How to Choose the Right Coffee Beans for Espresso and Filter Brewing

Choosing the right coffee beans can feel overwhelming, especially when deciding between espresso and filter brewing. While all coffee comes from the same plant, the way it’s roasted and brewed has a big impact on flavour, balance and consistency in the cup.

In this guide, we’ll explain the key differences between espresso and filter coffee beans, how to choose the right option for your brewing method, and how to get the best results at home

What’s the difference between espresso and filter coffee?

The main difference between espresso and filter coffee lies in how the coffee is brewed.

• Espresso uses pressure to extract coffee quickly, producing a concentrated, intense drink.
• Filter coffee relies on gravity and time, allowing flavours to extract more slowly and clearly.

Because of this, coffee beans are often roasted slightly differently depending on how they’re intended to be brewed

If you’re still deciding which brewing method suits you best, our guide to filter vs espresso coffee breaks down the differences in flavour, brewing style and coffee choice.

Coffee beans for espresso

Espresso coffee beans are typically roasted to develop balance, sweetness and body, helping them perform consistently under pressure.

When choosing coffee for espresso, look for:

• Medium to medium-dark roasts

• Coffees with chocolate, nutty or caramel notes

• Good solubility for consistent extraction

Espresso blends are popular because they offer reliability and balance, while single origin espresso coffees can highlight specific flavour characteristics when dialled in carefully.

👉 Explore our Espresso Coffee Beans designed for home brewing

If you’re looking for more detailed guidance, we’ve written a full guide on choosing the best espresso coffee beans in the UK, including what to look for when buying coffee online

Coffee beans for filter brewing

Filter coffee allows the unique character of a coffee’s origin to shine. Filter-roasted coffees are usually lighter, helping preserve acidity, clarity and sweetness.

Filter coffee is well suited to:

• V60 and other pour-over brewers

• Batch brew machines

• Cafetières and immersion methods

When choosing filter coffee beans, expect flavour notes such as citrus, stone fruit, florals or gentle chocolate, depending on origin and processing.

👉 Browse our Filter Coffee Beans roasted for clarity and balance

Can you use the same coffee for espresso and filter?

You can brew the same coffee using different methods, but results will vary.

Some coffees — often labelled as “omni-roast” — are designed to work across multiple brew styles. However, for the best results, we recommend choosing coffee roasted specifically for your preferred method.

If you mainly brew espresso, espresso-focused coffees will be easier to dial in. If you love pour-over or batch brew, filter-specific coffees will deliver more clarity and sweetness.

Choosing coffee based on taste preference

Beyond brew method, personal taste plays a big role. Ask yourself:

• Do you prefer rich and chocolatey flavours?
• Or bright and fruity coffees?
• Do you drink coffee with milk or black?

Milk-based drinks often suit espresso blends, while black coffee drinkers may enjoy lighter filter coffees that highlight origin character.

Freshness matters more than you think

No matter how you brew, freshly roasted coffee makes a huge difference. Coffee begins to lose aroma and flavour soon after roasting, which is why buying from a local roaster or subscribing to regular deliveries can dramatically improve your coffee at home.

👉 Our Coffee Subscriptions deliver freshly roasted beans on a schedule that suits you.

Conclusion

Choosing the right coffee beans doesn’t have to be complicated. By matching your coffee to your brewing method and taste preferences, you’ll get better flavour, more consistency and a more enjoyable daily cup.

Whether you’re brewing espresso, filter coffee, or both, selecting freshly roasted speciality coffee designed for your setup is the easiest way to level up your home brewing

Further reading:
– Best Espresso Coffee Beans in the UK: What to Look For
– Filter vs Espresso Coffee: Which Is Right for You?