So you’ve got an espresso machine.
You’ve got the grinder.
Now you’re standing in front of several bags of coffee wondering:
Which roast am I supposed to use?
Here’s the good news.
There isn’t one correct answer.
Espresso Doesn’t Have to Be Dark Roast
For years, dark coffee and espresso have practically been joined at the hip.
Order espresso in a traditional coffee shop and you’re probably expecting something strong, rich and intense.
That’s one reason darker roasts became closely associated with espresso.
But your espresso machine doesn’t know what the label on the bag says.
It cares much more about things such as grind size, dose, water, pressure and extraction.
You can brew dark, medium or light roast coffee as espresso.
They just won’t taste the same.
Want the Classic Espresso Experience?
Start toward the darker end of the roast spectrum.
Darker roasted coffees tend to emphasize the deeper roasted flavors people commonly associate with traditional espresso.
They’re especially useful if you like drinks such as:
- Cappuccinos
- Lattes
- Americanos
- Straight espresso with a bold flavor
The stronger coffee character can also stand up well when milk is added.
Want Something More Balanced?
Try a medium roast.
This can be a great middle ground for someone who wants plenty of coffee flavor without going all the way into a very dark roast.
For many home espresso drinkers, this is actually a very approachable place to start.
You still get richness, but you may notice more of the individual flavor characteristics of the coffee.
What About Light Roast Espresso?
This is where coffee gets interesting.
Yes, lighter roast coffee can be brewed as espresso.
The result may be noticeably different from the espresso you grew up expecting.
Lighter roasts tend to preserve more of the brighter and distinctive flavors created by the coffee itself, while darker roasting tends to bring forward more roast-driven flavors.
For an adventurous coffee drinker, that can be a lot of fun.
For someone who says, “Just give me strong, dark espresso,” it probably isn’t where I would tell them to start.
Grind Still Matters
Regardless of which roast you choose, espresso generally requires a much finer grind than ordinary drip coffee.
And there isn’t necessarily one magical grinder setting.
Different coffees, grinders and espresso machines may require slightly different adjustments.
That’s why serious espresso drinkers often buy whole bean coffee.
You can grind just before brewing and adjust the grind until you get the extraction and flavor you’re after.
Which Rambler Scrambler Coffee Should I Try?
Rather than looking for a bag labeled “espresso,” start by deciding what flavor you want.
If you enjoy bold and dark coffee, start with one of our darker roasts.
If you want something balanced and versatile, try one of our medium-roasted coffees.
If you’re the person who likes tinkering with your espresso machine and trying something different, don’t be afraid to experiment with one of our lighter coffees either.
There really isn’t a rule saying espresso has to taste only one way.
That’s half the fun of owning an espresso machine.
The Easy Answer
The next time someone tells you that you need special espresso beans, remember this:
Espresso describes how you’re brewing the coffee — not one specific type of bean.
Choose a coffee you enjoy.
Buy it whole bean.
Grind it appropriately for your espresso machine.
Then adjust from there.
Because the best espresso isn’t necessarily the one somebody tells you you’re supposed to drink.
It’s the one you actually look forward to making tomorrow morning.
Fuel the morning your way with Rambler Scrambler Coffee.
