The Best Espresso Beans for Every Coffee Drinker [Tested and Reviewed]
Updated: Aug. 06, 2024
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When I wake up, it only takes about five minutes before my brain starts screaming, “Coffee!” I’m not after the caffeine but rather the rich complexity of an Americano or the creamy, foamy sip of a cappuccino. And in the heat of summer, nothing tastes better than a smooth cold brew. A good coffee can set the tone for my entire day.
In recent years, my husband and I have leveled up our coffee game, investing in an array of gadgets and gizmos to chase the perfect cup. We recently updated our bare-bones espresso maker for a high-end automatic model. And while this appliance is officially part of my personality now, even the most luxurious machine can’t cover up the taste of bad beans. That’s why I’ve spent the past three months on a mission to uncover the best espresso you can buy online.
Now, I’ll admit I typically visit one of my local cafes for fresh beans. And I encourage you to see what’s brewing in your community, too. But there’s something oh-so-convenient about coffee showing up directly on your doorstep. I tested a dozen well-known brands from Amazon so you can order your next bag of beans with confidence.
Best Overall
Lavazza Espresso
Pros:
- Balanced flavor perfect for variety of espresso drinks
- Budget-friendly
- Very smooth
Cons:
- Bag was a bit tricky to open with no easy way to reseal
This is the Goldilocks of espresso. If you’re searching for a perfectly balanced bean with a hint of sweetness that’s not too dark or bitter, look no further than Lavazza.
This was the first bag I opened, and it set the tone for the rest of the tests. The flavor was ideal for pretty much any drink, whether you’re looking to sip it on its own or with milk. Whether I poured a shot or foamed milk for a cappuccino, Lavazza did not disappoint. I also liked that there weren’t many flavor notes on the bag to set expectations. Going in, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But the medium roast lent a light, aromatic flavor with hints of floral and citrus—all while tasting like an espresso you would find in a good coffee shop. My partner and I blew through this two-pound bag embarrassingly fast—it was that easy to drink.
Plus, priced at just $0.43 an ounce, it was one of the most affordable options we tested.
Best Organic
Kicking Horse Coffee 454 Horse Power
Pros:
- Very dark, bold espresso flavor
- Certified organic
- Ideal for milk-based drinks
- Moderate price point
Cons:
- May be too dark for some, especially to sip on its own
Content Director Nicole Doster put me on to this organic espresso bean option. Kicking Horse Coffee 454 Horse Power is a dark roast that will certainly wake you up.
At first sip, it’s heavy on the tongue, with a light, slightly acidic finish. It’s certainly one of the stronger espressos I tried, but it’s not overpowering—especially when combined with milk or foam. If you like strong and bold coffee, this is the option for you.
Nicole agrees, saying, “This whole-bean coffee is smooth and chocolatey with no bitter taste. It’s the perfect crowd-pleaser.” And with a $1.23 per ounce price tag, you can enjoy Horse Power on any morning.
Best Splurge
Onyx Coffee Lab Monarch
Pros:
- Very complex flavor profile
- Satisfying enough to drink on its own
- Beautiful packaging
Cons:
- Pricey
Priced at nearly $2 an ounce, Onyx Coffee Lab’s Monarch is one of the priciest beans we tried. But after one sip, you’ll be hooked.
I loved the medium body of this espresso. It seemed to combine the nuanced complexity of light, medium and dark roasts—all in one bean! It’s a bit acidic on the tongue, but then gives way to a rich finish of berries and cocoa. It was the most pleasantly unusual espresso bean I tested.
As an added bonus, the packaging was stunning. The beans came in a paper bag tucked inside a beautiful white box. If you’re looking for a gift for coffee lovers, this espresso fits the bill without need of additional wrapping.
Best Dark Roast
La Colombe Bleu
Pros:
- Lovely dark roast with a touch of sweetness
- Moderate price point
- Delicious over ice
- Certified organic
Cons:
- Not technically an espresso roast
Dark roast lovers, this one’s for you. While not technically marketed as an espresso roast, I found that La Colombe Bleu yielded beautiful shots with a rich crema.
