Do you love the flavor and aroma of a freshly-brewed cup of espresso? Are you hunting for the perfect espresso beans to make your own at home? If so, then this blog post is for you! We’ve rounded up the best espresso beans available today and will explain why they’re worth considering.
Table Of Contents
−- Best espresso beans
- Different Types of Espresso Beans
- Espresso beans vs. regular beans
- What is unique about espresso beans?
- Grind size for espresso beans
- What affects the taste profile of an espresso?
- How to Buy the Best Espresso Beans
| EDITOR’S CHOICE | 2ND PICK | 3RD PICK | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  | |
| Lavazza Super Crema | Koffee Kult | Kicking Horse Coffee, Cliff Hanger Espresso | |
| Ratings | |||
| Whole Beans? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Roast Level | Medium | Dark | Medium |
| CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
Best espresso beans
Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or just starting to brew espresso at home, the quality of your beans can make all the difference. We’ve reviewed five of the best espresso beans worldwide to help you find the perfect one for your taste. Keep reading to learn more about our top picks!
Lavazza Super Crema Beans
The flavors are mainly European in taste, less fruity than most, undoubtedly chocolate-based, and richer in flavor. Honestly, you will enjoy sipping the resulting brew.
Lavazza Super Crema Beans are a great choice for those looking for a delicious and affordable espresso blend. This special blend of 80% Arabica beans and 20% Robusta creates a full-bodied flavor with hints of hazelnut and brown sugar.
The crema is thick and long-lasting, making it perfect for those who enjoy a classic espresso. The Lavazza Super Crema will provide a smooth flavor with little bitterness, whether you’re enjoying an espresso or drip coffee.
We recently reviewed this Italian whole-bean coffee and found it excellent! Lavazza Super Crema Beans are your best bet if you’re looking for an “everyday” coffee that won’t break the bank.
Specification
- Whole or Ground: Whole bean
- Roast: Medium
- Aroma: Dried fruit, honey
- Origin: Brazil, India, Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam
- Tasting Notes: Sweet, creamy, fragrant
Pros
- Mild flavor
- The versatile roast can be used for iced, hot, or milk-based coffee drinks
- Works well with French Press automatic coffee machines
Cons
- Mass-produced, typical coffee shop taste
- It could be too mild for some users
Koffee Kult Coffee Beans Dark Roasted
Love dark roast coffee beans? We urge you to give this one a shot. Koffee Kult samples its beans in Guatemala, Colombia, and Sumatra. These three countries have humid and hot climates that allow useful substances and elements to be absorbed and present in the finished bean.
Once harvested, the beans are fried in small groups. This makes preserving antioxidants and taste properties, including fruit, cocoa, and cinnamon notes, easier.
It is good to note these beans are purely Arabica. Robusta is not included at all in the finished product.
Roasting and saturation combined with the length of the finish make these beans a must-have. They can also complement other drinks, such as cappuccinos, pure espresso, and lattes.
Specification
- Whole or Ground: Whole Bean
- Roast: Dark Roast
- Aroma: Caramel Chocolate
- Origin: Colombia, Guatemala, Brazil, and Sumatra
- Tasting Notes: heavy body, smooth, cinnamon, and bright with a long finish
Pros
- Low acid content
- US roasted meets all food standards
- 100% organic
Cons
- It may not be strong enough if you want an extreme caffeine boost.
Kicking Horse Coffee, Cliff Hanger Espresso
Kicking Horse Coffee, Cliff Hanger Espresso is a truly heavenly experience. This organic medium-roast coffee has a bright and fruity flavor, with sweet cocoa notes that linger on the tongue. It’s smooth, and the chocolaty blend will surely give you an unforgettable experience.
The fair trade, kosher, and shade-grown beans come from Kicking Horse Coffee in Canada. Each Kicking Horse Cliff Hanger Espresso bag contains 454 grams of fresh, flavorful whole beans that can be used for brewing espresso or poured over ice for iced coffee. Get ready for a wild berry syrup flavor that will make you want more!
Specifications
- Whole or Ground: Whole Bean
- Roast: Medium
- Aroma: Blackcurrant, milk chocolate, brown sugar
- Origin: Africa, Indonesia, Central & South America
- Tasting Notes: Silky and complex, wild berry syrup with a smooth cocoa finish
Pros
- Organic, fair trade, and kosher
- Caffeine boost without the burnt aftertaste
- Bright and sunny brews
Cons
- Stronger than typical medium roasts
Coffee Bean Direct Italian Roast Espresso
It will be impossible to conceal your joy after trying these espresso beans. They are collected from four continents and mixed in special proportions before being roasted by hand. Some unique flavor ingredients are added using a special formula during roasting, so you sip a drink with a pleasant shade of honey.
You will also trace the aroma reminiscent of a cocoa powder blend and smoky molasses. The great taste results from this combination make these beans stand out from the crowd.
The beans are packed in special foil bags to keep them cool and preserve nutrients. The beans earned a rating of 4 out of 5 with over 400 reviews on Amazon.
Specifications
- Aroma: Toasted honey
- Roast: Italian (darker than French)
- Whole or Ground: Whole bean
- Origin: South America, India
- Tasting Notes: Cocoa powder, smoky molasses
Pros
- Retains freshness for longer
- Well balanced flavor
- Good for espressos as well as milk-based drinks
Cons
- Beans are too oily
Stumptown Hairbender Espresso Beans
Stumptown Coffee Roasters Hair Bender Espresso Beans are small-batch, premium roasted beans that make a perfect cup of espresso.
