We try to give you the best information, but prices and availability can change quickly. Last updated on February 29, 2024 Thats why weve integrated fact checking into our editorial process. During this additional step, our team members make sure that every article has the most current information available. That way, you’ll always know what’s going on! If you find a problem, please let us know. Thank you! Facts checked by Nicholas Marshall.
We try to give you the best information, but prices and availability can change quickly. Last updated on February 29, 2024 Thats why weve integrated fact checking into our editorial process. During this additional step, our team members make sure that every article has the most current information available. That way, you’ll always know what’s going on! If you find a problem, please let us know. Thank you! Facts checked by Nicholas Marshall.
Hi! My name is Arne. Now that I’ve worked as a barista for years, I want to make sure that more people can get good coffee. In order to do that, my team and I give you a lot of information about coffee.
I have to say Ive been procrastinating about writing this guide to the best espresso beans. Who am I to say which coffee beans are best for espresso when there are so many to choose from? Plus, everyone has their own ideas about what a good espresso should taste like.
I have to say I’ve been procrastinating about writing this guide to the best espresso beans. Who am I to say which coffee beans are best for espresso when there are so many to choose from? Plus, everyone has their own ideas about what a good espresso should taste like.
So, I’m going to give you a bit of a disclaimer: this article has a hand-picked list of what I think are the best beans for espresso right now. I also tried to include a lot of different items and styles from both small roasters and big companies.
Because of this, just because what you think is the best coffee for espresso isn’t on my list doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be. It’s just that I couldn’t include every roaster in this guide!.
Making delicious espresso drinks at home is now easier than ever with Breville’s line of high-quality espresso machines. But the secret ingredient to crafting cafe-quality beverages is using the right beans The beans you choose can make all the difference in bringing out the full potential of your Breville machine.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to select the ideal espresso beans to help you brew rich, aromatic shots of espresso from the comfort of your kitchen.
Why the Bean Matters
Espresso is all about balancing the complex flavors extracted from the beans. The variety, origin, roast profile, freshness, and grind size of the beans impact the taste, aroma, and mouthfeel of the final product
Using beans suited for espresso brewing allows your Breville machine to produce optimally extracted shots. The beans are roasted longer to develop the oils and bold flavor needed for espresso. Their smaller size also allows for proper extraction when ground fine.
Tips for Selecting Espresso Beans
Keep these key tips in mind when choosing beans for your Breville espresso maker:
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Look for espresso roasts – Beans labeled as espresso, Italian, or dark roasts are best suited for espresso brewing.
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Go for Arabica beans – Preferred for espresso for their sweeter, more complex flavor. Can be blended with some Robusta.
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Choose fresh beans – Espresso flavors peak 1-2 weeks after roasting. Check for roast dates.
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Consider single-origin vs. blends – Single-origin offers distinct terroir flavors. Blends mix taste profiles.
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Sample different roasts – From light to dark roasts, find your flavor preference.
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Buy small batches – Only buy enough beans for 1-2 weeks to ensure freshness.
7 Best Espresso Beans for Breville
After extensive testing and tasting, we’ve rounded up the top espresso bean recommendations for Breville machines:
1. Lavazza Super Crema
With its velvety texture and harmonious blend of Arabica and Robusta beans, Lavazza Super Crema is a top choice. Notes of honey, almonds, and dried fruit make for a sweet, well-balanced espresso.
2. Kicking Horse Coffee Grizzly Claw
This organic dark roast coffee has a bold, intense flavor with notes of chocolate, roasted nuts, and molasses. The high-quality Arabica beans brew smooth, syrupy shots.
3. Peet’s Coffee Baridi Blend
A complex medium-dark roast blend with floral, fruit, and chocolate notes. The balance of acidity and sweetness is perfect for rich espresso.
4. Counter Culture Big Trouble
A single-origin beans from Indonesia with earthy, herbal flavors and low acidity. It pulls robust shots with a creamy mouthfeel.
5. Stumptown Hair Bender
Stumptown’s signature blend combines beans from Latin America, Africa, and Indonesia for a well-rounded, fruit-toned espresso with chocolate finish.
6. Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso
With sweet caramel and cherry notes plus a syrupy body, this lively blend makes a chocolatey espresso.
7. Stone Street Colombian Supremo
100% single-origin beans with a heavy body and nutty, caramel palette. Crafts a smooth espresso with subtle fruit undertones.
How to Brew Espresso with Beans in Breville
Follow these tips for making espresso with your beans and Breville machine:
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Grind beans right before brewing for full flavors. Use a burr grinder for consistency.
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Dose 18-21 grams of ground beans for a double shot of espresso. Adjust to taste.
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Distribute grounds evenly and tamp firmly to prepare the portafilter.
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Extract espresso following machine guidelines for time and pressure. 25-30 sec is ideal.
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Texture and taste will vary by coffee. Tweak grind size, dose, and time to optimize flavor.
