Top Espresso Brands That Brew Perfection

The art of crafting the perfect espresso is a pursuit that has captivated coffee enthusiasts around the world. With a rich blend of flavors, aromas, and textures, a great espresso depends heavily on the quality of the coffee beans and the craftsmanship of the coffee brand. In recent years, certain brands have distinguished themselves by offering exceptional beans that consistently impress with their bold, rich taste profiles. Whether you're a seasoned barista or a novice coffee lover, knowing the top contenders in the espresso world can elevate your coffee experience. Explore our curated list of best espresso coffee brands to discover new favorites and elevate your daily brew below.

Illustration of espresso coffee

Best brands of espresso coffee in 2025

Lavazza

Lavazza, a renowned Italian coffee roaster, achieved a record EUR3.1 billion in sales for 2023, marking a 13% year-on-year growth, driven by strong performances in both at-home and out-of-home channels, including a 28% increase in e-commerce sales. Despite absorbing soaring green coffee costs, Lavazza maintained its market presence, particularly through the acquisition of MaxiCoffee in France. The company's robust financial health enabled it to seize market opportunities and deliver growth. Lavazza's global presence spans over 140 markets and operates nine manufacturing facilities across six countries. The brand continues to innovate, as seen in its updated range of NCC capsules, which contributed to a 15.3% volume increase in single-serve capsules. Discover more about Lavazza's innovative approaches and global reach on their official website.

Illy

Illy, a renowned brand in the espresso coffee market, has demonstrated exceptional growth and quality, with a 13.6% increase in consolidated revenue in 2022, the highest in ten years, and a 15.8% increase in EBITDA despite rising production costs. Known for its consistent taste and high-quality green coffee grading, Illy's blends, such as the Classico and Intenso, offer distinct flavor profiles, with the Classico featuring notes of dried fruit, nutty, and chocolatey flavors. The company's special packaging technology helps maintain the freshness of the coffee, and its products are popular in various distribution channels, including Ho.Re.Ca and retail networks. Illy's strong performance is also reflected in its expanding retail network, with 190 sales points in 34 countries as of 2022. This solidifies Illy's position as one of the top companies in the espresso coffee market. For a detailed review on Illy's offerings, visit this Illy coffee review.

Blue Bottle Coffee

Blue Bottle Coffee, renowned for its premium and specialty coffee offerings, has ventured into the instant coffee market with its Craft Instant Espresso, a product that maintains the brand's high-quality standards. This innovation allows consumers to enjoy a rich, aromatic brew anywhere, leveraging Blue Bottle's 20 years of experience in sourcing, roasting, and brewing. The instant espresso is priced at $25 for a 12-serving jar, reflecting the brand's commitment to quality over cost. This move is part of Nestle's broader strategy to expand its coffee offerings, with Nescafe contributing to a nearly double-digit growth rate in North America in 2022. Blue Bottle's entry into instant coffee aims to simplify the experience of enjoying specialty coffee, targeting both existing and new customers.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters

Stumptown Coffee Roasters is a renowned brand in the coffee industry, particularly celebrated for its high-quality espresso and innovative cold-brew offerings. Founded in 1999 in Portland, Oregon, Stumptown has been a pioneer in the third wave of coffee, known for paying premium prices for beans, sometimes three or four times the fair trade price. The company was acquired by Peet's Coffee in 2015 but maintains its independence and commitment to ethical sourcing. Stumptown operates several cafes across the US, including in Portland, Seattle, New York, and Los Angeles, and has received numerous awards, including Roaster of the Year in 2006. Despite challenges during the pandemic, Stumptown saw significant growth in grocery and e-commerce sales. For more information, visit their official website.

