Best Coffee Beans

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.

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Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and for a good reason. Countless people rely on this delicious beverage to stay focused and energised throughout the day. One of the best ways to ensure you always get the perfect cuppa is to source your own beans. However, with various flavour and profile options to choose from, it can be difficult for anyone to get started. That’s why we’ve tracked down some of the top ones to try in your cup.

How We Compared Coffee Beans

To find the right coffee beans, we considered multiple factors, including:

• Flavour Profile
• Versatility
• Strength
• Origins
• Eco-Friendliness

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

Coffee Bean Reviews

Coffee Masters Exclusive Master Blend (Editor’s Choice)

Perfect for creating a premium barista-quality cup of coffee at home, these coffee beans are roasted in the UK and delivered in a 1kg package, so you don’t run out quickly. These 100% high-grown Arabica beans have a medium-dark roast flavour, with hints of nuts, dark chocolate and a lemony overtone. If you love a sweet and robust taste in your coffee, this option could be for you. 

The Coffee Masters Exclusive Master Blend is ideal for all coffee lovers. They are harvested from Honduras, Costa Rica, and Brazil. Plus, they’re ready to be ground and used in a range of espresso machines.

If you prefer your beverages to be sustainable, these beans are approved by the Rainforest Alliance and designed with ethics in mind. The delicious taste works well in various drinks, from lattes to Americanos.

Taylors of Harrogate Espresso Roast (Luxury Choice)

This option will taste great in any of your favourite drinks, promising a delightful silky texture with bittersweet chocolate components. The unique blend combines Brazilian beans for depth and balance, with Kenyan for sweetness and Ethiopian for strength. This powerful product could be ideal if you want a kick in your espresso.

With their delightful Espresso Roast, Taylors of Harrogate promises a satisfying drink with every mouthful. The extra rich flavour profile is ideal for true coffee lovers. You’ll be impressed with this blend if you like robust tones and a little bitterness in your beverage. The low acidity delivers a fantastic level of smoothness, even in espressos.

From a sustainability perspective, Taylors sources ethical beans from the best growers in the world and roasts them in the UK. The company is Climate Pledge friendly, and all the coffee is 100% Arabica.

Lavazza Qualità Rossa (Best Value)

These coffee beans, packaged in a convenient resealable bag for long-lasting freshness, are sure to deliver a fantastic treat for your morning Americano. The medium roast is great for everyday coffee drinkers looking for a good balance of strength and smoothness. The delicate taste shouldn’t be too overwhelming for those who aren’t used to bitter coffee.

With the Lavazza Qualità Rossa, you get a versatile drinking experience every time. A blend of Arabica and Robusta beans delivers an aromatic result, with hints of dried fruit and chocolate. You can also use them with filter coffee machines, bean-to-cup grinders, and French press products.

The blend includes beans mostly sourced from Africa and Brazil, and everything is packaged in a 1kg recyclable bag, which should be more than enough for plenty of cups.

Amazon Brand Solimo (Best Medium Roast)

Perfect for those who prefer a more subtle coffee flavour, these beans have a delightful taste profile when used on virtually every device. You can grind them for your cafetière, filter, and French press or place them in a standard bean-to-cup machine. 100% Arabica coffee promises a long-lasting taste which lingers on the tongue with every sip.

The Amazon Brand Solimo are a fantastic medium roast choice, ideal for lattes, mochas, and other delightful drinks. Roasted and collected in Belgium, this blend promises soft chocolatey notes without too much overwhelming strength.

If you’re worried about the sustainability of your morning java, these beans are Rainforest Alliance Certified. This means you can rest assured you’re not damaging the planet with your purchase.

Starbucks Espresso Roast (Best for Intensity)

These beans could be the best option if you like your coffee strong. This blend, promising an intense caramel flavour with sweet undertones, is great for lattes and milk drinks. You can also enjoy your favourite beverage for longer with a collection of four 450g bags.

