17 Best Espresso Beans: Strong Flavors & High Caffeine Level
Espresso is a strong coffee that ranks amongst some of the most popular coffee in the world.
What makes Espresso unique is its thick consistency that contains a high caffeine level and strong flavors. Thus, it is an excellent morning coffee.
Additionally, you will need an espresso machine to prepare espresso because it uses a special brewing process that uses a combination of intense heat and high pressure.
If you are fresh on the market for the best espresso bean on the market, we have you covered below. Let’s see which espresso bean you need to buy right now!
Espresso Beans vs. Coffee Beans
Photo: popsugar.com
When purchasing coffee, you have probably seen that they come as either espresso beans or regular coffee beans. But what is the difference between them?
What are Espresso Beans?
Technically, there is no such thing as “espresso beans”. What determines a coffee to be espresso is in the brewing process and not the coffee beans themselves.
In order to make espresso, very fine grounded coffee needs to be used.
This grounded coffee is pressed tightly in a portafilter which is found in your espresso machine. Then, around 30 to 40 lbs of pressure, as well as hot water, is pushed on this portafilter ranging from 25 to 30 seconds.
What comes out is a thick and flavor-rich brew that we call espresso.
Advantages:
- More concentrated: Since espresso is a denser coffee brew, it also contains higher levels of caffeine. In turn, this provides the user with a higher caffeine kick.
- More economical: Due to the higher density of espresso, less amount of espresso coffee is used which makes it more economical for heavy coffee drinkers.
- Tastier: Espresso is reputed for its strong flavor that is full of aromas.
- Easy to make: You can brew an espresso in an espresso machine as fast as 30 seconds.
- Crema: Espresso has a typical creamy froth that floats at the top. This makes it more enjoyable to drink than a regular coffee.
Disadvantages:
- Requires an espresso machine: It is costlier in the short term because you need to invest in an espresso machine to prepare espresso.
- Strong taste: Not everyone likes a strong taste. Since espresso is dense with more caffeine content, it has a strong and even bitter taste depending on the roast of the coffee.
17 Best Espresso Beans – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Cafe Don Pablo, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (100% Organic Whole Coffee Beans from Honduras) | ||
 | 2. Cafe Don Pablo Classic Italian Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (2 lbs of Flavor-rich Espresso Beans) | ||
 | 3. Jo Coffee Wild Jo, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (Made from 100% Arabica Espresso Beans) | ||
 | 4. Verena Street Shot Tower Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (Kosher Coffee. Safe to Drink by Anyone) | ||
 | 5. Lavazza Super Crema, Medium Roast, Whole Bean (Strong Italian Espresso Bean) | ||
 | 6. Kicking Horse Cliff Hanger Espresso, Medium Roast, Whole Bean (Smooth Coffee with Wild Berry Undertones) | ||
 | 7. Koffee Kult, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (Roasted and Packed on Demand) | ||
 | 8. Peet's Coffee, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (American Coffee with a Strong Caffeine Kick) | ||
 | 9. Coffee Bean Direct Italian Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (Smooth Taste with Honey Undertones) | ||
 | 10. Coffee Bean Direct Six Bean Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (Fresh Espresso Coffee with Multiple Origins) | ||
 | 11. Coffee Bean Direct Espresso, Medium Roast, Whole Bean (Delivers a Powerful Caffeine Kick) | ||
 | 12. Wink Coffee Blonde Espresso, Light Roast, Whole Bean (Strong Espresso Bean for the Morning) | ||
 | 13. Coffee Bean Direct CO2 Decaf Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (5 lbs of Decaf Espresso Coffee) | ||
 | 14. Nicoletti Coffee Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (Lots of Flavors and Smooth Taste) | ||
 | 15. Allegro Coffee Espresso Sierra, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (Sweet Espresso Bean with a Caramel Taste) | ||
 | 16. RhoadsRoast Coffee Colombian Medellin Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (One of the Best Colombian Espresso Beans) | ||
 | 17. Caffé Cagliari Crem Espresso, Medium Roast, Whole Bean (Italian Coffee with Arabica and Robusta Mix) |
