When it comes to high-quality coffee, the beans will be the most important. Even if you have the most sophisticated machine, this is not a guarantee that you will be able to pull a robust and rich espresso or make any coffee-based drink. For a more flavorful cup of Joe, you need to spend time in looking for the best espresso beans available in the market.
With too many options for espresso beans, a lot of you may end up being overwhelmed. This is one thing that we recognize, and hence, we have written this guide to provide you with quick insights on how to make the right decision. We will also list down five of the alternatives that are sure to provide the best value for your money.
Benefits of Buying Espresso Beans
Why would you choose to buy beans over pre-ground coffee? Below are some of the things that you can find convincing:
- It is Versatile: One of the best things about buying espresso beans is that you can use them in more ways than one. You can grind the beans based on the brewing method that you prefer. If you are making an espresso shot, the grind should be fine. For French press, on the other hand, it needs to be coarse.
- It Stays Fresh Longer: Another good thing about coffee beans is that it has longer shelf life compared to ground coffee. You can keep it longer without worrying that the freshness will be altered. Grind beans only based on how much ground coffee you will need.
- It is not Prone to Moisture: One of the external factors that can speed up the dilution of minerals in coffee is moisture. Luckily, with whole beans, they are not as prone to moisture, making sure that the flavor and aroma will not be easily lost.
Tips in Storing Espresso Beans
To keep the beans fresh and to ensure the optimal quality of your coffee, below are some of the most important things that you have to keep in mind:
- Do not freeze the coffee beans. Some might think that it will extend its shelf life, but it actually does more harm than good. Freezing will draw moisture out of the beans, making it easily go stale. It can also result to freezer burn.
- Keep the beans in an airtight container and keep it in a dark and cool place, such as the cupboard. This will help to prevent damages that can be caused by moisture, heat, light, and air. After opening the packaging of the espresso beans, transfer it in a canister with an airtight seal.
- Buy coffee beans only based on the amount that you can realistically consume. Avoid buying more than what is necessary. Remember, fresh is always best. It is better to buy frequently than to buy a lot once and keep it for an extended period.
Choosing the Best Espresso Beans
To narrow down the options and come up with a decision that you will not regret in any way, the following are some of the most important things that you need to look at:
- Roast Level: A light roast is highly-acidic and has a high content of caffeine since most of the coffee properties are retained. If you want one that will have a well-balanced flavor, on the other hand, look for a medium roast. Those who prefer their coffee to be strong, meanwhile, should opt for beans with dark roast.
- Origin: From the packaging, the manufacturer will state where the beans are from. Some of the most common origins include Central America, South America, Africa, and Indonesia. Look for those that came from the best coffee growing regions in the world, which can provide you with an assurance of superior quality.
- Processing: Another thing that you should look at is the way the coffee beans have been processed, which will have an impact on the flavor profile of the coffee. Washed coffee beans are bright and sweet. On the other hand, if the coffee is labeled as natural, it is bold.
- Arabica or Robusta: These are the two general classifications of beans. 75% of coffee in the world are Arabica. They have a more delicate flavor, but growing them can be a bit of a challenge since they are prone to diseases. Robusta beans, meanwhile, are grown at a lower altitude and is more caffeinated.
- Roast Date: This is one thing that can be difficult if you are buying online. As much as possible, however, look at the date of the roasting and see to it that it has been roasted only recently. If not, there is a high likelihood that the beans are already stale.
- Packaging: It is important that the beans are well-packaged, especially if they will be delivered right in front of your doorsteps. They should be in vacuum-sealed bags or canisters. This will help to make sure that freshness will be sealed. After opening a bag of coffee beans, transfer it in a sealed container.
- Aroma: More than the flavor of the espresso beans, research about its aroma as well. In some cases, this will be indicated by the manufacturer. The aroma can be fruity, chocolaty, nutty, smoky, or earthy, among others.
Top Picks for the Best Espresso Beans
In this section, we will recommend five products that you might want to consider, as well as some of the things that can convince you that they are indeed amongst the best you will ever find.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-07-06 at 13:38 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- One 2.2 pound bag of Lavazza Super Crema Italian whole coffee beans
- Mild and creamy medium espresso roast with notes of hazelnuts and brown sugar
- Blended and roasted in Italy
- Best used with espresso machine
- Produced in a nut-free facility center, Contains only coffee
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-07-05 at 21:56 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- ROASTING Small batch dark roasted coffee, packaged immediately and shipped. Every bag is consistently the same! Shipped within hours of roasting.
- TASTE Strong but the smoothest, cleanest tasting coffee ever. Bold flavor but smooth. Not bitter. Best choice of gourmet coffees.
- ORGIN Columbia, Guatemala and Sumatra. We use rich, organic smooth, full-bodied whole coffee beans. These exotic raw beans are from around the world and are blended into precisely roasted coffee. There are many types of coffee beans. We developed this blend of rain forest friendly coffee beans to ensure unique quality, but most importantly, the freshness of the coffee. We use the best organic coffee beans.
- ORDER Easy to order Just push the yellow button to order your fresh coffee beans online. They will be delivered to your door for your morning coffee.
- SMELL Great aroma while whole, while ground, and while brewing. You will want to get out of bed just for the smell. Cupping Notes: Heavy Body, Smooth, Cinnimon, Bright with a long finish
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-07-06 at 12:56 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- One 5 pound bag of Italian Roast Espresso Whole Bean Coffee
- A blend of coffee beans grown in South America, Central America, Africa, & India
- A rich, full-bodied artisan coffee displaying a toasty, honeyed aroma
- Cupping Notes: Molasses | Cocoa | Smoky | No Flavoring Added
- Putting café quality, artisan coffee in your coffeemaker
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-07-06 at 13:26 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Unique Pentax Technology: Pentax Bright, fruit & cocoa, heavenly. Get a grip on this chocolaty, smooth blend. Don't hang in suspense, this blend reads like the manifesto of delicious coffee.
- Tasting notes, brew method: Silky and complex, wild berry syrup with a smooth cocoa finish. Recommended methods: French press, drip machine, pour over, espresso and cold brew.
- Origin Africa, Indonesia, Central & South America: Grown in a socially and environmentally responsible way, by farmers with sustainable businesses they can depend on.
- Organic, Fairtrade, Kosher, Shade Grown, Arabica coffee: Coffee that is good and fair for the coffee drinkers, the farmers and the planet. 100 % certified.
- Roasted in the Rocky Mountains: it’s all deep, dark and delicious, roasted right below the towering Canadian Rocky Mountain peaks.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-07-06 at 13:26 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Grocery
- Espresso
- Coffee Ground
- English (Publication Language)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-07-06 at 13:38 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
What should you choose for the best coffee beans? In my humble opinion, Kicking Horse Coffee, Cliff Hanger Espresso stands out above the competition. It is a 100% organic coffee, which means that it is free from any toxic chemical. It has a rich flavor and aroma, perfect for those who are looking for a strong coffee.
