Beans · Updated 2026-08-11
Great beans make average machines shine. We cupped 12 espressos across price points — here are the ones that survive any machine and any milk.
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| Award | Model | Rating | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Daily Driver | Lavazza Super Crema | 4.5/5 | £18.50 / 1kg | Everyday espresso, especially for super-automatic and entry machines. |
| Best Subscription | Pact Coffee | 4.6/5 | From £7 / 250g | Discovery: trying new UK roasters and origins without commitment. |
Sweet, chocolatey crema and forgiving extraction in any machine. The most-searched espresso bean in the world — and genuinely the best daily-driver value we've tested.
Why it's great
Flaws, but not dealbreakers
Single-origin speciality coffee delivered within days of roasting. The best UK coffee subscription — fresh-roasted speciality beans from top UK roasters, matched to your taste.
Why it's great
Flaws, but not dealbreakers
Robusta adds crema, body and caffeine but tastes harsher solo. Most supermarket espresso blends use 20-40% robusta — great for milk drinks and super-automatics.
Look for 'roasted on' dates within 3-4 weeks. Stale supermarket beans (no date) taste flat no matter the machine. That's the single biggest upgrade you can make.
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