What Coffee to Use for an Espresso Machine: The Essential Guide to Perfect Brews

If you’re looking to make the perfect espresso at home, one of the most crucial decisions you’ll face is what coffee to use for an espresso machine.

While espresso is known for its bold and intense flavor, the right coffee beans can elevate your brew to new heights, making each cup a rich, aromatic experience.

“Whether you’re just learning how to use an espresso machine or are already experienced, understanding the best beans for your espresso machine is key to crafting that perfect shot.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about selecting the best coffee for espresso, from bean types to roast profiles, so you can enjoy café-quality espresso every time.

What Coffee to Use for an Espresso Machine: A Step-by-Step Selection Process

When it comes to brewing the perfect espresso, the coffee you use plays a huge role. Choosing the right coffee beans can be the difference between a mediocre cup and a rich, flavorful espresso that makes your mornings.

Knowing what coffee to use for an espresso machine is essential for achieving that perfect shot. In this detailed, step-by-step guide, we’ll help you navigate the world of espresso beans so you can consistently enjoy cafe-quality brews at home.

Looking to get started with the right beans? Explore our curated espresso coffee selection for top-rated blends perfect for any espresso machine.

Step 1: Understand Your Taste Preferences

Not sure which to try first? Browse our espresso coffee collection to find expertly selected Arabica and Robusta blends tailored for every taste.

Before diving into specific beans, it’s important to understand what flavors and characteristics you enjoy most in your espresso. Do you like your coffee rich and chocolatey, or are you more into fruity, tangy, and floral notes?

Everyone’s taste preferences are different, and that will guide your choice of what coffee to use for an espresso machine.

• Bold and Smoky: If you enjoy strong, full-bodied espresso with a smoky finish, a dark roast made from Robusta beans or a blend that includes darker notes might be your ideal choice.
  
• Fruity and Bright: On the other hand, if you prefer something lighter with complex acidity and a clean aftertaste, you might want to look into high-quality Arabica beans, particularly those sourced from regions like Ethiopia or Kenya.
  

By knowing your taste preferences, you can avoid trial and error, saving you time and ensuring that every cup is tailored to your liking.

Step 2: Choose the Right Bean Type (Arabica vs. Robusta)

When selecting what coffee to use for an espresso machine, the first decision you’ll face is whether to go with Arabica or Robusta beans. These two types of coffee beans are the foundation of almost all espresso blends, each with its distinct characteristics.

• Arabica Beans: Making up around 60–70% of the world’s coffee supply, Arabica beans are prized for their smooth taste, aromatic profile, and lower bitterness compared to other varieties.
• These beans tend to have a higher acidity, and their flavors can range from sweet and fruity to nutty and chocolaty. If you’re looking for a refined and elegant espresso, Arabica beans are the way to go.
  
• Robusta Beans: Known for their robust flavor and higher caffeine content, Robusta beans deliver a bolder, more intense cup with a distinctly earthy, woody taste—and often a hint of nuttiness and bitterness.
• Robusta beans can create a thicker crema, which is why they are often used in espresso blends to add intensity and richness. For a bolder, more powerful espresso, try blending in some Robusta beans to amp up the strength and intensity.
• You might wonder, can you use regular coffee in an espresso machine? While possible, results may not be ideal due to grind and roast differences.
  

To balance strength and smoothness, the majority of premium espresso blends will include both Arabica and Robusta beans. But depending on your taste preferences, you can go with 100% Arabica beans for a milder cup or a blend with Robusta for added punch.

Step 3: Consider the Roast Level for Your Espresso

The roast level of your coffee beans is another crucial element when choosing what coffee to use for an espresso machine. Roast levels impact your espresso shot’s overall flavor, body, and acidity.

• Light Roasts: These coffees preserve the most of the bean’s original flavors, often producing a more acidic and complex cup.
• Light roasts are usually less suited for espresso, as their pronounced acidity can overpower the deep, rich flavors typically desired in a shot.
• However, for those seeking a more delicate and nuanced flavor profile, light roasts can work in a lighter espresso blend.
  
• Medium Roasts: These are a common option for espresso because they provide a harmonious balance of sweetness, acidity, and flavor depth. This roast level brings out the full flavors of the bean without sacrificing smoothness or richness.
• Medium roasts work well in both single-origin espressos and espresso blends, offering a great balance between flavor complexity and drinkability.
  
