<p>From a cooks perspective, I think it should be "espresso", or "caffè" not "coffee" in any good tiramisu recipe, which in turn would already suggest a type of beans and roast. </p>

<p>Note that the Italian term caffè denotes the strong black liquid you get from an esspesso machine or a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_pot">moka</a>. </p>

<p>The coffee in a tiramisu has to be concentrated to supply enough flavour without soaking the ladyfingers or other bisquits used. (The same principle applies when you use a liquor.)</p>

<p>When choosing the beans /the roast, the same rule as for wine applies: Use what you drink. And seriously, unless you are making an insane amount of tiramisu, you will be using only very little of one pack of coffee.<br>
I use whatever I choose for my Espresso (if I feel rich, I'll splurge on something from my local roaster, in a pinch the usual suspects like Illy or Lavazza, sometimes even a Starbucks Espresso roast <em>cough</em>) and call it a day.</p>

<p>So in sort, get a classic Italian espresso roast, prepare it authentically and you should be fine. In a pinch, use another coffee, but make sure it is very strong. You'll need a few tablespoons tops for a standard tiramisu recipe.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-15T10:25:48.220Z
Thank you! Any recommendation on the beans or blend?
Eric Platon
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-16T21:20:51.217Z
+1 for use-what-you-drink, though I like the practicality of instant coffee in this application as detailed in my answer. Highly recommend editing the bean selection into your answer (from comments) since it was part of the original question.
hoc_age
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-12T16:54:24.107Z
+1 - would definitely say blend/roast/method are all secondary to "good quality/flavor" and "very strong."
PoloHoleSet
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-15T10:06:10.190Z
2015-12-16T21:25:24.423Z
2015-12-16T21:25:24.423Z
Stephie
<p><strong>Consider also using a strong preparation of instant coffee</strong> or Turkish coffee as an alternative.</p>

<p>This will allow cooks in an "under-equipped" kitchen (said in jest only!) to prepare a coffee of as strong a preparation as you'd like, in the absence of <a href="/questions/tagged/moka" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged &#39;moka&#39;" rel="tag">moka</a> or espresso machine. It will also help with the temperature issue; usually you'll want the prepared coffee to be cooled. You can also use some of the coffee powder as a dusting/garnish in addition to cocoa powder. </p>

<p>As for the roast level, I think this is more personal preference. Your options are limited in commercially available instant coffee powder, but the sky is the limit with other preparations. For tiramisu <strong>I tend to prefer a very dark roast</strong> (French roast, or Italian roast like @Stephie recommended), which I find to be a good complement to rum, but any roast will do. On the other hand, <strong>a bit of bright acidity from a lighter-roasted American coffee</strong> would probably be a great complement for the creaminess. </p>

<p>I've also seen a coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlua or Tia Maria) used in part. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-16T21:30:07.353Z
I once had a Tiramisu with a light acidic coffee - not a pleasant memory. It accentuated the "sour" notes in the mascarpone and tasted almost a bit "off" or "sour milk"-ish.
Stephie
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-18T00:34:36.123Z
Interesting discussion on the roast, thank you!
Eric Platon
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-01T23:30:04.200Z
I generally prepare a very strong Arabica blend in a French press to keep up with the enormous number of ladyfingers. Preparing so much espresso or Turkish coffee is just tedious.
MTSan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-16T02:33:39.103Z
2015-12-16T02:33:39.103Z
hoc_age
<p>Tiramisu is a famous Italian desert made of, among others, mascarpone and coffee.</p>

<p>As an Italian desert, I believe that an Italian roast of some blend is best to match the rich mascarpone and alcohol tastes.</p>

<p>Is there a "standard" roast or blend combination?</p>

<beans><dessert>
What coffee and roast are best for tiramisu?
Eric Platon
# What coffee and roast are best for tiramisu?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-12-15)

Tiramisu is a famous Italian desert made of, among others, mascarpone and coffee.

As an Italian desert, I believe that an Italian roast of some blend is best to match the rich mascarpone and alcohol tastes.

Is there a "standard" roast or blend combination?

**Tags:** beans, dessert


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-12-15. Score: 10 | Accepted answer

From a cooks perspective, I think it should be "espresso", or "caffè" not "coffee" in any good tiramisu recipe, which in turn would already suggest a type of beans and roast.

Note that the Italian term caffè denotes the strong black liquid you get from an esspesso machine or a [moka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_pot).

The coffee in a tiramisu has to be concentrated to supply enough flavour without soaking the ladyfingers or other bisquits used. (The same principle applies when you use a liquor.)

When choosing the beans /the roast, the same rule as for wine applies: Use what you drink. And seriously, unless you are making an insane amount of tiramisu, you will be using only very little of one pack of coffee.  
I use whatever I choose for my Espresso (if I feel rich, I'll splurge on something from my local roaster, in a pinch the usual suspects like Illy or Lavazza, sometimes even a Starbucks Espresso roast *cough*) and call it a day.

So in sort, get a classic Italian espresso roast, prepare it authentically and you should be fine. In a pinch, use another coffee, but make sure it is very strong. You'll need a few tablespoons tops for a standard tiramisu recipe.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you! Any recommendation on the beans or blend?  
> **username_2**: +1 for use-what-you-drink, though I like the practicality of instant coffee in this application as detailed in my answer. Highly recommend editing the bean selection into your answer (from comments) since it was part of the original question.  
> **username_3**: +1 - would definitely say blend/roast/method are all secondary to "good quality/flavor" and "very strong."  

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### Answer by username_2 on 2015-12-16. Score: 4

**Consider also using a strong preparation of instant coffee** or Turkish coffee as an alternative.

This will allow cooks in an "under-equipped" kitchen (said in jest only!) to prepare a coffee of as strong a preparation as you'd like, in the absence of [moka](/questions/tagged/moka "show questions tagged 'moka'") or espresso machine. It will also help with the temperature issue; usually you'll want the prepared coffee to be cooled. You can also use some of the coffee powder as a dusting/garnish in addition to cocoa powder.

As for the roast level, I think this is more personal preference. Your options are limited in commercially available instant coffee powder, but the sky is the limit with other preparations. For tiramisu **I tend to prefer a very dark roast** (French roast, or Italian roast like @username_1 recommended), which I find to be a good complement to rum, but any roast will do. On the other hand, **a bit of bright acidity from a lighter-roasted American coffee** would probably be a great complement for the creaminess.

I've also seen a coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlua or Tia Maria) used in part.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I once had a Tiramisu with a light acidic coffee - not a pleasant memory. It accentuated the "sour" notes in the mascarpone and tasted almost a bit "off" or "sour milk"-ish.  
> **username_0**: Interesting discussion on the roast, thank you!  
> **username_4**: I generally prepare a very strong Arabica blend in a French press to keep up with the enormous number of ladyfingers. Preparing so much espresso or Turkish coffee is just tedious.  

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