Which Peet’s Coffee Is Best For Espresso?

If you want to brew Peet’s Coffee at home, you might be wondering which Peet’s coffee is best for espresso? Check out the best options and what to keep in mind.

which Peet’s coffee is best for espresso
Make the right brew at home as long as you have the proper machine

How many times have you been craving a beautiful, properly hand-pulled shot of espresso but were too lazy to put some shoes on, get in the car, and drive to your favorite coffee shop? Well, you can totally ditch the hassle and make the right brew at home as long as you have the proper machine, the right technique, and the best coffee for the job.

So, which Peet’s coffee is best for espresso? If you’re looking for the best coffee to pull your double shot, here are the best options from Peet’s Coffee to stun your taste buds. While Espresso Forte is the top-rated dark roast whole bean for a strong espresso, Peet’s Crema Scura Capsule Coffee is the best buy for a Nespresso machine. For single-origin lovers, Guatemala San Sebastian will have you in awe.

How To Choose The Perfect Coffee For Your Espresso?

Making espresso is not a walk in the park. Technique and the quality of the coffee are some of the most important factors. I still end up ruining the shots when I go for the wrong grind, even if I invest a bucket of money into a stellar, branded espresso machine.

You can find plenty of well-received brands out there to get your coffee for espresso. However, make sure to opt for a dark roast, as it produces a strong flavor profile. You might be wondering why is Peet’s Coffee so expensive

It must be a fine grind as well. Fine-grind coffee delivers the appearance and texture of flour. Too coarse coffee can never extract properly, and you will end up with a lousy, dull-tasting shot.

I like to go Peet’s Coffee’s way for espresso as they offer a wide range of products I can use to pull the shot. Peet’s Coffee is long known for its signature dark roast profile and carefully sourced origins to preserve the best quality of your cup. Plus, there’s a signature crema that comes along in each brew that makes your cup a lot more interesting to sip on.

What’s So Special About Peet’s Coffee?

Today, you can buy these products directly on Peet’s Coffee website as well as popular E-commerce pages such as Amazon, Walmart, and eBay. Most of Peet’s Coffee products can be used for espresso. Therefore, if you’re willing to go off the beaten path for something lesser-known other than my recommendations above, go ahead and try a few different choices to make the right pick that works for your palate.

which peet's coffee is best for espresso
Peet’s Coffee is also available on popular E-commerce pages like eBay

Peet’s Coffee has been going strong since its first location in Berkeley, California, in 1966. With over 50 years of tapping into the American high-quality coffee industry, Peet’s Coffee is now one of the titans in this massively profitable section of the US economy.

Expanding its reputation from Silicon Valley, Peet’s became large enough to take over other heavyweights in the industry, such as the Chicago-based Intelligentsia Coffee and Portland-based Stumptown Coffee. The brand is so big that its products are offered at more than 15,000 groceries and over 200 coffee shop locations across the US. Their coffee always comes fresh which allows you to brew the best espresso shots at home.

Peet’s cares about their coffee so much that they even have an elite team to vet coffee beans. One of the best sellers is the single-origin Guatemala San Sebastian, famous for its sweet and delicious Arabica beans. This varietal is used in many of the house blends, including French roast and grades suitable for espresso drinks.

Even if you’re out visiting different Peet’s Coffee locations across the States, you will be amazed at how consistent their coffee is. Some say Peet’s baristas also keep freshly roasted beans in open bins to inject the coffee house with a beautiful aroma. 

Let’s dive into the best Peet’s coffee for espresso. Discover more choices in our guides on which Peet’s Coffee is the strongest and which Peet’s Coffee is the best.

1. Peet’s Espresso Forte For Strong Espresso

According to Peet’s roasters, this Forte Dark Roast is the first blend they developed to meet the most demanding brewing method. It’s a dark roast that comes with a pleasant, relaxing profile. The price for this package size is reasonable compared to some other products I’ve found in the stores. 

I only recommend this one if you’re a Peet’s fan already and your taste buds are familiar with its signature dark roast. Each sip introduces a bold, rich flavor with a noticeable strength that strikes a perfect balance between an earthy depth of Indo-Pacific origin and the vibrant, lively spiciness of Latin American beans. On top of that, the full flavor is enhanced by an exuberant aroma, a stout body, and a distinctive crema to wrap up the pure coffee taste in the most spectacular way.

