Espresso is a type of coffee that has become very popular because of its rich taste and strong aroma. The quality of the coffee beans used to make espresso is a major reason for this.
Well, in this article, I have come up with a list of top-quality espresso beans, including their unique flavor profiles and origins.
If you’re a coffee lover, you must have got a chance to cross paths with espresso. Espresso is a coffee brewing technique that employs high water pressure and finely ground beans to make concentrated coffee shots.
But even if you have a good-quality espresso machine, you can’t get the best cup of espresso, if you don’t have high-quality coffee beans made for brewing espresso.
Quick Look at the Top 5 Picks of 2023
- Fabula Organic Espresso Coffee Beans
- Koffee Kult Dark roasted beans
- Lavazza Super Crema Espresso
- Stumptown coffee roasters hair bender
- Kicking Horse Coffee
One question I see a lot of people ask me in the comments.
There is no right answer to this. Some people prefer medium roast and some prefer dark roast. But generally speaking, You need to get coffee beans that have been perfectly medium-roasted at the right temperature, and that come up with a fresh and refreshing aroma.
You must avoid oily beans when grinding for espresso. When properly followed the procedures, you should be able to get a smooth and full-bodied shot of espresso with great crema.
Fabula Espresso Organic Coffee Beans: My Top Pick
Great tasting coffee beans, very low in acidity too. We’ve tried many different beans for our at-home espresso maker and these are by far our favorite.
If you are a fan of organic products then Fabula Coffee is the perfect brand for you. The primary purpose of this brand is to provide you with healthy, organic, and ethically sourced coffee beans. It’s clean, organic, and low acidic.
What are espresso beans?
Espresso beans are a special roasted and blended coffee bean that yields a stronger, more concentrated cup of coffee. They have a strong, robust flavor since they are brewed at high pressure. Coffee may be made using almost any kind of coffee bean. Yet, espresso beans are hand-picked and carefully roasted to achieve a certain profile.
Should you buy ground coffee or whole coffee beans for espresso?
Whole bean keeps the coffee fresh and consequently keeps the antioxidants intact. Additionally, it enables you to grind the beans to coarse or fine to better suit your taste preferences and brew method.
For espresso, you will need to use a fine grind. To get the most out of our coffee I recommend grinding the amount you need as close to brewing as possible.
Difference between coffee beans for espresso and regular coffee beans
The coffee beans are the same no matter if you are buying the espresso bean or the normal coffee bean. The basic difference lies in the way they are roasted.
The coffee beans for espresso need a bit longer duration for roasting, and they are also roasted at a higher temperature to get the best smell and dark roast flavor.
You can in fact use dark roasted single-origin beans in any automatic espresso machine you have to prepare the best espresso shots.
Here Are the Best Coffee Beans for Espresso in 2023 To Satisfy Your Taste Buds
1. Fabula Organic Espresso (Medium-dark Roast)
The Fabula Coffee Espresso beans come up with some amazing advantages and features. The best part about these beans is that they are organically produced, and are sourced directly from the farm. These beans are prepared organically by farmers from Nicaragua, and they work really hard to get you the most delicious cup of espresso every morning.
If you want to get a perfectly smooth and non-bitter flavored cup of espresso, then Fabula espresso beans are the best choice for you.
This brand of espresso comes up with different labels and specifications, and you may get tired, but the list of advantages associated with this espresso bean won’t stop.
Origin: The beans used to make Fabula Espresso Roast come from across the Americas, including South and Central.
Roast level: The beans are roasted to a pleasant dark, bringing natural sweetness without overpowering the other flavors. Roasting the beans in small quantities guarantees both quality and uniformity.
Flavor Profile: Fabula’s Espresso Roast has a well-balanced, caramel- and chocolate-tinged taste. The body is moderate, and the acidity is low.
First of all, the best part about this espresso bean is that it has been certified by testing agencies, and they have declared these beans to be 100% organic. Secondly, these are spring washed and sun-dried naturally. Thus, no artificial chemicals or processes are involved in the preparation of these beans.
These beans are toxins-free, and the beans are also sourced sustainably without harming the environment. All these best features of the Fabula coffee espresso beans mean that you will have a healthy and organic cup of coffee every morning.
