What’s the best ground coffee for espresso?
I’m offering top recommendations from real user experiences to help you enjoy smooth and bold espresso at home.
Espresso starts with the right ground coffee. Pick a blend that fits your taste for a bold cup every time.
Users love how Illy Classico brings smooth chocolate notes to their morning brew. One fan said it makes home espresso feel like a cafe treat.
We tested top brands to find the best. Trust our guide for your perfect pick. Read on to discover your new favorite.
List of Top 10 Ground Coffee for Espresso
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Illy Classico Ground Espresso Coffee, Medium Roast Roast With Notes Of Chocolate & Caramel, 100% Arabica, 8.8 Ounce (Pack Of 1) |
This ground espresso is perfect for coffee lovers who crave a smooth, balanced cup full of caramel and chocolate notes. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to make Italian-style coffee easily at home, while enjoying top-quality, sustainable beans. |
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Lavazza Espresso Ground Coffee, Medium Roast, 100% Arabica, 20 oz Bag (Pack of 1) |
This coffee is perfect for espresso lovers and daily home brewers who want a smooth, fragrant cup. It is 100% Arabica, a medium roast with floral and fruity notes, and it works well with espresso machines, moka pots, drip coffee makers, or a French press. |
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Illy Intenso Ground Espresso Coffee, Bold Roast, Intense, Robust And Full Flavored With Notes Of Deep Cocoa, 100% Arabica Coffee, No Preservatives, 8.8 Ounce (Pack Of 1) |
This coffee is perfect for coffee lovers who crave a bold, rich taste with hints of cocoa. It suits busy folks who want to make easy Italian espresso at home with top quality beans. |
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Cafe La Llave Dark Roast Ground Espresso Coffee, 10 oz Can – Rich and Bold Cuban-Style Blend – Strong, Aromatic Flavor |
Craving a bold and intense coffee experience? Cafe La Llave Dark Roast is perfect for you. Enjoy a rich, aromatic, Cuban-style blend from the comfort of your home. |
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Starbucks Ground Coffee, Dark Roast Coffee, Espresso Roast, 100% Arabica, 1 bag (28 oz) |
This Starbucks Espresso Roast ground coffee is perfect for coffee lovers who want a strong, classic brew with rich molasses and caramel notes. It’s a great choice for anyone who likes to make exceptional espresso drinks at home using a drip brewer, coffee press, or moka pot. |
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Lavazza Caffe Espresso Ground Coffee Blend, Medium Roast, 8 oz |
This coffee is perfect for coffee lovers who want a rich, aromatic espresso at home. It shines when you use an espresso machine or moka pot, and it also works well with a drip coffee maker or French press. |
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Death Wish Coffee, Organic and Fair Trade Espresso Roast Ground Coffee, 14 ounce (Pack of 1) |
Perfect for busy people who need a bold wake-up and for anyone who loves a strong espresso-style cup. It uses organic and Fair Trade beans for a rich, smooth brew with lots of caffeine to power your day. |
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Lavazza Super Crema Ground Coffee, Medium Roast, Arabica and Robusta Blend, 32 oz Bag (Pack of 1) |
This Lavazza Super Crema coffee is perfect for coffee lovers. It’s great for anyone who enjoys a bold and creamy cup of coffee. |
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Cafe La Llave Dark Roast Ground Espresso Coffee, 10 oz Brick – Rich and Bold Cuban-Style Blend for Moka Pot, Espresso Machine, or Drip Coffee Maker – Strong, Aromatic Flavor |
This bold dark roast espresso coffee is perfect for coffee lovers who crave a strong, aromatic cup that feels like Havana on your tongue. It’s also ideal for anyone who uses a moka pot, espresso machine, or drip maker and wants fresh, sustainable flavor every time. |
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Café Gaviña Espresso Roast Extra Fine Ground Coffee, 100% Arabica Dark Roast, 10 oz Can |
This coffee is perfect for espresso lovers who want a bold, rich taste from 100% Arabica beans. It works great for folks who make lattes, cappuccinos, and other drinks at home. |
Detailed Reviews
Discover the best ground coffee for espresso with our guide. We’ve analyzed the top choices using expert reviews and customer feedback. Find the perfect coffee to match your taste and budget. Get ready to enjoy a delicious espresso experience!
