Top 5 Best Espresso Coffee Beans – Quality Beans Means Great Flavor!

If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the Best Espresso Coffee Beans is. Then we recommend the Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend. As the best one in our review.

A cup of espresso is easier to make, has a richer aroma, and makes your mouth shake in delight better than any other type of coffee. Well, that’s how we feel about espresso– and it has never disappointed us.

But making the right espresso is not an easy job.

If you’re an espresso lover like us – you’ll want to use the right beans. And for that, you’ll have to know what to look for.

That’s why we’re reviewing some of the best espresso coffee beans so you can learn more about each.

After several years of drinking & preparing espressos, we feel confident this buying guide will help you enormously.

Want to know what we have for you? Then keep scrolling and find out!

In This Article, We’re Going To Review The Following Best Espresso Coffee Beans:

What is an Espresso Coffee Bean?

It is common to find espresso and drip blends filling entire aisles in supermarkets. That’s normal; espresso is one of the most popular types of coffee out there.

But why does espresso differ from normal coffee beans? Well, it all comes down to the unique roasting process they’re put through.

In contrast with normal coffee beans, these are put into pressure process that “roasts” them. That means, it adds a caramelization and oiliness to the bean that makes them “richer” in flavor. A green bean espresso is not the same as a normal bean of coffee without the roasting process.

The richness is debatable, though, but the flavor is surely different from normal coffee beans that don’t go through this process.

Overall, what espresso means is that coffee beans went through a unique process to add a smoky or toasty touch to their taste.

Apart from that, it’s also an excellent indication from the producer to tell you how the coffee needs to be prepared to get the most out of it.

Factors to Consider Before Buying

Now that you have a clearer idea of what an espresso coffee bean is, you need to know how to pick the right one. Here we’re going over the different factors that you need to consider:

·       Roast

The roast makes all the difference between a sweet espresso and a harsh. Here’s what you need to take into consideration:

Light Roast

A light roast refers to beans that weren’t put through the roasting process for much. For that, they contain a lot of the original taste and properties, giving a natural flavor to the bean.

Some of the highest-quality light roast beans have superb complexity. You can find fruity, floral, and sweet tones in these beans.

Apart from that, they are not caramelized or oiled due to a shorter roasting process. This makes them a little lighter in weight.

The Starbucks espresso roast is usually made with light roast coffee beans with a blend of different types (we’ll go on that later.)

Medium Roast

A medium roast coffee bean has a slightly more oily surface than a light roast, but way less so than a dark roast.

What makes them unique is the medium acidity and a rounded flavor. That means, they’re not the sweetest or the harshest – but a combination of both.

A medium-roast bean may also hold some of the original properties of the bean. That makes them uniquely sweet and fruity, but also somewhat intense.

The roasting process doesn’t eliminate all the natural taste but doesn’t produce as much oil or caramelization. That puts them in the perfect middle place between light roast & dark roast.

Dark Roast

In case you want something that doesn’t hold many of the original properties of the bean, then you can go for dark roast.

This roast removes some of the natural flavors as the roast hides them up with a sweeter and richer tone. These beans are also oily and usually provide a bittersweet taste due to the caramelization.

The flavor can also go a little towards the chocolaty area, feeling somewhat nutty as well as toasty.

For those who prefer highly-processed beans, then dark roast can be a perfect choice. They are not dull or worse in taste, but they don’t hold the same natural taste as other roasts.

Other Roasts

You may also find a few other roasts going from French to Italian, Continental, and even New Orleans roasts.

They are not necessarily made in the places their name says, and they don’t usually have unique characteristics.

In fact, some of these specialty coffees are just marketing bluff.

But that doesn’t mean some of them are not worth considering. Just make sure the roast level is decent and doesn’t eliminate the natural touches of coffee beans.

·       Types of Beans

Once the beans are roasted, they lose some of the natural properties and/or features. However, you may still find some different types of beans to offer specific characteristics:

Arabica

Arabica beans are sweet and soft. They have several sugar tones and usually provide a fruity touch that makes them unique.

Apart from that, Arabica beans are often highly acidic. That adds a characteristic flavor that people love in their black coffees – but makes a huge difference in espresso.

