Coffee Beans

How to choose coffee beans

The best coffee beans for you depend on how you brew and what flavours you enjoy. Whole beans stay fresher than ground coffee, so buy beans and grind just before brewing for the most aroma and flavour. Every bag in this collection is a premium or speciality coffee chosen for quality, from everyday 1kg bags to rare single origins.

Espresso coffee beans

Espresso coffee beans are usually medium to dark roasts with chocolate, caramel and nutty notes that taste great with milk. Try Union Original Blend Espresso Beans, 1kg, Union Revelation Espresso Beans, 1kg, Pact Bourbon Cream Espresso Beans, 1kg or the Italian classic Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema Beans, 1kg. Are espresso beans different from regular coffee beans? Not really: it’s the roast and blend that suit espresso, rather than a different type of bean.

Filter and single origin coffee beans

Lighter roasts and single origin coffee beans show off the character of where they’re grown. Roast Shop Kenya Peaberry Coffee Beans, 1kg is bright and juicy, Moreish Colombia Huila Single Origin Beans, 1kg is sweet and balanced, and Kiss the Hippo Vibrant & Bright Single Origin Beans is vibrant and fruity. Perfect for pour-over, cafetière and filter coffee machines.

Rare and luxury coffee

For a treat, Hayman 100% Panama Geisha Coffee Beans, 340g is the floral, tea-like variety that made speciality coffee famous, while JA Coffee 100% Jamaica Blue Mountain Beans, 340g and Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Beans, 454g offer the smooth, mellow cup Jamaica’s Blue Mountains are known for.

Origin, roast and flavour

• Brazil: nutty, chocolatey and low in acidity; the backbone of many espresso blends.
• Colombia: balanced, sweet and caramel-rich; a great all-rounder.
• Kenya: bright, juicy, blackcurrant and citrus notes.
• Ethiopia: floral, delicate and often berry-like.
• Blends: combine origins for a rich, consistent cup that’s easy to dial in.

Keeping coffee beans fresh

Coffee beans are at their best from about one to four weeks after the roast date. Store your bag of coffee in an airtight container, away from light, heat and moisture, such as the Airscape Kilo Coffee Canister. Avoid the fridge, as beans absorb moisture and smells.

Decaf and low-caffeine options

Good decaffeinated coffee beans can taste every bit as rich as regular coffee, especially when decaffeinated with the Swiss Water or sugarcane process. Look for a recent roast date and grind them fresh, just as you would any other beans.

Coffee beans 1kg bags vs smaller bags

Buying coffee beans in a 1kg bag usually works out cheaper per cup, which makes sense if you drink several coffees a day or run a bean to cup machine. Union Original Blend Espresso Beans, 1kg, Rave Signature Blend No. 1 Coffee Beans, 1kg, Grind Light Blend Speciality Coffee Beans, 1kg and Moreish Colombia Huila Single Origin Beans, 1kg all come in 1kg bags. If you drink less, or like to try different coffees, smaller bags such as Kiss the Hippo Unique & Interesting Single Origin Beans or the Black Donkey World’s Coffees Single Origin Gift Set gift set keep things fresh and interesting.

Italian and Brazilian coffee

Italian espresso blends, like Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema Beans, 1kg and illy Classico Coffee Beans, 500g, are rich, chocolatey and full-bodied, built for a classic espresso or cappuccino. Many of them are based on Brazilian coffee, which is naturally low in acidity with a smooth, nutty finish. Brazilian coffee is still one of the safest bets for milk drinks and a great place to start if you’re new to whole bean coffee.

Premium coffee from British roasters

Some of the best coffee beans in the UK come from independent roasters. Union, Rave, Grind, Kiss the Hippo and Spiller & Tait roast in small batches, print a roast date on every bag and source traceable coffee. Try Union Yayu Wild Forest Coffee Beans, 1kg, Rave Signature Blend No. 1 Coffee Beans, 1kg or Spiller & Tait Signature Espresso Blend Beans for premium coffee with real character.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of coffee beans should I buy?

Buy whole beans with a recent roast date. Choose a medium roast blend for espresso and milk drinks, or a lighter single origin for filter coffee.

What’s the most popular coffee in the UK?

Milky espresso drinks like lattes and flat whites dominate, which is why chocolatey medium roast espresso blends are among the most popular coffee beans in the UK.

Is a 1kg bag of coffee beans better value?

Usually, yes, as long as you’ll use it within about a month. If you drink less, buy smaller bags more often to keep your coffee fresh.

Are espresso coffee beans different from regular coffee beans?

They’re the same plant; espresso beans are simply roasted and blended to taste good when brewed as espresso, often a little darker for body and sweetness.

New to speciality coffee? Start with our beginner’s guide to speciality coffee beans.

Related buying guides

• A beginner’s guide to speciality coffee beans