Espresso coffee beans and ground coffee

About Espresso Coffee

Do you prefer your coffee particularly rich and intense? You’re on the right track then: espresso coffee is definitely that. Just imagine: you brew yourself a tiny, yet unforgettable cup of espresso. It fills your whole house with the smell of coffee, and the first sip is both energizing and inspiring… This is exactly what espresso coffee offers. No wonder then that every single bean in your espresso coffee must undergo strict quality control and overcome numerous challenges to ultimately end up in your cup! 

Coffee Friend’s range of espresso coffees includes both classic, Italian espresso style favourites and intriguing, exotic offerings. Whichever variety you end up going for, you’re guaranteed to get coffee that’s been handpicked carefully, roasted lovingly, then packaged while seeking to preserve its unique aromas and flavours. Discover rich, intense, well-balanced tastes in every cup you brew. We invite you on a search for the ideal espresso!

What Is Espresso Coffee?

When exploring the world of coffee, you’ll encounter numerous different types of coffee, as well as various brewing techniques and methods. One of these is the espresso brewing method, which, as its name suggests, is used to brew proper espresso coffee. It’s important to understand, however, that the word ‘espresso’ can refer to more than just the classic recipe.

When talking about espresso coffee here, what we mean are coffee beans roasted in a way that makes them suited well for the espresso brewing method. They tend to boast a darker roast due to how quick the espresso brewing method is. As a general rule, beans of a lighter roast are slower to release their flavours, which is why dark roasts are perfect for a fast, incredibly rich espresso. There’s a whole spectrum to how dark the roast of an espresso coffee can get though. The darker the roast, the more bitter and intense the flavour.

While there are those who like their coffee particularly rich and bitter, others prefer subtler hints. If you’re one of the latter, feel free to go for medium-roasted coffees instead. You may encounter coffee beans that have the word ‘espresso’ written on the packaging: if that’s the case, then it’s all clear and simple. If the packaging of the coffee you’re eyeing doesn’t contain this information though, no worries: just use roast level as a guide on your search for the best espresso coffee out there.

To make sure that your chosen variety is suited well for the ultra-quick espresso brewing method, go for beans of a medium to dark roast. This will help you obtain the rich, expressive flavors that espresso is famous for. Choosing the best coffee beans for espresso will ultimately depend on your personal taste preferences and how you like to brew your coffee.

Arabica or Robusta?

To get the espresso recipe just right, you’ll need coffee of the right variety. Pay attention to whether your coffee is made up of 100% arabica beans, or if it’s a blend of both arabica and robusta. Arabica coffee and espresso beans tend to boast a wider variety of flavours and aromas. They’re subtler, more delicate, and more vivid as well. In contrast, robusta beans are generally marked by bitterness and a higher caffeine content. So, if you’re after a particularly flavourful cup of espresso or regular black coffee, your best bet is the subtle, delicate arabica; but if you’re looking for the ideal balance of fruity and bitter flavours, go for arabica and robusta blends instead.

Coffee-Growing Regions: The Origins of Your Espresso

Instead of the word ‘blend’, you may find the phrase ‘single-origin’ on the packaging of some coffees. Unlike blends, which are made up of beans that come from many different regions, single-origin coffees can be traced to a single region, or even the same coffee farm at times.

This is important because different coffee-growing regions end up creating different flavours. The processing method and roast level play a part too, of course—however, these two only join in later on. When considering the region that your coffee comes from, keep the following features in mind:

African coffee

This group includes beans grown in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. All of these tend to be marked by notes of fruit, flowers, tea or wine. 

Asian coffee

Asian coffee beans are grown in India, Papua New Guinea, Sumatra and Vietnam. They’re generally “heavier” and more bitter, with notes of spices, chocolate, tobacco, red wine or wood at the forefront.

South American coffee

Grown in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia or Peru, South American coffees often boast notes of chocolate, nuts and fruit. They’re usually sweeter, less acidic than the African varieties, and more delicate than Asian coffees. 

Central American coffee

Beans grown in Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua or El Salvador are characterised by a particularly varied flavour profile: expect to detect anything from tropical fruits to nuts. In general, however, all Central American varieties boast a particularly vivid flavour and a truly exceptional character.  

Locally Roasted Coffee: As Fresh as It Gets

When choosing the right coffee for your espresso, don’t forget to consider not only where and how it’s been grown, but also where it’s been roasted. Locally roasted coffee is as fresh as it gets, which lets you enjoy the finest aromas and flavours. Local roasters are also excellent at picking the right roast level and delivering the roasted beans to avid coffee drinkers at an impressive speed. They tend to roast their beans in small batches too, so there’s a higher degree of quality control involved. 

