11 Best Espresso Beans Of 2022 [Reviewed]

Only a true coffee lover knows the value of choosing the best espresso beans in the market.

They love the taste and feeling of taking the first sip of the best espresso shot!

It’s creamy but has an intense taste. It’s a great mood booster, wakes you up, and more! It sounds like a dream to us.

In this review, we’ll go through the best espresso beans in the market. No more guessing what to get!

11 Best Espresso Beans

You’re probably wondering, “What espresso beans should I use?”

Using whole beans is always the best. You can grind it and have a perfect fresh brew each time! Perfect right?

Before you start grinding your beans, know that coffee grounds can also spoil. After about 6 months, it can lose its freshness and even spoil.

Ideally, it would be best to consume your coffee grounds within a week to maximize your coffee’s intense flavors.

Only the best espresso beans can give you the perfect aroma and intense, pungent flavors. It will leave a tickle on your palette!

Honestly, the perfect espresso beans make the perfect cup of coffee. Trust us. It will change how you look and taste regular coffee.

1. Lifeboost Espresso Coffee Beans – Best Overall

Key Takeaways

• Dark roast
• Whole bean
• Caramel and chocolate undertones
• Rich and slightly sweet taste
• Origins: Nicaragua

Lifeboost coffee is one of best tasting coffee out there in the market. It is organic and perfectly roasted to a well-balanced profile. If you have been searching for a healthy, organic espresso coffee option, look no further than the Lifeboost Espresso Coffee.

Flavor

The single origin, 100% Arabica beans gives you a full-bodied, great tasting coffee. It is versatile and can be made with the various coffee brewing methods.

You will get a rich and bold flavor with this one, with undertones of caramel and chocolate with a tinge of sweetness. The intense and delicious aroma will fill up your home, providing a unique coffee drinking experience.

Price

This coffee is not cheap, to say the least. However, with all the benefits that you get from these beans, it is definitely worth your money. Lifeboost coffee aims to give you the best quality beans, period.

The coffee beans are hand-picked one at a time, spring water washed and sun-dried to deliver the highest quality of Gourmet coffee blends. You literally are getting the best of the best in layman’s terms.

Pros:

• Free from mycotoxins, pesticides + 400 other toxins
• Hand picked, spring water washed and sun-dried
• Mountain shade grown
• Low acidity
• Fair trade certified
• USDA organic
• Rich and bold coffee with notes of chocolate and caramel

Cons:

• Premium price
• Some may miss the acidity of coffee

Still not convinced? You can find more details here.

2. Stumptown Hair Bender – Runner Up

Key Takeaways

• Dark roast
• Whole bean
• Citrus and dark chocolate aroma
• Sweet and balanced taste
• Origins: Africa, Indonesia, and Latin America

We aren’t surprised that the Stumptown Hair Bender made it to this list. After all, it’s been a crowd favorite for many years now.

The brand has been known to source only the best quality espresso beans from all around the world! You’ll never go wrong.

Flavor

Of all the espresso beans we will mention in this review, this product probably has the most complex flavors out there.

At first sip, you’ll taste a nice sweet blend. Soon enough, you’ll taste the cherry and fudge undertones. The citrus and dark chocolate flavors also shine with every sip!

You can also taste some African, Indonesian, and Latin American notes. You’re practically all around the world.

If you want to maximize this bean’s flavors, we recommend taking it straight as an espresso shot. Don’t mix it with milk!

Price

We’re not going to lie, but the price could be improved. It’s not cheap, but not that expensive either.

Nonetheless, we’re still willing to cash in our money for these beans for espresso!

It’s an excellent go-to espresso for anyone.

Is Stumptown for You?

It’s perfect as a morning mood booster drink. You can even drink the coffee to complement your dessert. It’s up to you!

Besides its complex undertones, we love how the espresso beans aren’t too shiny/ oily. Not bad for a dark roast.

If you’re looking for great coffee for espresso maker machines, this isn’t a wrong choice at all. It won’t clog your machines, and clean up is pretty easy!

