As we talked about last time, coffee beans can make or break your efforts as a home barista.

Starbucks are the kings of the high street when it comes to great coffee, and while Costa are in second spot, it’s a distant second for most people. Granted, some argue that they prefer the taste of the Costa beans, but the numbers don’t lie, and it’s Starbucks that reign supreme. Time will tell whether Coca Cola’s interest in the Costa brand makes up the difference, but we are where we are, so today we’re going to focus solely on Starbucks beans.

Espresso Roast

By far the most commonly bought in the UK are the Starbucks Espresso Roast coffee beans, described as a bean recipe that’s stayed the same since the day Starbucks first put it on sale. It’s a fair trade coffee, made entirely from Arabica coffee, in their dark roasted range.

As the name suggests, the full body you get from the darker roasts makes these beans perfect for espresso drinkers, along with those that like their coffee strong

Of course, your coffee machine will be able to adjust the strength, but choosing beans well gives you the maximum chance of the perfect coffee to suit your tastes.

French Roast Coffee

Next up, you’ll find another coffee in the full bodied, dark roast category, Starbucks’ French Roast. These beans have a tendency to divide people more than the Espresso roast, in general appealing more to those that enjoy a more bitter taste that’s associated with very strong coffee.

This is the darkest of dark coffees, roasted with an inch of their caffeinated lives.

Decaf Espresso

This is a great choice for coffee lovers that like to enjoy a drink in the evening, or simply avoid caffeine altogether. Aimed to replicate the popular Espresso Roast above, but without the caffeine content, it’s great if coffee interrupts your sleep cycle.

Columbia Narino

If you’re looking for something a little tamer than the above choices, Columbia might appeal to you more. It’s a medium roast, meaning a less harsh experience for the beans in the roasting process, and in turn a milder coffee results. If you’re the sort of person that often finds they’re served a coffee that’s just too strong for your palate, give this a whirl.

Beans, as we’ve said before, are half the story when it comes to making great coffee. There’s the ingredients you use – coffee beans and fresh water, and the coffee machine itself. Next time, we’ll talk about those coffee machines, and how you can find out more about what they offer in great detail, or just get a quick recommendation.