Whole Bean Coffee, Dark Roast, Espresso Forte, 32 Ounces

First time buying espresso beans, and I'm very pleased! Peet's is my go to for regular drip coffee and I found this dark roast to be smooth, rich and not bitter. So far we had great espresso, Americanos, and lattes.

Best ground coffee available.

Taste great

I picked up this 32-ounce bag of Peet's Espresso Forte whole bean dark roast because I got tired of grabbing mediocre espresso shots while bouncing between airports and hotels. I live in Florida and travel a ton for work, so I wanted something I could grind fresh at home or even toss in my carry-on for a quick setup in an Airbnb with a basic machine. I was hoping for a bold, reliable dark roast that could handle straight espresso or milk drinks without tasting burnt or weak, especially since I make a lot of morning lattes before heading out. Overall, it mostly met my expectations, but not in every way. I expected a rich, full-bodied shot with decent crema and that deep coffee flavor dark roasts are supposed to deliver. It does give a stout body and nice crema when I dial in the grind right on my machine—chocolate and hazelnut notes come through, with a bit of nuttiness and caramel that works well in a latte. The beans are 100% Arabica, and when they're fresh, the aroma is solid. In real life, I use it for quick espressos in the morning, pulling doubles for lattes that hold up with oat milk, or even a stronger pour-over when I'm too lazy to fire up the full espresso setup. It also makes a pretty decent cold brew if I let it steep overnight—smoother than some other dark roasts I've tried. On the positive side, the flavor is consistent once you get the grind and dose figured out. It's got that full-bodied mouthfeel without being overly acidic, which is great for someone who doesn't want bright, fruity stuff first thing. A lot of people online mention it shines in milk drinks, and I agree—it blends nicely without getting lost. The big 32-ounce bag lasts me a while since I travel, so I don't have to repurchase every couple weeks. That said, there are a few downsides. Some bags I've gotten feel a little past their prime, with less oil on the beans and a flatter taste or slight bitterness that hangs around. It's not as complex as some smaller roasters, and if you over-extract, it can tip into that burnt territory Peet's dark roasts sometimes get accused of. Freshness matters a lot here—older stock doesn't deliver the same punch. Grinding your own is key; pre-ground wouldn't do it justice. For value for money, the 32-ounce size is decent if you catch it at a reasonable price. It works out cheaper per cup than buying daily café drinks while traveling, but it's not the cheapest dark roast out there. You pay for the name and the espresso-specific blend, and it delivers enough that I keep coming back, but I wouldn't call it a steal if the bag sits too long before you open it. Pros: Good crema and body for espresso, nice in lattes or cold brew, reliable dark roast flavor without crazy acidity. Cons: Can taste bitter or flat if not super fresh, needs precise grinding, occasional batch variation. I'm not raving about it as the best coffee ever, but for my practical needs—quick, strong shots at home or on the road—it hits the mark most days. If you like bold dark roasts and grind fresh, it's worth a try.

Good flavor, no bitterness