Selecting the best beans for espresso is a humongous task, especially for coffee-lovers. Different espresso beans have different tastes, and all of them might not be to your liking. However, if you are determined to make that perfect blend, read on to know more about how you can choose the best raw materials needed to make espresso.
What is espresso?
Espresso is a process of brewing to extract its delicate flavors. Here, hot water is made to pass through the finely grounded product for espresso under pressure. As a result, we get concentrated shots of pure, black coffee. To prepare the best espresso, you need to roast quality material properly.
Reasons to use espresso beans
There are many reasons why most cafes choose to use espresso beans instead of regular filter type.
- Tradition
Espresso beans are mainly dark roasted coffee beans. Compared to the regular filter product, the best espresso coffee has a better taste and flavor.
- Tastes better with milk
Espresso beans can easily cut through the creamy flavor of milk. Therefore they are not just the best product for espresso but also lattes and cappuccinos.
- Cost-effective
Single-origin coffee beans are more expensive than those for espresso. Instead of using single-origin coffee as a base, you can use cheaper coffee blends imported from Brazil or Indonesia. This will give you string flavors at a lesser cost.
- Good for Health
Coffee made with the best beans for espresso has the potential to decrease the production of enzymes responsible for liver inflammation and damage. It can also slow down the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Espresso beans vs regular coffee beans
Espresso coffee beans are usually roasted for a longer duration and at a higher temperature. Thus, they can be used with several other brewing methods. Regular blends usually contain single-origin materials, while espresso blends contain different origins and roast at different temperatures.
What affects the taste profile of espresso?
Different factors affect the taste profile of espresso. Some of the common ones are:
Country of origin
The taste of it mainly depends upon the country of origin. Given below is a list of countries and the volume of products that they have exported worldwide.
| Country | Export Volume (measured in 1,000 60kg sacks) |
| Brazil | 3222 |
| Vietnam | 2300 |
| Colombia | 1065 |
| Indonesia | 512 |
| Ethiopia | 240 |
| Mexico | 225 |
South America:
- Most Brazilian brands have a nutty, almost spicy taste to it.
- Colombian beans are more balanced in taste- the rich caramel flavor is canceled out by occasional nuttiness.
Asia
- Indonesian beans are available in specific varieties. Some of these beans have aged bodies and deep textures on them.
- Hawaiian beans have a rich aroma and a slightly sweet taste.
Africa
- The Ethiopian raw material ranges from floral brews to heady wine-like palates.
- Kenyan beans get plenty of sunlight and have a savory taste with a bit of sweetness.
Roasting
A perfect cup doesn’t always need similarly roasted beans for espresso. You can use original blends or combine dark, medium, or lightly roasted product to get your desired flavor.
Varieties
Espresso is usually made using good quality Arabica. The blend must be full-bodies- neither too sweet nor too bitter.
Roast Date
After roasting the beans, use them within two weeks to enjoy a better taste. If you want to experience a distinctive flavor and unforgettable aroma, then you must use freshly grounded products for espresso machine.
Choosing the best beans for espresso
There are several details that you must remember while choosing the best beans for espresso 2020:
Whole vs pre-ground
Freshly ground beans have a much better taste. It gives you a rich flavor and maximum aroma. Oxidation in pre-ground beans makes them lose much of their flavor.
Roast type
Roasting determines the flavor. Before buying a new roast type, go through the raw material for espresso reviews to understand the difference in their qualities. The four main roast types include:
Light roast
- It goes really well with milk.
- The roasted beans are usually light brown.
- It has a delicate aroma and multifaceted taste.
- Example: New England Coffee Beans.
Medium roast
- It has a sweet and sour taste.
- They have a dark, shiny looking surface.
- It is mainly used in espresso machines.
- Example: Viennese Coffee Beans
Dark roast
- It has a dark brown color and slight oiliness.
- They are less sour than others.
- Perfect for making black coffee.
- Example: French Coffee Beans
Highest roast
- These are the top-rated espresso beans.
- It is almost black, and they are slightly roasted or bitter to taste.
- Example: Spanish Coffee Beans
Other considerations
- Packaging
The various packaging options available in pillow bags, quad seal bags, flat-bottomed bags, BIB, or doy-packs. Go through the various coffee for espresso reviews before buying a product.
- Type of drink you prefer
Your choice of the product will also depend upon the type of drink that you like. Depending on whether you like Americano, Black Coffee, Cappuccino, or Flavoured Coffee- you can choose your coffee raw accordingly.
Espresso brewing tips
There are certain brewing tips that you must keep in mind while using the best raw for espresso:
- Grind size
Grinding the coffee finely enough gives you a better flavor. If the crema has too many air bubbles, then you need to grind more finely. Always go through the raw reviews before you start using them.
- Tamping
Tamping allows the water to flow through the nozzle whenever you pull out for a shot. If the pressure is too less, then the water will flow out too quickly, and you will not get a good extraction.
- Pre-infusion
Pre-infusion is necessary for moistening the coffee beans before they are ground. This process also releases the carbon dioxide stored in them and ensures complete extraction.
Conclusion
According to most beans for espresso reviews, coffee contains plenty of nutrients like carbohydrates (1.67%), proteins (0.12%), fats (0.18%), and iron (0.13%). This guide will assist you in buying the best beans for espresso 2020 that will allow you to make a perfect coffee cup and enjoy its benefits.