The Mystery Behind Starbucks’ Espresso Blend: Dark Roast Coffee Beans

While many coffee enthusiasts may be familiar with Starbucks’ offerings, the choice of coffee beans to make their popular espresso drinks may come as a surprise to some. In this article, we delve into why Starbucks predominantly uses dark roast coffee beans, particularly in their espresso drinks.

A Brief Insight into Espresso Roasting

Espresso, an iconic and beloved coffee beverage, is a blend of finely-ground coffee beans that are forced through a shower head at high pressure, resulting in a concentrated shot. This process requires beans that have been subjected to one of the darkest roasting methods, known as espresso roast. The reason for this is quite straightforward: espresso brewing highlights the more bitter and robust flavors that are inherent in dark roast beans.

Starbucks and Espresso: Dark Roast Beans for Their Espresso Drinks

Starbucks, a leading global coffee chain known for its premium coffee, often uses any available coffee beans to make their espresso drinks at their locations. However, the company also adheres to the traditional espresso roasting process, which is the darkest and most intense when it comes to roasting coffee beans. This is particularly important for their espresso-based drinks, such as cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos, and cortados. These popular beverages owe their rich flavors and distinct character to the dark roast used in their preparation.

The History and Craft Behind Starbucks’ Choice of Beans

Many of the coffee drinks offered by Starbucks have a rich, historic background that dates back to the late 19th century when the espresso brewing method was first introduced. Traditional espresso recipes typically call for dark roast beans, as they provide the perfect balance of flavor and aroma that is essential for a satisfying espresso shot.

A key factor in Starbucks’ choice of dark roast beans is rooted in the company’s history and the influence of one of its co-founders, Jerry Baldwin. Baldwin learned his coffee roasting craft from Alfred Peet, a well-known coffee connoisseur who strongly advocated for darker roasts. This legacy has been preserved and continues to influence the choice of beans at Starbucks.

Why Dark Roast Coffee isn't for Everyone

Dark roast coffee, like espresso roast, is not for everyone. These beans are known for their bold and mature flavors, which can be too strong for those with a more delicate taste preference. Teenage girls, for instance, may find the taste of dark roast coffee too overpowering and prefer sweeter, milk-based beverages. The bitterness and robust characteristics of dark roast often appeal to mature palates who can appreciate the complexity in taste and aroma.

Exploring Starbucks’ Coffee Bean Options

Starbucks offers a range of coffee blends that cater to different taste preferences. Some of their offerings include:

Packaged Coffee Blends: Starbucks sells packaged coffee blends both ground and whole beans. Some of these blends are advertised as dark roast, such as Sumatra Verona and Morning Joe. The company also has darker roast options like Italian Roast or French Roast, which are incredibly rich and strong. Medium Roast Options: There are also blends that are medium roasted, like the Pike Place Blend, which has a more balanced flavor profile. For those with a milder taste, Starbucks offers the Veranda Blend, the lightest roast coffee blend the company sells, providing a more subtle and nuanced flavor experience.

In conclusion, whether you prefer a dark, medium, or light roast, Starbucks has a coffee blend that suits your taste preferences. Understanding the unique qualities of each roast can help you make a more informed choice and fully enjoy the experience of sipping coffee at this globally recognized brand.