The 10 Best Espresso Beans of 2022: Top Picks & Buying Guide For A Tasty Brew

There are many espresso bean options for your espresso machine, but it can be hard to know which ones taste the best. Not all regular coffee beans work well for espresso without being bitter, especially if they are a darker roast.

When looking for a good espresso bean, flavor profile, origin, bean type, roast and grind are important factors. If you know what makes a good espresso bean, it’s easier to weed out the ones that won’t end up having a full, rich coffee flavor.

Reading: Best espresso ground coffee

After testing various options, it became clear that Illy Dark Roast Ground Intense Espresso is the best espresso bean blend available.

I was looking for espresso bean brands with a 100% Arabica blend. it had to be a dark or medium dark roast coffee. it also needed to have a rich flavor while also being smooth and without bitterness. illy was the best of all the espressos.

I found myself constantly comparing other brands to illy intense espresso. its rich chocolate body notes add to the intensity and boldness I look for in a full-bodied espresso. illy is also smoothly absorbed without any bitter aftertaste.

Of course, different espressos suit different tastes and even different moods. I like to have a variety of espressos on hand because I’m not the type of person who wants the exact same flavor every day.

There are certainly plenty of espressos to try. some are more exotic, smoked, sweeter, or lighter in flavor. Or maybe you’re looking for a fair trade coffee, something that appeals more to American tastes, a decaf for your evening espressos, or a blend for your moka pot.

Keep reading for the rest of our espresso bean reviews, our top picks, and how to choose and make the best espressos.

top 10 espresso beans

review of the 10 best espresso beans

We have found the top ten best espresso beans for our espresso bean reviews. Whether you’re looking for classic European-style espresso beans, something with a dark chocolate flavor, or a intense coffee flavor, we’ve got you covered. I have covered.

The best espresso beans come in a variety of espresso roast levels, from medium to dark roast. our best espresso bean reviews cover a variety of bean types.

The best espresso beans may vary in flavor, but they all taste supreme in the coffee world.

illy dark roast ground espresso

The first time I heard about illy was a friend who lived in France and was convinced of it. European-style coffee connoisseurs will enjoy illy’s bold and rich espresso flavor. I’ve also tried their espresso classico, but I always come back to their intense flavor as my favorite.

illy’s coffee roasters use a blend of nine different Arabica coffee beans from around the world to make their intense espresso. the resulting blend has a bold flavor but remains smooth and is never bitter. their delicious coffee makes others pale in comparison.

Although the beans are pre-ground, they come in an airtight, pressurized metal can that enhances the flavors and keeps the espresso fresh cup after cup. .

I also like illy’s dedication to using only ethically sourced coffee. as of 2021, they have been on ethisphere’s ethical coffee list for nine years in a row.

koa large domaine roasted from vienna

Whether you’re a kona coffee lover or wanting to taste the rich, sweet flavor for the first time, you’ll love making espresso with grand domaine.

Their delicious coffee blend includes kona beans from the mauna loa region of hawaii, plus a dash of the rare kona-kona pea . grand domaine is buttery, sweet, rich and balanced without any hint of bitterness.

grand domaine will pamper you completely so that you will never want to drink another type of espresso again. the konas are a little more expensive, but worth every penny. They’re great not only as an espresso, but also in a French press or cold brew to bring out their flavors.

lifeboost organic espresso coffee

If you’re looking for fair trade arabica beans that are non-GMO and certified organic, you’ll want to try lifeboost. their espresso has a milk chocolate and caramel flavor with hints of dried fruit. makes an extremely well-balanced cup of espresso with a strong coffee flavor.

all the beans in this dark roast blend come from shaded farms in the mountains of nicaragua. The farmers hand-pick the beans, wash them in spring water, dry them in the sun, and then hand-roast them to perfection.

lifeboost espresso organic fair trade coffee from latin america is also great if you need a low acid coffee that’s easier on your teeth and stomach.

sumatra mandheling volcanic reserve

Lovers of exotic coffees will absolutely delight in Sumatra Mandheling Reserva Coffee. is a rare Indonesian coffee with complex layers of flavor ranging from earthy to brown sugar and dried fruit. it also has a syrupy and wine-like aftertaste.