The Starbucks Espresso Roast comes from Latin America, delivering notes of cocoa and soft spice. The dark roast structure gives you a more impactful flavour, even if you’re making cappuccinos. The packaging is also designed to hold in the freshness for longer.

With ethical buyers in mind, this blend is 100% committed to sustainability, as the beans are obtained through a partnership with Conservation International. You can also expect a strong aroma when you’re grinding – perfect for waking you up in the morning.

Spiller & Tait All Day Espresso (Best All Day)

An ideal blend for people who enjoy drinking coffee all day long, these beans deliver a mid-level of strength and an excellent range of flavours. Packaged in specially designed bags to hold more of the taste for longer, you can store and use them month after month. They’re also compatible with various espresso machines, drippers, and filters.

With the Spiller & Tait All Day Espresso blend, you can expect notes of honey, apricot, and almond, with just a hint of bitterness. The creamy body makes them excellent for espressos, but you can easily create a selection of drinks from scratch. A strength rating of four is fantastic for many palates and great for regular coffee drinkers.

If you’re looking for coffee with a conscience, this is it. These beans are sourced from cooperatives and farms with a focus on sustainability. The company works hard to reduce its packaging when delivering fairtrade beans from Brazil and Columbia.

Presto Brazilian (Best Fairtrade)

These medium roast coffee beans are ideal for seasoned drinkers who love a smooth and consistent flavour. The blend, roasted at the optimum temperature, is ready to grind and add to a variety of coffee accessories, including filter machines. However, they’re best when prepared in a cafetière.

The Presto Brazilian coffee beans include undertones of caramel and chocolate for a rich and sweet finish. You can expect a long-lasting flavour from every bag. Moreover, the packaging is fully recyclable.

The whole business is focused on ethics and sustainability. Air roasted beans reduce carbon emissions, and the B-certified corporation holds itself accountable for its societal and environmental impacts.

How to Choose Coffee Beans

Everyone has their own preferences regarding coffee flavour, strength, and even origin. Sometimes you’ll need to try a handful of different beverages before finding the right option. However, there are some points you can consider to help you make the right decision.

Flavour Profile

The taste of your coffee beans will depend on many factors, from how it’s grown to the roasting strategy used by the vendor. Some products deliver a smooth and sweet finish, with notes of caramel and chocolate. Other options are nutty and bitter, with hints of dried fruit.

Your ideal pick will depend on your preferences. However, you might find a creamier finish and sweeter notes work better with certain drinks, like espresso.

Versatility

Beans should be compatible with various coffee accessories, from bean-to-cup machines to cafetières and French press devices. You can usually find insights into which types of products you can enjoy with your beans on the blend’s description.

It’s also worth thinking about how you will use your purchase. Some products are better suited to espressos and Americanos, while some are ideal for lattes and cappuccinos.

Strength

Usually, the strength or intensity of a coffee blend is measured on a scale of 1 to 5. A medium roast option will usually be a 3 or 4 and appeals to a wider range of customers. However, if you like something a little bolder, you might go up to a dark roast and a 5 rating.

Remember to keep an eye on the acidity and caffeine content of the blend, as this can also affect the strength you experience.

Origins

The origins of your coffee beans can make a huge difference in how they taste. The most common Arabica beans come from regions like Brazil, but you can also find various unique flavours from Ethiopia, Kenya, and other locations worldwide.

If you’re a true coffee connoisseur, consider checking out your product’s origins before buying it.

Eco-Friendliness

Harvesting any product, including the fruits from a coffee plant, can have an impact on the environment. Choosing a sustainable brand with a strong focus on ethics can give you peace of mind while you sip your morning drink. Look for a Rainforest Alliance certification or the fairtrade label when prioritising the environment.

Summary

We chose the Coffee Masters Exclusive Master Blend for our perfect coffee beans. This medium dark roast option comes with hints of dark chocolate and nutty notes. They’re 100% Arabica, grown in regions throughout Costa Rica, Brazil, and Honduras, and will work well with cafetières, French press devices, or bean-to-cup machines.