Starbucks Whole Bean Coffee, Dark Roast Coffee, Espresso Roast, 100% Arabica, 1 bag (18 oz)

I started using this coffee and was enjoying it, but I felt like I could pay less and get an equivalent coffee. Maybe one can, but I was unable to. Here are some of the differences I noticed between Starbucks Espresso Roast Whole Bean coffee and some other coffees I tried. The first thing I notice in a coffee bean is its aroma upon opening the package. Starbucks Espresso Roast always smells wonderful, smooth, and enticing. Other beans I tried smelled less appetizing. Simply smelling kind of unpleasant is common. Some coffees smell harsh with an acute bitterness about them. Some smelled musty or dusty. I’m not a connoisseur, so probably cannot adequately describe flavors and aromas, but then again, flavor and aroma notes always seem pretentious and fall short of my flavor experience. The next thing I notice is the bean itself. Starbucks beans are uniform in color and oiliness (sheen), while other coffees I tried had great variances in bean color and sheen. I don’t know for sure, but this seems to be a quality issue such as inconsistent roasting parameters or just simply allowing a greater range of bean to pass QC standards. Whatever it is, it’s a turn off. Starbucks beans look better. Another aspect of this is the whole bean to broken bean ratio, where Starbucks coffee has a greater percentage of whole beans per package than the cheaper products I bought. I don’t know if this affects bean taste or freshness or any other aspect of the bean, but it doesn’t look nice. Next thing noticed is how it grinds. Starbucks coffee seems uniform in color where others were varied, specifically regarding what I took to be the husks or skins of the beans, like chaff. Finally, the most important factor: taste. Starbucks tastes good. Smooth with a bit of an acidic bite. Cheap coffees I tried tasted much like they smelled, with bitter coming to mind most often, along with what I can only describe as “dusty”. Starbucks is good coffee. There surely may be better coffees, but they will be more expensive and that’s not where I’m headed. Enjoy!

I buy this Starbucks espresso bean regularly because I can’t find a deep, rich flavor in any other bean. This is stout coffee. Rich, deep, black and bold. I have these on subscription and will continue to do so. The acidity is mild and the flavor is real. If you like dark, rich coffee, this espresso bean is for you. Also, the price is better than off the shelf at any store.

For the espresso flavor Ok coffee for espresso. Personal preference as this is a bit to bitter for me. It does work as my back up if I cant get ahold of my main bean style. I love making iced espressos in the morning. I'm picky and like it a very particular way that coffee shops just can't replicate (mainly because of the syrup I use) This isn't my favorite bean to use but it works in a pinch. I've noticed its hit or miss on roast. Sometimes its roasted and really oily and nice. Other times its over roasted and smells burnt, coffee tastes burnt also when that happens. Its not a very consistent roast. If you like inconsistent espresso making this is a bean for you. I'm giving 4 stars specifically because of the inconsistent roast. There shouldn't be variation with a company like Starbucks. I could never get this to crème very well when making espresso. It was always quite flat. I do not recommend this for cold brew or drip makers. Its too dark of a roast. May work in a french press or moka pot. Quality is pretty inline with price. You are getting what you pay for. As in not the top shelf coffee but not the bottom shelf either. This is squarely in the mid tier coffee bean realm. For the café Verona flavor. It's my go to. Beans have consistent roast, as in every bag is the same. Has an earthy chocolate flavor. Almost never bitter but if it is can be negated with some half and half (that's what I use) The café Verona is my every day espresso. I'm not a big Starbucks fan but this bean is so good, it is the best bean I've found for myself. Exactly what I want in an espresso bean.

This and dog treats are my most repeat purchases on here. I would highly recommend, I hate going to the store and I hate purchasing coffee from the store the isle is always crowded. Here I see my coffee is getting low and to avoid becoming the person everyone hates for the store and the lack of caffeine I just do a quick swipe swipe and boom coffee delivered to my door. Easy peasy, lemon squeezey.

My favorite espresso, by far! I have tried others in my home espresso machine, but I always go back to Starbucks. It is a very smooth roast with the perfect strength every time. The price point is good for the quantity. The bag is easy to reseal to retain freshness.