Exploring the Types of Coffee Beans and Their Origins
With over 50 countries in the world growing coffee, variations in altitude, soil, temperature, and climate significantly affect the taste and aroma of the beans.
Collectively, these regions form the coffee belt, spanning Africa, Asia, and Latin America – areas with ideal conditions for coffee cultivation.
Coffee plays an essential role in our daily routine, boosting productivity, providing relaxation, and giving us our regular shot of caffeine. It really is the most popular beverage in the world. Don’t believe us? Well, the world consumes over 2.25 billion cups of coffee every day!
With that many cups of coffee, people must have a favourite by now. Whether it’s the four primary speciality coffee flavours or sub-varieties, here is a know-it-all guide for you!
Different Types of Coffee Beans and Their Origin
Every coffeeholic knows that all coffee does not taste the same. But do you wonder why? Coffee beans have a range of flavours due to the variety of beans. These beans are grown worldwide, each with their unique flavours and aromas.
From the bold richness associated with Robusta to the delicate aroma of Arabica, the characteristic brew differs. The four speciality coffee beans are Arabica, Excelsa, Liberica, and Robusta. These radically different coffee beans impart different flavours and aromas.
Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica Beans are native to Ethiopia. These coffee beans are the first species of coffee to have ever been cultivated! Today, Arabica beans represent about 60% of the total global production.
These coffee beans grow at high altitudes in tropical climates. Thus, they originate in Ethiopia, Colombia, and Brazil.
Mostly, Arabica beans are known for their enticing aroma and rich flavor, which are complemented by chocolate, caramel, fruity, and floral notes. Arabica coffee notes have a lower caffeine content, which makes them a favorite amongst mild coffee lovers!
Excelsa Coffee Beans
Excelsa coffee beans have a bold flavour and aroma. They are exclusively used as a filler with Robusta and Arabica to create a good, balanced flavour.
Excelsa beans were first discovered in Central Africa in the 20th century. Today, they are exclusively cultivated in southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, the Philippines, and India. But they account for 7% of the global coffee production.
Excelsa has notes of dark fruits such as cherry, plum, or berries. The tartness imparts a sharp flavour to these coffee beans.
Liberica Coffee Beans
Liberica, the most scarce type of coffee beans, originates in Liberia, West Africa. These coffee beans are now grown in the Philippines.
In the late 19th century, a coffee rust disease wiped out many coffee species. In those regions, Liberica was introduced as this blend is relatively more resistant to diseases. Liberica plantations also thrive well in diverse climates. Thus, it emerged as a speciality coffee.
Liberica coffee beans have fruity undertones with distinct woody and smoky flavors. These coffee beans add a complex flavor and richness to other blends when brewed together.
Robusta Beans
Robusta coffee plantations grow well in lower altitudes with a warm climate. They account for 40% of the global coffee production.
Robusta beans are cultivated in Vietnam, Uganda, Brazil, and Indonesia. These coffee beans have a very high caffeine content. The caffeine content may be twice as much as Arabica beans. So, if you love your morning caffeine shot, Robusta is the right blend for you.
With the high caffeine content, these coffee beans also pack intense and robust flavours. Robusta coffee beans have earthy notes that make the coffee slightly bitter, perfect for espresso.
Beyond the Primary Types
Arabica, Excelsa, Liberica, and Robusta are the four primary types of coffee beans. However, regional distinctions can create diversity in coffee. This regional difference imparts various notes to the coffee beans.
So, if you think our guide missed out on some of your favourite coffee blends, worry not! Here are some common sub-varieties of coffee.
African Coffee
Are you in search of wonderful and distinct flavors? Try the African coffee. With medium acidity and dark roast, the African coffee beans have a balanced profile.
Can you guess the birthplace of coffee? It’s no place other than Ethiopia. Ethiopian coffees include Sidamo and Yirgacheffe, which are known for their complex flavour profiles, bright acidity, and floral notes!
African coffee also includes Kenyan coffee beans with their fruity flavors and high acidic profiles. Besides them, Tanzanian coffee growing in Mount Kilimanjaro is also a famous sub-variety of coffee beans originating in Africa.
Latin American Coffee
If we classify coffee by region, let’s not forget Latin American blends. From Colombian coffee to Brazilian espressos, what’s better than a cup of authentic americano?
Colombian coffee beans have the most balanced taste profiles, including bright acidity with notes of caramel.
Now, let’s talk about Brazil, the largest coffee producer in the world. Brazilian coffee is undoubtedly the smoothest blend we know. With rich, chocolatey, and nutty flavours, Brazilian coffee beans are a world favourite, with Brazilian Santos at the top of the charts!
Are we forgetting something? Yes! Costa Rican coffee. This high-quality Arabica coffee, exclusively grown in the Tarrazu region, is known for its clean and fruity undertones.
Asian Coffee
Indonesia, one of the biggest producers of coffee, is known for its Robusta and Arabica blends. The coffee cultivation regions in Indonesia are Java, Sulawesi, and Sumatra, with Sumatra dominantly producing Arabica and Robusta.
Asian coffee beans have earthy notes with gentle acidic profiles. These bold and unique flavors are a world favorite due to hints of tobacco, chocolate, and spice.
Besides Indonesia, Vietnam produces Robusta beans with the strongest flavor profiles. These coffee beans have a bold taste that is enjoyed with condensed milk.
India also contributes to the Arabica and Robusta beans. Some popular regions include Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. Malabar coffee, with its distinctive spicy flavour, is an Indian speciality coffee.
Similarly, Papua New Guinea’s coffee is celebrated for its fruity and floral notes. The diverse climate of Asia imparts unique flavor profiles to coffee beans grown in this region that are cherished by coffee lovers throughout the world.
Benny Beans – Premium Coffee Experience In Tamworth
Now that you’re familiar with the many types of coffees and their origins, you must step into the world of Benny Beans. At Benny Beans, we are passionate about well-brewed coffee.
We source our coffee beans from all around the globe to ensure every cup offers a distinctive taste.
- Brazilian Signature Blend. If you enjoy smooth and rich coffee with a bit of fruity zest, this blend is just right for you. It offers a nice balance of fruity acidity that gives a bit of a kick and finishes with a hint of dark cocoa.
- Benny’s Blend is our most popular coffee, and for good reason. This original blend is crafted in the Italian style, offering a special aroma and taste. The best part is the dark roasted cocoa finish that leaves a lasting impression.
- Central American Blend. This blend is worth considering if you like sweet and creamy coffee with a balanced roast. It’s roasted to a perfect medium to dark level, bringing out the sweetness with a creamy texture.
From earthy to spicy notes of Indonesian coffee to the fruity and floral flavours of African varieties, we have it all.