Bean Varieties
Any bean can be used to make espresso, but usually the finest espressos are made from either 100% Arabica beans or some percentage of Robusta blended into them. While Arabica is characterized by its light and nuanced flavors, sweetness with a bright acidity; Robusta contributes to the body and crema while imparting bitterness. The result is a shot that keeps the complexity of Arabica and has enough bite from Robusta.
Arabica (Typical Notes: Sweet, Fruity, Floral notes Smoother Body)
Robusta Beans: Have high bitterness, earthiness and thick crema with more caffeine.
Roast Levels for Espresso
Espresso produced in different conditions may taste vastly different from what you have experienced. The roast level is key to how espresso tastes, but other factors come into play as well. Although espresso is usually a medium to dark roast, lighter roasts can work well if you enjoy a brighter and more acidic shot.
Light Roast: Retains the original bean flavors, but it can make for a more tangy and sharp espresso shot. Great for use with single-origin coffees that represent different flavors
Medium Roast – This option falls as a balanced mix of sweetness and acidity, making it versatile for espresso shots vs milks.
Dark Roast: A popular choice for espresso, dark roasts offer strong flavors & lower acidity. These beans produce a dark, bold coffee with hints of chocolatey caramel and nuttiness.
Freshness and Grinding
Purity is a must for perfect espresso. Coffee should be used within a week of roasting. Grind: has to be a burr grinder for an even, fine grind appropriate if or cup of espresso It was emphasized over and again to have consistency in the grind, as an even extraction is necessary for a properly pulled shot.
Well then, here are the best coffee beans for perfect espresso. This list of beans were chosen for their taste, quality and popularity with the espresso drinking crowd.
Probably the most known name in the coffee world, Lavazza Super Crema Espresso Blend is a true treat for all espresso lovers. It features an Arabica Robusta coffee blend prepared in a medium roasting style that delivers a sweet, balanced taste which is good both when you drink it as an espresso or coupled with milk.
Profile: Mild acid, hazelnut and honey notes with brown sugar sweetness — thick crema.
Personally I love Kicking Horse Coffee it hits all the hallmarks of good coffee roasting, and they roast organic beans that are also fair-trade-Certified so you can feel secure in supporting a company with this ethos backing their name. Cliff Hanger Espresso: As for espresso drinkers looking to brighten up your cup consider something like our beloved Cliff hanger blend by kicking a horse which is even brighter but still richly textured! This Medium Roast is 100% Arabica and draws out sweet, vibrant notes!
Tasting Notes: Juicy, fruit forward acidity with a hint of cocoa and sweet finish.
Illy is a classic Italian brand, and their Classico Espresso the bold blend of choice for those that prefer an indulgent espresso shot. This 100% Arabica mixture is rich enough to impart the right bit of bitterness without being too overpowering or acidic, perfect for entry level espresso consumers and connoisseurs.
Tasting notes: Balanced, with hints of caramel and chocolate along with faint floral cues.
Specialty coffee lovers love using Stumptown’s Hair Bender blend. A medium roast blend of Latin American, African and Indonesian beans to bring complexity to each shot. Great for people who like their espresso with sweetness and brightness.
Varietal: Orange bright chocolate and caramel nuanced layered backend
Coffee Bros. is a small-batch, craft roaster and is famous for their coffee beans that are brewed fresh. The Espresso Roast, a combination of 100% Arabica beans sourced from Colombia and Ethiopia that features notes of bright fruit to compliment its deep rich flavor profile means it is not only great for perfecting espresso shots but also leads the way with milk-based drinks.
Fruit & Sweet Tasting Notes: Red Fruit, Citrus & Chocolate
When you think of Intelligentsia, quality coffee and especially espresso is what comes to mind: try the Black Cat Classic Espresso for a fine shot with balance. A smooth, syrupy body with balanced sweetness complement this medium-dark roast, made of beans sourced from Latin America.
Tasting Notes : Dense, sweet and chocolatey with a caramel finish.
BEST FOR ESPRESSO DRINKERS Peet’s Major Dickason’s Blend Dark Roast, 20 Ounce BEST ROBUST FLAVOR This dark roast is ideal for the espresso drinker who loves a deep and rich flavor. This single-origin expresses its origins inside a quietly bold, full-bodied espresso that carries unique earthy and fruity undertones.
