Different Types of Coffee Beans

The vast majority of consumers typically walk into coffee shops with no worry about small details, like specific types of coffee beans – the general idea is to pick a size, pick a flavor, take a sip, and hit the road. But those who decide to explore the world of coffee connoisseurship will find that there is more to coffee than the local “CoffeeBucks” [sic] menu. But without a little direction it can be difficult to get started.

Get your coffee trivia fix by exploring the different types of coffee beans below!

Types of Coffee Beans – A Basic Guide

Commercial coffee beans are divided into two overall varieties: Coffea arabica and Coffea robusta.

Most ground coffees sold at the store are a blend of both – usually about 70% arabica and 30% robusta.

Although it only contains half of the caffeine that robusta offers, arabica is considered the overall “better tasting” variety. Low-grade commercial blends include robusta as filler, but this variety is still preferable for creating a rich crema at the top of an espresso.

Only two coffee bean types – sounds simple enough, right? Actually, there is an even deeper layer of variety available for those selective coffee connoisseurs.

For example, popular arabica cultivars include the aromatic Columbian, popular Jamaican Blue Mountain, and the rich Sulawesi varieties.

Robusta isn’t usually categorized into specific coffee bean types, but specialty varieties include the strange Civet and expensive Kopi Luwak.

The average early-morning coffee drinker wouldn’t know a Kopi Luwak bean from a coveted Jamaican Blue Mountain blend – and that’s fine! If you like what you drink then why change it?

Still, it is nice to know the other options that exist, no matter how subtle the differences might be.

There is never any need to feel intimidated by the endless options. Everybody has their own preferences in regards to coffee bean types, and the best way to find out what you love is to get out there an experiment.

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