How to choose the perfect bean for your favourite caffeinated beverage…
ESPRESSO
Espresso, the heart of many coffee drinks, is known for its intense flavour and thick crema. The best beans for espresso are typically dark roasted to achieve rich, bold flavours.
Varieties such as Italian or French roast are excellent choices, while high-quality Arabica beans from regions like Brazil, Colombia and Ethiopia are a good fit also thanks to their smoothness and complexity.
In general, you want something, dark, rich and freshly roasted and ground.
FLAT WHITE
Beloved for its velvety texture and stronger coffee-to-milk ratio, the flat white is a favourite among those who want a creamier drink without compromising on coffee flavour.
Beans for flat whites should offer boldness and clarity to cut through the milk’s richness. Medium- to dark-roasted Arabica beans from regions like Brazil, Papua New Guinea or Colombia are ideal, thanks to their smooth, chocolatey, and slightly fruity profiles.
The goal is a clean-tasting espresso base that melds seamlessly with that silky milk.
CAPPUCCINO
While some feel it’s past its heyday, cappuccino remains the go-to brew for many, with a dreamy combination of espresso, steamed milk and foam, often topped with cocoa or cinnamon powder.
To achieve the perfect balance, medium- to dark-roasted beans are ideal. Colombian, Guatemalan and Sumatran beans, known for their nutty and chocolatey notes, complement the creamy texture of cappuccino superbly.
The aim is to choose beans that can hold their own against the milk without overpowering it.
AMERICANO
An Americano, made by diluting espresso with hot water, demands beans that can deliver a full-bodied flavour even when elongated.
Medium-roasted stock, particularly from Ethiopia and Kenya, is well-suited for Americanos. These beans provide bright, fruity and floral notes that shine through the added water, making every sip satisfyingly rich. However, once again, freshness is key as bitterness will ruin the drink.
LATTE
Lattes are milk-heavy and require beans that can provide a strong flavour profile to prevent the drink from tasting too mild – anyone who has had a latte which tastes of nothing but hot milk can attest to this fact.
That makes medium- to dark-roasted beans from Central and South America – such as those from Costa Rica and Brazil – perfect for lattes. These beans typically offer a smooth body with hints of caramel and nuts, creating a flavoursome contrast with the milk.
COLD BREW
Cold brew coffee is known for its smooth and mellow flavour, achieved through a long steeping process in cold water. It is ideal for those who enjoy iced coffee during warmer weather, but dislike ice watering the drink down. Coarsely ground beans that are medium- to dark-roasted work best for this method.
Beans from Latin America, such as those from Guatemala and Nicaragua provide a balanced and smooth cold brew with notes of cocoa and sweet fruits. Ensuring the beans are fresh and high-quality is crucial, as the cold brewing process highlights their natural flavour like no other.