These organic arabica coffee beans are produced and procured without harming the environment and farmers who are involved in the production process.
2. Koffee Kult Dark Roasted Beans
Just like the name suggests, drinking this coffee will be like joining a cult. You will love the taste of these dark roasted espresso beans so much that you will forget about all the other coffee you have drank ever.
The flavor of the Koffee Kult Dark roasted beans is quite distinctive, and you will know this once you sip the first cup of coffee.
Origin: Koffee Kult gets its beans from all over the globe, but many come from South and Central America.
Roast level: Dark Roast Beans are roasted darker than regular beans, resulting in a more complex and intense taste. Roasting the beans in small quantities guarantees both quality and uniformity.
Flavor Profile: The Koffee Kult Dark Roast Beans have a robust taste profile that includes chocolate and caramel undertones. Its mild acidity makes them perfect for espresso shots, and their finish is silky.
These coffee beans for espresso are roasted in the US, and thus, it meets all certification and standards as mentioned by the Food Standards organization. They remain fresh longer, and it doesn’t lose their aroma.
They also meet the safety criteria by SCAA, which is one of the most important bodies verifying the standards of coffee beans. These beans for espresso are 100% organic, and they have been sourced from farms in Columbia and Sumatra.
These beans offer the best blends that are made from high-quality coffee. The best part about these beans is that they are not too bitter, and even if you are a beginner espresso fan, you will love the taste of the coffee. The acid content is quite low, so you won’t face any kind of acidity or indigestion even after drinking 5-10 cups of coffee every day.
These are suitable for different gourmet specialty and their consistent and aromatic taste, and smell makes them one of the best beans among real coffee fans. The Koffee Kult coffee beans don’t have too intense a smell and taste, and thus, they can be easily used as late-evening drinks.
3. Lavazza Super Crema Espresso
If you are a lighter and sweetener coffee fan, this coffee beans by Lavazza Super can be one of the best products for you. The best part about the Lavazza Super crema espresso is that it offers a blend of South American and Indonesian beans. In addition to this, it is also blended with a smooth and delicious variety of Brazilian coffee beans. Thus, you get the best of all worlds in this delicious mix of coffee beans.
Origin: Beans from South America and Asia are combined to make Lavazza Super Crema Espresso Whole Bean Coffee.
Roast level: The beans are roasted to a happy medium, resulting in a well-rounded taste. Roasting the beans in small quantities guarantees both quality and uniformity.
Flavor Profile: Lavazza’s Extra Creamy Crema Coffee Creamy and smooth, with hints of honey, almonds, and dried fruit, whole bean coffee is a delicious treat. It’s perfect for espresso shots because of its mild body and moderate acidity. A high-quality espresso shot is characterized by a thick layer of crema produced by the beans.
They have a touch of smooth, velvety, and creamy taste, which makes it one of the best products for espressos as well as French drips. In addition to this, you can also use these beans to prepare some fancier drinks with lots of whipped cream and sweet cream. Thus, no matter if you are looking to prepare a delicious cup of espresso or an amazing cup of latte, the Lavazza Super Crema Espresso can be the most suited coffee beans for you.
These are not too oily, and thus, they can be easily used in different types of automatic pour over coffee makers without any hassle. For people who love to have caffeinated drinks in Italian cafes and restaurants, the Lavazza Super Crema Espresso can be one of the best products for them.
These have a dark brown color, and the beans are roasted perfectly at the perfect temperature to provide a creamy and smooth texture to all your drinks. The coffee beans by Lavazza Super Crema will give you an authentic European taste and feel. These beans do not have any fruity or chocolaty flavor to them.
4. Stumptown Hair Bender
Just like the name of this brand, you may have to bend in love with this delicious coffee bean. The best part about this espresso bean is that it has been loved and liked by beginners and pro coffee drinkers alike.
Although the packaging of the coffee bean may not sound too interesting to you, what is inside the packaging will certainly attract you. When you visit a shop to buy these beans, there is a high chance that you will consider it just another coffee brand. But, buy it once, and you will never forget the taste and aroma of this.
