updated: May 9, 2022 by owen richardson
A lot has happened in the recent past that has made buying the best espresso beans for crema more difficult than ever. not only do you have to be careful with brands; you should pay special attention to things like the coffee’s origin, roast levels, freshness, and other factors.
Reading: Best crema coffee beans
The good news is that it can be done. Armed with all the relevant information, you’ll find it easier to navigate this tight space. don’t worry though, all the content you need is right here in this guide.
I’ll show you the espresso beans you can count on for a beautiful crema based on the factors I just mentioned and also how to buy them. In addition to that, I answer the most pressing questions on this topic.
Join me as I take you through this journey.
first selection
Lavazza Super Crema Espresso Whole Bean is at the top of the list of the best coffees for espresso crema because it scores highly in all the essential areas. you get the freshest beans specially stored to prevent them from going rancid, no oily characteristics to worry about, the roast level is medium and the beans have a rich flavor profile.
introducing… the best espresso beans for crema
1. lavazza super crema espresso whole bean – best overall
Espresso is known to have a bitter aftertaste, but if you despise this part, then Lavazza Super Crema has you covered. And because you definitely want something you’ll extract a rich, thick cream from, these whole beans complete your cravings. there is so much more to love about these espresso beans.
key features
- from various countries including india, vietnam, colombia, indonesia and brazil
- available as coffee beans
- medium roast
- mixes arabica and robusta coffee in a ratio of 60:40
- packaged in nitrogen to preserve freshness and extend shelf life
- makes a rich espresso with hints of almonds and honey
- produces a delicious, velvety and robust cream
- higher levels of acidity intensify its already rich flavor and aroma
- being a coffee blend means it pairs well with espresso-based beverages like cappuccinos and lattes
- very affordable
- Not being a single origin coffee, it is vulnerable to flavor variations, but you can avoid this by not letting the beans linger too long
- combines arabica varieties from honduras and brazil with african robusta coffee
- medium roast
- available as whole beans
- long-lasting flavor
- balanced with washed Arabica coffee to minimize acidity and achieve a sweet taste
- selected and roasted by experts for espresso
- can be used for espresso, french press and drip coffee maker
- Because it is a blend, the flavor may vary if you store the beans for a long time
- obtained from india, brazil and central america
- medium roast
- certified by the italian institute of espresso
- available as whole beans
- each mono-origin is roasted separately for maximum flavor
- Specially stored to increase shelf life
- popular brand certified by the main coffee institutions in italy
- produces an intense and round aroma with notes of toasted cereals and a rich aftertaste
- very affordable
- no fruity, earthy, or similar flavors, so may not be the best option if you have a sweet tooth
- 100% Arabica coffee from Africa, Indonesia and Latin America
- available as whole beans
- medium roast
- stored in an innovative bag that maintains freshness if left open
- rich and complex flavor profile
- Versatile “blend” that is excellent for both espresso and coffee
- persistent chocolate aftertaste
- non-greasy, making it suitable for fully automatic espresso machines
- a bit expensive
- pressure level
- choice of machine
- choice of water (always use filtered water)
now super crema produces not only a full body, but also a precise taste experience, and this can be attributed to expert bean selection and innovative roasting techniques. hints of honey and roasted hazelnut further add to its flavor profile, giving it a well-balanced taste.
Should you get to a point where you wanted to ditch the espresso and use your coffee maker, these coffee beans would still serve you reliably.
advantages
cons
lavazza super crema ticks all the right boxes, whether it’s freshness, roast level or appearance. is a popular brand you can trust for great-tasting coffee beans.
2. lavazza espresso barista gran crema whole bean blend: best budget
For a complete espresso experience, this is the ideal blend. Lavazza’s goal was to enable you to make your espresso exactly as professional Italian baristas do, either with a fully automatic espresso machine or.
do it right and it’s not just the velvety cream you’re going to love! you can expect a rich, intense espresso with a spicy, chocolaty aroma.
key features
Something that has kept many coffee lovers coming back for more gran crema barista espresso is the lingering fruity flavors. long after you’ve taken your chance, you’ll still get a true taste of italy.