Peet's Coffee, Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee - Espresso Forte, 32 Ounce (Pack of 1)
  • Contains one (1) 32 Ounce Bag of Peet's Espresso Forte Dark Espresso Roast Whole Bean 100% Arabica Coffee
  • Flavor and Roast: Dark Roast. Chocolate, hazelnut, smooth crema. While many of our coffees make an excellent espresso, we crafted this blend specifically to have stout body, rich flavor, and perfect crema
  • Brewing Methods: Use fine ground coffee for espresso at home. Coarsely ground coffee (consistency of coarse sea salt) can be used to make cold brew or a French press. Use a medium grind (consistency of sand) for drip or a pour over in your Chemex
  • Sourcing With Impact: The coffee you buy can impact the welfare of the people and planet. Peet’s is actively engaged in driving positive impact in communities where our coffees are grown.
  • Rich. Complex. Incomparable. Masters of our craft for over 50 years, we hand roast the very best coffees in the world.

2. Peet’s Crema Scura For Capsule Coffee

Now, we’re coming over to Peet’s capsule collection. The brand has dedicated a whole collection of capsule coffee just for espresso. But if I had to choose one, that would be Peet’s Crema Scura.

It has a beautiful subtle aroma which is a nice surprise for those who have always been familiar with the dark, full-rounded kick of Peet’s Coffee. There’s an earthy hint to it, but not too strong. When it washes down your throat, Peet’s Crema Scura slowly reveals notes of chocolate and nuts with a slightly dark crema.

There’s one thing I instantly notice after trying the first sip out of Peet’s Crema Scura – the sour afternotes. It’s not an overtly acidic profile that you may find in light roast coffee, but it’s very nice and lingers on your tongue.

Peet's Coffee, Medium Roast Espresso Pods Compatible with Nespresso Original Machine, Crema Scura Intensity 9, 50 Count (5 Boxes of 10 Espresso Capsules)
  • Contains five (5) Boxes of 10 Peet's Crema Scura Espresso - Intensity 9 Medium Roast Coffee Single Cup Espresso Capsules (50 Espresso Capsules Total)
  • Flavor and Roast: Medium Roast - Intensity 9. Thick and luxurious espresso with nutty notes balanced by a creamy, enduring finish. 100% Arabica Coffee
  • Designed for Nespresso Original Machines Only: Compatible brewers include Essenza Mini, Essenza Plus, Pixie, CitiZ, Lattissima, KitchenAid, and Creatista. Not compatible with Nespresso Vertuo machines
  • Recyclable: Peet’s aluminum capsules are fully recyclable through our mail-back program. Each aluminum capsule is sealed to preserve that delicious aroma and flavor for an intense espresso experience
  • How to Brew: Peet's capsules are designed for Ristretto (0.85 OZ / 25 ml) or Espresso (1.35 OZ / 40 ml) pulls on your Nespresso Original brewer.

3. Peet’s Major Dickason’s Coffee Blend For Espresso Blends

Even though they recommend this Major Dickason’s Coffee Blend for a French Press, I find it super delicious for espresso as well. This blend envelops a rich and robust flavor with an exquisite aroma that comes with an intensity you can smell from anywhere in the room.

Latin American coffee, coupled with Indo-Pacific origin java, created a signature blend of the brand. Going through a washed and wet-hulled process releases complexity in a full-body flavor. Just like the Peet’s Espresso Forte, this particular roast is so strong and pungent, so it may not be for those new to Peet’s coffee or dark coffee in general.

Peet's Coffee, Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee - Major Dickason's Blend 18 Ounce Bag
  • Contains one (1) 18 Ounce Bag of Peet's Major Dickason's Blend Whole Bean 100% Arabica Coffee
  • Flavor and Roast: Dark Roast. Flavorful, robust, full-bodied. Developed by Mr. Peet and his most discerning customer, Major Dickason’s Blend epitomizes the rich, flavorful taste of Peet’s
  • Brewing Methods: Use fine ground coffee for espresso at home. Coarsely ground coffee (consistency of coarse sea salt) can be used to make cold brew or a French press. Use a medium grind (consistency of sand) for drip or a pour over in your Chemex
  • Sourcing With Impact: The coffee you buy can impact the welfare of the people and planet. Peet’s is actively engaged in driving positive impact in communities where our coffees are grown.
  • Rich. Complex. Incomparable. Masters of our craft for over 50 years, we hand roast the very best coffees in the world.

4. Peet’s French Roast For Rich Espresso

If you love deep, rich espresso, Peet’s French Roast is for you. This dark roast is made of 100% Arabica coffee.

Peet’s guatemala san sebastian for single-origin espresso
Sourcing its coffee beans from the Antigua Valley in Guatemala

The beans are roasted intensely for a short period of time to bring out the most complex flavors. You’ll detect hints of chocolate truffle, caramel, and smoke in your cup. It has a bittersweet flavor but goes down smoothly.

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03/07/2024 10:04 pm GMT

Author

  • Oanh Nguyen

    Born and raised by a traditional mama-barista, Oanh is a typical Viet coffee aficionado who would spend her entire precious Sunday showing you how to categorize coffee beans just by the looks and smells. She enjoys writing about everything drinks-related while sipping her favorite rosebud tea. Find Oanh on LinkedIn.