Pros

• Nice and well-balanced coffee bean
• Guaranteed fresh roast beans
• Complex flavors
• Good go-to beans

Cons

• Pricey than your average espresso shot

3. Volcanica Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee – Best Value

Key Takeaways

• Medium roast
• Whole bean or ground coffee
• Lavender aroma
• Dark chocolate body with notes of strawberry and pineapple guava
• Origins: Africa

The Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee by Volcanica originates from the southern region of Ethiopia, Africa and are gathered from wild coffee trees. High-grown and well-processed, the coffee beans deliver delicious notes that makes it worthwhile from a well-known coffee-producing region.

Flavor

The floral and fruity tasting tones produced by these medium roast coffee beans provide coffee enthusiasts an authentic experience to enjoy. The floral and earthy cedar aroma will fill up your home, making it an affair to remember.

The Volcanica Ethiopian Yirgacheffe medium roast coffee beans are organically grown with little or no acidity. No synthetic fertilizers or chemical were used in the cultivation process.

Price

The price may be at the pricier side as compared to regular coffee, but definitely giving you the best value for the buck. This is expected if you want the goodness from gourmet coffee. As a full-bodied espresso, you will be impressed by the strong and sweet tasting notes.

Pros

• Top-selling coffee beans and one of the popular Volcanica products
• Medium roast that delivers a sweet, smooth and rich vanilla flavor with floral and fruity undertones
• Organic and fair trade certified

Cons

• Quite pricey

4. Coffeebean Direct Italian Roast Espresso – Best Budget Pick

Key Takeaways

• Italian roast espresso coffee beans
• Smokey and delicious undertones
• Won’t break your pocket

Did you know you can save a ton of money when you buy coffee beans in bulk?

The problem with buying coffee in bulk is maintaining the coffee espresso beans’ freshness and quality.

Unless you plan to consume everything within two weeks, buying in bulk won’t be a problem. But are you storing it for up to a month? Now that’s a different story.

Luckily, Coffeebean Direct is an exceptional product out there.

You can buy their beans in bulk without compromising the quality and freshness of the beans!

Flavor

You’d be happy to know that the coffee beans have a unique and impressive profile. Even better than expensive espresso beans out there!

The beans make an excellent, strong, and rich brew, with undertones of smoky molasses and cocoa powder. Yum!

So if you’re looking for an excellent and robust tasting brew, this should be a top pick!

Price

A pack comes in a 5lb size, sold at only $41.75. That’s approximately $0.52 an ounce. Not bad!

You don’t always have to spend a steep amount to get the best beans out there!

Is Coffeebean Direct Italian for You?

It saves you the time and effort of going back and forth to the grocery! For us, this product is one of the best espresso products with excellent value for the money.

Pros

• Can be bought in bulk without sacrificing quality
• Affordable price
• Great value for money
• Strong and rich flavors

Cons

• Not ideal for people who prefer a slight roast

5. Koa Coffee Estate Dark Roast – Best Kona

Key Takeaways

• Dark roast
• Whole bean
• Acidic and rich body
• Tasting notes of chocolate, ripe fruit and toasted nut
• Origins: Hawaii

Touted as the best of the best by Forbes, the Koa Coffee Estate Dark Roast is an excellent choice especially for espresso. These coffee beans are grown on the slopes of Volcano Mauna Loa in Hawaii, which provided optimal growing conditions.

Flavor

The Koa Coffee Estate Dark Roast produces one of the most flavorful coffee profile. It features the classic taste of Hawaiian flavors: chocolate and ripe fruit, with a tinge of toasted nut. Thus providing coffee lovers with unique and interesting flavors for espresso.

Koa Coffee roasts 100% Hawaiian Kona coffees. A cup of Kona coffee gives you an exclusive experience that comprises only 1% of the coffee grown in the world. The heavenly aroma, coupled with the smooth and rich taste, will definitely get you begging for more.

Price

In order to get quality Kona coffee, you have to pay the premium. A high-quality Kona coffee is not cheap, but it is worth the money as long as you purchase the real deal. Koa Coffee offers one of the best Kona coffee out there in the market and is highly sought after.

