9 Best Coffee Beans for Lattes in 2024

In this article, we will discuss the top coffee beans that are perfect for making lattes.

As a former barista, lattes are one of my favorite coffee drinks, and I make one almost every day. 

As such, I know which coffee beans make the best latte. The Lavazza Espresso Italiano Whole Bean Coffee Blend is the best coffee bean for lattes because of its unique flavors, fair price, and certifications. 

Lavazza Espresso Italiano Whole Bean Coffee Blend: Best Overall

• Roast: Light
• Flavor Profile: Cherry floral flavor with caramel and nut finish
• Available In: 20 oz bag
• Best For: Drip Coffee
• Type: Ground, medium grind
• Price: $
• Origin: Multi-origin
• Organic: N/A

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However, it may not be the best one for you. Since we all have different preferences, I put together a list of the top 9 coffee beans for lattes. 

Let’s jump in and find the best beans for your next latte. 

Top 9 Coffee Beans for Lattes

1. Lavazza Espresso Italiano Whole Bean – Best Overall 
2. Volcanica Sulawesi, Celebes Kalossi – Runner Up
3. San Francisco Bay Bean – Best Low-Acid
4. Starbucks Espresso Roast– Best Starbucks
5. Olde Brooklyn Italian Whole Beans – Strongest Coffee
6. Death Wish Coffee Bean Coffee – Most Caffeine 
7. Eight O’Clock Dark Italian Espresso  – Best Budget
8. Grinders Crema Coffee Beans – Best in Australia
9. Lavazza, Qualità Rossa, Beans – Best in UK

9 Best Coffee Beans for Lattes

1. Lavazza Espresso Italiano Whole Bean Coffee Blend – Best Overall 

Roast	Medium
Flavor profile	Full body with creamy & caramel flavors
Available In	1.25 lb bag, 8 oz can (4 pack)
Price	$
Origin	Multiple origins– Southeast Asia, Africa, Central America, South America
Organic	N/A

Lavazza Espresso Italiano Whole Bean Coffee Blend has a pleasant and smooth flavor, with tasting notes of caramel that pairs well with all types of lattes. 

It is a medium roast, which means it has less intensity than a dark roast but still has a decent strength. It is not bitter and has a well-balanced flavor marked with hints of fruity and floral notes. 

It is best for latte lovers who don’t want a super strong/intense latte but still want a decent amount of flavor and strength. 

Although these Lavazza coffee beans have a low acidity level, some drinkers found them too acidic. However, I suspect they used expired beans or misbrewed it. 

The coffee is made from a blend of Arabica beans which Lavazza gets from various regions– Southeast Asia, Africa, Central America, and South America.

Being a blend adds more distinct flavors to your latte.

As such, it makes a great latte. You can also make great shots of espresso, as well as in other drinks such as Americanos and cappuccinos.

One drawback of this Lavazza Espresso Italiano whole bean coffee is that it isn’t strong enough for some reviewers. 

But if you want a stronger and bolder taste, just purchase a dark or espresso roast instead.

This coffee is available in two sizes: a 1.25 lb bag and an 8 oz 4-pack. You can get both from various retailers, including Amazon, other online retailers, and local grocery stores.

Looking for a coffee that is even more unique for your lattes? If so, keep reading to learn about the Volcanica Sulawesi, Celebes Kalossi whole bean coffee. 

2. Volcanica Sulawesi, Celebes Kalossi – Runner Up

Roast	Medium roast
Flavor profile	Maple syrup, cherry, full-bodied
Available In	16 oz bag
Price	$$$
Origin	Single origin, Sulawesi Island
Organic	Organically grown

I highly recommend the Volcanica Sulawesi, Celebes Kalossi whole bean coffee for lattes due to its exotic tastes, ethical growing processes, and Rainforest Alliance and Fair-Trade certifications.

It is a medium roast coffee with unique tasting notes of maple syrup and cherry, which provide a full-bodied flavor and intense taste

It’s best for those who want a unique and intense coffee blend in their lattes. 

One downside of the Volcanica Sulawesi Celebes Kalossi whole-bean coffee is that it costs more than average. 

