Best Medium Roast Espresso Beans

Lavazza Espresso Whole Bean Coffee – Versatile for various brewing methods, including espresso and drip.

The Lavazza Espresso Italiano is a reliable choice for a daily coffee, offering a substantial 2.2 lb bag of whole beans. As a 100% Arabica blend from South America and Africa, it presents a very balanced and approachable profile. The medium roast and 5/10 intensity rating are accurate; it’s smooth and not at all bitter, making it suitable for a wide range of palates.

The advertised aromatic notes of fruit and florals are subtle but provide a pleasant, sweet finish to the cup. Its versatility is a key feature, as the beans perform consistently well whether used in an espresso machine, a drip coffee maker, or a French press. While it may not be a highly complex, artisanal coffee, it serves as an excellent, consistent foundation for your morning routine or afternoon espresso, delivering on the quality expected from a brand with Lavazza’s history.

Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee – Excellent for espresso, producing a rich and persistent crema.

The Lavazza Super Crema is a classic Italian-style whole bean coffee, offered in a substantial 2.2 lb bag that’s great for daily consumption. As a medium roast blend of Arabica and Robusta beans, it’s specifically designed for espresso preparation. True to its name, it consistently produces a thick, long-lasting crema, which is a hallmark of a well-pulled shot.

The flavor profile is full-bodied and smooth, with a bold character and a creamy finish that balances the intensity without being overly bitter. While it shines in an espresso machine, it’s also suitable for Moka pots or other methods if you prefer a strong, rich cup. It’s a reliable workhorse coffee that delivers a consistent and satisfying result, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy a traditional espresso experience day after day.

The large bag ensures you won’t run out quickly, offering solid value.

Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend – Produces a rich and stable crema, ideal for espresso shots.

The Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema is a solid, dependable choice for a daily espresso bean. The 2.2lb bag contains a uniform blend of Arabica and Robusta beans with a classic dark roast appearance. When used in an espresso machine, it consistently produces a thick, lasting crema, living up to its name.

The flavor profile is full-bodied and straightforward, with a noticeable roasted character and a subtle hint of sweetness that resembles honey, though it’s not overly prominent. With an intensity of 7/10, it has enough punch to stand up well in milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos without getting lost. It’s not a complex, third-wave coffee, but rather a reliable workhorse that delivers a traditional Italian espresso experience.

For home baristas seeking consistency and a classic taste, this blend is a very competent option that offers good value in its large format.

Lavazza Espresso Whole Bean Coffee – Versatile for multiple brewing methods (espresso, drip, French press).

The Lavazza Espresso whole beans are a solid choice for a daily coffee. The 2.2 lb bag provides good value and the beans themselves are uniform and fragrant upon opening. As a medium roast with a 5/10 intensity, it produces a very smooth and balanced cup with low acidity, making it quite approachable.

The advertised aromatic notes of florals and fruit are subtle but contribute to a pleasant, sweet finish. I found it to be highly versatile, performing consistently well in both my drip coffee maker for a quick morning brew and my French press when I had more time. It creates a decent crema when used for espresso, though it’s not as rich as a dedicated dark espresso roast.

It’s a reliable, crowd-pleasing coffee that doesn’t aim for complex or bold flavors but delivers a consistently pleasant experience every time.

Death Wish Coffee, Whole Bean Espresso Roast – Organic – Very strong, high-caffeine content for a powerful energy boost.

Death Wish Coffee’s Espresso Roast is a solid choice for those who prefer a powerful and dark brew. The whole beans provide the flexibility to grind for any method, from a standard drip machine to an espresso maker. The blend of arabica and robusta beans delivers on its promise of an intense, high-caffeine experience.

The flavor profile is distinctly dark roast, with noticeable notes of cocoa and a hint of caramelized sugar sweetness, though the cherry notes are more subtle. It successfully balances its strength with a smooth finish, avoiding the harsh bitterness that can sometimes accompany very dark roasts. The coffee feels rich and has a pleasant, heavy body, making it particularly well-suited for espresso shots or as a strong base for lattes and cappuccinos.

The Fair Trade certification is also a commendable feature, adding an ethical dimension to the purchase for conscious consumers.

Starbucks Whole Bean Coffee – Rich, bold flavor profile characteristic of a classic dark roast.

