For coffee lovers, choosing a coffee bean is a sacred decision. A lot of thought goes into it, and it’s not an easy task to find the best espresso beans. There are several things to consider when choosing a coffee bean, such as aroma, color, smoothness, freshness, value, and packaging. When choosing a good coffee bean for your espresso, the quality of the crema is an important factor.
Reading: Best espresso coffee
We’ve put together a list taking seriously the importance of choosing our top ten espresso bean selections. Grab your grinder and let’s begin the journey to choosing the next great coffee bean for the perfect espresso!
a quick list of our favorites (updated in 2022):
the 8 best brands of espresso beans
1. lifeboost dark roast – best overall
If you’re looking for an outstanding coffee, lifeboost’s dark roast is our number one choice, with a velvety touch and rich profile. this is a very dark roast that features hints of chocolate and brown sugar. its robust flavor holds up especially well in milk-based beverages. these beans come in a 12-ounce bag and are certified organic and fair trade.
Since these need to be finely ground for an espresso machine, be aware that they are oily and have the potential to clog the grinder. however, even with the unctuousness, this coffee offers a rich crema.
As our top pick, here are some of the best espresso beans available this year. even better, you can save 50% on lifeboost’s great dark roasted beans!
2. volcanic espresso – the best ground espresso beans
The volcanic espresso is another good option, and it’s especially good if you don’t have a grinder. These dark, aromatic beans come in three grind sizes, including espresso and whole bean. With a full flavor and hints of dark chocolate, this espresso also offers a good crema.
Although this is a dark roast coffee, we found that it tastes more like a medium roast. don’t worry though, it’s still potent without being bitter. It shows that it grinds well, it is recommended to use it better with an espresso machine.
volcanica roasts its coffee to order, so you can be sure you’ll never get stale beans. It’s a bit pricey, but probably won’t break the bank. we think this is one of the best espresso beans on the market today!
3. lavazza “dek” (whole bean espresso blend): the best decaf beans
With a smooth flavor and strong crema, lavazza’s “dek” whole bean espresso blend makes it to the list as our best decaf. this choice offers caramel notes on the smooth side of a dark roast. Using a natural process for decaffeination, the flavor is presented as an atypical decaffeinated coffee. it grinds well and provides a good cream, in addition to having a medium price.
With its smooth and creamy profile, this may be too light for some as an espresso blend. if you’re a die-hard espresso snob, this won’t do for you. It also doesn’t come in a resealable package, so an airtight container for storage is a must to keep these beans fresh as long as possible.
4. death wish coffee beans
for those who care about the environment, our next option is death wish usda certified organic whole bean coffee. With a reputation for a caffeine kick, this bean comes across smooth with hints of cherry and chocolate. Like a dark roast, the flavor offers bite without being acidic. It is also noted that although the beans are slightly oily, they do not present a clogging problem.
As one of the most expensive options on the list, if you find you don’t agree with this dark roast, a money-back guarantee is offered. For those not used to a true dark roast, this can be a bit strong on the palate, and some noted a smoky aftertaste.
Read our full review of death wish coffee!
5. illy ground espresso
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Recognized in 2019 by ethisphere as one of the world’s most ethical companies, illy takes us to number five on the list with illy ground espresso dark roast. if you choose to buy pre-ground espresso, this is one of the best options. With hints of dark chocolate and a bold, consistent flavor, the strong, buoyant scent is sure to put a smile on your face. It arrives with the perfect grind for your espresso machine, as it is very finely ground.
This mix arrives packaged in a pressurized can. Unfortunately, many have noted that removing the cap causes it to explode, so proceed with caution while submerging. while for most finely ground espresso is ideal, depending on the machine you use it could cause clogging problems because it’s just too fine. Get to know your machine well so you don’t find out the hard way, especially since this choice is the most expensive on the list.
6. koffee kult coffee beans
koffee kult has a reputation for robust coffee. Koffee Kult dark roast coffee beans deliver hints of chocolate and cinnamon through the medium side of a dark roast. provides a rich aroma and mild flavor while providing a pleasantly consistent crema.
For the dark roast espresso connoisseur, this may be a bit too light. for those new to the dark side, you may notice a bitter ending.
As a family business, customer service is a top priority at koffee kult, and it shows. this option is more expensive, but offers a money-back guarantee.