It is one of the cleanest and most consistent beverages I have tasted in a strong coffee with no bitter or tart aftertaste. It is also low in acidity >. strong>. So, if you’ve wanted to try a sumatra coffee, this is a good start.

one thing to note about volcanica coffee is that they roast small batches of their beans weekly and ship within one business day of your order, so you’ll get a really fresh taste from its quality beans.

volcanic guatemala old coffee

Smoky and earthy flavors aren’t often flavors you think of for espresso, but they can make for an intriguing and sophisticated drink. Guatemala Antigua coffee is a single origin coffee made in small batches at the hacienda medina in guatemala.

This coffee from Latin America offers a very distinctive flavor in a dark roast. The combination of deep caramel with rich earthy and smoky flavors makes for a quality coffee that you won’t soon forget.

It has a deeply intense flavor while being extremely smooth with low acidity, which makes it appear to be a lighter roast than other overly roasted dark roasts.

Gourmet Fresh Roasted Italian Espresso All Day

When you think of an Italian roast espresso, there’s no need to assume they’re going to be bitter. All-Day Espresso uses a medium-dark American roast to satisfy Americans’ taste for Italian espresso.

The secret to all day espresso is using an artisanal blend of several quality single origin coffees to make the smooth espresso blend strong> perfect. the resulting espresso has an ideal smooth flavor and richness with no no bitterness.

If you like the rich, tangy taste of their caffeinated espresso, you can also enjoy their decaf version, which has the same great taste.

Roaring Panther Dark Roast Espresso

Among Native Americans today, coffee is the drink of choice for social gatherings. Tasting a Native American-owned espresso can help improve and enhance Native American lives.

while native american coffee is a coffee roasting company on the oklahoma and arkansas border, their dark roast blend is a secret blend from africa and south america.

The company’s Native American roasters slowly roast their espresso blend, giving their roasted espresso beans a rich, dark finish. they have a intense, smoky flavor that tastes good neat or with milk.

classic illy ground medium roast mocha coffee

If you ever visit an Italian kitchen, you’re much more likely to see an espresso maker (or mocha) in the kitchen than espresso machines. After the first time I had an espresso from a moka pot, my kitchen can’t be without one either. the taste of Italian espresso is divine.

I make a lot of coffee in a moka pot, but it wasn’t until recently that I discovered that illy has a special stovetop espresso blend. now, that’s all I want to use. if you make your espresso with a moka pot, you owe it to yourself to try it.

moka pots are fine for medium or dark roasts, and illy’s mocha classico is a medium roast espresso. uses an exclusive blend of the best coffee beans, which combine perfectly to prepare an espresso on the stove.

Its medium roast and slightly coarser grind make the Moka pot perfect. also tastes good in a french press.

rich and flavorful honolulu coffee with lion

lion coffee has been around as a coffee roaster since 1864. they moved to a local coffee shop and grinder in honolulu, hawaii, in 1979. coffee honolulu coffee is in the memories of many people on the island and it’s the kind of coffee you try once and then order for the rest of your life.

Lion’s Caffe Honolulu coffee can bring a little piece of Hawaii to your morning drink. caffe honolulu is also great for drip coffee.

lion has several types of kona coffee beans available, but this one is more European coffee style and works best for espresso. its medium-dark flavor is a great option for people who prefer lighter flavors. its complex and full-bodied flavor is super smooth with no bitter aftertaste.

volcanica espresso dark roast decaffeinated coffee

You’ll never have to worry that it’s past espresso time if you have a quality decaf espresso. this is one of my favorite decaf espresso beans due to its caramel sweetness.

volcanica doesn’t reveal exactly where they source their quality beans for their decaf espresso roast, but they come from volcanic soil in the mountains at least 3000 feet above sea level.

volcanica uses a 100% chemical-free Swiss water process to remove 99.9% of the caffeine from its quality beans. this process helps the beans maintain their unique flavor for a better decaf than many other brands of espresso beans.

what are espresso beans?

It’s not like espresso beans come from a completely different type of plant than other types of beans. Sure, there are certain types of beans that taste better like an espresso bean, but you can use the same bean for a good cup of coffee and a good cup of espresso.

so what are espresso beans? espresso beans are coffee beans with a darker roast and finer grind that you can use to brew coffee in an espresso machine.

You can use the same dark roast beans for coffee that you use for espresso. however, if you use a ground espresso bean in a non-espresso machine, it will likely end up clogging the machine or have some water overflow issues.

do you need special beans for espresso?

While you can use any coffee bean to make an espresso, not all regular coffee beans make the best cup of espresso.