It is not too oily. Thus, it can be easily used in any automatic coffee machine to give you a perfect cup of espresso every morning. These beans have been roasted perfectly, and thus, they offer the best aroma and taste. The coffee beans are rich, flavorful, and have different notes. Thus, anyone who appreciates the true taste of the coffee will certainly like this product.
It can be basically called bright and sunny weans that are perfect to start your day. In fact, these beans can be easily used at night as it is not too heavy. Although it is a dark roast, you won’t feel high or too energetic after drinking a cup of espresso. These are sourced from Africa, Latin America, and Indonesia.
5. Kicking Horse Coffee
You must be excited about knowing details about these coffee beans after reading its name. If the name of this brand hasn’t excited you, the rich and smooth flavor will definitely attract you. The mystical black packaging of this brand is one of the best parts of these beans. These Rocky Mountain toasted beans are perfect for your morning coffee dose.
Origin: Coffee beans from South America, Central America, and Asia are all used in the Knee Buckling Espresso.
Roast level: Medium-dark roasting brings out the beans’ full, nuanced taste. Roasting the beans in small quantities guarantees both quality and uniformity.
Flavor Profile: The Knee Buckling Espresso from Kicking Horse Coffee Company is an intense coffee with a rich taste that includes hints of chocolate, caramel, and lemon. It’s perfect for espresso shots because of its mild body and moderate acidity.
Just like the kick of horses, the flavor and taste of these beans are too strong. If you are not a regular coffee drinker, you may not love the taste initially, but, gradually you will fall in love with its flavors. The flavor of the coffee is strong but smooth, and the acid content of the coffee is too low. Thus, you won’t face indigestion or any other discomfort even after drinking several cups of espresso.
Some flavor of nutmeg can also be found in this coffee. This is a 100% organic product that is derived from Central America, South America, and Indonesia. Thus, the perfect blend and taste of all these places will give you one of the best cups of coffee you will ever drink.
The flavor of these espresso beans is quite perfect, and it has an earthy brew and robust but a very velvety taste to it.
The Kicking Horse Coffee beans are one of the best products that you can have in your kitchen to open your eyes early morning. These are not designed for faint-hearted people, and if you are in need of a mild coffee flavor, you should check out some other products.
6. Blue Horse Kona Dark roast
Cheers to another coffee as strong as a horse. If you are a coffee lover who loves to have a strong flavor but can’t have too strong coffee like the Kicking Horse coffee brand, the Blue Horse Kona dark roast coffee can be one of the perfect items for you.
These are sourced and derived from the big island of Kona in Hawaii. The Kona island is known for its volcanic eruption in the past. Tasting this coffee will feel like a volcano in your mouth.
These beans for espresso have a bit of an ashy smell and taste, and thus, it gives a distinctive flavor. The Blue Horse Kona roast is not too oily, and thus, it can be used in any automatic coffee maker you have in your kitchen. These are good options for people who want to get perfect brews and not the perfect maintenance of their coffee machine.
These beans will offer you the most authentic Kona roast, and you will fall in love with the flavor as soon as you take the first sip of the espresso. These are not 100% organic, but they are certified to be suitable by the certifying bodies.
The best part about these beans is that it is sourced from a single-family farm on Kona Island. This family has preserved the authentic taste and flavor of these coffee beans for years. These are perfect in all other senses, except that you may need to pay a hefty price to get these beans. But, if you are a true coffee lover, you can surely pay a few extra bucks to get this flavorful and authentic coffee from Kona Island.
7. Death Wish Espresso Roast
Don’t worry; you are not going to die after drinking a cup of coffee by a Death wish. These coffee beans will help you in preparing a perfectly brewed coffee, that you will wish to live all your life just to drink this perfect cup of coffee. The coffee package will certainly attract your mind as it has a skull and bone mark on the package.
People who are looking to get a kick after drinking a cup of espresso must think about purchasing these espresso coffee beans by a Death wish.
Origin: The beans used in Death Wish’s coffee come from around the globe, including South America and Asia. The company only sells organic Fair Trade beans.
Roast level: Dark Roast Beans are roasted to a dark degree for a robust and deep taste, as the name indicates. Roasting the beans in small quantities guarantees both quality and uniformity.