Tasting Notes: Strong, smoky flavor with earthy notes of spice and hints of chocolate & caramel.
Espresso Blend from Volcanica is a medium-dark roast with an origins-influenced blend of beans sourced from Central and South America. Volcanica is famous for using beans from volcanic soils and maintains that the flavor of their espresso blend is robust, while still maintaining balance.
Tasting Notes: Silky and velvety wrap-up with traces of chocolate, cured nuts; fruit sweet nuances.
Death Wish Coffee: if you need a big, strong espresso to give you that extra caffeine boost. Hypercaffeinated Dark Roast One of the strongest coffees in the world, a bold dark roast mixing Arabica and Robusta beans that gives you an aggressive amount of heavy-hitting flavors.
Beer: Chocolate, cherry and slightly acrid aftertaste in good strong beer.
One of the most legendary roasting coffee shops in Verve Coffee Roasters and their Espresso Blend is one with a tad bit more depth while remaining sweet, perfect for those who enjoy both sides of the flavor coin. In addition to those brewing methods, this light roast is also terrific for espresso shots that are sweet and delicate a mild response back.Consider Central America paired with Ethiopian beans.GetCurrent deal // $16. 80 per poundSHOP THE BLENDshortcodeapi(api : ‘//www.
Taste Notes: High acidity mixed with red fruits flavors and suggested caramel which paired overall in a low/medium intensity cup.
Flavor Profile Preferences
Everything will depend on your very own taste so I experience a cup coming once again to me personally… when deciding upon espresso beans, consider the following components:
For those of you who prefer a strong and herbal flavor, the dark roast is your best bet (like Death Wish Coffee or Peet’s Major Dickason’s Blend).
Coffee Bros offers a medium roast, so if you like fruity and bright acidity try that one Espresso Roast or Stumptown Hair Bender
Balanced classic espresso: some good examples here include Lavazza Super Crema and Illy Classico AVG Price Point – under \$20/lbIncludes coffee blends More info on buying beans being cheaper_FREQUENCY OF USAGE drink this every day, several times a day!
Single-Origin vs. Blends
Single origin beans come from a single region and so they can be easier to recognize since it will taste different than anything else, the difference is I have found people that when buying coffee are not always aware of what kind of taste really enjoy.. (just depends on your palette) some good examples might an earthy or fruity one.
The bean balances and delivers flavor characteristics which can also be consistent, for a blend as beans are from one region or all too several regions with the desired performance power of espresso especially when used side by (milk).
Organic & Ethical Points to Consider
if sustainability and ethical sourcing are important to you, try certified Organic or Fair Trade beans. Companies like Kicking Horse Coffee and Coffee Bros. prioritize ethical sourcing and environmental sustainability.
Grinding the Beans
Espresso will be a fine and even grind size. We do the best with Burr Grinders because an inconsistent grind can lead to over- or under-extraction, which affects flavor.
Dialing in the Perfect Shot
The grind size, water temperature, and pressure all work together to make the perfect espresso extraction. Here’s how to get it right:
Grind: Fine (espresso grind)
Correct extraction time: A well-pulled shot of espresso should take 25 – 30 seconds to pull a full ounce (maybe more, maybe less).
Brewing temp : The water used to brew should be 195-205°F / (90-96°C).
Temperature and Pressure of Water
Espresso around 9 bars (the minimum required to push water consistently through finely ground coffee.) Water temperature: The hot water should not be boiling but rather between 195-205°F (90–96°C) in order to extract the most flavors without scorching your coffee.
Conclusion
The search for the perfect espresso beans is an adventure, or more accurately: a wander that leads to what you like best, considering flavor and body needs as well as your personal heat tolerance. Whether you like a shot of fruit-bombs or intense, heavy espresso; there is the right bean for you out there somewhere. Lavazza, Stumptown Illy Coffee Bros. offer great, well-established specialty espresso candidates.
Achieve that ideal cup of espresso to satisfy your palate and enhance the coffee-drinking undertakings by selecting appropriate beans and preparing it properly.
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