We all love coffee, yes?
Our morning routine wouldn’t be complete without a freshly brewed cup of coffee on our table. Look around the UK, and you’ll see plenty of café shops, from Costa to Caffe Nero to Starbucks. And did you know that Americans drink more coffee than juice and soda?
The craze for coffee fascination seems to last forever. We rely on it to relax our minds, suppress drowsiness, and feel energized.
But what makes a good coffee?
Besides good roasting and a good brewing machine, coffee beans reveal how high-quality a coffee should taste. Sweetness, bitterness, and acidity must be properly balanced in a single sip – promoting a smooth flavour with no off-notes! And when it comes to choosing the right variety, nothing beats the inviting aroma and subtle taste of espresso beans. They have been the favourite among coffee buffs.
Here lies another concern – picking the right kind of espresso beans – since there are hundreds of brands available.
Well, no worries.
Whether it is impressing your guests for an upcoming gathering or simply want to feel like an expert barista in your home, our review of the best espresso beans is guaranteed to save your day!
The products are not the usual brands you see regularly. They were reviewed by thousands of consumers worldwide, so you’re assured of getting the best value of your bucks.
At A Glance: 5 Best Among All
- Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend – Best Product for Overall Quality
- Koffee Kult Coffee Beans Dark Roasted – Best Product for Perfect Consistency
- Kicking Horse Coffee Cliff Hanger Espresso – Best Product for Perfect and Smooth Finish
- Café Don Pablo Classic Italian Espresso – Best Product for Flavorsome & Healthy Sip
- Coffee Bean Direct Italian Roast Espresso – Best Product for Budget
What is an espresso?
Espresso is a concentrated Italian form of coffee. It’s uniquely distinguished by its tawny brown foam that lusciously sits on top of the espresso, which they popularly call it “crema.” This foam is very important and shouldn’t be missed when making espresso as it contains sweet-smelling oils – eventually improving the overall flavour.
Espresso can either be Arabica or Robusta, or a mixture of two. Coffee made from Arabica provides a sweeter, tastier, and more balanced flavour. Robusta, on the other hand, is strong, sugary, less acidic, and includes a higher content of caffeine.
As for the coffee beans, they are picked in various countries. Though they mostly grow in Columbia, Brazil, Guatemala, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.
My Top 9 Picks of Best Espresso Beans
You surely love fresh coffee beans. You don’t need to travel the world or dig through the internet just to find the perfect mix for your palate. The following are the top choices for the best espresso coffee beans for your next purchase in a local store.
1. Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean
Deemed as one of the favorite coffee roasters originated in Italy, Lavazza Super Crema Medium Espresso Roast coffee offers a creamy and mild roast without any hint of bitterness. It is assumed perfect for traditional espresso coffee lovers, full, rich taste without a hint of bitterness.
It’s an ideal pick for drip coffee makers and espresso machines. The crema lasts longer, so you’re assured that even the last sip tastes good. The beans are nitrogen crammed to ensure extra freshness.
Although, some espresso drinkers may find the beans too mild, plus the price is quite heavy to the pocket.
Key Features
- 2.2 lbs. medium roasted beans
- 40% Robusta and 60% Arabica, with origins in Colombia, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and Brazil
- Almond, honey, & dried fruit blend.
2. Koffee Kult Coffee Beans Dark Roasted
Besides fresh coffee beans, Koffee Kult also boasts a lingering flavour note and aroma.
While it is a dark roast, you’ll never taste bitterness since it only uses pure Arabica beans.
Perfect for espresso machines, drip over, pour-over, and French presses. Tastes great both in cold and hot brews. There might be small rocks in the package, though. Plus, there’s no oil on the surface.
Key Features
- 2 lbs. dark roasted coffee beans
- Arabica beans, with origins in Sumatra, Colombia, and Brazil
- Cinnamon, bright, & cocoa blend
3. Kicking Horse Coffee Cliff Hanger Espresso
The beans’ heavenly flavor is the first thing you’ll love about Kicking Horse.
It has a smooth, silky taste with chocolatey flavor along with zesty, bright notes. It is also recommended for French Press.
It is one of the expensive espresso coffee beans, but the quality is superior and has no bitter aftertaste.
Key Features
- 2.2 lbs. dark roasted beans
- Arabica beans, with origins in Indonesia, Africa, and Central & South America
- Earthy, heavy body with a black licorice finish
4. Café Don Pablo Classic Italian Espresso
Suitable for any type of coffee brewing. Café Don Pablo is low in acid level and has a smooth taste, thanks to the caramelized sugars.
