How to choose the best Napoli style coffee beans
Famous for its breathtaking coastline and rich history, Naples is also known for its exceptional coffee and is home to many coffee enthusiasts. Napoli style coffee is bold, intense, and unapologetically rich. If you’re looking to recreate this authentic coffee experience at home, choosing the right beans is essential.
In this guide, we’ll explore what makes Napoli style coffee beans so special, how they differ from other Italian styles, and why Carluccio’s Napoli blend is the perfect choice for coffee enthusiasts.
Read the unique features of Napoli style coffee beans.
Read the benefits of Carluccio’s Napoli coffee beans.
Find out what Napoli style coffee beans are defined by.
Read what to consider when choosing Napoli style coffee beans.
We answer common queries on Napoli style coffee beans.
What are Napoli style coffee beans?
Napoli style coffee beans reflect the personality of Naples – strong, vibrant, and full of depth. These beans are known for their dark roast, which brings out bold and slightly bitter flavours. While lighter roasts often highlight floral or fruity notes, Napoli beans are all about intensity. The darker roast creates a bold, full-bodied coffee with low acidity and an intense, lingering flavour.
The blend
Napoli style beans typically include a blend of arabica and robusta. Arabica contributes smoothness and nuanced flavours, while robusta brings body, bitterness, and a thick crema – that golden foam on top of your espresso. The result is a coffee that’s deeply satisfying, with a rich, velvety finish.
Roasting techniques
What truly sets Napoli coffee apart is its roasting process. Beans are roasted to a darker level than in northern Italy, enhancing their robust flavour and reducing acidity. This traditional method ensures a consistently bold taste, whether enjoyed black or sweetened with a touch of sugar, as many Neapolitans prefer.
Carluccio’s Napoli coffee beans
Combining Arabica and Robusta beans, Carluccio’s Napoli coffee beans have been roasted in Italy to achieve the signature richness Naples is known for. Perfect for espresso machines, moka pots, or traditional Neapolitan flip pots, these beans deliver an authentic coffee experience every time. This blend is rich, lively and well-rounded, presenting dark cocoa, smoky flavours and blackberry notes. Our Napoli espresso beans can also be ground finely for use in an espresso machine. When ground coarse for use in a cafetiere, it can present flavours of cinnamon and cherry.
What sets Napoli style coffee beans apart?
Italian coffee varies significantly from region to region, with each area boasting its own unique style. Let’s explore how Napoli beans compare to other regional coffee in Italy:
Milano style beans
Hailing from the north, Milano coffee is delicate and refined. Milano style beans are lightly roasted to preserve floral and fruity notes, resulting in a cup that’s lighter and more aromatic. Perfect for those who prefer a subtler coffee experience.
Central Italian styles
Moving south to cities like Rome, you’ll find medium-roasted beans with a balanced flavour. These coffees often have nutty or chocolatey undertones, offering a middle ground between the lightness of Milano and the intensity of Napoli.
Enjoy a creamy, full-bodied coffee with our Roma blend
Roman coffee is known for its heavy lingering taste with a toasty, chocolatey, dark caramel and nutty profile, with a nod to the Ottoman Empire through its spiciness. Traditionally served very ristretto, with a lower dose of coffee and extracted hot.
Our Roma beans change in flavour profile depending on the grind. Grind “fino”, fine, for espresso for flavours of walnut, dark caramel and spice. Grind “grosso”, coarse, for a cafetiere and you will enjoy longer, softer flavours of almond, vanilla and milk chocolate.
Tips for choosing the best Napoli style coffee beans
When it comes to selecting Napoli style beans, authenticity and quality are key. Here are some tips to guide your choice:
1. Look for authentic blends that have been roasted in Italy
Napoli coffee is all about tradition, and there’s no better way to honour that than by choosing beans roasted in Italy. Italian roasters understand the nuances of achieving the perfect dark roast, ensuring your coffee is as authentic as possible.
2. Prioritise blends with Robusta beans
While Arabica beans are known for their smoothness, Robusta is essential for achieving the bold flavour and richness Napoli coffee is famous for. A blend of the two offers the best of both worlds.
3. Opt for dark roasts
A dark roast is non-negotiable for Napoli style coffee. This roasting level brings out the rich, intense flavours that define the style, with none of the acidity found in lighter roasts.
4. Choose whole beans for freshness
To experience the full flavour of Napoli coffee, buy whole beans and grind them just before brewing. This preserves the freshness and aroma, ensuring every cup is as good as the first. Read our guide to making an Italian espresso here.
Carluccio’s Napoli beans tick all these boxes, making them an ideal choice for anyone looking to recreate the taste of Naples at home.
Why choose Carluccio’s Napoli coffee beans?
When it comes to Napoli style coffee, Carluccio’s offers an experience that’s second to none. Carluccio’s beans are roasted in Italy using time-honoured techniques. Every step of the process is designed to capture the essence of Neapolitan coffee culture. The Napoli blend combines the smoothness of arabica with the robustness of robusta, creating a coffee that’s rich, bold, and full of character. Expect a velvety crema and a flavour that lingers long after your last sip. Read our guide on achieving the perfect crema here.
Shop our Napoli coffee beans today.
Experience coffee the Italian way with Carluccio’s
Our espresso coffee range has been specially blended and roasted for us in Italy, and we believe it captures the aroma and flavour of this unique coffee drinking experience. The roasters of Carluccio’s blends roast each type of bean separately in the traditional “drum” roasters, which spin the beans constantly while surrounding them with hot air. A longer roasting time at lower temperatures avoids any burnt taste and recreates the results of the constant, careful stirring given to the pan roasted coffee beans.
Carluccio's commitment to authenticity and quality ensures that each cup of coffee offers a genuine taste of Italy. Each blend, from the bold Napoli to the sweeter Milano, tells a story of its origin.
Shop our full coffees and hot drinks range to find out more about what we offer. For the perfect pairing with your coffee – explore our authentic Italian cakes and biscuits.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Napoli style coffee beans unique?
Napoli beans are defined by their dark roast and blend of arabica and robusta. They offer a bold, full-bodied flavour with a thick crema and low acidity.
How do Napoli beans differ from Milano or Roma blends?
Milano blends are lighter and more floral, while Roma blends are balanced and often offer a nutty and chocolatey profile. Napoli beans are the darkest roast, offering an intense, robust flavour.
Where can I buy authentic Napoli coffee beans?
Carluccio’s Napoli Coffee Beans (250g) provide an authentic Neapolitan experience, combining tradition with exceptional quality.
What’s the best way to brew Napoli coffee?
The traditional Neapolitan flip pot is a great choice, but espresso machines and moka pots also deliver excellent results. Read our guide to Italian moka pots here.
Why choose Carluccio’s Napoli blend?
Carluccio’s Napoli beans are roasted in Italy, ensuring authenticity. Their bold flavour, versatility, and expert craftsmanship make them the perfect choice for coffee enthusiasts.