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Cafe Don Pablo, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (100% Organic Whole Coffee Beans from Honduras) |
2. Cafe Don Pablo Classic Italian Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (2 lbs of Flavor-rich Espresso Beans) |
3. Jo Coffee Wild Jo, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (Made from 100% Arabica Espresso Beans) |
4. Verena Street Shot Tower Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (Kosher Coffee. Safe to Drink by Anyone) |
5. Lavazza Super Crema, Medium Roast, Whole Bean (Strong Italian Espresso Bean) |
6. Kicking Horse Cliff Hanger Espresso, Medium Roast, Whole Bean (Smooth Coffee with Wild Berry Undertones) |
7. Koffee Kult, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (Roasted and Packed on Demand) |
8. Peet's Coffee, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (American Coffee with a Strong Caffeine Kick) |
9. Coffee Bean Direct Italian Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (Smooth Taste with Honey Undertones) |
10. Coffee Bean Direct Six Bean Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (Fresh Espresso Coffee with Multiple Origins) 11. Coffee Bean Direct Espresso, Medium Roast, Whole Bean (Delivers a Powerful Caffeine Kick) 12. Wink Coffee Blonde Espresso, Light Roast, Whole Bean (Strong Espresso Bean for the Morning) 13. Coffee Bean Direct CO2 Decaf Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (5 lbs of Decaf Espresso Coffee) 14. Nicoletti Coffee Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (Lots of Flavors and Smooth Taste) 15. Allegro Coffee Espresso Sierra, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (Sweet Espresso Bean with a Caramel Taste) 16. RhoadsRoast Coffee Colombian Medellin Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean (One of the Best Colombian Espresso Beans) 17. Caffé Cagliari Crem Espresso, Medium Roast, Whole Bean (Italian Coffee with Arabica and Robusta Mix) |
1. Cafe Don Pablo, Dark Roast, Whole Bean – 100% Organic Whole Coffee Beans from Honduras
Photo: Cafe Don Pablo
- Origin: Honduras
- Roast: Dark
If you’re looking for a tasty coffee bean to use with your espresso machine, then this organic coffee bean from Honduras may be the right choice.
It is made from 100% Arabica coffee beans and no synthetic pesticides or GMO have been used in the cultivation of this coffee. It has a rich chocolate taste and low acidity levels that makes it very smooth.
Best, the price is also quite affordable as you get no less than 2 lbs of whole coffee beans for your espresso machine with this purchase. If you are a heavy coffee drinker then the Cafe Don Pablo is one of the best espresso beans that you can buy.
Pros:
Cons:
2. Cafe Don Pablo Classic Italian Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean – 2 lbs of Flavor-rich Espresso Beans
Photo: Cafe Don Pablo
- Origin: USA
- Roast: Dark
The Classic by Cafe Don Pablo is a popular espresso coffee in the USA. This espresso coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans, so it has a smooth taste when used in the espresso machine.
Additionally, it is dark roasted so as to remove any extra caffeine that may cause bitterness in your espresso.
It is very easy to prepare in almost any type of espresso machine. One good thing about this coffee is that it delivers a decent caffeine kick and is an excellent espresso coffee for those who need a strong coffee in the morning.
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
The "Best Used By" date on the packaging is only 6 months so this coffee has a short shelf life even if you find a suitable container to store it.
3. Jo Coffee Wild Jo, Dark Roast, Whole Bean – Made from 100% Arabica Espresso Beans
Photo: Jo Coffee
- Origin: USA
- Roast: Dark
Jo Coffee is a true winner when it comes to the packaging. Indeed, this American company packages and roast their coffee beans in a very professional manner.
If you’re looking for an espresso coffee bean then Jo Coffee is an excellent choice because this is a very tasty coffee been that is comprised of 100% Arabica beans. In addition, many of its users also say that it is one of the best coffee beans for espresso machine market.
Most of all, this is an organic coffee bean, and synthetic pesticides have not been used in the cultivation of this product. So, you are guaranteed to get a taste as well as healthy coffee for your espresso machine.
