Chocolate covered espresso beans are arguably the perfect snack: the caffeine of coffee, the pleasure of chocolate, and the satisfying crunch of a roasted bean. But quality varies enormously between brands. Here are the seven best, ranked from most accessible to most artisan, with honest notes on flavor, quality, and value.
Chuao Chocolatier Dark Chocolate Espresso Beans
Chuao uses single-origin Venezuelan cacao and sources their espresso beans with equal care. The result is a product where both components — chocolate and coffee — are genuinely premium. The dark chocolate shell is complex and slightly fruity; the espresso bean inside has a bold, clean roast character. These are small-batch and priced accordingly ($12-15 for 2 oz), but they're the best chocolate covered espresso beans we've tasted. For gifting or personal indulgence, nothing tops them.
Dilettante Mocha Café Espresso Beans
Dilettante is a Seattle-based confectioner with deep coffee roots, and their espresso beans show it. Available in dark, milk, and white chocolate varieties, the milk chocolate version is particularly excellent — the sweetness is calibrated perfectly to balance the espresso bitterness. Widely available at Costco and specialty stores, and well-priced for the quality. A crowd-pleaser and a great gift option.
Marich Premium Chocolate Espresso Beans
Marich makes candy-coated confections and their espresso beans are one of their best products. The outer shell is thicker than most, providing a more substantial chocolate experience with each bean. The espresso bean inside is well-roasted and provides a pronounced coffee flavor. Available at Trader Joe's and specialty retailers, these offer excellent value ($8-10 for a good-sized bag).
Vosges Haut-Chocolat Espresso Beans
Vosges is one of America's premier artisan chocolate makers, and their espresso beans reflect that pedigree. The chocolate is complex and high-quality; the espresso bean selection is careful. The price is steep ($18-22 for a small package) but for special occasions, these are extraordinary. The packaging is also gift-worthy.
Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Espresso Beans
The best value on this list by a considerable margin. TJ's store-brand espresso beans — available in dark chocolate — are surprisingly good given their price (typically $4-6 for a large bag). The chocolate isn't as complex as the artisan options, but it's genuinely dark and flavorful. The espresso beans are well-roasted. For everyday snacking, these are hard to beat.
Taza Chocolate Stone Ground Espresso Beans
Taza uses their distinctive stone-ground chocolate process (which leaves visible cacao particles and a grainier texture) for their espresso beans. The result is unusual and polarizing — the texture is unlike any other product on this list, and the intense cacao flavor is not for everyone. But if you love dark, intense, slightly rustic chocolate with big coffee flavor, Taza's version is a revelation.
Starbucks Dark Chocolate Espresso Beans
Widely available, consistent, and perfectly decent. Starbucks' branded espresso beans use their standard dark roast and a solid dark chocolate coating. Not artisan quality, but a reliable choice available at most grocery stores, airports, and online. Good for keeping at your desk — just don't expect your artisan-coffee-loving friends to be impressed.
Chuao for Luxury, Trader Joe's for Everyday
If budget is no concern, Chuao Chocolatier makes the finest chocolate covered espresso beans available in the US. For regular snacking, Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Espresso Beans deliver remarkable quality for the price. For gifts, Dilettante is the crowd-pleasing middle ground.