Pros

• High quality coffee beans picked by hand
• Dark roast that produces nutty and fruity tasting notes (no bitterness) with rich aroma
• Award-winning company with huge reputation
• Grown in the best regions of the world

Cons

• Quite expensive
• Can go out of stock

6. Blue Horse 100% Kona Coffee

Key Takeaways

• Organic harvesting and roasting
• Only grows in Hawaii
• Sweet and complex flavors

Are you looking for the ultimate unique coffee experience? Then the Blue Horse Kona Coffee won’t let you down.

A lot of coffee enthusiasts would go to great lengths to try this!

The beans come from the Kona region in Hawaii and nowhere else! They’re also organic, growing in fields free of any herbicide or pesticide.

Flavor

Are you excited to taste one of the best espresso blends out there? Well, you won’t be disappointed when you try this Kona coffee.

It has that familiar, homey coffee taste, with hints of sweet vanilla, almond, and more!

You can also choose between having a dark or medium roast. It’s all up to you!

Undeniably, many coffee enthusiasts love this coffee and can’t seem to get enough of it.

As for us, we see why people love this. And we’re sure you would too.

Price

Fair warning, Kona Coffee is expensive, considering where it’s sourced and how it’s harvested.

Compared to other Kona Coffee brands out there, Blue Horse is one of Kona’s most affordable options at $2.99 an ounce.

In essence, Blue Horse is a pretty good deal! You can taste Kona coffee without spending a fortune!

Is Blue Horse for You?

Honestly, we consider Kona coffee the best espresso blend you could find for an ultimate coffee experience.

So you know what? We’re willing to pay the price for a cup!

Pros

• Must try for a unique coffee experience
• 100% pure espresso for coffee
• Available in medium or dark roast

Cons

• Pricier than the average coffee beans

7. Death Wish Coffee

Key Takeaways

• Dark roast espresso beans
• Organic
• Loaded with caffeine

Are you someone who drinks coffee for the caffeine kick? You’ll love these dark roasted espresso coffee beans.

It has a strong caffeine kick that’ll surely wake you upon your first sip. What an excellent day to start your day!

Believe it or not, the beans contain double the caffeine levels than most espresso beans.

Flavor

Despite having a strong and intense taste, you’ll be surprised to know that this dark roasted coffee doesn’t have any bitter aftertaste.

Instead, you’ll be greeted by an excellent combination of chocolate and cherry notes. Delicious!

If you aren’t used to drinking dark roast coffee, you might find this coffee a little bitter. Although not as bitter as other dark roasts out there.

Price

You can buy an ounce of this dark roast espresso bean for $0.85.

It’s pricier than most espresso beans out there, but we think it’s worth a try.

After all, if you’re desperate to stay up, you’d be more than willing to take a cup of this double caffeinated coffee.

Is Death Wish for You?

Whether you want something to keep you up during the day or be with you for an all-nighter, the Death Wish Coffee is your best choice.

Pros

• Can wake you and boost your energy levels
• Relatively affordable than most products
• Chocolatey and fruity undertones

Cons

• Not ideal for non-coffee drinkers

8. Koffee Kult Thunder Bold

Key Takeaways

• French or very dark roast
• Smokey and cinnamon aroma
• Available in whole bean or ground coffee
• Fruity, earthy, molasses, and tobacco taste notes
• Origins: Brazil and Colombia

If you’re using a super-automatic espresso machine to grind your beans, you won’t have a problem with this one.

The coffee beans aren’t oily, unlike dark roasts espresso beans, so you don’t have to worry about it clogging your machine!

Flavor

Koffee Kult has an excellent and subtle coffee taste, and none of those intense and robust tastes.

There’s a sweet undertone that can cheer you up in no time.

If you’re someone who’s trying to ease in the idea of drinking coffee black, this is a great starter!

You don’t have to worry about bitter or acidic tastes creeping up on you later!

Price

The Koffee Kult is somehow expensive for espresso beans that don’t have a strong and intense coffee flavor.