1. Illy Classico Ground Espresso Coffee, Medium Roast Roast With Notes Of Chocolate & Caramel, 100% Arabica, 8.8 Ounce (Pack Of 1)
Illy Classico packs a medium roast ground espresso made from 100% Arabica beans. Sip the balanced taste mixed with hints of chocolate, caramel, orange blossom, and jasmine.
Make fresh coffee at home with ease. We pick the top 1% of beans from growers who care about quality. This brings the true taste of Italy to you.
We build a better world through our sustainable ways. Join us in making the earth more livable for everyone.
| Pros | Cons |
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Perfect For:
This ground espresso is perfect for coffee lovers who crave a smooth, balanced cup full of caramel and chocolate notes. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to make Italian-style coffee easily at home, while enjoying top-quality, sustainable beans.
Ready to Purchase?
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2. Lavazza Espresso Ground Coffee, Medium Roast, 100% Arabica, 20 oz Bag (Pack of 1)
Wake up your senses with Lavazza Espresso Ground Coffee. This medium roast offers a sweet and aromatic finish. It is perfect for any coffee lover.
This 100% Arabica blend is naturally caffeinated. It comes from South America and Africa. You will love the floral and fruit notes.
Make great coffee easily. Use it in many ways. Enjoy every sip!
| Pros | Cons |
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Perfect For:
This coffee is perfect for espresso lovers and daily home brewers who want a smooth, fragrant cup. It is 100% Arabica, a medium roast with floral and fruity notes, and it works well with espresso machines, moka pots, drip coffee makers, or a French press.
Ready to Purchase?
3. Illy Intenso Ground Espresso Coffee, Bold Roast, Intense, Robust And Full Flavored With Notes Of Deep Cocoa, 100% Arabica Coffee, No Preservatives, 8.8 Ounce (Pack Of 1)
Illy Intenso brings bold flavor to your cup. This ground espresso has a robust roast with deep cocoa notes. Enjoy its full body every sip.
Prepare classic Italian coffee at home with ease. Use this 100% Arabica blend for fresh brews. Savor warm hints of cocoa and dried fruit.
We pick only the top 1% of beans for quality. Our work supports sustainability and care for the world.
| Pros | Cons |
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Perfect For:
This coffee is perfect for coffee lovers who crave a bold, rich taste with hints of cocoa. It suits busy folks who want to make easy Italian espresso at home with top quality beans.
Ready to Purchase?
4. Cafe La Llave Dark Roast Ground Espresso Coffee, 10 oz Can – Rich and Bold Cuban-Style Blend – Strong, Aromatic Flavor
Cafe La Llave brings you a dark roast ground espresso coffee in a handy 10 oz can. This rich and bold Cuban-style blend packs a strong, aromatic flavor that wakes up your senses. Dive into its deep, complex notes with every sip.
Brew it your way in moka pots, espresso machines, or drip makers for a perfect cup each time. Our airtight can keeps it fresh and full of taste, thanks to sustainable sourcing from caring farms.
| Pros | Cons |
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Perfect For:
Craving a bold and intense coffee experience? Cafe La Llave Dark Roast is perfect for you. Enjoy a rich, aromatic, Cuban-style blend from the comfort of your home.
Ready to Purchase?
5. Starbucks Ground Coffee, Dark Roast Coffee, Espresso Roast, 100% Arabica, 1 bag (28 oz)
Experience the bold flavor of Starbucks Espresso Roast. This dark roast coffee brings notes of rich molasses and caramel. It makes great espresso drinks every time.
Enjoy fresh taste in every cup. We use 100% arabica beans from top sources. The coffee stays new until you brew it.
Brew it your way, from drip to pour-over. We source our coffee with care and ethics.
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Perfect For:
This Starbucks Espresso Roast ground coffee is perfect for coffee lovers who want a strong, classic brew with rich molasses and caramel notes. It’s a great choice for anyone who likes to make exceptional espresso drinks at home using a drip brewer, coffee press, or moka pot.
Ready to Purchase?
6. Lavazza Caffe Espresso Ground Coffee Blend, Medium Roast, 8 oz
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Perfect For:
This coffee is perfect for coffee lovers who want a rich, aromatic espresso at home. It shines when you use an espresso machine or moka pot, and it also works well with a drip coffee maker or French press.
Ready to Purchase?
7. Death Wish Coffee, Organic and Fair Trade Espresso Roast Ground Coffee, 14 ounce (Pack of 1)
Powerful caffeine to wake you fast. It has bold espresso flavor. Perfect for your daily grind.
