Best Espresso Roast

Starbucks Whole Bean Coffee – Rich and bold flavor profile with low acidity.

This Starbucks Espresso Roast offers a familiar and consistent coffee experience for those who enjoy a dark, bold brew at home. The whole beans are dark and slightly oily, as expected from an espresso roast, and grind down nicely. The aroma is rich and roasty, and the flavor profile lives up to its description with deep notes of caramelized sugar and a molasses-like sweetness, resulting in a low-acidity, full-bodied cup.

While specifically blended for espresso, the beans are versatile enough for other methods like a French press or drip coffee maker, though the intensity remains. It’s a reliable choice for recreating that classic café-style coffee. The quality is consistent with what you’d expect from the Starbucks brand, providing a dependable option for your daily coffee routine.

It’s a straightforward, no-frills dark roast that delivers a powerful and robust flavor.

Illy Intenso Ground Espresso Coffee – Rich, full-bodied flavor with notes of cocoa and dried fruit.

This illy ground coffee presents itself as a premium, classic Italian blend. The flavor profile is described as bold and full-bodied, with distinct notes of cocoa and dried fruit, which holds true for a well-prepared cup. The grind is very fine, making it perfectly suited for espresso machines or a traditional Moka pot, producing a rich and smooth coffee.

The brand emphasizes its heritage and commitment to sourcing only the top 1% of Arabica beans, which speaks to its quality. It’s a reliable choice for anyone looking to replicate an authentic café-style beverage at home. While versatile, users should note the fine consistency, as it might not be the best match for brewing methods like a French press, which typically require a coarser grind.

Overall, it’s a high-quality coffee for those who enjoy a robust, traditional espresso.

Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee – Produces exceptionally thick and stable crema.

The Lavazza Super Crema is a well-regarded choice for home espresso makers, offering a consistent and classic Italian coffee experience. As the name implies, this blend of Arabica and Robusta beans produces a remarkable amount of thick, long-lasting crema, which is visually appealing and adds to the texture of the shot. The flavor profile is balanced and full-bodied, with a smooth, creamy finish and low acidity, avoiding any sharp bitterness.

As a medium roast, the beans are not overly oily, making them suitable for a wide range of grinders, including those in super-automatic machines. While it may not have the complex notes of a single-origin specialty coffee, it serves as a reliable and forgiving workhorse for daily espresso pulls, performing especially well in milk-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes where its bold character can shine through.

Lavazza Espresso Whole Bean Coffee – Versatile for multiple brewing methods, from espresso to drip.

The Lavazza Espresso whole bean coffee is a solid, versatile option for daily brewing. As a 100% Arabica medium roast with a 5/10 intensity, it provides a well-balanced cup that avoids the bitterness of darker roasts. The flavor profile is smooth, with subtle aromatic notes of florals and fruit that lead to a sweet finish.

One of its best features is its adaptability, performing consistently across different preparation methods like espresso machines, drip brewers, and French presses. The large 2.2 lb bag is a practical choice for regular coffee drinkers. While it may not be the most complex or bold coffee on the market, it serves as a reliable and pleasant choice for an everyday brew.

The beans are of consistent quality, offering a dependable foundation for your morning coffee routine.

Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend – Full-bodied flavor with balanced notes of honey and roasted coffee.

I’ve been using the Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema for a few weeks, primarily for my morning espresso shots. As the name suggests, these beans produce a thick, persistent crema that is quite impressive. The blend of Arabica and Robusta provides a classic, full-bodied Italian coffee experience.

With an intensity rating of 7/10, it’s strong enough for a morning wake-up call but isn’t overwhelmingly bitter. The dark roast brings out deep, roasted coffee notes, and there’s a subtle sweetness reminiscent of honey that balances the flavor profile nicely. While specifically designed for espresso machines, the beans grind consistently for a reliable pull every time.

Overall, it’s a well-balanced and dependable whole bean option for those who enjoy a traditional espresso with excellent crema production, delivering exactly what it promises without any major surprises.

Starbucks Ground Coffee – Rich, bold dark roast flavor with notes of molasses and caramel.

