The SToK Coffee Bean Blend: A Mix of Arabica and Robusta
SToK does not rely on a single type of coffee bean. Instead, the company utilizes a blend of two of the most popular types: Arabica and Robusta. This combination is crucial to achieving the signature flavor profile that SToK is known for. The blend allows the brand to fine-tune specific characteristics in each batch, balancing flavor, aroma, and body.
Arabica's Contribution
Arabica beans are celebrated in the coffee world for their sweet, aromatic, and complex flavor notes. They typically feature higher acidity and a wider range of taste nuances, often described with hints of fruit, sugar, and flowers. By including a significant amount of Arabica beans, SToK ensures a smooth and palatable foundation for its cold brew.
Robusta's Role
On the other hand, Robusta beans are known for their strong, bold, and sometimes harsher flavor profile. Crucially, they contain significantly more caffeine than Arabica beans and contribute a full-bodied, creamy texture to the final brew. The Robusta component in the SToK blend adds depth and the powerful coffee-first flavor, giving it that notable kick.
Where Are SToK's Beans Sourced?
The origins of the coffee beans play a significant role in the resulting taste, and SToK is transparent about its sourcing. The company primarily gets its high-quality Arabica and Robusta beans from Central and South America, with specific countries mentioned being Nicaragua, Colombia, and Brazil. These regions are renowned for producing some of the world's most sought-after coffee beans, ensuring a high-quality product from the start.
- Nicaragua: Known for its sweet, balanced coffees with notes of fruit and nuts.
- Colombia: A classic origin that typically provides bright, citrusy, and caramel-like flavors.
- Brazil: Often contributes a nuttiness and chocolatey sweetness, along with a heavy body.
The Low & Slow Brew Method
Beyond the bean blend, the cold-brew process itself is a major factor in SToK's taste. The brand emphasizes its 'Low & Slow' method, which involves steeping the coffee for at least 10 hours at lower temperatures. Unlike traditional iced coffee made by brewing hot coffee and chilling it, cold brewing eliminates heat from the process entirely. This method drastically reduces the acidity and bitterness extracted from the coffee grounds, resulting in a naturally sweeter and exceptionally smooth cup.
SToK Cold Brew Flavor Profiles and Roast Levels
SToK offers several varieties, each with a different flavor profile derived from varying bean ratios and roast levels. This allows consumers to choose a product that best fits their taste preference and desired intensity.
- Bright & Mellow™ (Light Roast): This is the lightest roast SToK offers, designed for a vibrant and refreshing taste. It features notes of brown sugar, vanilla, and fruity citrus flavor.
- Bold & Smooth (Medium Roast): As the name suggests, this is a balanced, medium-roast blend that offers a robust coffee flavor without the bitterness. It is characterized by notes of molasses and brown sugar.
- Extra Bold / Espresso Blend (Dark Roast): This is SToK's darkest and most intense offering. It uses more Arabica beans and a higher roast level to create a complex flavor with notes of chocolate, nuts, and caramel.
Comparison of SToK Cold Brew Roasts
| Roast Name | Roast Level | Flavor Notes | Caffeine (approx. per 12 oz) | Target Consumer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bright & Mellow™ | Light | Brown sugar, vanilla, citrus | 150 mg | Fans of light, vibrant coffee |
| Bold & Smooth | Medium | Molasses, brown sugar | 125 mg | Everyday drinker, classic taste |
| Extra Bold / Espresso Blend | Dark | Chocolate, nuts, caramel | 170-195 mg | Strong coffee lovers, robust flavor seekers |
Why SToK's Approach to Coffee Matters
The combination of bean blending, thoughtful sourcing, and the specialized cold brewing process is what defines SToK's product. Using a blend allows for consistency and flavor customization across different product lines. For instance, the Extra Bold blend has a different ratio of beans and a darker roast than the Bright & Mellow, yet both achieve a signature smoothness through the low-and-slow brew method.
By sourcing their beans from farms certified by the Rainforest Alliance, SToK is also committed to more responsible farming practices, focusing on factors like healthy soil, water conservation, and farmer community support. This dedication to quality and responsible sourcing adds another layer of value to the final product.
Conclusion
The coffee in SToK cold brew is not a single-origin, single-bean product. Instead, it is a carefully formulated blend of Arabica and Robusta beans, sourced from regions in Central and South America like Colombia, Nicaragua, and Brazil. Combined with a signature low-and-slow cold brewing process and responsible sourcing practices, this blend is what gives SToK its distinctive, smooth, and never-bitter flavor profile across its range of different roasts and intensities. It is this intentional approach to blending and brewing that ultimately defines what kind of coffee is used in SToK cold brew.