Flavor profile: Taste Characteristics: Bold and smooth, with chocolate and cherry undertones, Death Wish Organic Dark Roast Beans deliver an unforgettable cup of coffee. Its mild acidity makes them perfect for espresso shots, and their aftertaste lingers for quite some time.
When compared with the level of strength and flavor, these Arabica beans for espresso are one level up as compared to the kicking horse 454. These have a high percentage of caffeine, and thus, it may not be suggested for people who have sleeping issues. As the name suggests, the taste of the coffee may seem like death, but this is not the reality. Instead, the reality is just the opposite. The espresso drink prepared by using these beans will taste delicious.
This is an organically produced coffee bean that is derived from Peru. Death Wish may also have an added note of cherry and chocolate inside it. If you are not used to drinking coffee with high caffeine content, you may feel a burn inside your mouth. Thus, beginners must stay away from these beans.
If you never had a black roast before, you should certainly not try this product. Drinking espresso made with these beans after 4 pm may cause insomnia-like symptoms.
8. Lavazza Crema e gusto
If you don’t want to experiment too much with the strongness and blends of the coffee bean, but still you want the perfect flavor, the Lavazza Crema e Gusto can be the perfect choice for you. This is a mass-produced coffee bean, so it is offered at the most affordable price in the market.
The best part about this coffee bean is that it is a mixture of 80% Robusta and 20% Arabica coffee. Thus, people who want to have the best of both worlds without any hassle must try this coffee bean by Lavazza Crema e Gusto.
This coffee flavor and taste are perfect for those people who want to have a restaurant-like coffee at the convenience of their home. The intensity and the flavor of Lavazza Crema e Gusto are perfect and are one of the perfect choices as compared to the other mass-produced flavors of coffee beans.
The full-bodied flavor of this coffee bean is also commendable. The flavor of the coffee is quite unique, and it is mostly loved by people in Italy and surrounding regions. You may find some notes of chocolates amidst the flavor. Although this coffee bean is not 100% organic, it has passed all safety and certification criteria by concerned authorities. The coffee is sourced from Indonesia, Africa, and Brazil. This is one of the most affordable coffees that you can get to prepare the best cup of espresso.
If you are trying to use whole coffee beans for the first time in your coffee machine, you can certainly go for this one.
How to Store Espresso Beans?
Espresso beans lose their flavor and quality if not stored correctly. Here are several storage pointers:
● Store them somewhere dry and sealed. Moisture and oxygen are the main threats. To maintain their quality, you must prevent them from becoming stale.
● Keep the beans in a dark, cool location. They must be shielded from the light of day. Light and heat from the sun might diminish the product’s quality.
● The beans should not be frozen. Beans are one of those foods that many mistakenly believe may keep their freshness after being frozen. Freezing both adds moisture and eliminates the odor.
● Never prepare a batch of ground spices in advance. Coffee beans should only be ground just before use. The oils, taste, and fragrance are released during the grinding process. It will begin to fade if you don’t put it to good use.
● Keep for up to four weeks. After this time, coffee beans lose their aroma and caffeine content.
Why does choosing the right beans matter?
Good espresso can’t be made with just any beans. Coffee’s flavor, fragrance, and mouthfeel are all determined by the beans used to make it. Espresso made from low-quality beans will be watery, aromaless, and unpleasant.
The key element is pressure-tolerant beans. Espresso is brewed under intense pressure. The flavor will be correct if the coffee beans can handle it.
The oils and tastes of the beans are effectively extracted by high pressure. This results in the characteristic espresso flavor.
The flavor of each kind of coffee bean is different. They are conditional on things like weather, elevation, geography, etc. The ideal beans for your espresso mix may be selected using these flavor characteristics.
Factors you need to consider before purchasing the espresso beans
Different factors need to be considered when you are thinking about purchasing the best espresso beans. Is this your first time shopping for espresso coffee beans, you must pay attention to the following important points:
Freshness
A freshly packed coffee bean is perfect any day. If you are given a choice to choose between coffee that has been packed last month and the one that was packed last week, always go for the latest packaging.
This way, the freshness and the flavor of the coffee remain intact. Never buy a coffee that does not have the date of roasting printed on it. You will certainly be fooled. Coffee is an agricultural product, and it will certainly be poor in quality if it is too old. Thus, pay maximum attention to the freshness of the coffee beans before you purchase them.