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Cons:
4. Verena Street Shot Tower Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean – Kosher Coffee. Safe to Drink by Anyone
Photo: Verena Street
- Origin: USA
- Roast: Dark
What makes the Verena Street coffee bean different from others is that it has been specifically made to be used as an espresso coffee bean.
Indeed, it can be finely ground without it losing its fragrance or taste which makes it perfect for use in an espresso machine.
Also, you get 2 lbs of espresso beans with this purchase so if you are a heavy coffee drinker then this is an excellent choice. The dark roast also guarantees that it will have a strong and bright flavor.
And if this is not enough, this espresso coffee comes with many certifications like kosher which means that it is safe to drink by anyone.
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
This espresso coffee has a low acid level as well as low oil content. It can be ground manually in a coffee grinder for espresso or directly in an espresso machine, no problem.
5. Lavazza Super Crema, Medium Roast, Whole Bean – Strong Italian Espresso Bean
Photo: Lavazza
- Origin: Italy
- Roast: Medium
Coffee from Italy are generally high-grade and has a lot of flavors, especially when used in espresso. The Lavazza is one of the best Italian espresso beans when it comes to flavor and caffeine content.
Indeed, despite being medium roasted which shows that it has a high caffeine level, it still tastes delicious without the bitterness. This is mostly because this espresso bean is fresh which gives it a full-bodied and rich flavor.
Also, this coffee has undertones of honey, almonds and other dry fruits which makes it very tasty.
If you are a heavy espresso drinker, then don’t worry because the Lavazza comes in a 2.2 lbs pack so you can make plenty of espresso coffee without running short.
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
Small rocks may be present inside the package, most likely accidentally introduced during the roasting process.
6. Kicking Horse Cliff Hanger Espresso, Medium Roast, Whole Bean – Smooth Coffee with Wild Berry Undertones
Photo: Kicking Horse Coffee
- Origin: Africa, Indonesia, Central, and South America
- Roast: Medium
Kicking Horse is a popular and highly respected whole bean coffee. It has a smooth texture and non-oily so it can be fine-ground in an espresso machine to deliver a brew that has a lot of flavors.
As a matter of fact, this expresso bean has a smooth cocoa taste with wild berry undertones. It is definitely a very interesting taste that sets it apart from the rest of espresso coffee beans in this review.
In addition, it has many certifications that ensure that you are getting a high-grade espresso coffee for your money. All in all, Kicking Horse is one of the best espresso whole bean coffee on the market and can be used to make a very tasty espresso coffee.
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
The manufacturer provides you with helpful tips on the side of the packaging
7. Koffee Kult, Dark Roast, Whole Bean – Roasted and Packed on Demand
Photo: Koffee Kult
- Origin: USA
- Roast: Dark
Koffee Kult is a family-owned coffee business that uses an artisanal way to roast and pack their coffee.
So, their coffee generally has a better taste than the competition because they tend to be fresher. Also, Koffee Kult roasts and pack their beans only after you order to guarantee freshness.
Moreover, this coffee bean has a dark roast, so its caffeine level has been diminished. If you use this coffee bean in an espresso machine, you will not observe any bitterness in the coffee.
It is definitely one of the best coffee beans for espresso machine out there. We highly recommend it to anyone who wants a quality coffee bean to make an espresso.
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Cons:
Notes
We recommend you visually inspect the content of this bag for small rocks. They may cause damage to your coffee grinder or espresso machine.
8. Peet's Coffee, Dark Roast, Whole Bean – American Coffee with a Strong Caffeine Kick
Photo: Peet's Coffee
- Origin: USA
- Roast: Dark
A true American coffee that has a strong flavor and strong caffeine kick. Indeed, this is a rare combination that only Peet’s coffee can pull off.
Moreover, their coffee is guaranteed to be fresh. This is because this manufacturer roasts and ship the next day of order. They also use high-quality coffee beans only.