But the taste, certifications, and high quality make it worth the cost.

Volcanica grows the beans exclusively in high-altitude volcanic regions, with this coffee being grown on the volcano of Sulawesi Island.

In high-altitude volcanic regions, coffee plants have the ability to absorb additional minerals and nutrients, which contributes to the development of unique flavors in the coffee.

This high-altitude growing region also gives this coffee its low acidity and spicy aroma.

However, some reviewers have found it to be too acidic. But they may have brewed it incorrectly or used expired beans. 

These whole beans come in a 16-ounce bag. Volcanica recommends you transfer them to an airtight, opaque container after opening and store them at room temperature to preserve their freshness.

These beans are organically grown and have Rainforest Alliance and Fair-Trade certifications as well.

These certifications mean the coffee beans are sourced, farmed, and processed in an ethical manner, without the use of any harmful pesticides or chemicals.

Looking for another low-acid coffee for your latte? The San Francisco whole bean coffee is the best choice. 

3. San Francisco Bay Whole Bean Coffee – Best Low-Acid

Roast	Espresso roast
Flavor profile	Rich, complex, and full-bodied
Available In	2 lb bag
Price	$$
Origin	Single origin, Central America
Organic	N/A

The San Francisco Bay Whole Bean Coffee Espresso Roast has a low acidity level, great flavors, smooth textures, and an intense roast level, making it a great choice for lattes.

It is an espresso roast with well-balanced flavors which aren’t overly strong or bitter. 

It is the best choice for latte drinkers who need a low acidity level and want a good option for regular coffee, espressos, cappuccinos, and other coffee beverages.

The San Francisco Bay espresso roast is about average in price compared to similar whole-bean coffees. You can certainly find cheaper whole beans, but this isn’t the most expensive option either. 

A potential drawback is that the coffee is only sold in a 2-pound bag, which can be hard to consume before it goes stale.

If that’s too many beans for you, you do have the option of vacuum sealing and freezing some of the beans to extend their shelf life. I frequently do this with my coffee, and it works great. 

This Sand Francisco Bay espresso roast is made from 100% Arabica beans the company imports from Central America and roasts in the US. 

Most people think the strength of these coffee beans is perfect for lattes. However, a few reviewers found it to be too intense.

If you want a coffee that’s more familiar, the Starbucks Espresso roast up next may be of interest to you. 

4. Starbucks Espresso Roast- Best Starbucks

Roast	Dark/espresso
Flavor profile	Rich molasses and caramel
Available In	28 oz bag
Price	$$
Origin	Mutli-origin, Asia Pacific and Latin America
Organic	N/A

I recommend the Starbucks Espresso Roast coffee to anyone who likes Starbucks coffee and wants to brew lattes and other espresso drinks at home. 

This espresso roast has a strong flavor with hints of molasses and caramel. It is bold, strong, and intense and makes a great latte. 

A few reviewers state they find it too weak. Although I don’t fully agree, I will concede that there are stronger coffee beans available.

In fact, most people would agree espresso roast is anything but “weak.”

Surprisingly, this Starbucks Espresso roast is competitively priced compared to other espresso coffees. But it is just a hair more expensive than the average brand.

Since this is a whole-bean coffee, you will need to grind it yourself to a fine size for your espresso machine.

Or you can bring it to any Starbucks store, and they will grind it for free. Alternatively, you can buy a pre-ground version too. 

Starbucks sources its coffee beans from countries in the “Coffee Belt” and only partners with farms that practice responsible and ethical cultivation methods.

One downside is that this Starbucks Espresso Roast coffee is only available in 28 oz bags.

As a frequent coffee and espresso drinker, I know that much coffee is almost to use before it gets stale. 

On the other hand, it is possible to vacuum-seal and freeze some in order to extend its shelf life.

Looking for a stronger coffee for your latte? In that case, read on to learn about the Olde Brooklyn Italian Dark Roast Whole Beans.

