10 Best Coffee Beans Guide | UK Coffee Barista Reviewed
Whether you are a professional or beginner in the world of coffee beans, finding the right coffee beans can make or break your espresso, cappuccino, or latte. Want to know the differences between Arabica and Robusta? We are here to explain everything in this comprehensive guide, discussing the best types of beans in the world as well as the differences between light, medium, and dark roasts.
Quick List - Top Coffee Beans
Coffee Masters
A Fair Trade Coffee With Flavours of Chocolate and Citrus
Celeste Wong: Actress & Top Coffee Barista. Born in Dunedin, New Zealand, Celeste is has held top positions in leading artisan cafes all over the world for over a decade. Since migrating to the UK, she has been listed as one of London’s top five Baristas in The Financial Times and noted for her excellence in a plethora of other publications.
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With Specialist Advice From Coffee and Lifestyle Blogger Celeste Wong
An actress & Top Coffee Barista. Born in Dunedin, New Zealand, Celeste has held top positions in leading artisan cafes all over the world for over a decade. Since migrating to the UK, she has been listed as one of London’s top five Baristas in The Financial Times and noted for her excellence in a plethora of other publications.
Keep up-to-date with The Girl in the Cafe and all things coffee on her Instagram and YouTube channel, and you might discover some hidden gems along the way!
- Disclaimer: Celeste does not endorse, nor is she affiliated with any of the brands in our top 10 list. The products recommended have been independently selected by our team at mybest UK.
Why Choose Coffee Beans Over Ground Coffee?
Beans stay fresher for longer than ground coffee, and because they haven't been exposed to the air your coffee should taste better too!
How to Choose Coffee Beans in the UK – Buying Guide
Highly caffeinated with a potent taste, Robusta are best when combined with Arabica. Buying a blend of the two beans mellows the strong bitter taste of Robusta while maintaining its kick. Blends are also more affordable than 100% Arabica, keeping down the cost per cup.
Looking for a coffee grinder? Check out our best 10!
Choose Arabica or Robusta Beans for a Hearty Palette
Out of the two beans, Arabica is higher quality. So if I had a choice, I would definitely choose 100% Arabica wherever possible. Not only for taste but there is such an amazing variety of Arabica specialty coffee beans available now, it's much easier to find.
From Light to Dark: Find Your Perfect Roast
Choose Light Roasts for a Milder Flavour With a Caffeine Kick
Other names for light roasts are Light City, Half City, Cinnamon and New England roasts. You'll find that the flavour profile of these beans will stay truer to origin, as their taste will have been the least affected by the roasting process.
If you like to take instant coffee with you for emergencies, check out our best 10 here!
In the speciality coffee industry, it has become an art form to roast good quality Arabica beans to just the right point, in order to maximise all its unique flavour.
As beans get roasted darker, some of the nuances of the bean get cooked out. Using the analogy of roasting a vegetable or a piece of meat, different flavours come through the longer or hotter we cook something, while simultaneously losing or overpowering other characteristic flavours too. If you're not used to lighter roasts, they can sometimes have more acidity or 'brightness' in the cup.
Medium Roasts Offer a Taste of the USA
You can find medium roasts by the names of City, American and Breakfast roasts. These beans retain a fair amount of their original flavour profile, although less so than with a milder roast. That said, you will still be able to find some unique and distinctive tastes.
I have been to the States many times, and I would agree that overall the roast profiles of coffee tend to be medium roasted. Which is great across the board. It's easy to drink, not too strong, yet still remains somewhat interesting to the discerning palate.
There are many more coffee companies roasting speciality coffee, and experimenting with lighter roasts which I think is great for variety and learning.
Medium-Dark Roasts Have a Bittersweet Aftertaste
These can also be referred to as Full City roasts and have a much lower acidity than medium and light roasts. Instead, you'll notice a more full-bodied flavour with a hint of smokiness depending on the origin of the blend.
If you like something a little bolder and heavier then a medium to dark roast is probably the one for you. When people say, "I just want coffee to taste like coffee" I imagine that this is what they are referring to! This is how coffee has traditionally been roasted, so it makes sense that this is a point of reference for many.
Pick Dark Roasts for a Savoury Aroma
Other names for dark roasts are High, Continental, New Orleans, European, Espresso, Viennese, Italian and French. Although much of the original flavour will have been lost to the roasting process, these beans make for a wonderful expresso base with notes of liquorice and bitter chocolate.
Often when I bake, adding some dark roasted coffee to things like chocolate cake or even a slow-roasted casserole can really bring out the flavour in those dishes.
Find Out Where Your Coffee Comes From
Climate influences the flavour of the bean, and these countries boast ideal conditions for coffee growing. Each region’s beans have their own unique quality, so be sure to try a few out to see which ones you like the best.
Wondering if ground coffee is more your thing? Here is our chosen selection!
Along with many African, Central and South American coffee origins, there are some interesting coffees coming out of places like China and Indonesia. It's so fun to try different origins just to see if there is a difference. Consciously trying different origins is such a fun way to test and develop your palate.