Sold at $0.94 an ounce, you’re better off with a strong tasting coffee. At least if that’s what you’re looking for.

Nonetheless, the price isn’t that bad if you’re just after the caffeine kick.

Is Koffee Kult for You?

If you’re only after the caffeine kick and not necessarily the strong and intense taste, Koffee Kult should get the job for you.

This 100% Arabica French roast coffee beans are highly caffeinated to give you a good morning boost.

Pros

• French roast artisanal coffee espresso
• Locally roasted fresh beans
• 100% arabica beans

Cons

• Expensive

9. Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso

Key Takeaways

• Perfect for mixing with milk-based drinks
• Low in acidity
• Quality beans

Are you tired of your usual espresso beans? Then the Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog might perk you up.

It’s another one of the best coffee companies you can find today, known for the quality of their beans.

Flavor

A cup of this espresso can brighten your day.

It has a lovely syrupy feel on the mouth, giving a delightful chocolatey sweet flavor than other espresso blends.

This whole bean espresso coffee is also low in acidity. It’s perfect for people with sensitive stomachs and enjoys mixing with milk-based drinks.

Price

As much as we love the flavors of this coffee bean, we’re slightly put-off by its price.

An ounce costs $1.25, which is more than the average price point.

Is Intelligentsia Black Cat for You?

Even with a slightly off-putting price, we highly recommend it for anyone who has a sensitive stomach and want a milder espresso blend.

Pros

• Tried and tested company
• Delicious chocolatey undertone
• Perfect for people with sensitive stomachs

Cons

• Very expensive

10. Lavazza Super Crema

Key Takeaways

• Medium roast
• Dried fruit and honey aroma
• Whole bean
• Creamy, sweet, and fragrant taste
• Origins: Brazil, Colombia, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam

Nearly every coffee enthusiast knows about Lavazza. They’re pretty famous for making beans for espresso!

We aren’t surprised at all that they’ve made it to this list. They produce great espresso beans, and you’ll never have a problem with the quality!

Flavor

The medium roast espresso beans make a delightfully mild and creamy flavor.

You get flavor hints of almond, fruits, and honey. More or less, the flavor profile is pretty diverse!

Price

You’ll spend approximately $0.44 per ounce. So more or less, it’s not that bad.

For a pack of one, you get 2.2 pounds! It should last you a week or two.

Is Lavazza Super Crema for You?

If you’re looking for espresso beans with a high acidity and lower caffeine content, this is for you!

Pros

• Aromatic flavors
• Blended and roasted straight from Italy
• Reliable and reputable brand

Cons

• High acidity and low caffeine content

11. Klatch Coffee World’s Best Espresso

Key Takeaways

• Roasted upon order
• Delicious and great tasting undertones
• Quality exceeds expectations

If your tongue could have an orgasm, it’s because of Klatch Coffee’s Best Espresso. Are you curious to know what it’s all about? Because we are.

A pack is always roasted fresh so that you can guarantee its taste and quality!

Flavor

We’re pretty impressed with the flavor combination of this blend. It’s a powerhouse! It has a nice mix of chocolate and orange undertones, which tastes as delicious as it looks!

The flavors start to develop on your first sip, leaving a pleasant and sweet syrupy aftertaste. The coffee tastes delicious, though the blend is quite potent. If you’re into that, you’ll enjoy this.

Price

For its price, not bad. It’s a bit steep for some people, but we find it okay.

You’re essentially paying for the premium of having freshly roasted coffee delivered directly to your doorstep!

Who else does that?

Is Klatch for You?

If you’re a sweet tooth who prefers a lot of sugar in their coffee, the sweet, syrupy aftertaste of Klatch is a blend you’d love to have for your mornings and evenings.

Pros

• Worth it for the price
• Strong caffeine kick
• Tastes great as it smells

Cons

• Tends to be bitter

What to Consider Before Choosing Espresso Beans

Sometimes choosing the best beans is difficult. With a ton of choices in the market, what should you get?