This all comes down to the origin of Arabica, as it mainly comes from African countries, as well as Latin American ones. In fact, Colombia is a purely Arabica producer – so you can have an idea of how one of the best coffess in the world is made with.

Arabica is also a little pricier and often harder to find in supermarkets. Still, finding an Arabica coffee blend doesn’t necessarily mean quality – but it sure is a first step into getting that.

Robusta

As for Robusta, you will get stronger and way harsher flavor. This happens because Robusta beans contain more caffeine than Arabica, so they hold a slightly different taste that places them apart.

They are usually considered to be of the lowest quality when compared to Arabica beans. And some of the instant coffee blends out there are usually made with Robusta.

But some Robusta beans are still amazingly grown and prepared to have a deep & enjoyable taste that sets them apart.

These beans have their origin in Africa and Indonesia, but you can find them all over the world – mainly in the Eastern Hemisphere.

If you aren’t expecting the sweetest or tastiest of espressos and want something cheap – then you can use Robusta as your way to go.

Blends

While Arabica and Robusta are somewhat different, they can still be used in the same coffee bean blends.

Many manufacturers love to combine the high sweetness and floral touch of Arabica with the harshness and nuttiness of Robusta.

That always delivers exceptional results. In fact, some of the highest-quality espresso beans usually contain this type of blend.

Caffeine Level

Now that you have an idea of roasts and types of beans – it is time to learn some more about the caffeine level.

Here, it all depends heavily on the manufacturer. But we can also say that roast level and type of bean can have some effect as well.

Many people say that dark roast coffee has the highest amount of caffeine. But in reality, it is the opposite.

Light roast can actually have higher amounts of caffeine because it is less processed. Normally, though, light, medium, and dark roast often contain the same amount.

The difference, though, could come directly from the type of bean. Robusta beans tend to have two times more caffeine than Arabica beans. So you’re likely to find pure Robusta espresso beans to contain slightly more caffeine than pure Arabica beans.

5 Best Espresso Coffee Beans Reviews 2019

After learning some critical info about the best coffee beans for espresso, it is time to learn about the different models available. Here’s what we found out about five of them:

Nicoletti Coffee Espresso Roast Beans

If you want to get your commercial coffee machine working, then the Nicoletti Roast Beans will deliver the perfect coffee for that.The beans are a blend of 75% Arabica and 25% Robusta. This delivers a modest combination of sweetness and bitterness.

The beans come with a light roast, ideal for people who want to prepare sweet but highly flavorful espressos. It is not the best for those who want a classic espresso or something bitter.

But the beans are good enough to deliver a decent taste and provide a freshly roasted touch that makes each coffee cup worth drinking.

It comes in presentations of 2.20-pounds bags – so it offers enough beans for up to a month’s worth of coffee.

If you’re an espresso aficionado who prefers something mildly bitter but very tasteful that lets to make some tweaking to the recipe, then the Nicoletti is an excellent option for you.

This is also an excellent choice for coffee shops who don’t want to meet the traditional espresso standards and offer something creative without leaving behind quality.

Pros

  •       Lightly roasted for a soft but sweet taste
  •       Freshly roasted for easier handling & grinding
  •       An ideal choice for high-quality commercial use
  •       Premium Arabica & Robusta beans

Cons

  •       Expensive
  •       Not many options to choose from

Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend

Using a mix of Arabica and Robusta beans in equal quantities, the Lavazza Super Cream offers the best Italian espresso beans you’ll find.

In fact, this is the most popular brand in the whole of Italy. And now you can get it anywhere in the US or the world, so you can enjoy its magnificent touch of sweetness & roasted taste.It mixes beans from Colombia, India, Brazil, Vietnam, and Indonesia – all mixed and roasted in Italy. This makes it one of the best variances for those who like intense but sweet flavors from all around the world.

This brand also stands out for delivering touches of almonds, fruit, and honey in their beans. You won’t only enjoy medium roast beans, but also highly flavorful in their entirety.

Coming in bags of 2.2 pounds each, you can get an excellent option for your coffee that tastes like no other.

For those who want something sweet with the ideal amount of bitterness and with a considerable number of different flavors, the Lavazza is the way to go.

