Best Coffees For Espresso Machines

Espresso is a strong style of coffee. At one time, most people went out to the local coffee shop for a shot of espresso, but now they can make this style of coffee in their own homes with their espresso machines. Espresso machines work by pushing water that is near its boiling point through ground coffee and a filter. It is important that you choose the right roast and type of coffee if you are going to enjoy an espresso at home.

Picking the Roast

While you can use any type of roast for your espresso machine, you will get the best results with a dark, espresso, or French roast. These roasts will give you the taste and consistency you expect from an espresso.

If you prefer a lighter roast, go with a medium roast. You can still receive many of the benefits of the espresso when you go with a medium roast. At the same time, you will not experience the bitterness that comes with a dark roast.

After you choose your roast, you need to select the type of coffee you want to use. There are several types of coffee that work well with an espresso machine.

Espresso Roasts

We offer both an Espresso, and Espresso Decaf Roast. Grown in the Sierra Madre mountains of Chiapas, Mexico. Volcanic soils, high altitude and a variety of shade trees offer an ideal environment for growing arabica coffees organically and sustainably. Espresso Roast also contains a hint of coffee from South America.

 

Ethiopian Coffee

If you want to have a crema on top of your espresso, consider going with an Ethiopian coffee bean. Depending on the type of Ethiopian coffee you select, you can get something with an aggressive bite, or you can get something that is fruity. The darker the roast, the more biting the espresso will be, so if you prefer something fruity, go with a lighter roast bean.

 

Indonesian Coffee

An Indonesian coffee like a Sumatra is an excellent choice for an espresso machine. It has a low acidity but an intense flavor. It also has some earthy undertones that enhance the flavor. Indonesian espresso is not bitter, which appeals to many people who enjoy a small, strong coffee, but not the bitterness.

 

Colombian Coffee

If you like a sharp, sweet taste, go with a Colombian coffee. You will still get a little bit of crema, but it will not be much. It will taste lighter than a traditional espresso. This is another great option for people who like the idea of an espresso but do not care for the bitter taste that comes with some of the darker roasts.

 

Blends

Blends also work really well with an espresso machine. If you are interested in a blend, you can get something like an Espresso Italiano. This blend uses coffee from Chiapas, Indonesia, and Central America. Like other blends, it takes some of the best qualities from different regions and combines them in order to provide you with the best espresso.

You can also blend coffee on your own by getting different types of beans. For instance, you can put Colombian and Ethiopian coffee together in order to enjoy characteristics of both. Then, you can get the crema you want from the Ethiopian coffee along with the balance of the Colombian coffee.

An espresso is a great way to jump start your day or relax after a long meal. When you pick the right coffee beans for your espresso, you will be well on your way to enjoying cup after cup of the thick stuff.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different roasts and types of espresso. That is the best way to find your new favorite drink. Maybe you’ll find that having some lighter and some darker roasts allows you to choose what you feel like drinking in the moment. Some days you may need a strong espresso, while other days you may want something lighter!

image credit: Scott Schiller / CC2.0