5. Olde Brooklyn Italian Dark Roast Whole Beans – Strongest Coffee

Roast	Dark roast
Flavor profile	Sweet and smokey
Available In	5 lb bag
Price	$$
Origin	Multiple origins, Columbia, Brazil, and Guatemala
Organic	N/A

The Olde Brooklyn Italian Dark Roast Whole Bean coffee is the strongest coffee for lattes. It also has great tasting notes and aromas that can make your latte astounding. 

It has a strong flavor, pleasant aroma, and subtly sweet and smokey tasting notes. Its rich taste and intensity pair well with lattes and several other espresso-based drinks. 

When you make it into an espresso, it produces a flavorful and complex crema that elevates the strength of the coffee and the flavor of the frothed milk in your latte. 

If you typically prefer lighter or medium roasts, the intensity of this coffee is likely too strong for you. Therefore, I suggest starting with a less intense dark roast.

This dark roast whole-bean coffee is a blend of beans that Olde Brooklyn gets from several South American countries, including Columbia, Brazil, and Guatemala.

A potential disadvantage is that this coffee only comes in a 5-lb bag, which may be more than you can consume before it becomes stale. Or if you don’t like it, you may be “stuck” with it. 

Instead of letting the beans go stale, you can preserve a large portion of the coffee beans by vacuum sealing them and freezing them. As I mentioned before, I often use this method. 

If you’re looking for the most caffeine in your latte, the Death Wish Coffee up next should be your top consideration. 

6. Death Wish Coffee, Organic and Fair Trade Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee – Most Caffeine 

Roast	Dark roast
Flavor profile	Dark chocolate and black cherry
Available In	1 lb and 2 lb bags
Price	$$
Origin	Multiple origins
Organic	USDA Organic

The Death Wish Coffee, an organic and fair-trade dark roast whole bean coffee, contains nearly twice the amount of caffeine than an average dark roast. It also provides great flavors of chocolate and cherry.

These whole beans have around 160-170 mg of caffeine per cup of coffee, making it the best choice for those who want a lot of caffeine in their lattes. 

This is a dark roast coffee that produces a delicious crema that perfectly complements lattes and other espresso-based coffee drinks.

I appreciate the combination of chocolate and cherry flavors, the smooth texture, and the pleasant aromas that these coffee beans provide.

However, some reviewers state it is too strong for their taste. But keep in mind it is specifically crafted for those who prefer an intense and robust cup of coffee.

If you are sensitive to caffeine and want to avoid the “jitters,” don’t use this coffee. Get a decaf version or a coffee with a normal amount of caffeine instead. 

The Death Wish Coffee comes in two sizes– a one-pound bag and a two-pound bag. The 2-lb bag is a bit cheaper per volume, but both cost more than average.

Considering that this coffee is USDA-Certified Organic, Fair Trade Certified, and sourced from a small business, I think the extra cost is justified.

Looking for an inexpensive whole bean coffee for your latte? The Eight O’Clock Coffee Dark Italian Espresso, Dark Roast Whole Bean 100 % Arabica Coffee is a cheaper alternative. 

7. Eight O’Clock Coffee Dark Italian Espresso, Dark Roast Whole Bean 100 % Arabica Coffee  – Best Budget

Roast	Dark
Flavor profile	Bold and chocolaty
Available In	32 oz bag
Price	$
Origin	Multiple origins
Organic	N/A

The Eight O-Clock Dark Italian Espresso coffee is the best budget choice of whole bean coffee due to its ethical farming practices, great taste/quality, and affordable price.

This is a dark roast coffee that Eight O-Clock produces in Maryland. It has a strong flavor with chocolate tasting notes that pair well with all types of lattes. 

This coffee is also versatile, it makes a great regular coffee and other espresso drinks too. 

The coffee is whole-bean, so you must grind it to a fine grind size for your espresso machine. It adds some prep and cleanup time but gets you a fresher latte.

The Eight O’Clock Coffee Dark Italian Espresso, Dark Roast is very affordable compared to other whole-bean espresso coffees.

You can buy it at your local grocery store, supermarket, or online from different retailers.

One downside is that it is only sold in a 32 oz bag, which can be hard to use before it goes stale, even for households with multiple coffee drinkers.