This is a dark roast that’s a touch on the sweet side. It’s not quite as dark as the Kicking Horse, but it is still a lovely way to start your day. It’s palatable enough to drink on its own (as long as you like strong coffee) and a tasty base for espresso drinks.
I especially liked this one over ice. The beans were very dark and shiny. Plus, it sells for about $1.25 an ounce. Not too bad for an organic coffee!
Best Medium Roast
Allegro Coffee Organic Espresso Bel Canto
Pros:
- Deep fruity and chocolaty flavor
- Fairly affordable
- Certified organic
Cons:
- A bit acidic for a medium roast
Craving an espresso with a touch more acidity? Allegro’s Espresso Bel Canto lets the coffee’s natural flavors shine.
The beans are a deeper brown with a slightly oily finish. The flavor is fruity with a chocolaty richness. It almost reminded me of a chocolate-covered pomegranate seed.
Plus, at roughly $1 an ounce, it offers a gourmet taste without breaking the bank. These beans are also non-GMO and fair trade certified.
Best Light Roast
Wink Coffee Blonde Espresso
Pros:
- Very fruity blonde espresso
- One of the most affordable options
- Pairs beautifully with flavored syrups
Cons:
- Very light, borderline sour, flavor
I’ll be completely honest: Wink Coffee’s Blonde Espresso was not a personal favorite. But I’m also not a light roast coffee fan. I much prefer darker roasts, especially for espresso. But other testers, including my husband, enjoyed this acidic blonde.
It was very fruity, hingeing on slightly sour. But the notes were vibrant and fresh; the description expresses “citrus, brown sugar and a touch of dried strawberry.” If you like light coffee, this is the blonde espresso to try. I would also recommend this roast if you’re planning to pair your espresso with a flavored syrup. I mean, can you say shaken espresso?
Bonus: It’s very affordable, coming in at around $0.65 per ounce.
Best Small Business
Partners Coffee Roasters Elevate
Pros:
- True to its tasting notes
- Complex flavor from start to finish
- Easy-to-seal packaging for freshness
Cons:
- A bit on the acidic side
- Pricey
The tasting notes for Partners Coffee Roasters’ Elevate are “red apple, caramel and pecan pie.” So…a Thanksgiving dessert? I’m happy to report that those oddly specific flavors really do shine through.
The first sip of this medium roast is acidic, but then it gives way to a sweeter finish. It’s kind of like biting into a caramel apple—in reverse! I’m dying to try this one in an espresso martini!
This is the second-priciest bean we recommend, with a price tag of around $1.54 an ounce.
Other Espresso Beans We Tried
- Cameron’s Coffee Organic Espresso: This was an adequate dark roast—especially if organic beans are important to you—but the flavor was lacking. It’s a solid value, though.
- Chamberlain Coffee Fancy Mouse Espresso Blend: I had high hopes for this viral brand, but I found it sipped more bitter than the sweet caramel, dark chocolate and toasted peanut notes advertised. It is also quite pricey.
- Starbucks Espresso Roast: While a good budget pick and easy to find at the grocery store, I found this espresso roast to be extremely bitter. This was one of the brands I cut after the first test.
- Intelligentsia Coffee Black Cat Espresso: Another solid option, especially if you like dark roasts. I just preferred the flavor notes of other beans more.
- illy Ground Coffee Espresso: This was another option I cut after the first taste test. It tasted stale and offered little crema. The packaging was nice, though.
How We Found the Best Espresso Beans
Finding the best espresso beans was a monstrous task. After all, there are literally thousands of options on the market! I started by researching top brands, reading product reviews and evaluating bestsellers on Amazon. I also chatted with Taste of Home editors to gather personal recommendations. Then, I ordered a dozen readily available espresso bags, ranging in size and price. I chose whole beans whenever possible, but some options were only available pre-ground.