• They bring out bold, rich, and smoky flavors that are often described as chocolatey, caramelized, or even slightly bitter. Dark roasts are less acidic, making them perfect for espresso.
• They also create a thicker crema, which is a key feature of a high-quality espresso shot.
  

When selecting your beans, always remember to opt for a roast that aligns with your taste preferences. Darker roasts are great if you’re learning how to make a cappuccino with an espresso machine, as they provide the strong base such drinks require.

Step 4: Freshness Matters – Grind Your Beans Just Before Brewing

Freshness is crucial when choosing which coffee to use in an espresso machine. Coffee beans begin to lose their flavor shortly after roasting, and ground coffee loses its flavor even faster. To get the best results from your espresso machine, you’ll want to purchase whole beans and grind them just before brewing.

• Why Freshness is Important: Freshly ground coffee releases volatile oils and aromas that are essential for a rich, flavorful espresso. Pre-ground coffee, even if stored properly, can’t deliver the same level of complexity and freshness. Grinding your beans fresh also supports good espresso machine maintenance, reducing internal residue buildup.
  

Step 5: Experiment with Blends for a More Balanced Espresso

Single-origin coffees are a great way to experience distinct flavors from specific regions, but most espresso aficionados prefer blends because they offer a more balanced and consistent flavor profile.

Espresso blends combine beans from various origins, each contributing unique flavors to create a harmonious cup. For instance, a mix may contain Ethiopian beans for fruitiness, Indian beans for spice and creaminess, and Brazilian beans for body.

When selecting what coffee to use for an espresso machine, you may want to consider experimenting with different espresso blends to find the one that matches your ideal flavor profile.

Look for blends designed specifically for espresso, as they are formulated to provide a well-rounded shot that balances sweetness, acidity, and bitterness.

Step 6: Focus on the Coffee Grind Size

Grinding your beans to the proper size is essential for a successful espresso shot. The extraction procedure and, eventually, the espresso’s flavor are directly impacted by the grind size.

• Espresso Grind Size: A fine, steady grind is required for espresso. Water will pass through the grind too rapidly if it is too coarse, which will lead to under-extraction and a weak, watery espresso. An excessively fine grind will make it difficult for the water to get through the grind, which will result in over-extraction and a harsh, bitter shot.
  

As a general rule, the grind should feel fine but not powdery, like table salt. If you’re not sure about your grind size, many espresso machines come with recommendations for the ideal grind.

Step 7: Quality is Key – Look for Specialty Coffee

When deciding what coffee to use for an espresso machine, always opt for specialty-grade coffee beans. Specialty coffees are handpicked, carefully roasted, and graded for their unique flavors and consistency.

These beans are often sourced from specific farms or regions known for producing high-quality coffee.

Specialty coffee tends to be fresher, and the roasters usually provide detailed information about the bean’s origin, processing methods, and flavor notes.

By choosing specialty coffee, you’ll ensure that you’re brewing with the highest quality beans available, which translates into a better espresso shot.

What Coffee to Use for an Espresso Machine: The Importance of Freshness

When it comes to brewing the perfect espresso, freshness is one of the most vital factors that directly impacts the quality of your shot.

The coffee you use for your espresso machine can be of the highest quality and perfectly roasted, but if it’s not fresh, the resulting espresso will lack the depth, complexity, and richness you’re aiming for.

In this section, we’ll explore why freshness matters so much and how it can elevate your espresso experience.

Why Freshness Matters in Espresso

Coffee is a perishable product; thus, freshness is essential. Coffee beans lose their flavor as soon as they are roasted.

The longer they sit after roasting, the more the volatile oils and aromatic compounds that contribute to the coffee’s richness and complexity start to degrade.

If you’ve ever brewed espresso with stale coffee, you may have noticed that it lacks the vibrant aromas and flavors that you would typically expect from a high-quality shot.

Loss of Flavor: Over time, even freshly roasted coffee begins to lose its flavor, often developing a flat or stale taste. The oils inside the beans, which are responsible for the coffee’s taste and aroma, slowly evaporate after roasting. The fresher the coffee, the more flavor it retains, which translates to a fuller, more complex espresso shot.

• Aromatics Fade Quickly: Coffee’s aroma is a huge part of its appeal, and the aromatic compounds within the beans are volatile. This means they begin to dissipate rapidly after roasting. Freshly ground coffee releases these essential aromas that you can smell immediately, enhancing your overall sensory experience. Stale beans, on the other hand, lack these aromatics and often produce a less pleasant or weaker scent.
  