However, its large size makes it a good option for cafeterias, schools, and offices. Additionally, if you prefer, you have the option to vacuum seal and freeze a large portion of it for future use.

Looking for a great whole bean coffee for lattes in Australia? The Grinders Crema Coffee Beans is my top choice. 

8. Grinders Crema Coffee Beans – Best in Australia

Roast	Medium roast
Flavor profile	Cocoa, malt, and honey
Available In	1 kg bag
Price	$$
Origin	Multiple origins
Organic	N/A

The Grinders Crema Coffee Beans is the best coffee for lattes in Australia because it is domestically roasted, has wonderful tasting notes, and has pleasant aromas. 

It is best for Australian espresso drinkers who want strong, great-tasting lattes from beans roasted in their own country. 

This coffee has tasting notes of cocoa, malt, and honey that add a smooth and unique flavor to your latte. 

It is a medium roast, which means it is not too strong but not weak either. However, if you want something stronger, choose a dark or espresso roast instead. 

I personally don’t find it bitter, but some reviewers do. However, they likely brewed it wrong or used stale beans. 

Compared to other whole bean coffee in Australia, these beans are competitively priced. 

But they only come in a large 1 kg bag. If that’s too much coffee for you, you can vacuum-seal and freeze some of the beans for later. 

Another benefit is that this Grinders coffee is Rainforest Alliance Certified. 

This means the company only sources beans from farms with ethical growing practices that don’t harm ‌local rainforests. 

Want the best coffee beans for lattes in the UK? The Lavazza, Qualità Rossa, Coffee Beans are what I recommend.    

9. Lavazza, Qualità Rossa, Coffee Beans – Best in UK

Roast	Medium roast
Flavor profile	Chocolate and dried fruit
Available In	1 kg bag
Price	$
Origin	Multiple origins; South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia
Organic	N/A

The Lavazza, Qualità Rossa, Coffee Beans is the best choice for lattes in the UK because of its inexpensive price and smooth, well-rounded flavors.

For UK residents who enjoy a milder latte with plenty of flavor, these coffee beans are the best choice.

The coffee is a medium roast with tasting notes of chocolate and dried fruit with a smooth texture and frothy crema. It pairs well with lattes, cappuccinos, and all types of espresso drinks.

This Lavazza coffee is pretty affordable compared to other whole bean coffees available in the UK. Plus, you can find it in most grocery stores and online retailers.

However, the large, 1 kg bag is likely too much coffee to handle for you. In that case, you can vacuum seal and freeze some of it to maintain its freshness, as I mentioned before.

Another point to consider is that some individuals find this coffee too mild. However, I will point out again that it is a medium roast.

For those seeking a stronger flavor, you should just buy a dark or espresso roast when making a latte.

Coffee Beans for Lattes Buying Guide

You should consider the following factors when selecting coffee for making lattes. For more information, refer to our comprehensive coffee-buying guide.

Roast

Coffee bean roast level is an important factor to consider for lattes. Many latte drinkers, including me, have a preference for darker roasts.

Dark roasts generally have a higher intensity, bolder flavors, and greater strength which are often associated with espresso-based drinks like lattes.

Still, when choosing the best roasts for your latte, consider your personal preference.

Grind size

The grind size of coffee grounds plays a vital role in the brewing process of your espresso machine. It impacts the speed of water and coffee mixing, as well as the extraction rate of flavor from the beans.

To make espresso for your latte, you need to use a fine grind size. Medium and coarse grounds are not suitable for espresso machines and will clog them, potentially leading to damage over time. 

Plus, larger grind sizes can’t absorb enough water for an espresso shot.

If need an espresso machine to make lattes, see our guide on the top latte machines for our top 11 recommendations. 

Learn more in our coffee grind size guide.

Certifications

When looking for coffee beans to make lattes, it is important to take into consideration certifications such as USDA-certified Organic, Fair Trade, and Rainforest Alliance, to name a few.

The Fair Trade mark means the coffee beans are grown and harvested sustainably while also offering support to the farmers and local communities involved in its cultivation.

USDA-certified organic means it doesn’t have artificial flavors, preservatives, colors, or other additives.