To test the best espresso beans, I pulled out my trusty KitchenAid KF8 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine. I brewed a single shot of espresso for each of the 12 bags, then did a quick-fire comparison taste test. I evaluated each shot on its aroma, crema and, of course, flavor. Right away, I was able to eliminate three competitors. They tasted bitter and stale. The remaining nine bags moved through for additional testing, and I swapped them for my typical morning beans. Over the course of several weeks, I brewed lattes, cappuccinos and Americanos. I also encouraged family and friends to test the top contenders and provide feedback. After multiple taste tests, I landed on seven bags deserving of “the best espresso beans” title.
What to Look for When Buying Espresso Beans
Just like the best coffee brands, choosing espresso beans is a highly personal choice. Every coffee drinker has a different definition of delicious. That said, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind before you add to cart, according to Editorial Coordinator and former barista Sydney Manning.
- Beans or Grounds: Espresso requires a fine (but not too fine!) grind for the ideal extraction. Whole beans allow you to customize that grind to your machine but require you to own a coffee grinder. “Whole bean is usually preferred since people can rely on the freshness of the bean better,” Sydney explains. Pre-ground beans are ready to go out of the bag, but they may be too coarse or too fine for your portafilter. Plus, they’re typically not as fresh.
- Freshness: Ideally, your espresso beans should come with a “roast date” in addition to a “best by” date. The former signifies exactly how long the beans have been sitting in the bag. “The roast date is the best indicator of how fresh the coffee is,” Sydney says.
- Roast level: Most espresso beans fall in the medium or dark roast category, offering a bolder, heavier flavor. But you can use any roast level that you like! We recommend experimenting with light, medium and dark roasts to find your preference.
- Source: “Some people also care about where the coffee comes from, such as Costa Rica or Guatemala,” Sydney explains. You may also want to look out for features like organic or fair trade certified to better understand the source.
Why You Should Trust Us
As Senior Shopping Editor, I’ve spent six years recommending the best kitchen gear, gifts and food items to Taste of Home readers. I’ve tested hundreds of products to ensure all our picks live up to the hype. For this article, I tapped into a personal passion: coffee. In recent years, my husband and I have spent many weekends experimenting with newfangled coffee gear and tasting the best brews on the market. I’ve previously reviewed the best coffee subscriptions (including stalwarts like Trade Coffee and newer brands like Cometeer capsules) and tested the Baratza burr grinder.
Plus, this love for coffee doesn’t stop with me. Taste of Home shopping editors are no strangers to testing and reviewing coffee beans, gear and gadgets. Over the years, our Test Kitchen pros have evaluated the best drip coffeemakers and cold brew brands. In our home kitchens, our crew has assessed everything from Keurigs to the best mushroom coffees and tasty flavored coffees. Our goal is to make your mornings tasty—and caffeinated!
FAQs
What is espresso?
Espresso is a type of coffee. Its key characteristic is its preparation method, which requires high water pressure and fine grounds. Most espresso beans are dark and roasted longer than typical coffee beans. However, you can still find espresso in light, medium and dark roasts. While you can use most coffee beans in an espresso maker, prepping espresso beans in a coffee maker won’t automatically make it espresso.
What’s the difference between coffee and espresso?
“Most people think you need espresso beans to make espresso, which isn’t necessarily the case,” Sydney says. “What makes espresso is the amount of pressure that is being applied in the machine (usually around 30 pounds), so you can use either regular coffee beans or espresso beans for both types of brews.” Learn more in our espresso vs. coffee guide.
How much caffeine is in a shot of espresso?
An espresso shot is highly concentrated, yielding about 64 milligrams of caffeine, while a single 8-ounce serving of coffee has about 92 milligrams of caffeine. If you take espresso like, well, a shot, you’ll likely feel the effects of the caffeine more quickly than if you sip an espresso-style drink like a latte or Americano. Learn more in our guide to espresso and caffeine.
How do you make espresso at home?
To make espresso at home, you’ll need an espresso machine. While you can make espresso-style drinks by adding milk and foam to black coffee, a true espresso shot requires the pressure only an espresso machine provides. Our team has tested a variety of the best espresso machines. I’m smitten with the KitchenAid KF8 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine, and our Content Director Nicole Doster can’t get enough of the Breville Bambino Plus.
Originally Published: March 10, 2023