You might even have specific considerations in mind, especially if you’re after a particular taste.

There are the usual factors like aroma and taste, but there’s more you need to know! Let’s go through them one by one!

Flavor

The first category is a no brainer. Who wouldn’t pick flavor as the number one consideration?

Before you grab a bag of espresso beans, consider what type of flavor or roast you want.

A light roast offers a pleasant and subtle coffee taste. It’s perfect for people who aren’t into the intense flavor taste.

It’s even perfect for people who aren’t used to taking espresso shots yet!

A medium or medium-dark roast, on the other hand, has a dominating coffee taste. It’s somewhere in between, perfect for people who want to play it safe.

Finally, a dark roast coffee is perfect for anyone who’s after that strong brew. It has a tolerable bitter flavor and a nice complex flavor.

Type of Coffee Bean

Believe it or not, there are over 100 species of coffee beans out there. But, there are only two primary types to choose from.

There’s 100% Arabica and Robusta.

Arabica comprises almost 75% of the whole coffee production. Brazil is a primary producer, and the beans tend to have a higher quality.

Although Arabica has lesser caffeine content, they’re significantly pricier than Robusta.

On the other hand, Robusta has more caffeine content, but a lot cheaper.

A lot of people love them because it provides a tremendous mood-boosting experience in the morning! Should perk you right up!

Roast Date

Before grabbing a pack of beans, check the packaging and look for the roast date.

If the roasting date has been more than 90 days already, better put it back on the shelf.

Most often than not, it won’t taste as fresh as a freshly ground bean. So keep an eye out for that.

If you plan to grind your beans, make sure to consume it immediately. Grind just the right amount or else you’ll have an excess of it and compromise its quality!

Remember, coffee spoils pretty fast, especially if you don’t store it properly.

Storage

Whether you’re grinding your beans or buying from a store, keep your beans adequately stored.

Watch out for large, exposed, and open containers. Why? Because air is your number one enemy.

The air tends to degrade the quality and taste of your coffee, and this is the last thing you’d want to happen with your best beans.

Although a lot of people know of this already, they still fail to pay attention! We hope you don’t.

After all, some beans tend to be very expensive. It would be a huge waste if you just let it out in the air and lose its delicate flavors.

Drink Type

Espresso is coffee, and coffee is espresso! How do you want to enjoy it?

Knowing how you want to enjoy your espresso is vital so that you can find the best beans to brew.

Ask yourself, do you plan to dilute your brew with a ton of creamer or milk?

If your answer is yes, we recommend buying a slightly cheaper bean with lower quality. Low doesn’t necessarily mean bad. It’s not just as potent as others out there.

You won’t enjoy the espresso’s complex flavors if you mix it with other liquids, so why waste your money?

If you enjoy drinking your espresso black, then we recommend buying the best product out there.

You can appreciate the flavors without adding anything more!

Bean Type

Whole bean coffee or pre-ground, what should you choose? It all depends on your taste preference and convenience.

Most of the products we’ve listed here are whole beans. But, you can also find a variety of products out there that come pre-ground.

https://youtu.be/jmo3EZxqLi0

Pre-Ground Beans

If you want to have fresh-tasting espresso blends, we don’t recommend pre-ground beans.

Sure they’re convenient to have since you don’t have to grind them anymore, but it’s not the best out there in terms of freshness.

Pre-ground beans don’t taste as fresh as whole beans, so we don’t recommend buying a bulk of it.

Just buy enough for you to consume immediately!

Whole Beans

We recommend choosing whole beans for espresso machines, coffee, and more!

First off, you might need to invest in a good coffee grinder and espresso machine to get the most of your beans.

Just make sure to grind only enough for what you’ll brew. Grind in small matches to keep the freshness, and store it in an airtight container afterward.

Roast Time

Roast time plays an essential role in your coffee’s taste.

No matter how great your espresso machine is, or how well you grind it, sometimes it all comes down to how long you brew it.

Dark Roast

Dark roast beans are perfect for brewing. It has low acidity and provides a full body.

