Best espresso beans, according to chefs
Two picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Hunter Wren Miele. Recommendations come from seriouseats.com and tastingtable.com.
Drinks · The ranking
- 1Top pick
Partners Coffee Bedford Espresso
Chosen by- Serious Eats tasting panel
- Hunter Wren MieleFormer barista · Tasting Table
Also chosen by- Hunter Wren Miele · Former barista · Tasting Table source ↗
The overall winner in Serious Eats’ espresso-bean test: a smooth, rich body with chocolate, caramel, brown sugar and marmalade, best in lattes and cappuccinos. Miele ranks Partners first among roasters for espresso blends; Bedford, an Ethiopia-and-Colombia blend, has “notes of bright fruits accentuated by toasty brown sugar.” Brooklyn roaster; ships whole beans across the US.
- 2
Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso
Chosen by- Hunter Wren MieleFormer barista · Tasting Table
- Serious Eats tasting panel
Also chosen by- Serious Eats tasting panel source ↗
Miele’s #2 espresso roaster: a Mexico-and-Ethiopia blend with a “fruity, balanced flavor profile with a full body,” notes of melon, grape and caramel, and at its best as a cappuccino. Serious Eats also made it a pick, finding balanced chocolate and earthy blueberry. Chicago roaster; ships nationally and is on many grocery shelves.
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Questions, answered
- What is the best espresso beans, according to chefs?
- MyTastr’s top pick is Partners Coffee Bedford Espresso, chosen by Serious Eats tasting panel; Hunter Wren Miele (former barista, Tasting Table). The overall winner in Serious Eats’ espresso-bean test: a smooth, rich body with chocolate, caramel, brown sugar and marmalade, best in lattes and cappuccinos. Miele ranks Partners first among roasters for espresso blends; Bedford, an Ethiopia-and-Colombia blend, has “notes of bright fruits accentuated by toasty brown sugar.” Brooklyn roaster; ships whole beans across the US. Source: seriouseats.com ↗
- What are the other top picks for espresso beans?
- No. 2 is Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso, chosen by Hunter Wren Miele (former barista, Tasting Table); Serious Eats tasting panel. Only two picks cleared the bar so far. Each card above links to the original source.
- How does MyTastr choose these picks?
- Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.