Even though it gives a strong flavor, the caffeine content is only minimal. Hence, it could be too mild for some drinkers.
The brand is certified organic, plus the roasting facilities are safe for manufacturing.
Key Features
- 2 lb. medium-dark roasted beans
- Arabica beans, with origins in Colombia, Brazil, and Guatemala
- Aromatic and light with a cocoa finish
5. Coffee Bean Direct Italian Roast Espresso
Whether drip coffeemakers or French drip, this espresso coffee bean will give you a flavorful and rich taste coupled with flavors of smokiness, cocoa, and molasses as well as a honeyed and snug aroma.
However, some drinkers noticed the flavor is not as full-bodied as you could expect.
Heavy coffee drinkers will surely appreciate the 5 pounds coffee beans. This is an economical option you can have.
Key Features
- 5 lbs. dark roasted beans
- Indian and American beans
- Molasses, cocoa, and smokiness
6. Death Wish Coffee
The coffee beans are not your death wish, but would definitely make you want to enjoy another day holding cups of espresso.
Roasted by experts, Death Wish coffee beans give you an excellent bold taste and great aroma that you would never forget.
Advertised as the world’s strongest coffee, it is perfect for women and men who want to kick in their day. It is pricey, yet the beans were outsourced naturally. A burnt trace might be possible if the brewing method is done unsuitably.
Key Features
- 5 lbs. dark roasted beans
- Robusta and Arabica blend
- Smooth taste with chocolate and cherry flavor notes
7. Verena Street
This coffee bean is widely known for its awesome flavor combinations and distinct taste.
The first creamy, sweet sip will already carry you to another world. It is Kosher approved and made explicitly for espresso machines.
But in some cases, you may find the flavor a bit mild. So, these beans will be roasted in small sets to improve the coffee’s overall flavor.
Key Features
- 2 lbs. dark roasted beans
- Arabica beans, with origins in Indonesia & South and Central America
- Creamy and sweet with silky, nutty, and chocolatey finish
8. Stumptown Coffee Roasters Hair Bender
Stumptown boasts an assorted flavor of lightly roasted caramel chocolates. When prepared well, the coffee should be delicate, well-balanced, and sweet.
The bag has a 90-day freshness date, so you’ll get nothing but the real freshness of the beans.
Though downsides include too consistent beans. They are available in various sizes and colors. It might give you an inconsistent brewing process.
Key Features
- 2 lbs. medium-dark roasted beans
- The whole blend of Indonesian, African, and Latin American beans
- Balanced, sweet-tasting notes with dark chocolate and citrus aroma.
9. Illy Intenso Ground Espresso Coffee
Completing our list is a well-known brand from Italy. It is packed in a pressurized, air-free to ensure freshness and long-lasting aromas that will make you crave for more cups. These finely ground coffee beans have no bitter notes.
The 100% Arabica coffee beans gives a smooth, full-bodied flavor profile with a polished, even taste. There’s a hint of caramel and chocolate.
Though it comes in an expensive price range plus some drinkers, they have remarked that the beans lack flavor.
Key Features
- 8.8 oz dark roasted beans
- Ethiopian Arabica beans
- Flavorful and subtle taste
Coffee Beans vs. Espresso Beans
While both are either made of Robusta or Arabica, considered the favorites of coffee drinkers, and offer health benefits, you can still find significant dissimilarities. We’ll break them down into main factors:
- Texture & Flavor
Regular coffee: The coffee grounds are coarse with a mild taste.
Espresso: It is more finely ground with a texture similar to the sand. Espresso is known for its full-bodied, strong flavor, and a unique aroma.
- Roasting Process
Regular coffee: Lightly roasted and doesn’t have a greasy surface.
Espresso: Tends to roast the beans longer, which gives it a darker color and an oily luster.
- Brewing Method
Regular coffee: Can be brewed with simple methods – drip or pour-over.
Espresso: Requires the use of an espresso machine. It works by forcing through the hot water at high pressure in 25-30 seconds.
Single Origin or Blends
As their name suggests, single-origin refers to coffee beans that are sourced from a single country. The blend is made out of various beans combined in a package. Deciding which should you opt for is a matter of personal preference, but single origins mainly get the highest approval from the consumers.
Single-origin beans are ideal for those who prefer dark, strong espresso. Adding to the interest is the chance of coming upon the terroir and origin of a particular state. Blending is not bad, though. You may get lots of acidities. However, you can perfectly balance the taste of espresso – bitter, acid, tangy, and earthy.
