7 Best Stumptown Espresso Beans of 2026

For espresso lovers seeking a versatile workhorse that delivers both nuance and consistency, the Holler Mountain from Stumptown is a revelation. This organic blend masterfully balances bright citrus zest with creamy caramel and a nutty hazelnut finish, creating a layered shot that’s rich without tipping into bitterness. Designed to pull a great espresso, it shines under pressure—offering enough sweetness and body to stand up to milk, while still revealing its complexity in a straight shot. It solves the all-too-common espresso dilemma: finding a bean that’s both approachable and sophisticated, ideal for home baristas who want one bag to do it all.

In real-world testing, Holler Mountain proved remarkably stable across different machines—from semi-automatics to compact pod-style brewers—delivering a clean, balanced extraction with minimal tuning. Its 100% Arabica composition and medium roast profile allow it to develop a velvety crema and a lively acidity that cuts through oat milk lattes, while still offering depth in straight espresso. On pour-over or drip, it maintains its charm, though its true sweet spot is undeniably under high pressure. That said, those chasing extreme fruitiness or wild fermentation notes may find it a bit too refined and grounded—this is not a novelty bean, but a daily driver built for reliability.

Compared to the Ethiopia Guji, which dazzles with its lemon-lime pop and tea-like delicacy, Holler Mountain trades brightness for balance, making it a smarter pick for espresso-focused routines. While the Hair Bender offers more complexity, it demands more from your grinder and technique. Holler Mountain, by contrast, is forgiving and consistent—perfect for beginners and seasoned users alike who want espresso excellence without the fuss. It doesn’t chase trends; it earns loyalty, delivering a performance-to-simplicity ratio that outshines even pricier single-origins.

Hair Bender isn’t just Stumptown’s flagship—it’s a roaster’s benchmark, a complex symphony of global beans that performs like a dream under the portafilter. This multi-origin blend layers Latin American brightness with African fruitiness and Indonesian depth, yielding a shot with vibrant citrus, deep dark chocolate, and a whisper of raisin—making it one of the most dimensional espresso experiences in its class. For those tired of one-note dark roasts or overly sharp single-origins, Hair Bender delivers the goldilocks zone: bold enough for milk drinks, nuanced enough for black sipping. It’s engineered to shineno matter how you brew it, a rare claim that actually holds up in practice.

In rigorous espresso testing, Hair Bender consistently produced a rich, syrupy body with a lingering chocolate finish and just enough acidity to keep things lively. Its medium roast level ensures optimal solubility, reducing channeling risks and improving shot repeatability across grind settings. Whether pulled as a ristretto or stretched into a lungo, it maintains structural integrity—no mean feat for a blend with such diverse flavor components. That said, it does demand precision: inconsistent grinding or uneven tamping can mute its layered profile, revealing a slightly ashy note in poorly executed shots. It’s not a “set it and forget it” bean, but for those willing to dial it in, the rewards are exceptional clarity and depth.

Against the Holler Mountain, Hair Bender trades some ease-of-use for artistic range—it’s the espresso equivalent of a full-spectrum paint palette versus a reliable neutral tone. While the Founder’s Blend offers a simpler, chocolate-forward profile for everyday drinking, Hair Bender is for the discerning brewer who wants complexity without compromise. It’s less about brute strength and more about flavor architecture, making it ideal for home baristas with good equipment and a curiosity for nuance. In the blend vs. blend showdown, Hair Bender justifies its reputation as the best overall with a performance that’s both adventurous and dependable.

If you’re chasing single-origin purity in your espresso, the Colombia Los Picos is a seasonal gem that delivers orchard-like vibrancy with every shot. Grown at high altitude and processed with meticulous care by individual farming families, this bean bursts with green apple tartness, juicy cherry sweetness, and a honeyed roundness that lingers beautifully. For espresso drinkers who appreciate terroir-driven transparency, this is a standout—offering a laser-focused flavor profile that highlights the natural gifts of its micro-lot origins. It solves the problem of bland, over-roasted single-origins by preserving its bright, fruit-forward character even under high pressure.

When pulled as a slow espresso, Los Picos reveals its full potential: a crisp, winey acidity balanced by a syrupy body and a finish that echoes fresh-baked cherry pie. It performs best with a slightly coarser grind and lower dose to avoid over-extracting its delicate acids. In milk drinks, it can get overshadowed—this is a neat espresso or macchiato star, not a latte base. While it’s stunning in peak season, availability is limited (November–June), and freshness is critical; even a few weeks past roast can dull its lively spark. It’s not the most forgiving bean, but for those who value seasonal authenticity, it’s worth the effort.

Compared to the Ethiopia Guji, Los Picos trades tropical zest for structured fruitiness—think apple and cherry rather than lemon-lime. While Hair Bender offers more body and blend consistency, Los Picos wins on distinctiveness and origin expression. It’s not built for high-volume use or milk-heavy routines, but for the purist who treats espresso as an experience, it’s unmatched. When freshness aligns, it delivers a clarity and elegance that makes even the best blends feel a little generic in comparison.

Ethiopia Guji is a bright, electrifying entry in Stumptown’s lineup, built for espresso lovers who crave ferment-like funk and citrus fireworks in their cup. Sourced from one of Ethiopia’s most exciting growing regions, this bean delivers lemon-lime zing, black tea tannins, and a subtle hops-like complexity that feels more like a craft kombucha than traditional coffee. It’s a bold choice for espresso, especially for those tired of chocolate-heavy blends and ready to explore anaerobic-adjacent flavors without the price tag. If you want your morning shot to awaken your palate, not just your nervous system, this is the bean.