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Clean machine regularly and descale per manufacturer’s instructions.
With fresh, high-quality beans, you can craft café-worthy espresso drinks at home to satisfaction. Try out different varieties to discover your perfect match. Those Breville machines will transform your beans into pure espresso bliss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What roast level is best for espresso in Breville machines?
A medium to dark roast is ideal, as darker roasts develop the bold, intense flavors and oils that complement espresso. Light roasts tend to have more acidity.Aim for roasts labeled as Espresso, Italian, or Dark Roast.
Should I use Arabica or Robusta beans?
Most espresso blends contain 70-80% Arabica and 20-30% Robusta beans. Arabica offers sweeter, more complex flavors while Robusta provides a thicker mouthfeel and frothy crema. Some single-origin espressos use 100% Arabica.
How fine should I grind beans for espresso?
Ground very fine, almost powdery. Finer grinding increases surface area for better extraction but can cause overextraction if too fine. Find the ideal setting just shy of powder.
How much coffee do I need per shot?
Use 18-21 grams of ground coffee beans per double shot of espresso (produces around 1 1⁄2 to 2 oz). Adjust the dose up or down to achieve your desired strength and flavor profile.
Should I buy whole bean or pre-ground coffee?
Whole bean coffee is vastly preferred, as grinding just before brewing preserves the aromas and oils. Pre-ground beans start to stale quickly after grinding.
How often should I clean my Breville espresso machine?
Backflush your machine at least once a week. Descale monthly following manufacturer’s guide. Always use filtered water to minimize mineral buildup.
What’s the shelf life of beans for espresso?
Ideally use beans within 1-2 weeks of the roast date for optimal freshness and flavor. Store in an airtight container away from light, heat, and moisture. Freeze extra beans.
Get Brewing!
With a top-notch Breville espresso machine and the right beans, you’ll be pulling superb espresso shots in no time. Try out a variety of roasts and beans to experience the range of tastes and aromas. Don’t forget to adjust your grind size, dose, and time to customize each coffee’s flavor profile.
Happy brewing! May your mornings be filled with the rich aromas of freshly pulled espresso.
Herkimer Coffee Espresso Blend
- Roast Level: Medium
- Origin: Central and South America, Africa
- Tasting Notes: Citrus, chocolate, graham cracker
Many of Seattle’s specialty coffee roasters get attention from people all over the country, but Herkimer Coffee doesn’t get as much attention. Since 2003, this small specialty roaster has been quietly doing its thing, building long-term relationships with farmers from El Salvador to Yemen.
In turn, this means that Herkimer Coffee has some truly amazing single origin coffees and an espresso blend that everyone loves.
Herkimer’s signature espresso is complex, full-bodied, and sweet. It is made by expertly blending coffees from the Americas and East Africa. Sweet pie crust and dark chocolate were the main notes I picked up. On the finish, I also got citrus and red fruit.
Herkimer Coffee Espresso Blend has a medium roast profile and tastes great either straight up or with a splash of steamed milk. One of the best coffee drinks I’ve ever had was the espresso macchiato I had while we were testing it. Now that’s really saying something!.
- Roast Level: Medium-dark
- Origin: South and Central America, Indonesia
- Tasting Notes: Hazelnut, brown sugar
I decided to include Lavazza Super Crema on this list for a couple of reasons. Firstly because I know how popular Italian-style espresso blends are, and secondly because this coffee represents really good value for money at $18.49 for a 2.2-pound (1-kilogram) bag.
Listen, you guys know I always try to stay away from mass-market brands like this. Still, if you have to buy coffee at the store every once in a while, Lavazza Super Crema is a good choice.
As I already said, this is a very Italian-style espresso blend, right down to the Robusta beans that are used. That said, it’s not roasted as dark as you might imagine. Still, I wasn’t at all surprised by the espresso shots I pulled with this coffee. They were full-bodied, smokey and displayed lots of crema, thanks to those Robusta beans.
Furthermore, I was pleasantly surprised by the complexity on offer. I particularly appreciated the long, sweet finish with notes of hazelnut. There’s no doubt that people who love Italian coffee will want more of this blend!
Regular Coffee vs Espresso Beans: Is There a Difference?
I’m fairly sure I brought this up in my guide to making the perfect espresso. Still, it bears repeating: There’s no such thing as an espresso coffee bean. In fact, you can make espresso with any type of coffee beans you like.
Sure, many people imagine that the best beans for espresso feature a super dark roast profile. However, it’s now more common to find cafés pulling shots using medium roast blends. You might also be given the choice between an espresso blend and a light roast single-origin coffee if you go to a cool third wave coffee shop.
Finally, if a roaster calls their coffee an espresso blend, it means that the people who made it did so with espresso preparation in mind. In other words, they’ve selected a specific combination of beans to produce a complex, sweet and full-bodied shot.