• Impact on Crema Quality: The crema is the golden, foamy layer that forms on top of a well-pulled espresso shot, and it’s a sign of a quality brew. Freshly roasted coffee produces a thicker, richer crema, which indicates that the beans are releasing gas properly during extraction. Stale coffee results in a much thinner, less appealing crema, which signals that the coffee’s freshness has degraded.
  

How Freshness Affects Your Espresso Shot

Freshness doesn’t just affect the flavor and aroma; it also plays a key role in the extraction process. The quality of your espresso shot is influenced by the coffee’s freshness, particularly the way it reacts with the water during extraction.

• Gas Release (Degassing): After coffee beans are roasted, they undergo a natural process called degassing, where carbon dioxide (CO2) is released. Freshly roasted beans release CO2 when ground, which affects how the water interacts with the coffee grounds during brewing. The CO2 causes the coffee to “bloom” when water is first added, which is an important part of the espresso extraction process. Stale coffee, however, has already released most of its CO2, which can lead to an underwhelming and poorly extracted shot.
  
• Balanced Extraction: Fresh coffee allows for an even and balanced extraction, where water flows evenly through the coffee grounds, picking up the best flavors and aromas. Stale coffee tends to result in uneven extraction, leading to over-extracted bitterness or under-extracted sourness. For the best espresso, you want a balanced, flavorful shot, which can only be achieved with freshly ground coffee.
  

How to Ensure Freshness When Using Your Espresso Machine

To make the most of your coffee’s freshness, there are several steps you can take, from purchasing the right beans to grinding them at the right time. Here’s how you can ensure your coffee remains as fresh as possible for brewing with your espresso machine:

• Buy Freshly Roasted Beans: Purchase coffee beans from local roasters or specialty coffee shops that offer freshly roasted beans. Many roasters will include roast dates on their packaging, allowing you to determine just how fresh the beans are. Ideally, look for beans that were roasted within the past two weeks.
  
• Proper Storage: Coffee should be kept out of direct sunlight and heat in an airtight container in a cold, dry location. Avoid storing coffee in the refrigerator, as it can absorb moisture and odors from other foods. The best way to maintain freshness and stop oxidation is to use a special coffee canister that has a CO2 valve.
  
• Grind Just Before Brewing: One of the most important steps you can take to maintain the freshness of your coffee is to grind it just before you brew. Compared to pre-ground coffee, whole beans keep their freshness for a lot longer. If you don’t have a burr grinder, consider investing in one, as it ensures an even grind for better extraction. To ensure that you get all the flavors and scents, grind your beans right before brewing.
• Use the Right Amount of Coffee: While freshness is important, it’s also essential not to use too much coffee at once. Using excessive amounts of ground coffee can lead to stale espresso shots, as the air exposure and oxidation are increased. Measure out only the amount of coffee you need for your shot, grinding just enough to make the perfect cup.
  

Signs Your Coffee Has Lost Its Freshness

Even with the best intentions, coffee can sometimes go stale before you’re able to use it all. A few indicators that your coffee might not be as fresh as it once was are as follows:

• Flat Flavor: If your espresso tastes flat, lacks depth, or feels dull, it could be a sign that your coffee is stale. Fresh beans should provide a rich, complex flavor profile with distinct notes.
  
• Thin Crema: Coffee that has a thin or nonexistent crema is frequently not fresh. Fresh beans release enough CO2 during extraction to create a thick, golden crema. Stale coffee, on the other hand, results in a much thinner crema.
  
• Dull Aroma: One of the easiest ways to tell if your coffee has gone stale is by smelling it. Freshly ground coffee should have a strong, aromatic fragrance. If it smells flat, musty, or lackluster, it’s probably not fresh anymore.

FAQS

Final verdict 

To brew the perfect espresso, freshness is key—use freshly roasted and ground beans, invest in quality equipment, and maintain consistency in your brewing process.

Espresso is stronger and more concentrated than regular coffee due to the use of high pressure and finely ground beans, resulting in a richer, bolder flavor. Mastering how to make a latte with an espresso machine will help you appreciate roast and grind adjustments.

While pre-ground coffee can work in a pinch, it compromises freshness and flavor. Prioritize premium, specialty coffee, and switch out your beans frequently for the greatest experience.