The Starbucks Espresso Roast ground coffee provides a consistent and familiar dark roast experience. The 28-ounce bag is a generous size, offering good value for regular coffee drinkers. Upon opening, you get the expected rich, roasty aroma.

The flavor is bold and full-bodied, with the advertised notes of rich molasses and caramel coming through, though it definitely leans towards the intense, slightly bitter side typical of a dark roast. The grind is a fine-to-medium consistency that proves to be quite versatile; it has performed well in both a standard drip machine and a French press, producing a strong cup each time. While it may not satisfy those seeking the nuanced flavors of freshly ground single-origin beans, it reliably delivers that classic, powerful Starbucks taste.

It’s a dependable choice for an everyday coffee, particularly for those who enjoy making strong, espresso-style drinks at home without the fuss of grinding beans.

Death Wish Coffee, Organic and Fair Trade Espresso Roast Ground Coffee – Extremely high caffeine content for a powerful energy boost.

Death Wish Coffee’s Espresso Roast is a ground coffee specifically marketed for its high caffeine content, promising double the strength of a typical cup. It’s a very dark roast, blending Arabica and Robusta beans sourced from India, Peru, and Sumatra. The company describes the flavor profile as having notes of caramelized sugar, cocoa, and cherries, aiming for a bold but smooth, never-bitter experience.

Its fine, espresso-like grind is designed for rich extraction in various brewing methods. A notable positive is its Fair Trade certification, which indicates an ethical sourcing standard. This product seems best suited for experienced coffee drinkers who are specifically seeking a powerful energy boost and enjoy a robust, intense flavor.

The 14-ounce bag offers a good amount for those looking to make this their go-to morning coffee.

Death Wish Coffee, Whole Bean Espresso Roast – Organic – Extremely strong and high in caffeine, as advertised.

Death Wish Coffee’s Espresso Roast is a solid choice for those seeking a genuinely strong brew. The whole beans provide the flexibility to grind for any method, from espresso machines to drip brewers, and produce a consistently rich and full-bodied cup. The flavor profile is a classic dark roast, with deep notes of cocoa and caramelized sugar coming through, yet it manages to stay surprisingly smooth and avoids the harsh bitterness that can sometimes accompany such intense roasts.

The blend of arabica and robusta beans clearly contributes to its potent kick and deep flavor. The Fair Trade certification is also a significant plus, adding an ethical dimension to the purchase. This coffee lives up to its name, offering a powerful but well-balanced experience for those who appreciate a bold, dark coffee.

Gevalia Espresso Roast Dark Roast Ground Coffee – Rich, full-bodied dark roast flavor.

The Gevalia Espresso Roast Ground Coffee is a solid choice for those who enjoy a dark, robust brew. Upon opening the 12 oz bag, you are met with a rich, inviting aroma. The grind is uniform and appears suitable for various brewing methods, from a standard drip machine to a French press, as the packaging suggests.

The flavor profile is true to its description: a full-bodied coffee with a noticeable dark roast character and subtle caramel undertones that come through without being overly sweet or bitter. It provides a smooth, consistent cup. While it may not have the complex notes of a single-origin specialty coffee, it delivers a dependable and enjoyable experience for a daily brew.

The resealable bag with its tin tie is a practical touch for helping to maintain freshness between uses, which is always appreciated for a pre-ground coffee.

Community Coffee Dark & Bold Espresso Roast – Rich, full-bodied, and bold flavor profile.

Community Coffee’s Espresso Roast delivers on its promise of a dark and bold coffee experience. This is a full-bodied brew with an intense aroma that is immediately noticeable. The coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans sourced from Central and South America, resulting in a rich, smooth flavor profile without excessive acidity.

The grind is a versatile medium-fine, suitable for a standard drip machine, French press, or pour-over setup, which adds to its convenience. While labeled an ‘espresso roast,’ it performs best as a strong, dark-roast filter coffee. It holds up well when served iced or prepared as a cold brew, maintaining its robust character.

The company’s commitment to community initiatives and responsible sourcing is also a commendable aspect. Overall, it’s a solid choice for anyone who appreciates a powerful, no-frills dark roast for their daily coffee ritual.