7. don pablo coffee gourmet coffee – classic italian espresso
Café don Pablo’s classic Italian espresso is the cheapest on the list and one of the few that has food safety certification and organic production. On the lighter side of a dark roast, this bean offers an undertone of chocolate with a smooth consistency.
For fans of the dark roast, this doesn’t work as it seems weak and muted. you may have to go the extra mile playing with the routine to achieve anything close to satisfaction. however, if you’re new to dark roasting and want to give it a try, this may be a gentle way to go.
Overall, this selection is good value for money.
see also: our favorite gourmet coffee brands!
8. espresso
The medium dark roast jo espresso brings a sweetness with a strong dark chocolate buzz. It has a consistent depth with a velvety finish. it whips up a rich, smooth cream to round it out and it also grinds well with a little oil. jo espresso is usda certified and fair trade.
This choice, while medium-dark roasted, is considered too sweet for those seeking a bolder flavor. it is also priced a bit expensive.
9. stone street tanzania pea coffee
This African gourmet coffee, Stone Street Coffee Tanzania Peaberry Fresh Roast Coffee, comes in at the bottom of the list. it is a light roast with a smooth, full-bodied depth with rich flavor. It has a fruity undertone that gives it a distinguished aroma.
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no bitterness, but the fruity undertone is a turnoff for many. if you want a more earthy, chocolaty undertone, this option won’t work for you.
the tanzania pea is truly a gourmet coffee bean grown on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. if you’re looking for something a little different and completely new to yourself, you might like this option.
10. Italian direct roast espresso bean
Italian whole bean direct roast espresso offers a big bite and a honey roasted aroma. It has hints of chocolate and molasses with a body that isn’t too bold. It comes in a 2.5-pound resealable bag and the beans are versatile for most brewing methods.
there are variations in the consistency of the roast, and they present a bitter aftertaste.
buyer’s guide: how to select the best espresso beans
Below are some factors to consider when choosing a quality coffee bean.
scent
The aroma of the coffee beans will first tell your nose if it is fresh and tasty. is what will induce you to want to prepare it. if there is little or no aroma, you probably won’t enjoy that cup of coffee.
color
the color of the beans is the true indicator of roasting and robustness. a blonde color indicates a light tan. light brown indicates a light to medium roast. dark brown indicates a medium to dark roast. blackish brown indicates a dark tan. if you open a bag and see a variety of colors, it means there will be a variation in taste.
oily
Coffee beans naturally contain oil. dry coffee beans may indicate that the batch has gone stale, depending on the type of roast. dark, oily beans will indicate that they are strong, bold, and bitter. if the beans are shiny without being too oily, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, depending on who you ask. With a little experimentation and research, you’ll discover exactly the type of bean that works for you.
freshness
A toast date and an expiration date are two different things. ideally, you want to know the roast date. once the beans are roasted, oxidation begins and this begins the rancidity process. most of the time, you will only see an expiration or “best before” date on the package. Coffee beans should be stored properly in an airtight, non-see-through container for optimal longevity. Essentially, there’s a lot of guesswork involved, and a sure way to tell coffee isn’t fresh is when it no longer tastes good.
value
No one wants to spend an inordinate amount of money on even the best espresso beans. We all want good value for the money spent. Do your research and comparisons. The good news is that once you discover a great coffee you’ll buy again and again, subscribing and saving is likely an option.
packaging
Regardless of how espresso beans are packaged, once they arrive at your door, they should be transferred to an airtight container and stored in a cool, dark place. use a container that is not transparent, because the light favors the oxidation process.
conclusion
Hopefully, after reading our top ten reviews, you’ve identified a few beans you might be interested in trying. Our number one choice, LifeBoost Dark Roast, is a great bold coffee. it’s a bit pricey, but it’s also low in acid and sustainably grown. our second choice, the volcanica espresso, is a flavorful whole bean that comes in a convenient espresso grind. As our top decaf pick and third on the list, Lavazza “dek” is a better-than-average decaf blend with a sweet taste at an affordable price.
There is something for everyone on our list. We wish you the best in your search for the best espresso beans. keep preparing!
see also: 10 best coffee beans in the world – reviews & best picks
See also: 7 Best Organic Coffee K-Cup Brands – Best Compatibility and Quality! (Fall 2022)
