Beans

There are so many sources of coffee beans from giant international companies to the local store that roasts in small batches. The quality can vary depending on the source of the beans, from the highly rated Blue Mountain coffee of Jamaica, or Kona of Hawaii and on to Colombia, Indonesia, Ethiopia and Brazil. The one standard is that quality coffee is Arabica.

As for individual suppliers of beans for espresso, the popular ones are Illy, Lavazza, Nannini and Kicking Horse.

But my favourite is the one I tried in Vienna and was often referred to as the best coffee in Austria: Julius Meinl. Of the various blends available, I'm not sure which one I was served when I got my cappuccinos.

In 2024 I visited the Julius Meinl store in Vienna. There I bought Italienischer Espresso, Wiener Espresso, Wiender Melange and Wiener Frühstück (in order of strongest to lightest). In Europe you can buy Julius Meinl coffee online at House of Julius Meinl. According to the salesman at the Julius Meinl store these are packaged differently from the ones intended for sale in grocery stores and online (see below).

Italienischer Espresso

Wiener Espresso

Wiener Melange

Wiener Frühstück

Strongest to lightest from left to right

They also sell specialty coffees like their "Single Origin" coffees from Kenya, Ethiopia, Costa Rica and Guatemala, and the highly prized Blue Mountain from Jamaica.

The ones below are typically for sale in grocery stores and online. I bought two from a grocery store in Vienna: Julius Meinl Melange Medium Roast and Julius Meinl Espresso 100% Arabica Medium Roast. I also saw the Jubiläum, Präsident and Espresso Arabica.

Melange  
Medium Roast   

Espresso  
100% Arabica  

Jubiläum  

Espresso  
Classico  

Espresso 
Giubileo 

Espresso 

Präsident  

Caffè Crema
Selezione

Enjoy Better Coffee sells the following Julius Meinl coffees (in whole bean form): Präsident, Jubilaum, Caffè Crema Selezione and Crema Espresso Classico. Other coffees are also available as ground coffee in bag and in Nespresso capsule form.

Available online from Britain, Espresso International sells Caffè Crema Intenso, Caffè Crema Vienna, Espresso Arabica, Espresso Classico, Vienna Espresso, Vienna Melange — all as whole beans. Many coffees are also available as ground coffee in bag and in Nespresso capsule form.

Of all the ones for general sale that I've read about, I would most like to try Caffè Crema Selezione which is available from Enjoy Better Coffee.

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Of coffees available around the world, Jamaican Blue Mountain and Kona coffee from Hawaii are highly rated. J. Martinez & Company are merchants of these and other fine coffees, ranging in price from $12.00 to $70.00 (US dollars) per pound. The also sell a specialty espresso blend called Don Giovanni's Espresso Bellissimo that is only $16.00 per pound. Their description:

Reminiscent of a northern Italian espresso, this complex blend was specially formulated to produce a velvety mouth-feel. It is a rich full-bodied blend with a sweet aftertaste and ... a magnificent crema. It is blended from nine different select arabica coffees. You will love this espresso - it is truly bellissimo!
Don Giovanni's Espresso Bellissimo won International Gold at Monde Selection.

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From my post on instant coffee, one of the highly rated brands was Helmut Sachers Kaffee of Oeynhausen, Austria. They also sell regular whole bean coffee. The numbers below (in order) indicate the relative Intensity, Roast and Acidity.

Crema

DeLuxe

Entkoffeiniert
(Decaffeinated)

Espresso

Wiener

4/5

4/5

2/5

5/5

3/5

3/5

2/5

2/5

5/5

3/5

2/5

3/5

1/5

1/5

3/5

All of these are available from Enjoy Better Coffee, including the instant coffees, and also from Amazon.com.

Both Julius Meinl and Sachers coffee are available from Austrian Supermarket.

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REVIEWS (from Enjoy Better Coffee):

Julius Meinl Präsident is an outstanding blend and a very special example of Viennese roast coffee. It offers a rich aroma with hints of dark chocolate and toasted bread. Enjoy its full-bodied taste, perfectly balanced between sweetness and bitterness.

Caffe Crema Selezione: Finest Arabica beans from the most colorful regions of Brazil and Central America and selected Robusta beans from Asia give this blend its creamy, velvet crema and its intense aroma with shades of hazelnut.

Julius Meinl Jubiläum is a genuine Viennese roast characterized by a rich aroma of citrus and floral nuances and a soft flavor. It was created to celebrate the 100th birthday anniversary of Julius Meinl Coffee.

Julius Meinl Crema Espresso Classico: This unique coffee blend combines a selection of premium Arabica beans with Indian Robusta. The medium dark roast results in a solid brown and long-lasting crema, a unique taste, and an intensive espresso experience.