Peet's Coffee

Peet's Coffee is renowned for its high-quality espresso coffees, particularly its dark roasts, which are celebrated for their intense and rich flavors without bitterness. The company, founded in 1966 by Alfred Peet, sources the highest-quality Arabica beans and roasts them to order, ensuring the freshest coffee possible. Peet's Coffee achieved a 6.4% year-on-year sales growth in the US in the first half of 2024, with strong performance in China as well. Their popular blends, such as Major Dickason's Blend and French Roast, are favorites among coffee enthusiasts. The company's commitment to artisan quality and sustainability sets it apart in the market.

Intelligentsia Coffee

Intelligentsia Coffee, founded in 1995 by Doug Zell and Emily Mange, is a renowned American coffee roasting company and retailer based in Chicago, Illinois. Known for its high-quality espresso, Intelligentsia is a major representative of the third wave coffee movement. The company has expanded its presence with multiple locations in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, and Austin, and it was acquired by Peet's Coffee & Tea in 2015. Intelligentsia is celebrated for its direct sourcing from growers in Central America, South America, East Africa, and Ethiopia, and its use of vintage Ideal Rapid Gothot Roasters. In 2022, Intelligentsia collaborated with Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. to introduce Intelligentsia K-Cup pods, enhancing the coffee experience with MultiStream™ technology. For more details, visit Intelligentsia Coffee's official website.

Death Wish Coffee

Death Wish Coffee is a renowned brand in the coffee industry, particularly celebrated for its exceptionally strong and high-caffeine espresso coffee. Founded in 2012 in Saratoga Springs, New York, the company has established itself as a leader with an estimated annual revenue of $44.5 million and a workforce of 150 employees. Notably, Death Wish Coffee boasts a caffeine content of 59 milligrams per fluid ounce, significantly higher than the average cup of coffee, and it is both USDA-certified organic and fair trade certified. The brand's online sales in October 2024 generated $436,058 from 6,741 transactions, with a conversion rate of 3.00-3.50%. Its strong online presence is further highlighted by a 13.33% increase in web traffic compared to the previous month.

Counter Culture Coffee

Counter Culture Coffee is renowned for its commitment to sustainability and quality, making it one of the best producers for espresso coffee. Since its inception, the company has been dedicated to real environmental, social, and fiscal sustainability, as evident from its Transparency Reports, which detail aspects like carbon emissions and fair pricing, with an average weighted FOB price of $3.08, more than three times the global average. Counter Culture sources exceptional single-origin and specialty coffees from over 17 countries, with two-thirds of its coffees USDA Organic certified and an average coffee score of 86.3. The company has continuously funded sustainability projects, with 16 such projects in recent years, and operates 12 training centers across the country. This commitment has led to a 12% increase in sustainably sourced coffee sales and a net operating profit in 2023. For more information, visit their official website.

George Howell Coffee

George Howell Coffee is renowned for its high-quality espresso blends, crafted with a light roasting approach that preserves the natural sweetness of the coffee. Founded in 2004 by George Howell, a pioneer in the specialty coffee industry, the company sources beans from various countries including Costa Rica, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Their espresso profiles, such as the No. 4 Espresso Blend, are designed to be versatile and consistent, featuring flavors like dark chocolate, orange peel, and black cherries. George Howell's commitment to quality is evident in their innovative storage methods, which maintain the freshness of the coffee even after several months. The company's focus on single-estate and exceptional regional coffees has earned it numerous accolades, including the Specialty Coffee Association of America's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. For more information, visit their official website.

Coffee Collective

Coffee Collective is renowned for its high-quality espresso coffee, with a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. In 2023, they purchased over 132,910 kg of coffee, with an average Return to Origin of $4.47 per pound, reflecting their dedication to fair prices for farmers. The brand has systematically reduced its environmental footprint since 2013, with initiatives such as buying shares in windmills to power their operations. Their transparency reports highlight detailed relationships with farmers, ensuring excellent quality and ethical sourcing. For instance, their Vista Hermosa Huehuetenango from Guatemala has been a long-standing partnership of 17 years, showcasing their consistent commitment to quality and sustainability.