Here’s the best part: This blend isn’t just perfect for espresso. use it with your french press or drip coffee maker and the result will be just as great.
advantages
cons
lavazza espresso barista gran crema is undoubtedly an aromatic blend with balanced flavors and an aftertaste that every coffee lover desires. this makes it a worthy purchase.
3. filicori zecchini whole bean italian espresso medium dark roast
filicori zecchini shines where other brands struggle. Over the many decades that they have supplied coffee beans, consistency has never been close to their weakness. year after year, your coffee supplies produce the same taste, if not better.
See also: Coffee Cookies
That already tells you a lot about Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend. it is not only a unique blend, but also the best for espresso crema.
key features
Because freshness matters so much when it comes to espresso crema, the brand went the extra mile. the beans are stored in a unique multi-layer box with a special one-way valve. as a result, oxygen cannot reach the coffee beans; the one-way helps make sure of that.
what’s particularly unique about this blend is that it’s dark but without any of the scary oily characteristics. you get a beautiful crema without having to worry about it clogging your espresso machine.
Other than that, any doubts you may have about blends won’t hold for the Filicori Zecchini Medium Dark Roast Italian Espresso Whole Bean. like everyone else blending theirs before roasting, they do just the opposite. in fact, they do it so well that all of their coffee beans are the same color and produce that intense flavor that we all appreciate.
advantages
cons
Clearly, these are the beans to choose if you want the purest espresso with a beautiful crema.
4. whole bean stumptown coffee
stumptown! For starters, this is a household name in the American coffee industry. they have earned it thanks to their excellence in the elaboration of the best coffee beans. hair bender whole bean coffee beans made it to this list for a reason. no matter how you prepare them, you can be sure they will brighten your day. you are guaranteed more body, an intense flavor and, of course, a lot of cream.
key features
Because the beans are from Stumptown, that’s a guarantee they’re fresh. In addition, the manufacturer stores them in special bags that are effective in maintaining their freshness for up to 90 days.
although it is a single origin coffee, the arabica beans come from different areas, giving it a “blend” with a complex flavor profile defined by notes of dark chocolate, citrus and raisins. Stumptown continually tests this blend to ensure the flavor is consistent over time.
advantages
cons
Don’t let the weird looking bag distract you from this rich, savory and complex “blend”. It can be expensive, but you are guaranteed tremendous value for money.
what is cream?
Crema is the reddish-brown foamy layer that forms on top of a freshly brewed shot of espresso. It may not be what makes a perfect cup of coffee, but there’s more to crema that makes it important to coffee lovers and baristas.
for starters, it’s the sign of a perfect espresso. the presence of crema points to well-ground coffee beans and, of course, refined coffee-making skills. It’s not just a barista who can achieve this; even you, a coffee enthusiast, can do it.
this is how crema is generated: once ground coffee meets hot water, the result is the generation of carbon dioxide microbubbles. It’s no different for espresso, only here, pressurized hot water comes into contact with finely ground coffee. this generates liquid and cream. however, co2 microbubbles are only present in the cream. when they attach to the natural fats and oils in the coffee, the crema rises to the top, leading to the formation of a foamy layer or what many people prefer to call the “guiness effect”.
how to choose the best espresso beans for crema
let’s face it, as coffee addicts we all know that the best coffee beans for espresso crema are from independent coffee roasters. that’s because they come with a roast date to remind you how fresh your coffee beans are.
You can call one up and have them mail you a batch of fresh whole espresso beans right now, but there’s a catch: It’s not cheap at all.
If you don’t have the budget for it, you only have one option left: buy from trusted online vendors like amazon. But even on Amazon, you have to be careful not to fall for the wrong product. here is a guide to help you:
freshness
None of us would want to miss out on achieving cream perfection. and the trick to this is quite simple: use the freshest whole coffee beans (probably those that were roasted no more than 24 hours ago).
