Short answer first: espresso isn't a type of bean, it's a way of brewing, so almost any coffee can be pulled as a shot. But some are built for it. These are the four we'd reach for, in order — then a guide to choosing your own below.
1. Espresso Blend — the one we pull in our cafés
This is the same blend we pull shots of in our cafés. Sugary, chocolatey, and clean. Goes great with milk or straight up. Light–medium roast, tasting notes of dark cocoa, walnut, and blueberry — a balance point between the classic and modern styles below. If you only try one, try this. From $18.99. Shop Espresso Blend →
2. Foundation Blend — chocolate-forward and forgiving
Our best-selling blend, and easy to dial in. Light–medium roast with milk chocolate, ripe berry, and baking spice. Rated for both drip and espresso, so one bag covers the whole kitchen. From $18.99. Shop Foundation Blend →
3. Kensington Blend — for the classic dark-roast shot
If you want espresso that tastes the way espresso is “supposed” to — roasty, low acidity, a thick crema — this is our dark roast. Not too dark, but plenty of roast character: toasted walnut, dark cocoa, toffee. From $18.99. Shop Kensington Blend →
4. A single origin — for the modern, fruit-forward shot
Lighter roasts pulled as espresso taste like where they came from: brighter, more fruit, lighter body. Right now that's Guatemala Finca La Bolsa — a light roast, black honey process, with peach, red cherry, and brown sugar. Our single origins rotate with the harvest, so the current lineup is always the place to look. From $24.35.
Every coffee above is roasted to order in Philadelphia and ships free on a subscription. Not sure which style you are? Keep reading.
How to choose espresso beans
Espresso is not a type of coffee bean, but a brewing method — a concentrated shot made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee at high pressure, with the distinctive crema on top. Because it's a method rather than a bean, you can pull any coffee as espresso — but the beans you choose shape the flavor of the shot more than anything else. Here's how to think about it.
"Espresso is not a type of coffee bean — it's a brewing method."
— the myth this whole article exists to bustTraditional vs. Modern Espresso: The Role of Roast
Commonly, espresso has been associated with darker roasted coffee — the bold, roasty flavor with a slightly bitter aftertaste that many people associate with a classic espresso experience. But the modern third wave movement made a new standard of lighter roasts used as espresso, creating a flavor profile that's brighter, more floral, and lighter bodied. Neither is “correct” — it comes down to what you like in the cup.
Dark roast or light roast?
- Deep, roasty flavors — chocolate, caramel, a hint of smoke
- Lower perceived acidity in the cup
- Thicker, more traditional crema
- Easier, more forgiving to pull
- Bright, fruity, floral character
- Lighter body, more delicate mouthfeel
- Terroir-driven — you taste the origin
- Rewards dialing in your grind
Blend or Single Origin for Espresso?
Beyond roast level, there's a second choice: a coffee blend or a single origin. Blends are crafted for balance and are much more forgiving to dial in — the roaster has already done the work of building a consistent, repeatable experience. Single origins are vivid and terroir-driven, with unique characteristics that aren't always perfectly balanced. One might be all acidity and fruit; another sugary and nutty. Exciting and unique — but not always the consistent shot some people want.
Blend or single origin?
- Built by the roaster for balance
- Consistent shot to shot, all year
- Much easier to dial in
- Great everyday espresso
- Terroir-driven, one-of-a-kind character
- Can be all fruit & acidity, or sugary & nutty
- Changes with each harvest
- Rewards the tinkerer
Our #1 pickEspresso Blend
Espresso Blend — the same blend we pull in our cafés. Sugary, chocolatey, and clean; great with milk or straight up.
From $18.99 · subscriptions ship freeChoosing the Best Espresso Beans for You
The best espresso beans come down to personal preference. Experiment with both dark and light roasts to find your flavor profile. Try blends and single origins to learn which camp you fall into. And once you have a feel for it, keep exploring different options within your preference — finding the best espresso beans is a personal journey, and half the fun is the tasting.