10 Best Coffee Beans UK Guide
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Marley Coffee Talkin' Blues | | World-Renowned Coffee Beans from the Jamaican Blue Mountains | |
2 | Lavazza Qualita Rossa | | An Affordable Roast for an Authentic Italian Taste | |
3 | Roastworks Ethiopia Whole Beans | | A Fruitier Coffee for a Flavoursome Cup | |
4 | Coffee Masters Triple Certified Arabica Coffee Beans | | A Fair Trade Coffee With Flavours of Chocolate and Citrus | |
5 | KIQO Lucifer’s Roast Coffee Beans | | 100% Robusta Coffee That’s Devilishly Delicious | |
6 | Beanpress Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Arabica Coffee Beans | | Arabica Beans Small Batch Roasted for Outstanding Quality | |
7 | Taylors of Harrogate Rich Italian Coffee Beans | | A Rich Italian Coffee Without a Bitter Aftertaste | |
8 | Aroma Club Strong George Coffee Beans | | A Dark Roast as Strong as its Name | |
9 | Brown Bear Blue Mountain Medium Roast Coffee Beans | | A Sweet and Malty Alternative to Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee | |
10 | Pelican Rouge Barista Coffee Blend | | A Satisfying Blend Ideal for Espresso |
World-Renowned Coffee Beans from the Jamaican Blue Mountains
Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is considered by many experts to be the finest in the world. Sun ripened on the slopes of Jamaica’s mountains of that name, the cool climate produces beans with a mellow and sweet aftertaste.
From the family of the musical legend himself, Marley Coffee is 100% organic and Rainforest Alliance Certified. We recommend their light roast to savour the heady floral aromas of Jamaican Blue Mountain beans.
An Affordable Roast for an Authentic Italian Taste
If you're after a premium taste, for less than half the price, Lavazza Qualita Rossa coffee beans are one of the worst kept secrets in the industry. Full-bodied and strong, it yields a warming cup with just a hint of chocolate.
It's a versatile daily blend for your morning Americano, with or without milk. Add freshly prepared grounds to your cafetière to truly appreciate the full flavour profile, or perhaps a Mokka pot for a more authentic Italian experience.
A Fruitier Coffee for a Flavoursome Cup
To use Roastworks' own words, this coffee 'is a real game changer'! These beans have been sought out for their unique flavour profile, which is largely retained via natural processing methods.
One best consumed black, it's a low acidity medium roast with a gentle sweetness. Expect notes of blueberry and apricot jam, complimented by potent florals that will leave you craving for more.
Coffee Masters Triple Certified Arabica Coffee Beans
A Fair Trade Coffee With Flavours of Chocolate and Citrus
This coffee is best suited for use as an espresso base for your flat white or cappuccino. It also handles sugar and syrups exceedingly well. So if you have a bit of a sweet tooth, it can be enjoyed any way you desire.
100% Robusta Coffee That’s Devilishly Delicious
This roast is most suited to heavy coffee drinkers, who desire a gut-friendly coffee with a caffeine kick. Best of all, Lucifer’s Roast coffee beans are hand roasted in small batches to create a maximum strength coffee with an aromatic creaminess.
Beanpress Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica Beans Small Batch Roasted for Outstanding Quality
A simply superb choice for those wanting to enjoy a cup of black coffee, without the bitter aftertaste. These beans are best brewed with a filter cone or aeropress. Once prepared, the flavour is mild, yet zesty, with notes of citrus, exotic fruit, and black tea.
A Rich Italian Coffee Without a Bitter Aftertaste
Taylors is an independent, family-run company from Harrogate in Yorkshire. Even better, all their coffee comes from independently certified farms and co-operatives, guaranteeing long-lasting sustainable relationships and fair wages to their suppliers.
A Dark Roast as Strong as its Name
An eco-conscious company, all Aroma Club coffee beans are produced sustainably and are CO2 neutral. Which is great news for those concerned with the environmental impact of the coffee they drink.
A Sweet and Malty Alternative to Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
Unfortunately, Brown Bear is a little dry, and perhaps too malty for some. That's why we recommend drinking this coffee with a dash of milk for optimal taste.
A Satisfying Blend Ideal for Espresso
Positioned as more of a wholesale coffee, Pelican Rouge Barista is an unspecified, mixed origin Arabica-Robusta blend that might not be ideal for those wanting a more complex cup.
Store Your Beans in an Airtight Container for Optimal Freshness
Damp environments generate condensation which flushes the oils to the surface of the beans. Since the oils in coffee beans provide a lot of their flavour, moisture will cause them to become stale.
Glass jars may look aesthetically pleasing but constant exposure to light will prematurely age your coffee stash. We recommend transferring your coffee beans to an opaque, airtight coffee canister for optimal freshness.
Most coffee bags come with an air valve to let out the CO2 emitted, however storing your beans in an airtight container can not only be convenient and aesthetically in line with your kitchen interior, but also it will help keep your beans fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Four Types of Beans?
The four main types of coffee beans are Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa. Each has a dramatically different flavour profile which means there is a coffee bean that works for everyone.
How Long Will Coffee Beans Stay Fresh?
Coffee beans will stay fresh for up to a week or two, but it is especially important to invest in an airtight container to keep them as fresh as possible. Additionally, buy coffee beans with a recent roast date.
How Long Does 1kg of Coffee Beans Last?
One of the most common sizes for buying coffee beans is 1kg, which will last you around 2-4 weeks depending on how often you like to drink it. Therefore we highly recommend investing in an airtight container for them.
Author: Wren Mann
Top 5 Coffee Beans
No. 1: Marley Coffee｜Talkin' Blues
No. 2: Lavazza ｜Qualita Rossa
No. 3: Roastworks｜Ethiopia Whole Beans
No. 4: Coffee Masters ｜Triple Certified Arabica Coffee Beans
No. 5: KIQO ｜Lucifer’s Roast Coffee Beans
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