In espresso form, Guji performs best as a short pull—ristretto-style—to concentrate its juicy acids and floral undertones. It produces a tea-like body with a clean, almost effervescent mouthfeel, making it ideal for back-to-back shots or espresso tonic. However, it lacks the syrupy heft needed for rich milk drinks; steamed dairy tends to mute its delicate top notes. It also demands freshness and precision: stale beans or inconsistent grinding can turn its brightness into harshness. But when dialed in right, it offers a flavor adventure few single-origins match, especially in the espresso single-origin space.

Against Los Picos, Guji feels wilder and more experimental—less orchard fruit, more fermented citrus and herbal lift. While Holler Mountain offers stability, Guji thrives on contrast and surprise. It’s not for everyone, but for the adventurous home barista or third-wave enthusiast, it’s a thrilling alternative to conventional profiles. It may not be the most versatile, but in terms of flavor innovation and sensory impact, it outpaces even Stumptown’s best blends.

For the curious espresso drinker who wants to sample Stumptown’s range without committing to single bags, this 48-ounce bundle is a value-packed tasting flight in disguise. It includes Holler Mountain, Founder’s Blend, Hundred Mile, and French Roast—a lineup that spans from citrus-kissed brightness to toasty, smoky depth—making it perfect for households with mixed preferences or espresso explorers building their palate. The real win here is versatility: one bag pulls a nuanced shot, another fuels a bold morning latte, and the French Roast delivers a surprisingly clean dark option that never tastes burnt.

Each blend holds its own under pressure. Holler Mountain remains the espresso standout, while Founder’s Blend offers a chocolate-forward simplicity ideal for beginners. Hundred Mile brings a hearty, crowd-pleasing body, and French Roast proves dark doesn’t have to mean harsh—its clove and bittersweet chocolate notes extract cleanly with minimal bitterness. The organic and Direct Trade sourcing ensures quality consistency across all four, which is rare in bundles. However, the 12-ounce bags mean you’ll need to rotate quickly—especially for espresso, where freshness is non-negotiable.

Compared to buying Holler Mountain or Hair Bender individually, this bundle offers better cost efficiency and broader exploration, though it lacks the seasonal exclusivity of single-origins like Los Picos or Guji. It’s not the choice for purists chasing a single perfect shot, but for families, offices, or rotating routines, it’s unmatched. It delivers a strategic balance of flavor, function, and affordability, making it the smartest entry point into Stumptown’s espresso world.

French Roast by Stumptown is a bold reinvention of the dark roast—smoky and intense, yet remarkably clean and never burnt. For espresso drinkers who love a powerful, roasty punch but hate the ashy aftertaste of overdone beans, this is a game-changer. Roasted to coax out toasted malt and clove spice, it delivers a bittersweet chocolate backbone that holds up fiercely against steamed milk, making it a top-tier choice for dark-roast espresso lovers. It solves the perennial problem of dark beans losing character under pressure—here, the flavor survives extraction with dignity.

In real-world use, French Roast pulls a dense, low-acid shot with a syrupy mouthfeel and a long, smoky finish—ideal for Americanos or espresso with oat milk. It’s forgiving on lower-end grinders, as its low brightness masks minor inconsistencies. However, its deep roast profile flattens the nuanced top notes prized in specialty espresso, making it a poor fit for black sipping or light-roast fans. It also benefits from slightly cooler water (around 92°C) to avoid amplifying bitterness. While it lacks the complexity of Hair Bender, it excels in strength and consistency for those who prioritize boldness over balance.

Compared to Holler Mountain, it trades citrus zest and caramel for toasty depth, making it better suited for evening drinks or milk-based espresso. Against Founder’s Blend, it’s less sweet and more aggressive—ideal for those who want roast character over origin nuance. It’s not the most refined option, but for dark roast loyalists, it offers a rare blend of quality and intensity that’s hard to find at this price.

Founder’s Blend is the unsung hero of Stumptown’s lineup—a chocolate-forward, no-nonsense workhorse that delivers reliable, crowd-pleasing espresso without fanfare. With vanilla sweetness and cocoa powder depth, it’s the all-day drinker that shines in high-volume routines, office setups, or homes where not everyone wants a flavor adventure. It’s the anti-extreme: no wild acidity, no fermented funk—just a smooth, full-bodied cup that extracts evenly and tastes great even when rushed. For those who want espresso that just works, this is the ultimate budget-friendly backbone.

In testing, Founder’s Blend proved incredibly consistent—pulling balanced shots with minimal tuning, even on entry-level machines. Its medium roast and clean Central/South American profile resist over-extraction, yielding a sweet, approachable espresso with a soft finish. It’s also milk’s best friend, blending seamlessly into lattes and cappuccinos without disappearing. That said, it’s not complex or distinctive—if you’re chasing layered notes or seasonal terroir, look elsewhere. It’s designed for volume and versatility, not revelation.

Against Hair Bender, it loses points for excitement, but wins on affordability and ease. Compared to Holler Mountain, it’s less nuanced but more uniform across brews. It’s not the most espresso-sophisticated option, but for daily drivers, beginners, or multi-user households, it’s a practical powerhouse. It may not thrill connoisseurs, but in the value-to-performance race, it quietly dominates.