Right off the bat, you’ll know whether your beans are medium or dark roast.

Typically, a dark roast bean tends to have an oily surface. They produce natural oils compared to other beans.

Make sure to clean your espresso machine whenever you make a fine grind. You don’t want to damage and clog your device just for a cup of espresso.

Medium Roast

If you enjoy the different tones and flavors of coffee, you’ll enjoy this one. It has a mid-range level of acidity, and the flavors are more distinct than others!

You won’t have a problem damaging your espresso machine even when making a fine grind.

Medium roast beans aren’t oily, so it won’t clog your coffee grinder like how dark roasts would.

Origins

Espresso beans can come from different origins, and this characteristic is pretty essential.

Each origin tastes different, which is why you want to find the best source for you.

There’s a ton of consideration in terms of picking the origin of your espresso beans, like:

• Altitude
• Rainfall
• Shade
• Soil

Generally, you can find the coffee industry booming in the “Bean Belt.” It’s a region that consists of more than 50 countries, producing some of the best espresso coffee globally.

Let’s travel the globe and visit some of the best places which produce the best espresso!

Brazil

Brazilian beans generally have a better flavor profile compared to Colombian beans. And that’s thanks to the country’s weather conditions and altitude shifts!

The espresso beans have a nice nutty and spiced flavor, with a heavier body.

Colombia

Colombian beans typically have a balanced and mild flavor. It’s the best coffee to have if you enjoy a caramel and nutty taste.

Ethiopia

In terms of a variety of flavors, you’ll never be disappointed with Ethiopian espresso blends.

They produce some of the best coffee beans because of the complex flavors they offer! It can range from a wine-like taste to even floral brews!

So if you’re up for a coffee adventure, we recommend Ethiopian coffee.

Hawaii

The only thing you need to remember when we say Hawaii is Kona coffee. They’re prized for its unique taste, which you can’t find anywhere else!

Although Kona coffee beans tend to be expensive, it’s nevertheless worth it.

The beans make a perfect cup of an espresso blend, whether you want a dark or medium roast.

Honestly, Kona coffee might even be the best coffee you can find today!

Indonesia

A ton of famous beans come from Indonesia. You might know them as Java, Sumatran, and many more!

Indonesian beans make the best espresso blend for a nice cup of aged coffee. A cup has a deeper body, and it tastes vibrant!

Kenya

Of all the countries we’ve listed here, Kenyan beans receive the most sunlight exposure.

The result? An excellent and savory brew with a tarty sweetness!

Top Picks

We can’t help but have our coffee espresso favorites.

We’re not going to lie. Finding our top two picks isn’t an easy job. After all, there’s a ton of whole bean espresso products to choose from!

Runner Up: Stumptown Hair Bender

For the ultimate and unique coffee experience, you’ll never go wrong choosing Stumptown Hair Bender.

They’ve been a crowd favorite for a long time now for a good reason, and we’ll keep it that way!

It’s a versatile drink! Have it in the morning, or drink it with your dessert. You name it.

For the price, it’s not that bad. The quality and complex flavors make up for it!

Winner: Lifeboost Espresso Coffee Beans

It’s hard to say which the best beans overall truly are, especially as coffee is so subjective, but one blend does stand above the rest as the best coffee beans for espresso. The Lifeboost Espresso Coffee Beans blend has to be the top roast for espresso machines. 

The dark roasted espresso coffee beans is definitely the boldest of the bunch by a huge margin. It delivers the perfect intense notes of wood, earth and chocolate, putting it amongst the best gourmet coffee blends. Furthermore, with its low acidity and organic certified, this coffee has also made the lists of the best low acid coffees and best organic coffees. You will be instantly won over by the consistency of the taste!

Want to know more about Lifeboost coffee? Read our comprehensive review here.

Conclusion

Whether you want to have a caffeine kick, or you’re after the coffee taste, there’s always an espresso bean for you!

Are you ready to brew your cup of espresso?

Don’t forget to share this article with your fellow coffee enthusiast. Who knows, they might find the coffee of their dreams.