Nutty coffee beans and blends

What makes a coffee taste nutty?

Two things decide it: where the coffee comes from and how it is roasted. Arabica from Brazil is often dried with the fruit still around the bean. That gives a sweet, rounded coffee with low acidity and a taste of nuts and milk chocolate. Many coffees from Central America and South America show similar notes.

Roasting does the rest. At a medium roast the sugars in the bean caramelise and the nutty notes come forward. Roast darker and the taste moves towards dark chocolate and toast. That's why nutty coffees sit between the fruity coffees on the light side and the chocolate coffees on the dark side.

How to choose in this category

Fresh coffee from Café du Jour

For a clear nutty cup, start with a single origin from our own fresh range:

• Brazil and Cerrado: smooth and round, with low acidity.
• Dark Roast Brazil: the same origin roasted darker, for more body in espresso and milk drinks.
• Nicaragua: a Central American coffee with a softer, sweeter profile.
• India Monsooned Malabar: beans exposed to monsoon winds after harvest, which makes them heavy-bodied and very low in acidity.

Nutty coffee brands: blends for espresso and caffè crema

Most of the 1 kg bags here are blends made for bean-to-cup and espresso machines, from brands such as Lavazza, Segafredo, Kimbo, Julius Meinl, Mövenpick and Hausbrandt. Espresso blends are usually roasted darker and hold up well under milk; caffè crema blends suit a longer cup.

Decaf and low caffeine

Want the flavour without the full caffeine? Try Decaf Espresso, Decaf Special or Low Caffeine from our fresh range.

No grinder?

You'll also find a few ground coffees for filter machines, such as Gala Mild Aroma and Landhaus Naturmild, plus Nescafé Gold Crema instant coffee and Brazil drip bags. A drip bag hangs over your cup: you pour hot water through it, just like a small pour-over.

Can't decide?

A sample pack lets you compare several coffees: see the Italian Espresso Selection or the Julius Meinl Sample Pack.

Brewing nutty coffee

Nutty coffees are forgiving, which makes them a good everyday choice. In an espresso machine they give a sweet, round shot with a thick crema. In a filter machine or cafetière a medium roast keeps the nutty notes clear; very hot water or a long brew can push them towards bitterness. Adding milk brings out the hazelnut and caramel side of the cup.

Frequently asked questions

Is nutty coffee flavoured with nuts?

No. The name describes the taste of the coffee itself; nothing is added to create it. For allergen information, always check the product page and the pack.

Which nutty coffee suits a filter machine?

Choose a ground coffee from this category, or grind a medium-roast single origin such as Brazil or Nicaragua to a medium-coarse setting.