Pros

  •       Mixes beans from all around the world
  •       Prestigious and popular brand
  •       Unique touches of extra flavors
  •       Premium quality medium roasted beans

Cons

  •       Really expensive
  •       Not as fresh as expected

Cubico Coffee Freshly Roasted Espresso Blend

The Espresso Blend from Cubico Coffee is the best whole bean espresso option that you’ll find. Without a doubt, this alternative provides everything you need on an espresso coffee bean.The premium blend combines different Arabica beans from all around the globe, including Latin American species, African beans, and even some of them from Oceania.

Each bean comes with slight touches of chocolate, citrus fruits, caramel, and even some roasted hazelnut. On top of all that, you get nut brittle and a few floral notes for a unique aroma.

The medium-dark roasted beans will preserve the flavor for several months, but also deliver a unique experience on your mouth.

As you can see, the taste is way sweeter than other options, with just a bit of bitterness which matches the classic espresso a little.

For anyone looking for a premium blend that tastes like no other, the Cubico Coffee Blend should be their first choice. 

Pros

  •       A wide array of bean origins from around the globe
  •       Outstanding aroma with floral & nut touches
  •       Fantastic medium-dark roast beans
  •       Incredibly cheap

Cons

  •       Very complex flavors
  •       Comes in tiny bags

Wink Blonde Roast Whole Bean Coffee

Getting a Wink coffee bag means getting quality beans that deliver an exceptional taste – and it never disappoints.With this brand, you also get several types of espressos, including a Blonde Espresso for a sweet taste with an orange zest touch. Using light roast beans, this one leaves a mild but very sweet taste.

But you can also pick the medium roast Super Crema coffee beans bag that mixes spices with cocoa and dried berries. That would leave a bitter but sweet enough flavor.

Whatever you go for, you’ll receive a fresh bag of up to 2.2 pounds, so you can get enough coffee for a month or more.

The beans work on any brewer and provide an excellent aroma each time. This combination of spices and cocoa or the orange zest with brown sugar leaves a unique aftertaste as well.

It uses Arabica beans in their entirety, directly from Colombia for a high-quality origin. You won’t regret getting this brand.

Pros

  •       Offers two types of espresso blends
  •       A broad set of tastes for an extra aftertaste
  •       Delivers a powerful aroma
  •       Leaves a unique foam on top

Cons

  •       Single-origin beans are not the tastiest
  •       Very acidic touch

RhoadsRoast Coffees Kenya AA+ Karundul Coffee Beans

We have no better bidder for the best espresso beans than the RhoadsRoast Coffee Kenya AA+.You will find it in Dark Roast, Medium Roast, Light Roast, and Unroasted Green Beans. This happens because this brand focuses on authenticity. Each bag will simply blow your mind in terms of aroma and originality, leaving no quality behind.

The beans deliver strong tastes of citrus fruits, berries, and traces of chocolate. You will also a slightly acidic touch with a delightful aftertaste.

The aroma will impress you thoroughly, mainly because it uses only Arabica beans. But it really feels and tastes like a magnificent blend bag – which gives a perfect idea of how quality-oriented this brand is.

Coming directly from Kenya, these beans will undoubtedly make your espresso coffee fantastic. If you love premium-grade coffee for your mornings, then this is the best option for you.

Pros

  •       Comes in different roast types including unroasted
  •       Delivers sweet & bitter flavors for extra complexity
  •       Premium-quality beans origin from Kenya
  •       Decently priced for the overall quality

Cons

  •       Single-origin beans leave a little taste behind
  •       Doesn’t come in small bags

Conclusion

After reading our reviews and buying guide, you are probably still wondering which one will match your needs.

While you should keep pondering, we’ll take a step further and say that the Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend is the best one in the whole list. The excellent blend of beans and an unusual but splendid mix of flavors will never let you down.

Otherwise, you can go for the RhoadsRoast Coffees Kenya AA+ Karundul Coffee Beans. The modest flavor and single-origin may not be for everyone but still manages to provide a unique taste that no other brand does.

But overall, the best espresso coffee beans are the ones that match your desires the most. If the bag offers every single factor you always strive for, then that’s the one you should pick