Top 5 Best Coffee Beans For Espresso

What Are Coffee Beans?

In short, coffee beans are small but mighty seeds that grow in the vibrant red cherries of the Coffea plant. The process begins with the careful cultivation of coffee plants in sun-drenched regions renowned for their ideal climate and soil conditions. There are several species of coffee plants, but only two are commonly cultivated: Coffea Arabica and the Robusta variety of the Coffea Canephora. These plants thrive in equatorial regions. As the cherries ripen on the branches, they transition from green to a deep, luscious red, indicating their readiness for harvest.

Once harvested, the cherries undergo processing to extract the precious coffee beans within. There are several processes for this, including the traditional dry process also known as natural process where the cherries are laid out to dry in the sun. The washed process or wet process is generally favoured for espressos. The cherries are pulped to remove the outer skin before fermentation and washing. These processing methods will directly influence the bean’s final flavour profile. 

The next step involves the beans being sorted and graded based on various factors such as size, density, and quality. This rigorous selection process ensures that only the finest beans make their way to market. After that, the best beans move on to roasting, where the magic truly happens! The roasters apply heat to unlock the bean’s hidden potential and imbue them with their distinctive flavour profiles. For espresso, a medium to dark roast is usually preferred, coaxing out rich caramelised notes while preserving the bean’s natural sweetness and acidity – the perfect balance for a bold, delicious shot. The beans are then ready to be packaged and sold whole or ground. 

From the cherry to the cup, coffee is a journey that encompasses centuries of tradition, expertise, and passion, culminating in that perfect moment when the aroma of freshly brewed espresso fills the air.

How to choose the right coffee beans

When it comes to preparing the perfect espresso for your preferences, the right beans are key. And grabbing just any bag off the shelf won’t cut it. Understanding the impact of the origins of the beans, the roast, and the desired extraction method on the flavour profile is the best way to successfully choose the right beans. Here are the main elements to know:

If you don’t quite know where to start, here are a few tips: 

• Try out a few different origins: Different coffee beans from specific countries, regions, or varietals can result in unique flavour profiles. Experiment with various origins to find the taste you prefer
• Freshness: Opt for freshly roasted beans whenever possible. Coffee beans begin to lose their flavour and aroma after roasting. Look for roasters who provide roast dates on their packaging, and consider purchasing from local roasters for the freshest beans.
• Start with medium dark roasts: This is a safe bet for beginners, offering a balanced flavour profile without excessive bitterness.
• Ask for recommendations: Coffee shops are the best place to go to get valuable advice based on your specific preferences. They will generally have great beginner-friendly options and will ask you a few questions to understand your tastes. 
• Last but not least: experiment! It may take a while to find the perfect beans for your taste. But be patient and try to understand what you do and do not like about the beans you try to help guide in the right direction.

Our Top Tips For Brewing Your Espressos At Home

It’s not always easy to brew a great shot of espresso at home. The baristas in your favourite coffee shop may make it look easy, but there’s a lot that goes into making an espresso just right. Here are a few of our best tips to get you started:

• Quality grinder: A good grinder is crucial for consistent grind size, which directly impacts extraction and the quality of your brew. We suggest opting for burr grinders over blade grinders. This investment is definitely worth it. 
• Grind size: If the same vein, grind size is an essential part of brewing espressos. Start with a fine grind, slightly finer than table salt. Then, adjust based on your espresso machine and desired taste. You want to aim for a 25-30-second extraction for a double shot, so if it’s any faster or slower than that, adjust your grind size accordingly.
• Filtered water: It may seem obvious, but not everyone realises how much the water you use will affect the taste of your coffee. Use filtered or bottled water with low mineral content.
• Freshly roasted coffee beans: We’ve said it before but the fresher the beans, the better. 
• Brew temperature: Most machines have an ideal range (90-96°C). You can ensure  a more stable temperature by preheating and flushing water before brewing.
• Cleanliness: Be sure to regularly clean your machine to remove coffee oils and build-up. These oils will alter the taste of your brew, so a clean start ensures the best possible flavour.

Our Selection Of The Best Coffee Beans For Espresso

The Barn – La Esperanza Specialty Coffee Beans – 250g

Our first choice is the La Esperanza Specialty Coffee from The Barn. These may well be the best arabica coffee beans for espresso. The beans are specially roasted for espresso by The Barn’s renowned teal, are a medium roast and are of pure origin. They offer a balanced, long-lasting coffee with dominant notes of red berries and rich & sweet secondary notes. The tasting notes are milk chocolate, vanilla, cranberry and red plum.

Perléo – Virtuoso Espresso Coffee Beans – 1kg

Next up, Perléo’s Virtuoso espresso coffee beans. Virtuoso is a 100% arabica blend that delivers an intense, well-rounded cup of coffee with a long mouthfeel. If you’re a fan of Italian espressos, you will enjoy the powerful flavours of a short, intense coffee with a rich & sweet aroma. The aromatic group of these beans is citrus.

Pellini – Top Coffee Beans – 1kg

Pellini’s Top coffee beans are another fan-favourite. These woody coffee beans are 100% arabica and deliver an exceptional naturally mild coffee with very little caffeine. It offers a creamy, voluptuous espresso with notes of cocoa. The dominant note of these beans is woody.

Amadito – Brazil Guatemala Speciality Coffee Beans – 250g

With these speciality coffee beans, Amadito brings coffee lovers an espresso with rich & sweet notes and herb-like secondary notes. From Mogiana in Brazil and Solola and Atitlan in Guatemala, Arabica and Robusta are grown at an altitude of up to 1500 m. It offers a balanced intensity and a variety of delicious tasting notes (hazelnuts, fresh almonds and chocolate) making it exquisite in espresso.

Goppion – Dolce Coffee Beans – 1kg

The Dolce beans by Goppion are a blend of 90% Arabica and 10% Robusta. This results in a balanced, velvety coffee with a slight acidity. It has notes of cocoa, nuts and toast.

These Goppion beans are roasted by hand in Italy using the traditional slow-roasting method. All coffee beans are roasted separately by variety to guarantee the highest possible quality. These beans offer a great blend of rich & sweet dominant notes and lingering notes of spices

Now you should know all you need to know about espressos, from the beans and where they come from, to espresso blends, the different brew methods and which espresso roast and variety could be right for you. If you want to go further than our selection of the best coffee beans for espresso, be sure to check out our full catalogue of both arabica and robusta beans.