But what we like about this product is its complex and full-bodied flavor. If you use this bean to make an espresso, it will be strong, flavor-rich, as well as deliver a strong caffeine kick.
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
It is slightly acidic, so we recommend you consume no more than 1 cup per hour.
9. Coffee Bean Direct Italian Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean – Smooth Taste with Honey Undertones
Photo: Coffee Bean Direct
- Origin: South America and India
- Roast: Dark
Coffee Bean Direct is one of the best espresso bean brands on the market. They make a wide range of espresso products for every taste out there. Here are a few of their popular espresso coffee beans:
The Italian espresso by Coffee Bean Direct is a 5 lbs espresso bag for heavy coffee drinkers. Indeed, we such a big amount, you will never run out of coffee for your espresso machine.
Moreover, this espresso coffee has a rich, full-bodied flavor that tastes like honey, so you don’t need to use a lot of sugar with it.
It is also artisan roasted which means that it is roasted in small batches so as to maintain its freshness.
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10. Coffee Bean Direct Six Bean Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean – Fresh Espresso Coffee with Multiple Origins
Photo: Coffee Bean Direct
- Origin: South and Central America, India, and Indonesia
- Roast: Dark
Six Bean concentrates on optimal freshness. Indeed, this product is packed and a roasted immediately after you order so as to ensure it is the freshest espresso bean for the money.
Here again, you get 5 lbs of espresso coffee that makes it a great value. Additionally, the whole coffee beans used in this coffee have a lot of flavors and fruity undertones.
When used in an espresso machine, they produce a delicious crema that these sweet and yet strong at the same time.
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11. Coffee Bean Direct Espresso, Medium Roast, Whole Bean – Delivers a Powerful Caffeine Kick
Photo: Coffee Bean Direct
- Roast: Medium
The Medium roast by Coffee Bean Direct is a stronger coffee due to its medium roast. Evidently, its caffeine levels are also higher, so it is an excellent morning coffee because it provides a decent caffeine kick.
When this coffee bean is used in an espresso machine, it produces a strong espresso coffee with a delicious crema froth.
If you have found that the other coffee by Coffee Being Direct are weak in caffeine, then you will not be disappointed with their medium roast espresso coffee. This is because it is one of the best espresso beans on the market when it comes to caffeine strength.
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12. Wink Coffee Blonde Espresso, Light Roast, Whole Bean – Strong Espresso Bean for the Morning
Photo: Wink Coffee
- Origin: Colombia
- Roast: Light
The Wink is a unique tasting espresso bean that comes from Columbia. There are multiple flavors that you will experience in this coffee bean, ranging from orange zest, citrus, to sugar.
Best, it does not have any additives or flavorings, so you are getting a purely natural taste. But what makes this espresso bean unique is that it is roasted and packaging small batches to ensure its freshness and superior taste.
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
Due to the high caffeine content in this espresso bean, it is an excellent morning coffee
13. Coffee Bean Direct CO2 Decaf Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean – 5 lbs of Decaf Espresso Coffee
Photo: Coffee Bean Direct
- Origin: South America
- Roast: Dark
There are many things going on with this Coffee Been Direct product. For one, you get an impressive 5 lbs of espresso coffee that make it an incredible deal.
If you are a very heavy coffee drinker, or you have a large family who regularly drinks coffee, then this coffee is definitely one of the best espresso beans for the money.
Secondly, this coffee is decaf which means that up to 97% of its caffeine content has been removed. This makes it safe to drink by those who are trying to avoid caffeine. It is also a very smooth coffee as it is made from 100% Arabica beans.
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
Only get this product if you’re looking for a decaf espresso bean. Other than this, there are better espresso beans out there
14. Nicoletti Coffee Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean – Lots of Flavors and Smooth Taste
Photo: Nicoletti Coffee
- Origin: USA
- Roast: Dark
If there is one term that can qualify the Nicoletti coffee, then it is “great value.” Indeed, even if it is priced relatively similar to others, you get no less than 2.2 lbs of espresso coffee with this purchase.