If you live near coffee havens, this shouldn’t be a big deal. but since most of us don’t enjoy that privilege, online sellers are our best alternative.
so before placing your order, check the roast date. Or save yourself all the trouble by buying any of the options on our list!
roast level
It’s not just coffee connoisseurs who wouldn’t settle for anything more than medium to dark roasts, even high street coffee shops use whole beans that are roasted to that degree. you could use the lighter roasts, but your espresso won’t have that much-desired edge.
See also: The 9 Best Starbucks Reserve Drinks: Plus, the Bar, Roastery, and More!
That said, always make sure your dark coffee roasts are not only fresh but also of good quality. that’s the only way you can be sure of a good cream.
look matters too
Take a closer look at the espresso beans you’ve chosen. you don’t want to go for the shiny, super dark, dewy kind.
Such qualities point to over-roasting. you will be lucky to see even a slight hint of good cream from such beans. instead, choose those that appear to have a dry surface but are a bit shiny and have what look like moisture droplets.
A final point that has nothing to do with your purchase decision, but is just as important, is that you should only use the best espresso machine to make your coffee. get one that works with a pump because, with it, you can adjust the temperature to achieve that sweet spot where the pressure of the water produces that perfect layer of sweet cream.
frequently asked questions about the cream
which coffee beans produce the most crema?
All politics about overpriced crema aside, the freshest whole coffee beans produce the most crema. by fresh, I mean no more than three weeks after roasting.
in terms of variety, robusta is much better than arabica because it produces more cream, although it is a little less acidic and sweet than arabica.
How the coffee is processed also influences the crema levels. dry processed coffee typically yields more than washed. You may not like the taste if you have a sweet tooth, but a quick fix is to mix the dried with the washed for the perfect flavor.
why is there no crema in my espresso?
It sucks to make espresso at home only to end up with a flat shot and no crema in sight.
now a complete lack of crema in your coffee can be attributed to a number of factors, the most obvious being stale coffee beans. always choose a fresh batch to start with.
The size of the grind is also important because it determines the amount of water that is filtered through the filter. your coffee beans should not be too fine or too coarse. a perfect size would be something like powdered sugar.
also get the right ratio of coffee and water. 1:2 is the sweet spot that most connoisseurs of freedom agree on.
Other areas you may want to keep an eye on so you don’t end up without cream are:
Is cream good in coffee?
The answer to this will depend on who you ask. Any espresso lover will tell you that crema is the definition of the perfect dose of espresso. it gives the brew a stronger, fuller flavor and lingering aftertaste, and its presence also indicates fresh roasted beans.
however, some coffee connoisseurs view crema as overrated foam. whether their cup of coffee has it or not, they don’t really care. And that’s not a hard take, because most of us can admit to having a great cup of good-tasting coffee without cream.
So whether cream is good in coffee or not depends on your palate and personal preference.
how do you make a good cream in coffee?
It takes time to perfect the art of making the perfect cup of espresso. You may not have full control over your espresso crema, but there are a few things you can do to achieve the perfect shot.
first on the list is to use freshly roasted beans. then make sure your coffee grinds are fine and consistent. Your choice of espresso machine should be a pump-driven option because it can comfortably reach higher temperatures (up to 200f) and consistently deliver your desired water pressure (at least 130psi).
remember to also tamp your coffee. thirty pounds is the recommended pressure level that ensures a stronger brew.
go get that cream!
lavazza lives up to its name again. Whole Super Crema Espresso Coffee Beans trump all other products due to their higher levels of freshness, rich flavor profile and unique roasting technique. it gets even better knowing you can use them for coffee too. the best part is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on it.
of course, the rest of the espresso beans are equally excellent in different areas. it’s up to you to figure out which brand suits you best. Keep all of the factors I mentioned in mind as you search for the best coffee for espresso with crema.
See also: Protein Coffee Creamer vs. Profee: Important Pros And Cons
