good” looks like: Aromatic, flavorful coffee.
• Common mistake: Letting brewed coffee sit on a hot plate. It gets stale and burnt-tasting.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your coffee tastes bitter, then try grinding coarser because coarser grinds extract slower.
• If your coffee tastes sour or weak, then try grinding finer because finer grinds extract more readily.
• If your coffee tastes burnt, then check your water temperature; it might be too hot.
• If your coffee tastes flat, then check the freshness of your beans or try a different grind size.
• If you notice sediment in your cup (with drip/pour-over), then your grind might be too fine or your filter is compromised.
• If your brew time is too fast, then your grind is likely too coarse.
• If your brew time is too slow, then your grind is likely too fine.
• If you taste a papery flavor, then make sure you’re rinsing your paper filter.
• If your coffee is inconsistent day-to-day, then start weighing your coffee and water.
• If your brewer seems clogged or is taking forever to brew, then it’s time to descale.
• If you’re using pre-ground coffee and it’s not great, then try grinding fresh beans right before brewing.

FAQ

Who actually makes the coffee beans for Caribou Coffee?

Caribou Coffee roasts its own beans in company-owned facilities. They control the process from sourcing green beans to the final roast.

Is Caribou Coffee owned by a big corporation?

Yes, Caribou Coffee is owned by JAB Holding Company, a major global investment firm with a significant stake in the coffee industry.

Does JAB Holding Company own other coffee brands?

Absolutely. JAB also owns Keurig Dr Pepper, Peet’s Coffee, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, and many others.

Where does Caribou Coffee source its beans from?

Caribou Coffee sources beans from various coffee-growing regions around the world, with a focus on ethical sourcing practices.

What’s the best way to store Caribou Coffee beans?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, away from light, heat, and moisture. Avoid the refrigerator or freezer for daily use.

How can I tell if my Caribou Coffee beans are still fresh?

Look for a “roasted on” date on the bag. Coffee is generally best within 2-4 weeks of roasting. If there’s no date, assume it’s not super fresh.

Can I use my own grinder with Caribou Coffee beans?

Definitely. Using your own grinder, especially a burr grinder, will give you much fresher and more consistent results than pre-ground coffee.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Specific Caribou Coffee product reviews or taste profiles. (Explore coffee review sites or forums.)
• Detailed history of Caribou Coffee’s ownership changes. (Look for business news archives or company history pages.)
• Advanced espresso brewing techniques. (Consult espresso-specific guides or barista training resources.)
• Comparisons of different coffee bean origins. (Seek out resources focused on single-origin coffee exploration.)
• Commercial-grade coffee brewing equipment. (Refer to manufacturer specifications or professional hospitality guides.)