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In GeekWire’s informal 2022 blind taste test, two of three staff tasters preferred Starbucks Unsweetened Black Nitro Cold Brew, while the third chose Stumptown Cold Brew with Oat Milk. The tasters generally noticed a difference in Atomo’s beanless canned coffees, but the small panel’s reactions are personal impressions—not a scientific result or a measure of what most coffee drinkers prefer.
What GeekWire compared
GeekWire reporter Kurt Schlosser organized an afternoon blind tasting of eight canned cold brews sold in 8-ounce cans at the time: three Atomo products and five conventional competitors. The cans were hidden behind a cardboard barrier. The three tasters were managing editor Taylor Soper, summer intern Nate Bek, and health sciences reporter Charlotte Schubert.
| Atomo products | Other products |
|---|---|
| Ultra Smooth Cold Brew | Starbucks Unsweetened Black Nitro Cold Brew |
| Classic Black Cold Brew | Chameleon Smooth Black Cold Brew |
| Oat Milk Latte Cold Brew | Ground Work Classic Organic Nitro Cold Brew |
| Stumptown Original Cold Brew | |
| Stumptown Cold Brew with Oat Milk |
The lineup and tasting details are from GeekWire’s July 22, 2022 report. It describes the test as “not-that-scientific.”
Which cold brew won the taste test?
There was no single group winner. Schubert liked Starbucks Nitro and said, “It actually lacks a bitter aftertaste.” Bek preferred Stumptown’s cold brew with oat milk, a style that matched his preference for oat milk. Soper and Schubert did not identify one universal favorite in the reported comments. These are the choices of three individuals, not a scored ranking of all eight products.
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- POWERFUL MUSHROOM COMPLEX - Beyond Brew features a comprehensive and nourishing formula of six functional and organic mushroom extracts designed to support mind and body balance. This includes lion’s mane for maintaining focus, reishi for promoting a consistent mood, cordyceps militaris for benefits energy levels, cordyceps sinensis for supporting immune health, chaga for everyday cellular health, and turkey tail for helping to reduce everyday oxidative stress.
- KICK THE CAFFEINE - Too much daily caffeine intake can put a strain on your adrenal glands, which often leads to a lack of energy and focus. Beyond Brew is formulated with only about 1/20th the caffeine of coffee to help sustain natural energy levels and concentration throughout the day without leading to the inevitable crash. Think of it as energizing without over-stimulating and encouraging the peace of mind you crave.
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What did Atomo coffee taste like to the tasters?
The three staffers generally noticed a difference in Atomo’s beanless offerings, and some reactions were negative. Soper said of Atomo Ultra Smooth, “It’s weird. It doesn’t taste like coffee.” Bek described a product as “kind of syrupy, and not in a good way,” while Schubert called it “kind of cloying.” After the reveal, Soper observed, “You can really tell the difference with the beanless. Maybe with some people that’s the appeal.”
The comments capture those tasters’ impressions; they do not establish how consumers generally respond to beanless coffee. Bek also said he would not change his habits based on the tasting: “I don’t think I would change any of my habits based on what I tasted.”
Rank #2
- HERBAL CHICORY COFFEE - Enjoy the richness of buttery hazelnuts and golden roasted almonds over roasted chicory, carob and barley. A hint of sweetness from dates and figs. Non-GMO, organic herbs. No artificial flavors, chemicals, MSG, or preservatives.
- BREW TEECCINO LIKE COFFEE - Our all-purpose grind brews in any kind of coffee maker. Perfect for a cappuccino or latte, delicious hot or iced. Quit coffee by blending with Teeccino & gradually weaning off over 2 weeks.
- NATURALLY CAFFEINE FREE - Experience an energy boost from nutrients, not stimulants. Perfect any time of day or night because it won’t interfere with sleep. Sugar-free Teeccino is a treat for the whole family.
- ACID FREE - Teeccino is naturally acid free, so it won’t disturb your digestion. Replace highly acidic decaf coffee - which still has caffeine - with our 100% naturally caffeine-free coffee alternative.
- PREBIOTICS FOR GUT HEALTH - Inulin from chicory root is a prebiotic soluble fiber that nourishes probiotics. Each cup supports good digestion with 650mg of inulin.
