There are many factors to consider when selecting coffee beans. First, the type of bean will determine its flavor and caffeine level. Arabica beans are smoother and have fruity notes, while Robusta beans provide a stronger taste and higher caffeine levels.
The roasting process also has an impact on the flavor. Espresso lovers should look for beans that pair well with their preferred brewing method.
1. Illy Classico Espresso
When it comes to espresso, there is nothing quite like the rich, bold flavor and beautiful crema of a perfectly pulled shot. However, making a perfect espresso requires more than just a good coffee maker – the right beans are essential for creating the unique and delicious flavor profile that has made espresso so beloved by discerning coffee lovers.
The Illy Classico Ground Coffee combines the finest Arabica and Robusta beans from around the world, resulting in a balanced flavor profile that pairs well with a variety of brewing methods. This blend is available as whole beans, which allow you to grind the beans to your desired coarseness for a superior taste experience, or pre-ground for convenience.
2. Stumptown Holler Mountain Blend
Whether you want to drink espresso on its own or use it as the base for other coffee drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, or macchiatos, having the right beans is key. Espresso is made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans using high pressure. The resulting concentrated shot of coffee has a rich, bold flavor that is unique to espresso.
Espresso beans are usually a blend of different coffee beans from different regions. They are also often darker roasted than drip coffee beans, which helps give espresso its signature bold taste. Stumptown is a family-owned roaster that is committed to sourcing, roasting, and serving some of the world’s best coffee. They are B Corp certified and focus on making a meaningful contribution to their employees, community, and environment.
Their Holler Mountain blend is a versatile, full-bodied organic blend that combines chocolate textures from Latin America with the brightness of East African beans. The result is a smooth, balanced blend that pairs well with any brewing method. It also has a burst of citrus and berry jam flavors that’s balanced by notes of cream, toffee, and hazelnut. This coffee is sourced and roasted with care, and all of their beans are grown under strict organic standards.
3. Single-Origin Elevate
For espresso lovers who crave a balanced flavor profile and deep sweetness, this single-origin option is ideal. With a rotating single country focus from Central and South America, this blend delivers notes of crisp apples and caramel sweetness. It pairs well with milk in lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos.
This flavored coffee comes in pour over pouches, which are nitrogen-flushed to preserve freshness and ensure a perfect cup every time. It is made from 100% specialty grade coffee beans, which are rated at least 80/100 on the SCA scale. The roasting process is slow and low-heat, which helps to retain the natural flavors of the beans.
Using the right beans can make all the difference when it comes to making the perfect espresso. The best beans for espresso are high-quality and fresh, as they will offer the fullest flavor and aroma. If you are new to espresso, remember that buttercream is the perfect topping for coffee and it’s a good idea to try a variety of different blends and roast levels until you find one that you love.
4. Dark Roast Beans
Dark roast beans give you a bold, rich flavour and a coffee experience that is smoother with less acidity than light roasted ones. You’ll also notice that dark roasted beans have a deep and robust taste profile, with hints of chocolate or caramel.
When a coffee bean is roasted long enough, it will begin to reach what’s called the “first crack”. This is when the vapors inside the beans start to break through the outer layer, making a cracking sound as they do. At this point, the coffee beans are beginning to lose some of their oils, which hold a lot of their flavours and aromas.
The longer you roast your beans, the more the flavours will intensify. You’ll typically find that dark roast beans have a rich and deep flavour with notes of dark chocolate, liquorice, or spices such as black pepper. Some dark roasted beans may even have smokey or carbonic aromas that remind you of the char on a steak.
The coffee-to-water ratio can also make a big difference in your espresso, as well as the quality of your beans and how they are ground. The right proportions of each can give you a balanced and flavourful cup, no matter your preference.
5. Arabica Beans
Arabica beans are known for their sweet, fruity flavour and smooth texture. They are naturally lower in caffeine than other types of beans, making them easy on the stomach. They are also often grown in high altitudes, which adds to their delicious taste and unique flavour profiles.
The flavour of coffee depends on many factors, including the bean type, its pedigree, and its growing conditions. For example, a single-origin arabica coffee can have a very different flavour than a blend of arabica and Robusta beans. This is because each region produces a distinct flavour profile due to its environmental conditions and terroir.
If you’re looking for the best espresso beans, opt for a blend of Arabica and Robusta varieties that have been carefully curated to offer a balanced flavour profile. Espresso beans are roasted at a higher heat than other types of beans, so you want the right balance of sweetness and acidity to create a cup that’s smooth and rich.
Another great option is to buy single-origin arabica beans from a specific farm or region. These beans are known for their complex flavours and rich history, with one of the most famous being the Coffea arabica plant’s heirloom, Typica, which was stolen from Ethiopia and planted in Yemen, then mutated to survive in Java.
6. Robusta Beans
Although arabica beans are preferred by most coffee lovers, robusta is also an excellent choice for espresso. Robusta beans (Coffea canephora) are grown at lower altitudes and are more resistant to pests, making them a cheaper option than arabica. Robusta is used mostly in instant coffee granules and powders, but it can also be found in single-origin espresso blends.
For these fine blends of coffee, Lavazza selects the finest arabica and robusta beans from Central America, South America and Asia, paying special attention to the origin of each variety. You can even choose whole beans and grind your own coffee at home for a truly barista-worthy experience.
Robusta is more bitter than arabica and has a higher caffeine content, but it’s still a great choice for espresso. It can provide a stronger flavour and create a thick crema, and it’s less expensive than arabica.
7. Illy Classico Espresso in a Can
Whether you enjoy your coffee black, with syrup or milk, or in a cappuccino, this espresso from illy caffe is sure to please. Its single-origin beans come from Colombia and Brazil and are carefully graded by a panel of experts for their flavor, aroma and mouthfeel. The result is a sweet, syrupy coffee with notes of strawberry and vanilla.
The beans are roasted to create a smooth, full-bodied taste that lingers on the tongue. illy coffee has been expertly crafted using only the finest arabica beans, which are prized for their flavor and lower caffeine content. Its dark roast is perfect for espresso because it has a roasty bittersweet flavor that pairs well with the creaminess of milk.
Unlike pre-ground coffee, this whole bean espresso is roasted and ground to order, so it is at its peak of freshness when you make it at home. Remember, freshness is crucial for espresso, as the beans will lose some of their flavor and aroma once they are packaged.
Illy uses state-of-the-art electronic machinery to examine each individual bean, removing any that are substandard. The result is a delicious, consistent espresso every time. It also comes in an air-tight can with a unique pressure-release valve that allows you to control the release of espresso, ensuring a perfectly extracted shot.
