What Coffee Does Starbucks Use for Espresso?

Learn what kind of coffee Starbucks uses for their espresso drinks! We'll take a look at the machines they use and discuss some of the pros and cons of each model.

What Coffee Does Starbucks Use for Espresso?

Starbucks is renowned for its delicious espresso drinks, and many people wonder what kind of coffee they use to make them. The answer is that Starbucks uses ground espresso roast coffee, which is a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans. This coffee is roasted for a longer period of time, giving it a darker color and a more intense flavor. Starbucks states on its Espresso exchange that they are 100% arabica beans. The most popular roast used by Starbucks is dark roasting.

This type of coffee is used to make lattes, cappuccinos, americanos, and mochas. It also works well with milk, cream, or sweeteners. You can purchase the same beans used by Starbucks online or in-store. Starbucks uses its Signature Espresso Roast for espresso, which is made with dark roasted beans that contain rich caramel flavor and notes. This roast is also used to prepare espresso-based drinks.

If you're not familiar with their extensive menu and don't specify what type of roast you like, you'll get a medium to dark roast for espresso drinks or Pike Place Roasts for drip coffee. In addition to the Signature Espresso Roast, Starbucks also uses its Exclusive Dark Espresso Roast for espresso. This roast has a more intense flavor than the Signature Espresso Roast and is made with 100% arabica beans sourced from more than thirty countries in three of the main growing regions: Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Whole bean coffee is also 100% Arabica, which is better for espresso. If your espresso doesn't taste like Starbucks, it could be due to the type of beans used or the quality of the water. Starbucks encourages sustainable practices for employees and the environment. They use high-end machines to make their espresso drinks, which are quite expensive and usually only found in high-end coffee shops.

However, you can buy the exact beans they use from the stores themselves and ask them to grind them to get the right fit. In conclusion, Starbucks uses ground espresso roast coffee, which is a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans. They use their Signature Espresso Roast for espresso drinks and their Exclusive Dark Espresso Roast for espresso-based drinks. Whole bean coffee is also 100% Arabica, which is better for espresso. You can purchase the same beans used by Starbucks online or in-store.

Glenna Matthys
Glenna Matthys

Hardcore internet practitioner. Wannabe beer advocate. Infuriatingly humble beer expert. Devoted coffee evangelist. Hardcore social media scholar. Friendly beer fanatic.