Introduction
For coffee lovers, choosing a coffee bean is a sacred decision. Much thought is given, and it’s not a simple task to find the best espresso beans. There are several things to consider when choosing a coffee bean, such as aroma, color, oiliness, freshness, value, and packaging. When choosing a good coffee bean for your espresso, crema quality is a big factor.
We’ve put together a list taking the importance of choosing to heart for our top ten picks for espresso beans. Grab your grinder and let’s begin the journey to choosing the next great coffee bean for the perfect espresso!
The 10 Best Espresso Bean Brands
1. Lifeboost Dark Roast – Best Overall

Since these need to be finely ground for an espresso machine, be aware that these are oily and have the potential to clog the grinder. However, even with the oiliness, this coffee delivers ample crema
- Organic/Fair Trade certified
- Velvet touch
- Good crema
- Somewhat pricey
- Oily
2. Volcanica Espresso – Best Ground Espresso Beans
Though this is a dark roast coffee, we found it to taste more like a medium roast. Don’t worry, though it’s still potent without being bitter. Noted as grinding well, it’s recommended as best used with an espresso machine.
Volcanica roasts your coffee on-demand, so you can be sure you’ll never receive stale beans. It is a tad pricey but probably won’t break the bank. We think this is one of the best coffee beans for espresso currently on the market!
- Available in espresso grind and whole bean
- The well-rounded, chocolatey flavor
- Good crema
- Grinds well
- A little pricey
- More medium than the dark roast
3.Lavazza “Dek” (Whole Bean Espresso Blend) – Best Decaf
Beans
- Affordable
- Sweet flavor
- Aromatic
- Good crema
- Low acid
- Too light as a dark roast
- Can’t reseal the package
4. Death Wish Whole Bean Coffee
As one of the most expensive choices on the list, if you find you aren’t on board with this dark roast, a money-back guarantee is offered. For those not accustomed to a true dark roast, this may be a bit strong for your palate, and some noted a smoky aftertaste.
Read our full review of Death Wish Coffee!
- Pleasant flavor
- High caffeine
- Not acidic
- Full-bodied
- Money-back guarantee
- Expensive
5. illy Ground Espresso
- Aroma
- Bold flavor
- Rich profile
- Toasty notes
- Expensive
- Packaging issues
- Potential clogging issues
6. Koffee Kult Coffee Beans
For the dark roast espresso expert, this one may deliver a bit too light. For those new to the dark side, you may note a bitter finish.
As a family-owned business, customer service is a top priority for Koffee Kult, and it’s noticed. This choice is on the pricier side, but it does offer a money-back guarantee.
- Smooth flavor
- Rich aroma
- Good crema
- Money-back guarantee
- Slightly pricey
- Bitter follow-up
7. Café Don Pablo Gourmet Coffee – Classic Italian Espresso
For dark roast fans, this doesn’t deliver, as it comes across as weak and muted. You may have to go the extra mile playing with the grind to achieve something close to satisfaction. However, if you’re new to dark roast and want to give it a try, this may be a gentle way in.
Overall, this pick is a good value for the money.
Our favorite gourmet coffee brands!
- Economical
- Low acidity
- Muted flavor
- Lacks aroma
- Bitter finish
8. JO ESPRESSO
This choice, although a medium-dark roast, is noted as being too sweet for those looking for a bolder flavor. It also has a slightly expensive price tag.
- Rich aromatic
- Lacks bitterness
- Excellent crema
- Expensive
- Sweet for the roast
- Sour afterbite
9. Stone Street Tanzania Peaberry Coffee
Stone Street Tanzania Peaberry Coffee Check Latest Price African coffee Stone Street Coffee Tanzania Peaberry Fresh Roast Coffee, is bringing up the rear of the list. It’s a light roast with a smooth, full-bodied depth with rich flavor. It has a fruity undertone, giving it a distinguished aroma.
It doesn’t deliver a bitterness, but the fruity undertone is a turnoff for many. If you desire more of an earthy, chocolate undertone, this choice won’t serve you well.
The Tanzania Peaberry is truly a gourmet coffee bean grown on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. If you’re looking for something a little different and brand new to you, you may like this choice.
- Distinguished aroma
- The clean, crisp flavor
- Fresh and non-oily
- Slightly pricey
- Weak flavor
- Mediocre body
10. Coffee Bean Direct Italian Roast Espresso
Coffee Bean Direct Italian Roast Espresso Check Latest Price Coffee Bean Direct Italian Roast Espresso delivers a big bite and honey–toasted aroma. It has hints of chocolate and molasses with a body that’s not too bold. It comes in a 2.5-pound resealable bag, and the beans are versatile for most brewing methods.
There are variations in the consistency of the roast, and they present a bitter aftertaste.
- Very affordable
- Rich crema
- Weak
- Lacks aroma
- Flat taste
- Bitter aftertaste
- Variations in roasting
Aroma
The aroma of coffee beans will tell your nose first if it’s fresh and flavorful. It’s what will entice you to want to brew it. If there is little to no aroma, you likely won’t enjoy that cup of coffee.
Color
The color of beans is the real indicator of the roast and robustness. A blond color indicates a light roast. Light brown indicates a light to medium roast. Dark brown indicates a medium to dark roast. Blackish brown indicates a dark roast. If you open a bag and see a variety of colors, this means there will be a variation in flavor.
Oiliness
naturally contain oil. Dry coffee beans can indicate that the batch has gone stale, depending on the kind of roast. Dark, oily beans will indicate that they’re strong, bold, and bitter. If the beans have a shine to them without being overly oily, it’s not necessarily a bad thing, as it depends on who you ask. With some experimentation and research, you’ll discover exactly the kind of bean that works for you.
Freshness
Value
No one wants to spend an exorbitant amount of money for even the best espresso beans. We all want good value for the money spent. Do your research and comparisons. The good news is that once you discover a great coffee you’ll purchase over and over, it’s likely that subscribe and save is an option.
Packaging
Regardless of how coffee beans for espresso are packaged, once they arrive at your doorstep, they need to be transferred to an airtight container and stored in a cool, dark place. Use a container that isn’t clear, because light encourages the oxidation process.
FAQ.
What do coffee beans taste like?
Dark, oily beans will indicate that they’re strong, bold, and bitter.
What is the aroma of coffee beans?
The aroma of coffee beans will tell your nose first if it’s fresh and flavorful.
What is an expiration date?
A roasted date and an expiration date are two different things.
What is the Best Coffee?
If you’re searching for outstanding coffee, Lifeboost’s Dark Roast is our number one choice, with a velvety touch and a rich profile.
What are the benefits of using this coffee?
However, even with the oiliness, this coffee delivers ample crema.
What is the best coffee for decaffeination?
Available in espresso grind and whole bean Well-rounded, chocolatey flavor Good crema Grinds well A little pricey More medium than dark roast With a mild flavor and a strong crema, Lavazza “Dek” Whole Bean Espresso Blend arrives on the list as our best in decaf.
Conclusion
There’s something for everyone on our list. We wish you well on your quest to find the best coffee beans for espresso. Keep on brewing!