Rainforest Alliance certification ensures that the surrounding rainforests are protected in the growing regions.

When selecting coffee, consider brands with certifications for natural and ethical sourcing. However, if you want the cheapest coffee beans, they may not have these certifications.

Learn more about these coffee certifications in our guide here and the table below.

Price/Budget

When searching for coffee beans for lattes, it is essential to take into account both the price and quality.

Lower-priced coffee beans typically have lower quality, while higher-priced ones are generally of higher quality.

The price of 8-10 oz of whole bean coffees ranges from $8 to $25, depending on factors such as quantity, quality, and whether it is whole-bean or pre-ground.

To make a true latte, you have to use fine-ground coffee to make shots of espresso. 

That said, you can make a faux latte by adding instant coffee and ready-to-drink coffee to frothed cream and milk. 

Single-origin vs. Multi-origin

When selecting coffee to make lattes, it is important to consider whether it is  “single-origin” or “multi-origin” beans.

Multi-origin espresso coffee is made using beans that are sourced from various locations, which can include multiple countries or regions within one country.

This can lead to distinct and intricate flavors, but it can also lead to inconsistent flavors in your latte and a less enjoyable taste. In general, it is typically a more budget-friendly coffee bean choice.

On the other hand, single-origin espresso beans come from one specific place, like a country, region, or farm.

Single-origin beans emphasize the unique flavors from a specific growing region, leading to a stronger and more consistent taste, distinguishing them from other coffee beans, and often cost more.

One isn’t always better than the other. They just have different tasting experiences.

Single-origin beans tend to have a consistent flavor with one to two tasting notes. Conversely, multiple-origin coffee may have many tasting notes.

Single Origin Coffee Benefits

Here are the benefits of single-origin coffee beans:

• Robust textures and tasting notes
• Consistent flavors
• More strength/boldness

Multi-origin Coffee Benefits

​​Here are the benefits of multi-origin coffee beans/grounds:

• Usually costs less
• Blends can yield unique flavors
• Can have tasting notes from different regions

To read more about this, see our full guide on single-origins and coffee blends.

Packaging date/roasting date

When choosing coffee beans for your latte, it is important to carefully evaluate the packaging and/or roast date.

Some brands provide either a roast date or a packaging date. These are typically within a short timeframe of each other, often within hours or a day.

For the best taste and freshness, you should choose coffee beans that have been recently roasted or packaged.

However, if you buy online, it can be challenging to verify the packaging or roast date. Still, you can message the seller and ask for a fresh batch.

To learn more, read our guide on packaging and roast dates. 

Best brands

When looking for coffee beans for making lattes, you should consider options from top brands such as Starbucks, San Francisco Bay, Lavazza, and Death Wish.

Starbucks provides a selection of coffee beans you can use to make lattes. Additionally, they offer both pre-ground and whole bean options.

Other brands, such as Lavazza and Death Wish, both have various roasts, whole beans, and different grind sizes as well.

Are Any Beans Better for Latte Art?

The coffee beans you use to make the espresso for your latte have no impact on being able to create art on it. 

However, if you’d like to add flowers, hearts, smiley faces, and more complex art to the top of your latte, the milk you use does matter. 

See our guide on the best milk for lattes to learn more. 

Our Verdict

Here are our top three coffee bean recommendations for lattes. Each has a great flavor, intense flavors, and a roast level that is perfect for espressos. 

• The Lavazza Espresso Italiano Whole Bean Coffee Blend is our #1 choice because of its full body, creamy flavors, and perfect strength. 
• Our second choice, the Volcanica Sulawesi, Celebes Kalossi has unique flavors, low acid, and an intensity that takes lattes to a new level. 
• The third option is the San Francisco Bay Whole Bean Coffee because of its low-acid, rich and complex flavors, and full body. 

Lavazza Espresso Italiano Whole Bean Coffee Blend: Best Overall

• Roast: Light
• Flavor Profile: Cherry floral flavor with caramel and nut finish
• Available In: 20 oz bag
• Best For: Drip Coffee
• Type: Ground, medium grind
• Price: $
• Origin: Multi-origin
• Organic: N/A

Check Current Price