This means that if you are a heavy coffee drinker who drinks more than 2 cups of espresso copy every day, the Nicoletti is the right purchase for you.
Also, this espresso bean is dark roasted so that its caffeine level is diminished, but all its flavors become more pronounced.
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15. Allegro Coffee Espresso Sierra, Dark Roast, Whole Bean – Sweet Espresso Bean with a Caramel Taste
Photo: Allegro Coffee
- Origin: USA
- Roast: Dark
The Allegro is a full-bodied but smooth espresso bean that is made from 100% Arabica coffee beans. In fact, this is where it gets its smooth taste.
Also, the medium to the dark roast of this coffee makes it stronger tasting with a chocolate and caramel undertone. In fact, this is one of the rare coffee in this espresso bean review to have a sweet taste without adding any sugar.
The only caveat we note with this espresso bean is that you get only 340 grams and it is quite expensive when compared to others.
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
You can use less sugar with this espresso bean because it is sweet out of the box
16. RhoadsRoast Coffee Colombian Medellin Espresso, Dark Roast, Whole Bean – One of the Best Colombian Espresso Beans
Photo: RhoadsRoast Coffee
- Origin: Colombia
- Roast: Dark
The RhoadsRoast has a typical taste that shows immediately that this espresso coffee bean comes from Colombia. Indeed, it has a smooth and yet bright taste that is typical of South American coffee beans. It also gives flavors like chocolate and lemon undertones that makes it very pleasurable.
Also, this is a whole bean coffee that is very versatile and can be used to make any type of brew, including espresso. Since it is known oily, it is very easy to grind without losing its flavor in an espresso machine.
Simply pop in an espresso machine, and you will have your espresso coffee within seconds.
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
The coffee beans are described as dark by the manufacturer, but they are in fact medium
17. Caffé Cagliari Crem Espresso, Medium Roast, Whole Bean – Italian Coffee with Arabica and Robusta Mix
Photo: Caffé Cagliari
- Origin: Italy
- Roast: Medium
Many baristas regard the Caffé Cagliari as the best Italian espresso bean on the market. What makes this espresso bean different is that it has a mix of 60% Arabica and 40% Robusta beans.
This unique combination gives this espresso coffee both a smooth as well as a strong taste that has a high caffeine kick. If you need a strong coffee to wake up in the morning, then the Caffé Cagliari is an excellent choice for you.
Also, when used in an espresso machine, it creates a velvety crema that makes your espresso coffee very enjoyable to drink.
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
The packaging has espresso brewing instructions printed on the side
How to Buy the Best Espresso Beans
Photo: Shutterstock
1. Freshness
The freshness of both the espresso coffee as well as the coffee beans use in the production of the espresso coffee are important. Freshness is directly linked to how good the espresso coffee will taste.
As a matter of fact, the fresher the espresso coffee, the tastier and more aromatic it will be. Pay particular attention to terms like “Best By” as this will show you when you can consume your espresso coffee for an optimal taste.
Additionally, you should also pay attention to the manufacturing date and not buy a coffee that is too close to expiration as it won’t be very fresh.
2. Origin
Similar to the freshness, the origin of the coffee beans used in the production of espresso coffee is important. Each country has its own taste, and it will depend on the user. If you prefer your espresso coffee to have a mild but smooth taste, then go with coffee beans that come from South America.
On the other hand, for a bright and strong coffee then you may want to go with coffee beans that are roasted and packed in the USA. In general, North Americans normally prefer that coffee to be strong and are full of flavors.
If you want a distinctive flavor in your espresso coffee, then choose a coffee made from either Kenya or Ethiopia. Those coffee beans are reputed for being rich in flavors and aromas.
For a more woody flavor and earthy taste, coffee beans from Indonesia or Papua New Guinea are unbeatable. They also have a typical cinnamon and other fruity undertones. They are quite similar in taste and aroma to coffee beans from Yemen.
Coffee beans from Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Honduras are difficult to tell apart because they have an almost similar full-bodied taste.