The Starbucks Espresso Roast whole bean coffee provides a consistent and familiar experience for fans of a classic dark roast. Upon opening the bag, the beans have a strong, roasty aroma, and they grind well for various preparation methods. I’ve used them in both a drip machine and a French press, and the results were reliably bold and full-bodied.

The flavor profile leans heavily into the dark roast character, with deep notes of molasses and a caramelized sweetness that stands up well to milk and sugar. While it doesn’t offer the nuanced complexity of some specialty coffees, it delivers exactly what it promises: a strong, low-acidity cup reminiscent of what you’d get in a Starbucks café. The large 18-ounce bag offers good value, making this a solid choice for a dependable, everyday coffee that provides a robust flavor and a solid caffeine kick.

Lavazza Crema E Aroma Whole Bean Coffee Blend – Consistently produces a thick, long-lasting crema.

The Lavazza Crema e Aroma is a solid, workhorse whole bean coffee, especially for those using an espresso machine daily. The blend of Arabica and Robusta beans lives up to its name, consistently producing a thick and stable crema. The 8/10 intensity rating feels accurate; it delivers a full-bodied shot that is strong but avoids being overly bitter, thanks to the medium roast profile.

The advertised chocolate notes are subtle, contributing to a classic, well-rounded Italian espresso flavor. The large 2.2 lb bag provides great value for frequent coffee drinkers. It’s not a complex, artisanal coffee, but rather a dependable and satisfying choice for lattes, cappuccinos, or a straightforward espresso to start the day.

It performs reliably and delivers on its promise of a creamy, aromatic coffee experience without breaking the bank.

Gaviña Old Havana Espresso Whole Bean Coffee – Medium-Dark Roast – Versatile for multiple brewing methods, especially espresso and Moka pots.

This whole bean coffee is presented as a nod to Cuban-style espresso, offering a specific flavor profile described as nutty and sweet with citrus undertones and a smooth finish. Being whole bean, it promises optimal freshness for those willing to grind it themselves. It’s designed to be versatile, suitable for everything from high-pressure espresso machines to classic Moka pots, which is a great feature for home brewers with different setups.

The company also emphasizes its commitment to sustainability through its Direct Impact Initiative and a zero-waste-to-landfill roasting facility in Los Angeles. This adds an ethical appeal for environmentally conscious consumers. The coffee seems well-suited for those who enjoy a bright, complex espresso and appreciate the ritual of grinding their beans fresh.

It’s a solid option for anyone looking to explore a classic, yet distinct, coffee profile at home.

Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee – Produces a consistently rich and long-lasting crema.

The Lavazza Super Crema is a reliable whole bean coffee, particularly for those who enjoy making espresso at home. The blend of Arabica and Robusta beans is a classic Italian style, designed specifically to produce a thick and lasting crema, which it does very effectively. The medium roast offers a full-bodied and bold flavor profile without being overly bitter, leading to a smooth, creamy finish.

As whole beans, they require a grinder, which helps preserve freshness until the moment of brewing. While optimized for espresso, the beans can also perform adequately in other preparations like a Moka pot. The Robusta content provides a noticeable caffeine kick and that signature crema, but drinkers who exclusively prefer the nuanced, brighter notes of 100% Arabica might find the flavor profile a bit one-dimensional.

Overall, it’s a very consistent and forgiving bean for daily espresso shots and milk-based drinks.

Peet’s Coffee, Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee – Espr – Specifically blended for rich espresso with a smooth crema.

Peet’s Espresso Forte offers a robust experience for those who enjoy a classic dark roast. The 32-ounce bag of whole Arabica beans provides good value and the flexibility to grind for your preferred brewing method. As the name suggests, it’s crafted specifically for espresso, promising a stout body and a smooth crema.

The flavor profile of chocolate and hazelnut is prominent, delivering the rich complexity expected from a dark roast. While it excels as espresso, the beans are versatile enough for a French press or cold brew if you adjust the grind size accordingly. The company’s focus on impactful sourcing is a nice touch for conscientious consumers.

Overall, this coffee delivers on its promise of a strong, traditional espresso blend. It’s a straightforward, high-quality option for daily brewing, especially if you have an espresso machine at home and appreciate a bold flavor.