Choosing coffee beans for espresso starts with the drink you enjoy, not a universal list of winners. A bag labeled for espresso can be a convenient starting point, but different coffees and roast styles can produce very different cups. Look at the roaster's description, the roast date, the size of the bag and the equipment you have before deciding what to try.
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This guide is about making a useful shortlist. Taste is personal, and a tasting note is a description from the roaster rather than a guarantee that everyone will perceive the same flavor. Check the information on the exact bag and follow the instructions supplied with your grinder and espresso machine.
Decide how you will drink it
Think about whether you usually drink espresso on its own, dilute it with water or combine it with milk. You may prefer a different balance for each. Read the flavor notes and ask the roaster which coffee they suggest for your intended drink. A small bag lets you try a coffee before committing to a larger amount.
Some bags describe a blend; others identify a single origin. A blend combines coffees, while a single-origin description narrows where the coffee comes from. Neither term by itself guarantees a flavor, roast level or result in your machine. Check the roaster's own details and choose the description that sounds appealing to you.
Read the roast description
Coffee companies use terms such as light, medium and dark, but descriptions can vary between roasters. Rather than treating a roast label as a precise measurement across brands, compare the notes supplied by the same roaster and keep track of what you liked in previous bags.
A coffee labeled as an espresso blend has been selected or described by its roaster for that use. Other whole-bean coffees can also be prepared as espresso. If a bag does not include brewing guidance, ask the roaster how they suggest starting and adjust to your own taste. Avoid assuming that a darker roast or a particular origin is always the right choice.