But if you want the best of the best, then choose coffee beans from Panama. This coffee bean is called Panama Geisha and is the favorite of professional coffee drinkers and barristers.
However, 1 caveat of this coffee bean is that it is very expensive. In fact, it is the most expensive of them all.
3. Roast type
Coffee beans come in 4 basic roast types. Light, medium, medium-dark, and dark roast. Here is a quick breakdown of the different types:
Light Roast
A light roast means that little heat has been applied to the coffee beans and its caffeine level will be high.
Therefore, a light roast coffee will have a strong caffeine kick as well as a more natural coffee taste. And as the name suggests, a light roast coffee is usually very pale in coloration.
They are also the driest of all coffee beans with no oils visible at the surface of the bean. Most of the time, a light roast coffee bean has a woody taste that may be perceived as "sour"as well.
This type of roast is also the most acidic and the light roast is generally not recommended for use with espresso. This is because a light roast coffee lacks the flavor and richness that is usually associated with espresso coffee.
Medium Roast
Coffee beans that have been heated to 410°F to 430°F are usually considered as medium roast.
At this temperature, the coffee beans go through a lot more heat which decreases the caffeine level drastically.
A medium roast is usually darker in color and just like a light roast, you will not find the presence of oils on the surface. Therefore, the medium roast generally has a dry but less acidic taste.
Also, this type of coffee generally has a more bitter taste but contains more flavors because the heat allowed the flavors to come to the surface.
However, one problem with the medium roast is that it is quite difficult to make the perfect espresso coffee.
Medium-Dark Roast
The medium-dark roast coffee has a deeper brown coloration. You usually get this type of roast by raising the temperature to around 455°F.
Since the first layer of the coffee bean has been literally "cracked" by this temperature, the medium-dark roast coffee will show a small amount of oil on the surface.
Therefore, this type of roast contains a lot of flavors that range anywhere from spicy to caramel, depending on the origin of the coffee bean.
In fact, the medium-dark roast coffee bean is considered as one of the best type of roast to use for espresso. It is easy to get a quality result with this roast.
Dark Roast
As the name suggests, the dark roast has the darkest coloration. It also has a very shiny and oily surface that is full of flavors.
You normally get a dark roast by raising the temperature by 100°F above light roast. This temperature is high enough to crack all the inner layers of the coffee bean so that flavors and oils inside the center can come to the surface.
The dark roast has a distinctive burnt taste that may not be to the liking of casual coffee drinkers.
However, this type of roast is usually recommended for use with the French Press as the flavor and taste is a little bit to harsh.
When used with a quality espresso machine, the dark roast will still deliver a high quality espresso coffee.
4. Coffee Machine
As we have pointed out earlier, in order to make espresso you will need to invest in an espresso machine. There are hundreds of different types of the espresso machine, ranging from budget models to very sophisticated units.
However, what they all have in common is that they share the same internal design. All of them uses a portafilter to contain your espresso coffee and will use heat and high pressure to make your espresso brew.
When investing in a coffee machine, especially espresso, pay close attention to the amount of time that the coffee machine needs to make an espresso.
High-end models will be able to make an espresso brew in 30 seconds or less while more budget-friendly models may require more time.
5. Budget
When purchasing espresso online, it is important to keep a budget. If you are a casual espresso consumer and intake around 1 cup of coffee every day, then 340 grams of espresso will be enough. This will cost you around $30, depending on the espresso bean brand you choose.
On the other hand, if you are a heavy espresso drinker then consider purchasing an espresso coffee that is at least 1 lb or more to meet your daily consumption needs.
Conclusion
As we have seen, espresso coffee differs from regular coffee, but in a good way.
It uses a more refined ground coffee that produces a denser brew which is tastier and has more flavors.
Espresso also contains a higher level of caffeine so, an Espresso will provide you with a greater caffeine kick than a regular coffee.
But most of all, it is very easy to prepare, and as long as you have an espresso machine, you can prepare a tasty cup of espresso in a minute or less.
Finally, if you have read our espresso bean review above and still not decided on an espresso product yet then go through it again.