Some coffee roasters sell special espresso beans and espresso blends with espresso in mind. these blends tend to be darker roasted and feature beans that taste especially good for espresso. if they are pre-ground, the grind will be fine.

which beans are best for espresso?

origin: Some people choose single origin beans, while others choose a specialty espresso blend.
Roast: The best espresso beans have a medium-dark to dark roast.
type: Some choose an Arabica bean for its sweetness and smoothness. however, others choose robusta for its rich, velvety cream finish.
Ground: Espresso machines and Aeropresses require a fine grind, while Moka pots require a medium or medium-fine grind.

buying guide to choose the best espresso beans

Before you decide which espresso beans you want to buy, it’s important to understand a bit about what might make certain espresso beans taste better for espresso.

Because espresso flavor is subjective, you need to understand how bean origin, roast, bean type, grind, and different flavors can affect your personal preferences. however, you’ll also want to look for beans with the best extraction for espresso brewing methods.

The extraction process consists of pouring water through the ground coffee to add all the flavors and benefits to your preparation. For espresso, the amount of water in the coffee, the size of the grind, and the level of roast of the coffee affect the extraction and flavor of the coffee.

bean origin for your espresso blend

the growing origin of an espresso bean influences its flavor profile. Where do the best espresso beans come from? Do you prefer Brazilian coffee or Ethiopian coffee? origin is a matter of personal preference.

the americas

Beans from the Americas are soft, sweet, crisp, clean, balanced, and have bright acidity:

hawaii: creamy, smooth, chocolate notes, fruity, medium body, low acidity
Mexico: fruity, spicy, light-medium body, balanced acidity
costa rica: smooth, clean, bright
Guatemala: honey, aromatic, mild, winey acidity
nicaragua: hazelnut, meaty, full-bodied
colombia: sweet, rich, caramelized, soft, mild acidity
peru: sweet, smooth, bright, effervescent, medium body
brazil: notes of walnut, butter, bittersweet chocolate, heavy body, low acidity

the caribbean

Caribbean beans are smoky, rich, smooth, balanced and have a slight acidity:

Jamaica: rich body, smooth and balanced flavor

Africa

African beans are fruity, bright, fragrant, floral and vibrant:

ethiopia: light, tart citrus, fruity, bright acidity
kenya: citrus, berry, bright, vibrant, intense acidity
tanzania: intense citrus, bright, vibrant, medium body

asian

Asian beans are earthy, moldy, soft, full-bodied, and have mild acidity:

yemen: earthy, complex flavor, spicy
indian: creamy, smooth, full-bodied, low-acid
sumatra: syrupy, chocolaty, rich, smooth, full-bodied
sulawesi: earthy, full-bodied, low acid
java: rich and heavy body, little acid

single source vs. blend

Are single origin or blended origin beans better for espresso? Like so many things related to coffee beans, it’s a matter of personal taste.

Single Origin Beans – Beans from a single location can be seasonal, so you may not always be able to find them year-round. they also taste inconsistent, depending on when they are harvested or processed.
Blended Beans: Blends include coffee from multiple origins to create a more balanced and consistent flavor. espresso roasters blend complementary flavors with each other for more complex flavor profiles and balance out any flavor flaws.

type of roast

The roasting process provides one of the most important differences in the flavor of the coffee and which brewing method will taste best with the bean.

What types of roasts are best for espresso?In my opinion, the best espressos are made with medium-dark and dark roasted beans. however, a medium roast blend can also work for moka pot espresso.

Light espresso roasts work best with a slower extraction process like a drip coffee maker. on the other hand, darker roasts work better with a faster extraction process like espresso. darker roasts are more easily extracted because their cellulose structure is more porous and they are more soluble in water.

Espresso machines typically only take 20-30 seconds to move the water through the ground coffee, so it’s important to use a darker espresso roast that extracts quickly to achieve a better blend. infusion with all the flavor.

medium-dark roast

A medium-dark roast coffee has a darker brown color and an oilier surface than a light or medium roast. Characteristics of a medium-dark roast include:

less acidity than medium roast and light roast
a bolder, richer flavor than medium roast and light roast
smoother and less bitter than dark roasts

Some common names you may come across to describe a medium-dark roast include:

medium-dark
light espresso
Viennese
continental
full city
after dinner
light french roast

dark tan

A dark roast coffee is the darkest of all coffee beans, reaching almost black. dark roast beans have the longest roast time of all coffee roasts. the long roasting time brings even more oils to the surface of the bean, which you can see in your cup of espresso.