Stumptown is best known for sourcing quality beans across the world. So be sure to expect nothing less but quality beans from this roaster. This blend has a little bit of everything. It got a bit of Latin American notes, as well as African and Indonesian.
The flavors are citrus and dark chocolate. While Stumptown recommends this roast for all brew methods, we prefer using it for straight espresso shots and not milk-based coffees.
Our review highlighted the importance of using single-origin coffee for espresso, making the Hair Bender Blend an ideal choice.
Whether you prefer espresso, cold brew, or pour-over, Stumptown Coffee Roasters Hair Bender Espresso Beans will provide you with a delicious cup every time. Experience the unique flavor of this blend for yourself – order it today!
Specifications
- Whole or Ground: Whole Bean
- Roast: Dark
- Aroma: Citrus, dark chocolate
- Origin: Indonesia, Latin America, Africa
- Tasting Notes: Sweet, balanced
Pros
- Flavorful notes of fruit and toffee
- Mild but robust flavor
Cons
- Too many flavors may feel overwhelming
- Not organic
Different Types of Espresso Beans
Espresso beans are a type of coffee bean that has been specially prepared to create espresso shots. The beans are roasted for longer and at higher temperatures than regular coffee beans, giving them a darker, richer flavor. Espresso beans come in various styles, from light and sweet to dark and intense.
Depending on your blend, your espresso will have different flavors and aromas. Light roast espressos tend to be more acidic and bright, while dark roasts produce deeper flavors with a fuller body. Some specialty espresso blends aim to bring out certain flavor notes like chocolate or caramel. Regardless of the type of espresso bean you use, it’s important to grind them fresh for the best possible flavor.
Espresso beans vs. regular beans
Is there a difference between regular coffee beans and espresso beans? The same beans are used to make both espresso and other coffees. The only difference is that espresso beans are roasted longer and at a higher temperature than other types of beans. However, it is good to note that espresso roast can be used with any other brewing method.
Espresso blends contain beans of various varieties from different countries and are selected explicitly by professionals for a specific, unique taste profile.
What is unique about espresso beans?
You may want to ask, “why only use espresso beans when there are other varieties?”. To help you understand why these beans are unique, here are a few reasons why many coffee lovers vouch for them.
- Traditionally, espresso has always been roasted darker than other types of coffee. This has resulted in some people getting accustomed to a particular espresso flavor not achievable with regular beans.
- Blends are still vague in the espresso world. While people increasingly appreciate them, they are yet to gain traction in the espresso world regarding the French press or filter. For that reason, espresso beans are still affordable. Keep in mind that single-origin coffees are expensive.
- Works well with milk: If you want to use the espresso in a milk-based drink such as lattes or cappuccinos, you will need a rather dark roast to cut through the creaminess of the milk. This is significant!
Grind size for espresso beans
First, it is good to note that you cannot make espresso with a coarse to medium grind. That means if you have to get a grinder, it should have micrometric adjustments to reach the acceptable level.
If using a pressurized portafilter, we recommend looking for ground coffee labeled as espresso.
If you don’t use a fine grind, wait to sip a thin, watery espresso.
What affects the taste profile of an espresso?
Several things largely determine whether you will sip a great cup of espresso or not. Here are some of those factors:
Country of origin
The area where the beans are grown will affect the taste of the final espresso. These factors include humidity, soil, terrain, nearby forests or bodies of water, elevation, temperature, etc. So keep this in mind when shopping.
Varieties
Fact: espresso is made using Arabica coffee. When creating an espresso blend, the following rules must apply: the coffee should be full-bodied, have a muffled acidity, and be sweet enough to balance acidity and bitterness in the finished drink.
Roasting
It is not compulsory to use only espresso roast beans. Espresso blends can contain beans with varying degrees of roasting: the beans can be dark chocolate with a slight oily sheen, the color of milk chocolate, or be black and very oily in appearance.
Roast date
To prepare and taste the best espresso, it is always recommended to use espresso blends within two weeks from the roasting date. However, it’s good to note that carbon dioxide in the beans can interfere with the extraction of espresso for the first day or two after roasting. For that reason, some baristas recommend giving the beans a 48-hour rest before using them.
Pro tip! Most coffee manufacturers don’t recommend buying ready-made ground coffee. They like it when you grind fresh coffee because only fresh beans will give your espresso its distinctive crema and that memorable taste.
How to Buy the Best Espresso Beans
Buying the best espresso beans can be a daunting task. With so many options, it’s hard to know where to begin. To help make your decision easier, here are some tips for buying the best espresso beans.
- Freshness is key when buying espresso beans. Look for bags that have been freshly roasted and are as close to their roast date as possible. This will ensure that you get the freshest and most flavorful beans available.
- Quality matters when it comes to coffee beans. You want to buy only quality coffee properly roasted and blended with the right ingredients; you get the best flavor possible.
- Look for brands specializing in espresso blends or specialty coffees such as Italian roasts or single-origin coffees like those from Colombia or Ethiopia. These types of coffees will often have more complexity of flavors than traditional blends.
- Try different brands and roasts to find one that best suits your taste preferences and budget. Remember how strong you like your coffee and what flavors you enjoy most so you can narrow your choices quickly and easily.
With these tips in mind, you should have no problem.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links. Remember to support us by purchasing through the Amazon/Walmart/Impact Radius links provided. Last update on 2025-01-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