Packaging
Packaging may not be the most important factor you need to consider, but it is one of the most important factors that you need to look into when purchasing it. Leak-proof packaging is best suited as it will prevent oxidation in the coffee beans. In addition to this, try to check all details and specifications mentioned on the packaging to get the best deal. Try to know about the date of roasting, certification, and different flavors included to get the best purchase.
Type of roast
If you are new to the coffee world, you need to know that different types of roasting are available. Try to make sure that the coffee beans you are purchasing are an espresso roast or a dark roast.
Espresso beans are known for their powerful flavors because of the dark roasting method often used to prepare them. The roasting level often influences its flavor. You’ll want beans that shine after being roasted.
The filter roast is perfect for the manual brewing of coffee. The espresso roast is slightly caramelized to give you a creamy and smooth coffee texture.
Thus, choose the roast type as per your personal taste and the coffee preparation type you need. The filter roast is more acidic, and it constitutes a more strong flavor. So choose the type of roast wisely.
Related: What is espresso – Everything you need to know about
Single or mixed Origin
Not all coffee varieties are derived from a single source. Some coffee beans are derived from multiple regions and areas. If your choice of coffee is a single source of Origin, you need to be prepared for a strong, flavorful, and classiest cup of coffee. Blends are also a good option, but generally, they are good for milk-based coffee preparation. No matter if the coffee is derived from a single source or multiple sources, both taste good, and it depends upon your personal preference and what choice you make.
Origin selection
When you are given a coffee bean packet, you may find different origins listed on the packet. Coffee is an agricultural product that does not need to go through multiple processing units. The temperature, moisture, soil conditions, and climatic conditions determine a lot about the taste and quality of the coffee.
The origin of the beans has a significant impact on their flavor and scent. For instance, South American beans, grown in a different climate, have a nutty flavor and an earthy aroma.
On the other hand, African beans have a sweet and complex fruity flavor. In addition to this, coffees derived from Central American regions have sweet and sunny flavors. Thus, be careful about the taste and smell you like the best and then choose the coffee beans accordingly.
Crema
The thick foam called “crema” tops a cup of freshly made espresso. The quality of this item is also determined by the beans used. While some coffee machines may not be capable of it, others may make very thick crema.
Price
Espresso beans may cost up to three times as much as regular coffee beans. The beans’ superior quality and indigenous nature play a role in this. The cost increases since some are often imported.
Also read: French press vs Espresso.
FAQs
Why are espresso beans oily?
The main reason for them to be oily is that they are roasted for too long. This means the espresso beans are dark roasted to get the best flavor from the beans. Roasting is the main reason for the beans to get oily. With the dark roasting process of the beans, the grains become more porous, and caramelization takes place.
What does espresso taste like
The roasting, grounding, and brewing espresso coffee shot is way different compared to other coffee brewing techniques. Espresso shots are bolder, less acidic, and full-bodied in taste. It has a rich and flavorful taste as the roasting process churns out more oils from the beans that give a heavy texture to the coffee.
Espresso shots generally give a mouthful feel and are super refreshing compared to any regular mug of coffee.
Do espresso beans have more caffeine?
Let’s burst the bubble. There’s nothing in this world that can be termed as “espresso beans”. To put this in super simple words, espresso is a brewing technique. The caffeine level in espresso shots or, a normal mug of coffee is pretty much similar. The difference lies in the roast. The roasting process of the coffee alters the taste of the beverage, and not the caffeine content. The roasting brings the real change to the coffee
What affects the taste of espresso beans
Different factors differentiate the taste profile of an espresso bean. Some of the major factors include the duration of roasting, the type of roasting, the date of roasting, the Origin of the beans, and whether the coffee beans are single-origin or blend.
Final Words
Who doesn’t like freshly brewed coffee? If you are an espresso lover, the taste, smell, and flavor of coffee matter a lot. In this world of fake coffee pouches, it can be pretty difficult to get the perfect cup of coffee.
So why not get one of these coffee beans for espresso and prepare fresh coffee in the comfort of your home?
So, get any of these espresso beans that we mentioned above and give yourself the perfect cup of espresso. Let us know which one of these coffee beans you loved the most.