How to interpret Atomo’s separate consumer-test claim
GeekWire also reported Atomo’s account of a separate test conducted by National Food Labs: Atomo said panelists preferred its cold brew to conventional competitors by 2 to 1. That is a company-reported result relayed by GeekWire, not a result independently established by GeekWire’s three-person tasting. The article does not provide underlying study details, so the figure should not be treated as a verified, general consumer-preference statistic.
Is Atomo’s current coffee the same product GeekWire tasted?
No. The GeekWire comparison covered ready-to-drink canned cold brews available in 2022. Atomo’s current official store lists a 50:50 drip ground coffee, described by the company as a blend of 50% beanless coffee and 50% Arabica. It is a different format and product from the cans in the taste test. Atomo’s 50:50 Drip product page displayed a price of $15.99 when accessed October 8, 2026, and an Amazon callout marked “Coming soon!” That page does not establish that an Amazon listing is live.
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- BREWS SMOOTH, DARK, AND REMARKABLY CRASH-FREE — Each brew creates a delicious cup of full-bodied, flavorful coffee without the bitter aftertaste. But that's where the ordinary ends. That coffee beverage is infused with some of the world's most nutrient-dense ingredients, creating an astoundingly effective combination of immunity-increasing, attention-amplifying superfoods.
- WHY WOULD WE EVER COMBINE MUSHROOMS WITH COFFEE? — We love coffee, but it has its downsides. We took 250mg of organic Lion’s Mane (per serving), a functional, nootropic mushroom, which has been used around the world for centuries for increased focus and creativity, and combined it with our delectable, organic fair trade coffee. This unparalleled pairing means no jitters, and hours of crash-free FOCUS.
- RISE AND REALLY, TRULY SHINE — Each cup contains 250mg of wild-harvested, organic Chaga. Known as "The King of Mushrooms," Chaga got its title from its incredible immune-supporting effects. Chaga is absolutely loaded with antioxidants. In fact, it is one of the most antioxidant-dense foods on the entire planet!
- REMARKABLY ELEVATED COFFEE — Grown in the Marcala, La Paz region of Honduras, at 5,500 feet above sea level, these specialty-grade, single origin coffee beans brew a delicious, low acid coffee.
- SCIENTIFICALLY SPEAKING, THIS COFFEE IS PRETTY MUCH MAGIC — Functional mushrooms have been used around the world for centuries to improve productivity, immune support, and more. Unfortunately, the majority of the mushroom supplement market aren't mushrooms at all, but rather the mycelium (basically the root system). At Four Sigmatic, we bring only the best of nature to your daily routine, so we always use the mushrooms' fruiting bodies which contain 15x more active ingredients than the mycelium!
Atomo’s official prebiotic ground coffee page describes a separate product and claims 2 g of prebiotic fiber per serving and up to 50% less acidity than traditional coffee. Those are manufacturer claims, not independently established findings in the sources cited here. Its brewing guide gives preparation directions for that ground coffee, not for the historical canned products.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the taste test can—and cannot—tell you
The test offers a useful snapshot of how three GeekWire staffers reacted to a particular 2022 lineup. It suggests that these tasters could distinguish Atomo’s beanless cans from the other drinks and that their preferences varied. It cannot show that beanless coffee tastes the same as conventional coffee, that most people will dislike or prefer it, or that one brand is objectively best. The results also do not compare current formulations, prices per serving, caffeine, or present availability.
Rank #4
- Balanced, full-bodied medium roast with a smooth finish
- One 32-ounce bag of whole bean coffee
- 100% Arabica coffee grown in Colombia
- Roasted and packed in the U.S.A.
- Shown as a serving suggestion
Atomo’s company history has changed since the tasting: GeekWire reported in January 2023 that the company announced a strategic realignment and restructuring after raising $40 million in 2022. That historical report does not establish Atomo’s present corporate status. The existence of current product pages establishes what the company’s site lists, not whether the 2022 canned products remain available.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Subtly complex medium-light roast with chocolatey notes
- One 12-ounce bag of whole bean coffee
- 100% Arabica coffee grown in Nicaragua
- Single-origin coffee
- Roasted and packed in the U.S.A.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