Best Roast for Espresso
Again, there’s no best roast for espresso. It depends on how you want your drink to be made – either dark or medium.
Medium roasting creates a decent espresso, typically a good alternative if you want a mild drink. Dark roasting could be too strong or bitter. Espresso enthusiasts and regular coffee drinkers usually opt for this one.
Arabica vs. Robusta
Perhaps you’ve been told that Robusta coffee is inferior to Arabica. That’s not entirely the case. Both share a real deal of benefits and, well, downsides.
Arabica has a high acidity level, although it gives a sweeter, smoother, and milder flavor profile. The caffeine content is pretty low.
Robusta coffee is usually less acidic and sweet with a stronger flavor. It has more caffeine and creates more crema, as well. It’s often low-priced than Arabica since the beans are easier to grow.
Pre-Ground vs. Whole Beans
The main difference between the two is freshness.
Pre-ground could be convenient if you cannot use coffee beans. Its level of freshness is below par, however. Whole beans, on another note, is generally suggested as they provide the best cup of espresso.
Freshness is guaranteed and thus, giving an unmistakable aroma and taste. Although, know how to restrict the amount of time between brewing and grinding.
Read: Which One Should I Buy – Ground Coffee vs. Whole Bean?
Best Grind Size for Espresso
The grind size really matters when it comes to making espresso, yet some fail to notice its importance. It could be the difference in a disagreeable or delicate cup of coffee. A poorly extracted coffee is usually salty, sour, and acidic. But if it’s over-extracted, expect the overall taste to be hollowed and bitter.
In this case, experts recommend using a fine grind when brewing since the espresso machine uses high pressure to push water through compressed coffee grounds. Not to mention the brewing time is only minimal. Fine grinds also work greatly for Moka pot or stovetop espresso maker. Starbucks, for instance, use a very fine grind – between 30 and 35 seconds in a blade grinder.
Espresso Beans FAQ
Several questions are surrounding this popular beverage, and here, we will try to answer some of them precisely.
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Is espresso a healthy beverage option?
Yes, when consumed in moderation. Espresso is deemed highly beneficial in improving concentration and mood, strengthening long-term memory, increasing physical activity, lowering the risk of stroke and diabetes, improving digestion, and losing pounds. So, you can sip at ease, knowing your health is well-maintained.
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How much caffeine does espresso beans contain?
There is no accurate answer about the caffeine content in espresso. Several factors are taken into account, such as the type of bean as well as how it is roasted and prepared. For example, an ounce of espresso includes 63 mg of caffeine.
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Is it stronger than regular coffee?
Yes, however, the strength of coffee still depends on your preferred amount or volume of shots. One thing’s for sure, though, espresso has a higher caffeine concentration and a stronger flavour.
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How many beans do I need to make espresso?
For a single shot, the recommended amount is 6 to 8 grams of ground beans for every 1-1.5 fluid ounce. While for a double shot, you will need 15 grams of ground beans for every 2-fluid ounce. The brewing time must be between twenty and thirty seconds.
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Can I use any coffee beans for making espresso?
That’s possible. The only downside is that it will emit a fetid and sour flavor. In short, you’ll only get disappointed instead of enjoying every sip. As possible, use coffee beans that are specifically harvested and roasted for espresso. You will know they are the right beans if they have undergone an intense roasting process, appears shiny and darker and gives an oily cover. The crema is another determining factor.
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How to make great espresso aside from the right blend?
We have three key elements to make your cups of espresso worth sharing with your friends.
Grind the beans to an accurate consistency.
Use a quality espresso machine as it contributes to the right brewing pressure and temperature.
Your skilled hand. You don’t need to be a professional barista to do so. Just make sure the espresso you’re preparing is concentrated with sweetened aroma and thick, frothy crema.
We have three key elements to make your cups of espresso worth sharing with your friends.
- Grind the beans to an accurate consistency.
- Use a quality espresso machine as it contributes to the right brewing pressure and temperature.
- Your skilled hand. You don’t need to be a professional barista to do so. Just make sure the espresso you’re preparing is concentrated with sweetened aroma and thick, frothy crema.
My Verdict
We hope you find the perfect match for your espresso machine and palate, whether you’re an espresso aficionado or simply new to coffee brewing.
All of these espresso coffee beans deserve a double thumbs up for their delicacy and pocket-friendly price range. You should definitely try any of these beans and be the judge!