Types of Espresso Coffee: Which One Should You Choose?

The only two ingredients in your espresso are coffee and water. That’s why it’s so important to pick the right beans for this classic recipe: not all varieties are capable of producing an espresso drink that would be memorable despite its modest volume of as little as 25–30 ml. To enjoy flawless espresso, you must first familiarise yourself with different types of coffee, different brewing methods, as well as flavours that different coffee-growing regions are known for. Let’s delve into the types of espresso beans available on the market, and find out what makes each of them special and unique!

Espresso Coffee Beans

The most fragrant brews are always made using freshly ground coffee beans. That’s why, as a rule, we always advise our espresso-loving clients to choose whole coffee beans and grind them freshly for each cup. The choice of beans for your espresso—whether arabica, robusta, or a blend of both—and the roast level are equally crucial. Espresso beans are typically dark-roasted, which enhances the intensity, depth of flavour, and delivers delightful notes of chocolate, caramel, and nuts.

Coffee Friend’s recommended espresso beans

We seek to satisfy every espresso lover out there, so our range of products boasts coffee bean espresso beans of various roasts and grinds. There are numerous different brands to choose from too. Coffee Friend’s own lines of coffees—Caprisette and Parallel—are worth a look as well. Already loved by espresso enthusiasts, these unique blends are created for a delicious daily cuppa that’s both natural and full of flavour.

Specialty Espresso Coffee

Fans of vivid, memorable drinks that require no extra ingredients should absolutely explore the world of specialty coffee. Even seasoned coffee connoisseurs may be in for a few surprises when trying specialty varieties! If you’re keen on specialty beans for espresso, consider their processing method.

Specialty beans processing methods

The natural process results in a fuller body with sweet notes of ripe fruit and chocolate. The honey process creates a medium body with hints of fruit or tea. The washed method produces lighter, fruitier coffee with flowery or citrusy notes. The anaerobic process delivers a fruity and exotic flavour profile.

Coffee Friends’ specialty beans and blends

We invite you to try the specialty coffees from the Black Crow White Pigeon and specialty coffee blends Parallel: both of these have been created by us here at Coffee Friend. They’re also suited great for the espresso brewing method, allowing you to explore different types of espresso drinks like macchiato, ristretto, espresso lungo, or cappuccino made from high-quality specialty beans.

By choosing coffee that’s been awarded no less than 80 points out of the possible 100 by certified coffee tasters from the Specialty Coffee Association, you’ll get a chance to savour espresso that’s unlike anything you’ve tried before. There are both coffee beans and ground coffees available, so you’re guaranteed to find a variety that’s just right for you.

Espresso Coffee Pods and Capsules

In addition to speed and simplicity, one of the biggest advantages of coffee pods and capsules is the variety of flavours they offer. From rich, intense espresso to delicate milk-based drinks, coffee pods truly have it all. To create a fuller body and some extra bitterness, espresso coffee pods and capsules are filled with coffee of a finer grind which is the best coffee grind for espresso.

By the way, if you’re looking for a more delicate version of a regular espresso that you can savour for longer, we suggest you give espresso capsules such as lungo coffee pods a try. In Coffee Friend’s range of products, you’ll find numerous different espresso pods suited for the most popular espresso capsule systems out there!

NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto and Nespresso coffee pods

Do you have a NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® coffee machine at home? Then there’s no shortage of espresso coffee pods on offer! You can choose original Dolce Gusto espresso pods or Dolce Gusto®-compatible pods produced by other manufacturers. For a small, yet intense serving, try the “Espresso” pods from Coffee Friend’s own brand CHiATO. This arabica and robusta blend is marked by subtle notes of dark chocolate, nuts and plums, while the aftertaste boasts a gorgeous hint of sweetness. 

Owners of a Nespresso machine have lots of espresso pods to choose from as well. Nespresso-compatible pods enable you to enjoy the taste of freedom. Whether you prefer classic and extra strong or exotic and more delicate espresso, coffee pods suited for Nespresso will help you obtain a serving that tastes exactly as you like it.

ESE Coffee Pods

The name of ESE coffee pods alone is enough to suggest that this is a unique type of coffee. The abbreviation ‘ESE’ (short for Easy Serve Espresso) refers to a method of packaging and brewing that’s extra fast and efficient: all you need to do is put a special easy serve espresso pod into your pod machine, then press a button. While ESE coffee pods boast plenty of advantages, one of the biggest is the wide variety of espresso coffee flavours on offer: from rich, bold, concentrated notes to fruity, sweet, subtle, gorgeously acidic drinks. If you’re looking for something more compact and quick than a traditional espresso machine, ESE pods may very well be it. In our range of products, you’ll find a bunch of options suited for all kinds of espresso lovers!

