Starbucks Espresso Whole Bean Coffee, Dark Roast, 16 oz. (11017855)

This item delivers exactly the kind of bold, intense flavor you’d expect from a dark espresso roast. It’s rich, strong, and fits well if you’re looking for a classic “coffee shop” profile and like a strong dark roast coffee. One thing I noticed is that it seems to have a stronger caffeine kick than other whole bean coffees I’ve used. With the same amount, it consistently felt more potent. That may vary from person to person, but it stood out enough to be worth mentioning. The beans are consistent, grind well, and the overall quality is solid. Overall, this is a strong-performing espresso roast with a bold flavor and a bit more punch than expected.

I ordered this and also ordered the allegedly same product in the green bags as well. It turns out that these white colored bags are used for their partner stores and internationally, and unlike the green bags they are not handled by Nestle. Now this doesn't explain why this coffee was far superior to the green bag Starbucks espresso coffee. The Starbucks green bags were both far more oily, and also somewhat accurate smelling. These ones, in the white bags, smelled of caramel, molasses, and hints of chocolate. Obviously the taste of the two different bags reflected these properties. These beans did not have the oily sheen on them of an over roasted dark coffee, though they were still very dark and very flavorful. Honestly this is some of the best espresso I've ever had, I put it above Illy and Lavazza espresso! Definitely get this or the 250 g bags that are handled by Starbucks internal Logistics and not the green bags that are handled by Nestle International. I don't know why, but these ones look to be roasted differently or they simply are that much fresher that they haven't had the oil migrate to the surface of the beans. I can't explain why these are so much better and so different, as everything on the internet says they should be the same, but I'll tell you that these beans are far superior to the green bags that you see online and in grocery stores. I suggest you research these bags and see that they go through a different shipping and handling and Logistics process, and I also strongly suspect that they are roasted differently, though I can't prove that. Again these are five stars perfect beans. Can't recommend this espresso enough.

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!

Quite tasty. Grinds easy. Would purchase again.

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.

I love Starbucks coffee, especially espresso roast, and these beans smelled and tasted fresh and strong...the beans had a glossy oily sheen as fresh espresso beans should

Excellent quality, super fresh, quick delivery and at a great price.

Excellent strong taste