(updated October 28th, 2026)
The right coffee for a DeLonghi depends on one thing: whether your machine has a built-in grinder. If it does, buy whole beans. If it doesn’t, buy coffee that’s already ground for espresso. The three blends below cover both: Lavazza Crema e Aroma is whole bean, while illy Classico and Bristot Cremoso come ground.
Beyond that, it’s taste: how dark you like it, how strong, and whether you want robusta in the blend.
I went through each roaster’s own description of these blends. Here’s how they differ.
Best Coffee Blends for DeLonghi Espresso Machines
Lavazza Crema e Aroma
The whole-bean pick, for DeLonghi machines with a grinder. A creamy medium roast with chocolate notes.
Pros
- Whole beans, made for espresso machines
- Medium roast, rated 8 out of 10 for intensity by Lavazza, with chocolate notes
- Large 2.2 lb bag
Cons
- A blend of arabica and robusta, which not everyone wants
- Whole beans need a grinder, built in or separate
Lavazza sources the beans from South America, Africa and Asia and says it’s made in facilities that only produce coffee. Its chocolate notes come through well in milk drinks, which makes it a good everyday cappuccino coffee.
illy Classico Medium Roast
A smooth, balanced, 100% arabica espresso that comes already ground. The pick for DeLonghi machines without a grinder.
Pros
- Ground for espresso, so no grinder needed
- 100% arabica, medium roast
- illy describes it as smooth and balanced
Cons
- Small 8.8 oz pack
- Pre-ground coffee loses freshness faster once opened than whole beans do
This listing is the espresso grind; illy sells the same Classico roast in drip and moka grinds too, so check you’re buying the right one for your machine.
Bristot Espresso Cremoso Italiano
The strongest coffee here: a pre-ground Italian blend Bristot rates 10 out of 10 for intensity.
Pros
- 70% arabica, 30% robusta for a bold cup with a lot of crema
- Notes of cocoa, cereals and dark spices, per Bristot
- Ground specifically for home espresso machines
Cons
- Bristot says it’s not suitable for moka pots or drip, so it’s espresso only
- Small 8.8 oz (250 g) bag
- Too intense if you prefer a mild espresso
It’s a medium roast, slow-roasted according to Bristot, so the strength comes from the blend rather than from a very dark roast.
How the Three Compare
| Coffee | Form | Roast | Beans | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lavazza Crema e Aroma | Whole bean | Medium | Arabica and robusta | 2.2 lb |
| illy Classico | Ground (espresso) | Medium | 100% arabica | 8.8 oz |
| Bristot Cremoso | Ground (espresso) | Medium | 70% arabica, 30% robusta | 8.8 oz |
What to Look for in Coffee for a DeLonghi
Whole Bean or Ground
This is the deciding question. A DeLonghi with a built-in grinder gets the most from whole beans. One without a grinder needs coffee ground for espresso; drip or moka grinds are too coarse and give weak, fast shots.
Roast Level
Medium to dark roasts are the easiest to get good espresso from. Lighter roasts taste brighter and more acidic and are harder to extract well.
Arabica or Robusta
Robusta adds body, crema and strength; 100% arabica tastes smoother. Two of these three blends include robusta.
Freshness
Buy a size you’ll finish within a few weeks of opening, and keep it airtight. That matters more for ground coffee, which goes stale faster than whole beans.
Which Coffee Should You Buy?
If your DeLonghi has a grinder, get the Lavazza Crema e Aroma. If it doesn’t, the illy Classico is the smoother everyday choice and the Bristot is the one for strong espresso. If you also use a Breville, the best beans for Breville machines are worth a look.
