Onyx Coffee Lab is one of the most well-known names in specialty coffee. But even if you’re not shopping for beans right now, their website is worth checking out. It’s one of the best-designed coffee sites out there, packed with useful info on different beans, brewing techniques, and sourcing transparency.
When it comes to quality, Onyx takes things to another level. They source some of the best beans in the world and go all in on solar-powered roasting, detailed trade data, and full transparency. Their mantra, Never Settle for Good Enough, isn’t just a tagline—it really shows in what they do.
Unboxing Onyx: The Luxury Coffee Packaging Experience
Before we even get to the coffee, let’s talk about the packaging. Onyx has turned it into an experience.
From the moment you get your order, it feels premium. The sleek matte-black boxes with pink accents have a bold but refined look. But the real surprise is inside.
Instead of a typical coffee bag, Onyx uses a two-part box design that unfolds to reveal a beautifully printed interior. There’s a detailed map showing elevation levels, bean varieties, and brewing control charts. It’s both a useful guide and a cool design element that makes the whole experience feel special.
The Espresso Experience: Four Onyx Coffee Lab Samples
I pulled espresso shots for each of these coffees to see how they performed.
El Salvador Santa Rosa Honey
Tasting Notes: Concord Grape, Demerara Sugar, Rose, Dark Chocolate
Smooth and syrupy, this one had a rich mouthfeel with dark chocolate depth balanced by subtle fruitiness from the concord grape. The rose added a floral touch, while the demerara sugar gave it a caramelized sweetness.
Rwanda Kanzu
Tasting Notes: Apricot, Cane Sugar, Honeycomb, Black Tea
Bright and lively, this espresso had a juicy sweetness upfront from the apricot and cane sugar. The honeycomb and black tea notes gave it a smooth, balanced finish. If you like fruit-forward espresso, this one stands out.
Kenya Muthingini AA
Tasting Notes: Valencia Orange, Raw Sugar, Peach, Sparkling
The most complex of the four. First sip hit with bright citrus—mostly Valencia orange and peach—followed by a subtle effervescence that made it feel almost sparkling. The raw sugar rounded it out with just enough sweetness.
Framily
Tasting Notes: Baked Apple, Earl Grey, Baker’s Chocolate, Berries
This one had a cozy, autumn-like vibe. The baked apple and Earl Grey brought warmth, while the baker’s chocolate gave it depth. A bit of berry on the finish kept it balanced. Since I usually go for darker roasts, this ended up being my favorite.
A Closer Look at the Beans & Espresso Shots
To see how these beans compared, I poured them out on my tamp mat. Each variety had distinct colors and sizes, showing the diversity in processing and roasting.
Pulling shots, the crema was thick and velvety—always a good sign of fresh, well-roasted beans.
I also made a cappuccino with the El Salvador Santa Rosa Honey beans, and it worked beautifully with milk.
Final Thoughts: Which Onyx Coffee is the Best for Espresso?
Each of these had something unique to offer, but Framily was my top pick. I tend to lean toward darker roasts, and this one had the depth and richness I love. That said, El Salvador Santa Rosa Honey was a close second. The syrupy mouthfeel and deep sweetness made it super enjoyable, and since it’s available year-round, I’d probably order it again.
Onyx is definitely on the higher end price-wise, but that’s expected with premium coffee. You’re not just paying for great beans—you’re getting the full experience. The thoughtfully designed website, the high-end packaging, and the meticulous roasting process all set Onyx apart. For anyone who appreciates the details, it’s worth it.
Check out Onyx Coffee Lab for yourself and see what catches your eye!