A dark roast with notes of caramel, cocoa and cherries. Brews strong and smooth for bold drinks.
Our beans are organic and Fair Trade certified. Sourced from India, Peru and Sumatra.
| Pros | Cons |
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Perfect For:
Perfect for busy people who need a bold wake-up and for anyone who loves a strong espresso-style cup. It uses organic and Fair Trade beans for a rich, smooth brew with lots of caffeine to power your day.
Ready to Purchase?
8. Lavazza Super Crema Ground Coffee, Medium Roast, Arabica and Robusta Blend, 32 oz Bag (Pack of 1)
Craving a rich, satisfying coffee? Lavazza Super Crema is your answer. It’s the perfect blend for any coffee lover, anytime.
This coffee is simply delicious. It’s medium roast and creamy. Get ready for a truly superb experience.
Brew it your way! Enjoy Lavazza Super Crema in your favorite machine.
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Perfect For:
This Lavazza Super Crema coffee is perfect for coffee lovers. It’s great for anyone who enjoys a bold and creamy cup of coffee.
Ready to Purchase?
9. Cafe La Llave Dark Roast Ground Espresso Coffee, 10 oz Brick – Rich and Bold Cuban-Style Blend for Moka Pot, Espresso Machine, or Drip Coffee Maker – Strong, Aromatic Flavor
Cafe La Llave Dark Roast Ground Espresso Coffee is a rich and bold Cuban-style blend that offers a strong, aromatic flavor. You can use it for moka pots, espresso machines, or drip coffee makers.
The dark roast gives you bold taste with deep, complex notes. Enjoy it as a robust espresso for any time of day. This blend lets you taste the vibrant streets of Havana.
Our 10 oz brick stays fresh thanks to vacuum sealing. We source coffee in a sustainable way. This supports farming communities and the environment.
| Pros | Cons |
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Perfect For:
This bold dark roast espresso coffee is perfect for coffee lovers who crave a strong, aromatic cup that feels like Havana on your tongue. It’s also ideal for anyone who uses a moka pot, espresso machine, or drip maker and wants fresh, sustainable flavor every time.
Ready to Purchase?
10. Café Gaviña Espresso Roast Extra Fine Ground Coffee, 100% Arabica Dark Roast, 10 oz Can
Dive into Café Gaviña Espresso Roast, a 10 oz can of extra fine ground coffee that promises a deeply satisfying experience. This 100% Arabica dark roast brings bold flavors with smooth chocolate notes and a rich, full body. Sourced from South and Central America, it’s expertly blended for intense taste in every sip.
Perfect for your espresso machine, it brews smooth shots and serves as a great base for lattes and cappuccinos. Forget bland coffee— this one delivers real excitement in your cup.
Our family-owned roaster has 150 years of expertise, roasting at a zero-waste facility in Los Angeles. Choose Café Gaviña for ethical, sustainable coffee that you can trust.
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Perfect For:
This coffee is perfect for espresso lovers who want a bold, rich taste from 100% Arabica beans. It works great for folks who make lattes, cappuccinos, and other drinks at home.
Ready to Purchase?
Buying Guide
Espresso tastes best with fresh ground coffee. Choose a blend that fits your flavor likes.
Users rave about Illy Classico. One said it turns home brews into cafe joy with smooth chocolate notes. Fans of Lavazza Super Crema love its creamy feel in every sip. A Death Wish Coffee drinker shared how its bold kick starts the day strong.
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Roast Level: Pick light for bright tastes or dark for bold depth. Medium roasts balance flavor well. Match it to your brew style.
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Bean Type: Go for 100% Arabica for smooth notes. Blends with Robusta add body. Pure Arabica suits mild lovers.
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Flavor Notes: Look for chocolate or caramel hints. Fruit or floral add fun twists. Test small packs first.
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Grind Size: Fine grinds work best for espresso machines. Medium suits moka pots too. Check the pack for your tool.
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Freshness: Buy in airtight cans or bags. Vacuum seals keep taste alive. Use soon after opening.
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Sustainability: Choose organic or Fair Trade options. Ethical sources help farms. Support brands with green ways.
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Caffeine Level: Standard blends give steady energy. High ones like Death Wish boost fast. Pick what wakes you right.
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Price and Size: Small packs test without waste. Bigger bags save money long-term. Balance cost with quality.