Decaf Espresso Coffee: Sip at Any Time of Day

If you’re avoiding caffeine for whatever reason, or if you’d simply like to enjoy a hot espresso cuppa late in the evening from time to time, give decaf coffee a try. Those searching for delicious decaf espresso might want to take a look at Coffee Friend’s own decaffeinated offerings. There’s the Caprisette Lullaby Decaf blend made up of premium arabica and robusta beans from Brazil, Guatemala and India: it’s marked by sweet notes of cashew nuts, as well as subtle hints of cacao and wood.

Another great decaf espresso option is the specialty Colombia Decaf from Black Crow White Pigeon. As soon as you open the bag, gorgeous aromas of chocolate, caramel, apples and citrus fruit fill the room, while the prepared cuppa delights with its heavenly sweetness. Our range of decaf varieties doesn’t stop there though: feel free to explore coffees from a variety of well-known brands, decaffeinated using innovative, all-natural methods!

Espresso Coffee for Different Brewing Methods

Choosing the right espresso coffee is only part of the process. For the full espresso experience,   you’ll need proper brewing tools as well. Gone are the days when proper espresso was only available in cafés—you can now brew espresso at home with ease, as long as you have a coffee maker that’s suited for the espresso method!

Espresso coffee for bean-to-cup machines

Bean-to-cup machines are suited best for 100% arabica coffees or arabica and robusta blends. The former help craft a subtle, complex flavour, while the latter are responsible for some added intensity and a larger amount of crema. Keep the roast level in mind too: the best coffee for bean-to-cup machines is that of a medium roast, as it helps create the right balance between acidic and bitter notes. Once you have your coffee picked, all that’s left to do is press a button. Your bean-to-cup appliance will serve you with a delicious drink in a flash! The best part is that these machines have tons of features and you can even drink different variations of espresso with milk.

Espresso coffee for espresso machines

The same basic guidelines apply whether you’re choosing coffee for espresso machines or coffee for bean-to-cup appliances. Go for 100% arabica or, alternatively, an arabica and robusta blend. As far as the roast level is concerned, your best bet for an espresso is medium-roasted beans: they’ll help you obtain the intensity that this recipe should be marked by. Once you’ve mastered your espresso machine, you’ll be able to craft barista-like drinks. This type of appliance is also suited great for those who love to experiment and refuse to settle for anything but the best. 

Espresso coffee for moka pots

When it comes to moka pots, you can choose from a bunch of different coffees: both lighter and darker roasts are an option. If you prefer your drinks subtler and more delicate, go for coffee of a light to medium roast. Fans of bitter, intense flavours should pick dark-roasted coffee instead. Don’t forget to consider the grind size too: for particularly rich, creamy moka pot coffee, choose a medium to coarser grind. It’s important to note though that moka pots don’t, technically, produce real espresso: this is all due to lower brewing pressure and slower extraction. When brewed properly, moka pot coffee is no less delicious, but keep in mind that its flavour differs slightly from that of espresso. 

Coffee Sets for Espresso Enthusiasts 

Espresso coffee packs a real punch of flavour in a tiny serving. The tastes and aromas it can boast are so rich and varied that the only way to discover your own favourite espresso coffee is experiment and try as much of it as possible. Only by playing around with different brewing techniques can you find the one that’s just right for your taste. Despite its small volume, a cup of espresso can leave a lasting impression. If you’re still on a search for your preferred variety, we suggest you give coffee sets a try: they’ll enable you to find out how different your cup of espresso can truly taste.

Our range includes coffee sets made up of several (2, 3, 4 or 6) types of coffee or, alternatively, several bags of the same variety, so both those who have discovered their favourite espresso coffee already and those who are still looking for it are bound to find something that’s right for them. Sets like these can also serve as a great espresso gift for your beloved espresso enthusiasts: they’re already packed and ready to go! Enjoy a variety of espresso flavours at home, or share them with the ones who are closest to you.

Need Help?

Learn all about espresso and uncover its true essence by reading our blog post, “What Espresso Is (Not) & What You Have in Your Coffee Cup”.

Or if the realm of espresso coffee seems a bit too wide and varied for you to conquer on your own, you can always reach out to Coffee Friend’s consultants for some help. Contact us via e-mail or phone: we’ll be happy to answer all of your questions and share some useful tips.