An espresso with a thick crema, roasted notes of cocoa and a pleasant spiciness - that is exactly what Kimbo from Naples stands for. But there is no single best Kimbo variety: those who love a short, full-bodied espresso will make a different choice than someone who drinks a cappuccino in the morning or uses a bean-to-cup coffee machine at the office. The deciding factors are the roast, the bean blend and how you prepare your coffee.
Kimbo is known for its Neapolitan style: full-bodied, full of character and with a roast that remains present even in milk drinks. This makes many varieties particularly attractive for espresso machines, bean-to-cup machines and Moka pots. Here you will find the most important differences so that you can choose the right pack without a lot of trial and error.
What makes Kimbo coffee so typically Italian
Kimbo roasts coffee with a clear focus on espresso. Compared to light-roasted, fruitier specialty coffees, there are fewer citrus notes and more body. Depending on the variety, you will taste cocoa, roasted nuts, spices or a delicate sweetness. The crema is usually thick and stable - especially with the correct grind and fresh beans.
However, "full-bodied" is not automatically synonymous with bitter. A darker roast brings more roasted aromas, but can become harsh if the extraction is too hot or too long. This is why, for everyday use, it is worth choosing the variety not just by the intensity rating. Your drink and your machine also play a role.
Best Kimbo varieties by taste and preparation
Kimbo Espresso Napoletano: for the classic, full-bodied espresso
Espresso Napoletano is ideal for anyone looking for a coffee with a distinct Southern Italian profile. The blend is full, spicy and roasted, with a pronounced body. In the cup, it works particularly well as an espresso or ristretto, but also remains pleasantly present as a Caffè Lungo.
This variety is a good choice if you drink your espresso without sugar and like a distinctive aroma. In a portafilter, it shows its strength with a thick crema. In a bean-to-cup machine, it is advisable not to set the grind too fine and to keep the drink volume short for espresso. Otherwise, the dark roasted aromas can become too dominant in very long extractions.
Kimbo Crema Intensa: the reliable all-rounder
Crema Intensa is considered one of the best Kimbo varieties by many, because it combines strength and accessibility perfectly. The coffee is well-rounded, has plenty of body and produces a beautiful crema. Its full-bodied base cuts through cappuccino, latte macchiato and Caffè Latte convincingly, without the milk completely masking the coffee flavour.
This variety is particularly practical for households with different preferences. An espresso in the morning, a cappuccino in the afternoon - both work. Crema Intensa is also a safe option for bean-to-cup machines, especially if milk drinks are prepared regularly. However, those looking for very delicate, light Arabica aromas will likely find it too intense.
Kimbo Aroma Gold: for softer, more elegant cups
Aroma Gold is aimed at coffee drinkers who prefer a milder, more aromatic profile. The Arabica base brings more elegance to the cup: less rustic spiciness, but often notes reminiscent of nuts, sweetness and delicate acidity. The coffee remains Italian, but tastes significantly gentler than a very dark Neapolitan blend.
As an espresso, Aroma Gold tastes balanced and pleasantly soft. It is also a good choice for bean-to-cup machines for anyone who drinks several cups a day and does not want an overly heavy aftertaste. It also works well with milk, but loses its presence more quickly than Crema Intensa or Espresso Napoletano. For cappuccino fans who do not like it too strong, this can be exactly the advantage.
Kimbo Top Flavour: for more Arabica character
Top Flavour is interesting if you are looking for a high-quality espresso with a clearer, more delicate aroma. The high Arabica content provides a more elegant impression, while the roast brings enough structure for a classic Italian espresso. The result is usually less heavy than a Robusta-focused blend, but by no means weak.
This variety shows its strengths when you consciously enjoy your espresso and pay attention to the nuances. In a portafilter, a precise recipe with a fresh grind and a rather short extraction time is worth it. Very good results can be achieved in a bean-to-cup machine, as long as the brewing group is clean and the beans are not ground excessively fine. It is possible for large milk drinks, but not the most obvious choice if you are looking for maximum punch.
Kimbo Barista 100% Arabica: for more delicate espresso moments
With a 100% Arabica blend, balance is often more prominent than pure power. Kimbo Barista 100% Arabica is suitable for people who prefer an aromatic, refined cup and also enjoy drinking their espresso black. The acidity is usually well integrated in the Italian style, yet the coffee tastes livelier than a darker blend with a higher Robusta content.
The variety is well suited to a quiet morning espresso or a Caffè after a meal. However, it requires a little more attention during preparation. If the extraction is too long, the finer aromas can be lost. For a large milk coffee at the office, a more intense variety is often more economical and makes more sense in terms of flavour.
Which Kimbo variety is right for your machine?
The bean alone does not determine the result. An espresso from a portafilter is extracted more concentrated than one from a bean-to-cup machine. The Moka pot, on the other hand, works at a higher temperature and can quickly accentuate dark roasts. This is why it is worth choosing according to your setup.
For the portafilter, Espresso Napoletano, Top Flavour and Aroma Gold are particularly well suited. You can finely control the dosage, grind and extraction time, bringing out either the full-bodied side or the more elegant aroma. For darker varieties, the rule is: better to extract a clean, not too long espresso than to create bitterness by using too much water.
In the bean-to-cup machine, Crema Intensa and Espresso Napoletano are reliable options for fans of the full-bodied profile. Aroma Gold is the more pleasant alternative for a softer Café Crème or a longer coffee. If you often switch, for example between espresso and cappuccino, Crema Intensa offers the most practical compromise.
For the Moka pot, full-bodied blends are excellent, provided the coffee is not ground too fine. Espresso Napoletano delivers the typical, thick Italian character here. Use hot water in the lower part and remove the pot from the heat as soon as the coffee has finished flowing through. This keeps the roasted aromas full without tasting burnt.
Espresso, cappuccino or Café Crème: how to choose more quickly
If you mainly drink espresso, Aroma Gold, Top Flavour and Espresso Napoletano are the most interesting candidates. The choice lies between mild and aromatic, delicate and Arabica-focused or full-bodied and Neapolitan. For cappuccino and other milk drinks, Crema Intensa is usually the easiest choice, because the coffee remains clearly identifiable even alongside milk.
For Café Crème or longer extractions in a bean-to-cup machine, it is better to choose a variety with a balanced profile. Aroma Gold offers a softer, everyday-friendly character. Crema Intensa is suitable if you want a stronger flavour even in a large coffee. Very dark espresso roasts can work as a long extraction, but only if your machine is properly set and not too much water flows through the ground beans.
Freshness and quantity make the difference
Even the best variety will only taste as good as it is stored and prepared. Store beans in a dry, cool place away from light - but not in the refrigerator. After opening, they should be kept as airtight as possible. If you consume a lot, it is better to buy a larger quantity or choose a set with several varieties so that you can compare them without leaving coffee open unnecessarily for too long.
Especially for households with several coffee drinkers or small teams, keeping a supply is worth it: You save time and do not have to decide anew with every pack. At Baristacoffeeshop, you receive original Italian coffee with shipping within Switzerland. From CHF 70, delivery is free, and for regular needs, subscription and bulk offers can be a practical solution.
If you cannot decide between two varieties, start with Crema Intensa for milk drinks or Espresso Napoletano for the uncompromisingly classic taste. After a few cups, you will quickly notice whether you want more strength, more crema or more Arabica finesse in your cup in the future.