A longer roast time breaks down more of the cellulose walls of the coffee bean, so it has a faster extraction time than lighter roasts.

characteristics of a dark roast include:

lower acidity
richer flavor
twice the flavor strength of an average cup of coffee
faster extraction
more bitter (try a coarser grind for smoother)

Some names you’ll see for dark roasts include:

dark roast
dark
espresso
french roast
dark french
italian
Spanish
Turkish
European
new orleans
neapolitan
high
heavy

arabica vs. robusta

While there are four different types of coffee beans, the most common espresso beans are Arabica and Robusta:

Arabica (coffea arabica): Arabica dates back to Ethiopia in 1000 BC. It is the most popular type of coffee and constitutes 60-70% of the world’s coffee. because it has a sweeter and less bitter taste, many people prefer it to robusta.
Robusta (coffea canephora): Robusta is the second most common type of coffee, accounting for 30-40% of the world’s coffee. because it is more bitter and is sometimes even compared in flavor to burnt rubber, it is not as popular as arabica.

When it comes to choosing between arabica and robusta beans, there is no competition for me. I will choose an arabica blend each time. Americans have a history of disliking robustas. a lot of instant coffee uses robusta as a base, and instant coffee isn’t very popular with Americans.

Arabica vs Robusta flavor

Arabica flavor: Arabica coffees have a milder, sweeter flavor with flavors that can include chocolate, fruit, or berry.
robusta flavor: Robusta coffees have a peppery and more bitter flavor with flavor notes that tend to be more earthy and nutty or rubbery.

arabica vs cream robusta

When you brew robusta in an espresso machine, it produces a thick crema. crema is the foam on top of espresso that comes from emulsified coffee bean oils. this crema is why Italian roast espresso blends tend to use robusta coffee beans instead of arabica coffee beans.

if you’re looking for a robusta with a thick cream, you’ll want to try lavazza super crema.

Foodies around the world suggest removing the crema from the top of the espresso to remove bitterness and give it a sweeter flavor. therefore, if you’re not a fan of bitterness in coffee, you’ll probably want to start with an arabica espresso rather than a robusta.

Arabica vs Robusta caffeine content

Arabica caffeine content: Arabica beans have less caffeine at 1.5%.
Robusta Caffeine Content: At 2.7% caffeine, Robusta beans have higher caffeine content than Arabica beans. Sometimes companies add a little robusta to a coffee blend for more caffeine content.

arabica vs robusta sugar content

Arabica beans have twice the sugar content of robusta beans. the higher level of sugar in arabica coffee contributes to:

better smell: aromatic compounds during roasting create a better smell.
richer body: more dissolved solubles give it a richer flavor.
browning and caramelization: The Maillard reaction occurs when sugars and amino acids exceed 356°F during the roasting process. higher sugar content results in better browning and caramelization.

whole espresso beans vs. pre-ground espresso beans

Are whole beans or pre-ground the best coffee beans?whether to buy whole beans or pre-ground coffee is a debate that will not come to an end soon.

Those who prefer to grind their own whole bean coffee beans will tell you that it tastes fresher and better. On the other hand, those who buy ground beans usually do so for convenience.

I can be as smug about my quality coffee beans as anyone else. but honestly, I keep whole bean and pre-ground coffee on hand to suit my mood.

the case of whole beans

Fresher Tasting Quality: Freshly ground coffee beans begin to oxidize and lose flavor 30 minutes after grinding. vacuum-sealed whole beans stay fresh for 6-9 months, while vacuum-sealed pre-ground coffee only stays fresh 3-5 months.
can fit your espresso machine: Most pre-ground espresso beans work best with a standard espresso machine. however, if you make your espresso with an aeropress or moka pot, you will need a different grind.
can make the espresso less sour or less bitter: Grinding your own coffee beans also allows you to adjust the grind if the coffee tastes too bitter (try a coarser grind) or too sour (try a finer grind).

the case of pre-ground beans

Saving time and steps: Of course, it doesn’t take much time to grind beans, just a few seconds actually. however, sometimes you don’t want to bother taking out your grinder, using it, cleaning it, and putting it back in the cupboard.
Because your grinder doesn’t grind fine: If you’re buying pre-ground beans because your grinder is too basic, it might be time to upgrade to a fancier grinder.
So you don’t have to experiment with grind settings: Selling pre-ground beans allows a company to grind their beans to the level of fineness that will produce the best flavor.

flavor profiles

Each bag of espresso beans will have a unique flavor. flavors can range from chocolate to fruity, nutty, spicy, floral, smoky or earthy, and everything in between. beans also vary in body, softness, acidity, and level of roast.

