A latte, also known as a café latte, is a popular espresso-based coffee beverage that originated in Italy. The word “latte” means “milk” in Italian, and a latte is made with espresso and steamed milk.
Lattes are known for their creamy texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor. They are typically served in larger cups or glasses than other espresso-based drinks, such as a cappuccino, and are often enjoyed as a morning or afternoon pick-me-up.
Lattes can be customized by adding flavored syrups, such as vanilla or caramel, or by using alternative milk options, such as almond or soy milk, instead of cow’s milk. Some coffee shops also offer specialty lattes, such as a mocha latte, which includes chocolate syrup, or a pumpkin spice latte, which includes pumpkin spice flavoring.
ABut do you ever wonder why your homemade lattes don’t quite match up to the café standard? The secret often lies in the coffee beans. In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through how to choose the best coffee beans for your lattes, recommend our top 5 picks, and even share some additional resources to turn you into a brewing connoisseur.
How to Choose the Best Coffee Beans for Lattes
Roast Level
The roast level of coffee beans significantly influences the flavor of your latte. Generally, medium to dark roasts are preferred for lattes because they offer a robust flavor that can stand up to milk. Light roasts tend to be more acidic and can get drowned out by the milk.
Origin
The geographical origin of the coffee bean can impact its flavor profile. Beans from Ethiopia often have fruity and floral notes, while those from Brazil might offer a nutty, chocolatey taste. Your preference in flavor can guide your choice of origin.
Flavor Profile
When shopping for coffee beans, you’ll often see flavor notes on the packaging, ranging from ‘earthy’ to ‘citrusy.’ For a latte, you might want a well-rounded bean that offers a balanced flavor to complement the milk.
Best espresso beans for lattes
1. Volcanica Espresso Dark Roast Coffee
High-Quality Beans
Volcanica Coffee specializes in sourcing gourmet coffee beans from volcanic regions around the world. The mineral-rich volcanic soil lends the beans a unique flavor and high quality that’s hard to find in regular coffee beans.
Ethical Sourcing
Not only does Volcanica offer high-quality beans, but they are also committed to ethical sourcing practices, often supporting Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance-certified farms.
2. Peet’s Coffee, Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee
Are you a fan of lattes that come with a punch of strong, rich flavor? Then you might want to consider Peet’s Espresso Forte for your next brew. This exceptional blend is crafted to deliver a perfect balance of robustness and complexity. In this blog post, we will explore the characteristics that make Espresso Forte a go-to choice for latte aficionados.
Roast Profile
Espresso Forte falls under a dark roast category, making it intensely rich and full-bodied. The darker roast complements the creaminess of a latte, creating a harmonious balance between milk and coffee.
Flavor Notes
The blend is crafted for complexity and vigor, featuring a symphony of bright, fruity notes along with deeper, chocolaty undertones. This dynamic flavor profile is versatile enough to shine through the milk in a latte or stand alone as a straight espresso.
Versatility in Brewing
While designed for espresso, the blend is versatile enough to work well with other brewing methods, such as the French Press or AeroPress, although the unique characteristics might be best showcased in an espresso machine.
3: LifeBoost Dark Roast Bean
Lifeboost’s Embolden Dark Roast is one of the best coffee beans for latte drinkers. We recommend buying this one directly from them because it’s going to ensure a freshly roasted coffee that hasn’t been sitting on a shelf in a warehouse for months. Lifeboost Embolden Dark Roast is a type of coffee that is known for its bold, rich flavor profile. It is a dark roast coffee that is made from 100% organic, shade-grown beans that are sustainably sourced from Nicaragua. The beans are hand-picked and then roasted in small batches to ensure maximum flavor and freshness.
The Embolden Dark Roast has a strong, full-bodied flavor with notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and a hint of smokiness. It has a low acidity level, which makes it easy on the stomach for some people.
Lifeboost is a company that prides itself on producing high-quality, ethically sourced coffee that is free from harmful additives or chemicals. They work directly with farmers to ensure fair prices and sustainable practices, and their coffee is also certified organic, fair trade, and shade-grown.
Wrapping Up Best Espresso Beans for Lattes
As an espresso based drink, the best coffee beans for a latte will be similar. Dark roast coffee tends to be better for espresso because it has a bold, rich flavor that stands up well to the strong, concentrated taste of espresso. When coffee is roasted, the heat causes the beans to undergo a chemical reaction that affects their taste, aroma, and color. Dark roast coffee beans are roasted for a longer period of time than lighter roasts, which gives them a deeper, more intense flavor profile.
In espresso brewing, the water is forced through finely ground coffee beans under high pressure, which extracts a strong, concentrated shot of coffee. Dark roast coffee beans have a higher oil content than lighter roasts, which allows them to hold up to the high pressure of the espresso machine and produce a full-bodied, flavorful shot.
In addition to its strong flavor, dark roast coffee also has a lower acidity level than lighter roasts, which can make it easier on the stomach for some people. However, it’s important to note that the choice of roast for espresso is ultimately a matter of personal preference, and some people may prefer a lighter or medium roast for their espresso shots.