Most espresso bean labels list flavor notes so you know what to expect.

several things affect a bean’s flavor profile:

origin: Choose a single origin bean based on the flavor notes of your region, or choose an espresso blend for a balanced flavor consistency
type of bean: Arabica beans have a sweeter, richer flavor, while robusta beans have a more bitter taste
roast level: the darker the roast, the richer the flavor.
ground: the fresher the beans are ground, the less flavor they lose.
body: the fuller the body, the richer the flavor
mildness: some beans have a mild flavor while others have a more bitter taste
acidity: nine different coffee acids contribute to the unique flavor of a bean.

tips for a better espresso

It’s not just the espresso beans you choose that influence the flavor of your espresso shot. if you want a better espresso, sometimes it’s about what you do to the beans after you buy them. knowing what grind size to use, how to tamp, and how to pre-infuse can also result in a better cup of coffee.

grind size for coffee beans

what grind should I use for espresso?you will need to use a fine grind for an espresso machine or aeropress and a medium to medium-fine grind for a moka pot coffee maker.

Grind size is extremely important for espresso. Since the brew time is only 20-30 seconds, it is important that as much water as possible has access to the surface of the coffee grounds for the ideal amount of time.

When you grind the finer coffee beans, more surface area is exposed, allowing more of the flavor to pass through to the brew.

a finer ground coffee gives you:

Larger surface area – A finer grind increases the surface area
higher extraction rate: you need a shorter brew time for maximum flavor
lower flow rate: reduces the rate at which the water flows through the grind
increased contact time: increases the time that the water comes into contact with the coffee particles

You may be tempted to grind even finer for a better brew. however, grinding too finely leads to excessive extraction and an overly bitter brew that could clog the machine.

on the other hand, if the grind is too coarse, the water won’t come in contact with as much of the coffee surface for long enough, so you’ll end up with a brew that’s too weak and possibly acidic.

If you have your own coffee grinder, it’s worth experimenting with how precisely you grind a new espresso bean for your machine.

tamping

what is tamping? tamping is the process of packing the grist into an evenly distributed disc inside the portafilter.

does the espresso need to be tamped? the disc leaves more room in the portafilter for water to saturate the coffee for maximum extraction and prevents water from leaving the group head too quickly.

If you’ve never tamped your beans and normally experience a weak espresso, your problem is probably not tamping. If your machine didn’t come with a buffer, you’ll want to purchase a calibrated tamper.

To get an even tamp, follow these steps:

Fill portafilter: Measure the beans into the portafilter.
level soil: level the soil on top of your portafilter before applying pressure.
Find a level surface: If you’re using a handheld tamper, place your portafilter on a flat, level surface.
apply pressure to floors: A calibrated tamper can help apply the perfect amount of constant pressure to floors (20-30 pounds). use a 90° wrist with the elbow bent to avoid wrist injury. too much pressure can cause over-extraction and a bitter espresso.
buff the disc: Make a small twisting motion while removing the tamper from the disc to polish the top.
Inspect Disc – Check the disc to make sure there are no loose spots in the grounds and clean any excess grounds around the portafilter.

pre-infusion

what is pre-infusion?pre-infusion is the process of allowing your espresso to gently soak in water inside the portafilter before applying the full amount of pressure for your espresso.

what does pre-infusion do?pre-infusion ensures that the water permeates the espresso beans instead of running through a single channel. when the water doesn’t penetrate the ground evenly, you can end up with an over-extracted and more bitter espresso.

How long should the espresso be pre-infused?Most baristas allow the espresso to pre-infuse for 2-8 seconds at 1-2 bar pressure before switching to a higher level of pressure. higher pressure.

the verdict

after testing various espresso beans, the illy ground intense dark roast espresso came out as the winner. provides the rich flavors of a European espresso without the bitterness associated with lesser espressos.

It’s the espresso bean you come back to again and again for its chocolate notes and consistent smoothness. You’ll find it in the best espresso bean reviews again and again.

If you’re looking for the best coffee beans for espresso and you’ve never tried any of illy’s espresso products, you might as well start with illy Dark Roast Intense Ground Espresso. illy really does make the best espresso for your espresso machine.