How do you define coffee? Well, every coffee lover may express the feeling differently. However, what is common is that coffee becomes the savior whenever you are in stress. Coffee has been in our lives for the past 1300 to 1400 years, and that also makes it one of the oldest drinks in the history of human beings. Presently, the record says that people grow coffee in around more than 75 countries around the world. So, why not take a deeper look at the characteristics of our favorite beverage? Well, let’s start by learning about the different types of coffee beans.
To begin with, there are three major types of coffee beans namely Robusta, Arabica, and Liberica. Moreover, there are more categories of the main categories, and all of these have varied flavors after they are harvested and processed. If we want to explain the main types of coffee in brief, then the best way of doing that is this:
Table of Contents
Robusta coffee beans
Probably the strongest of all the major varieties, Robusta contains at least 2.5% extra caffeine. So, the taste is perfect for the ones who are almost addicted to this beverage.
Arabica coffee beans
Arabica is the milder and more aromatic variety containing pretty low amounts of caffeine. The best fact is that more than 80% of the coffee that we get in the world comes from the Arabica variety. The low caffeine content makes them taste smoother than the rest.
Liberica
The yield is lower in comparison to the rest of the two varieties.
Types of coffee beans and countries of production- let’s get into some details
Since you are familiar with the names of the different types of coffee beans, it is time to take a deeper look!
Robusta coffee beans (Vietnam)
Well, probably the only Vietnamese asset that was not affected by the war years bag is their coffee. The people in this Asian country prefer the Robusta coffee beans mainly for the stronger brew and taste. What you may not have known earlier is that Vietnam is also one of the largest exporters and producers of coffee all across the world. If you have the question of where the Robusta coffee belongs to, then the perfect answer will be, Vietnam, of course!
Arabica and Robusta (Indonesia)
The country of Indonesia occurs often when you are discussing the production of different types of coffee beans. To your surprise, Indonesia produces roughly around 660,000,000 kg of coffee annually. Well, Indonesian coffee lags behind Colombia and Brazil when it comes to taste, and quality. However, nothing can deny the fact that Indonesia is an important name when it comes to the global records of coffee production
Arabica (Brazil)
The truth is that coffee and Brazil go hand-in-hand forever, mainly because the country is one of the largest producers of the beans. According to the records of 2016, the coffee production of Brazil was around 2,594,100 tons. There are two major reasons why Brazilian coffee is considered the best. Firstly, the quality is premium, and also the coffee plantations are spread over large areas, and so the growth is better. Besides, a lot of people prefer a Brazilian variety of coffee because of the low acidity levels in these in comparison to the rest.
Robusta and Arabica (India)
India has always been underrated when it comes to the platform of global coffee production. However, the country produces some of the best types of coffee beans. Especially, Southern India is where you get the abundance of Robusta and Arabica coffee beans. The specialty of Indian coffee beans is the smooth taste, and of course the acidity.
Arabica (Columbia)
As mentioned earlier, Columbia ranks around Brazil based on annual coffee production at around 810,000,000 kg every year. However, Columbia is still behind Brazil when it comes to the brilliant taste of Arabica coffee. The different types of coffee beans blends and roasts that are famous in Colombia include Supremo and Extra.
Arabica (Ethiopia)
Experts say that the tradition of coffee-drinking in Ethiopia is common right from the 9th Century AD. Moreover, there is proof in the books of history that the homeland of coffee is nowhere but Ethiopia. According to a folk tale, centuries back goats used to feed on coffee beans, and the dervishes kept observing them. Later, the dervishes started boiling juices of the fruits that the goats ate and used that as a drink. The country produces around 384,000,000 kg of coffee annually. There are thousands of premium quality coffee tress that the Ethiopians treat as assets.
Robusta and Arabica (Uganda)
Ugandan coffee is just like any other variety that you find around Africa based on the wine-ish acidity, and beautiful aroma. However, Ugandan coffee lags behind Ethiopia and Kenya when it comes to popularity. Moreover, the major portion of the produce is exported to other parts of the world. Therefore, it enhances the condition of the economy. One of the must-mention types of coffee beans that you will find in Uganda is the ‘Bugishu.’
The best coffee types-ultimate definitive guide
The first half of the article was all about the basics of the different types of coffee beans that you will find all across the world. Now, it is time to expand your understanding through the ultimate guide to understand the variety of coffee roasts and drinks. Also, as a coffee lover, it is a must that you know the exact names of the brews and flavors that you love consuming.
Drip coffee
Odds are, you’ve had trickle espresso or drip coffee sooner or later in your life. You may have a drip coffee producer in your home or workspace, or you’ve utilized one of those that you find in the hotel rooms. It’s one of the most famous strategies for making espresso.
The drip technique mixes espresso by warming water in a tank with warming poles. The high temp water at that point gradually disregards ground espresso beans in a channel (normally paper) and afterward trickles underneath into a glass carafe. At the point when the procedure is done, you have an assortment of espresso beans in the channel and a carafe of espresso that is kept hot by a hot plate.
Drip units arrive in a wide assortment of styles and sizes with costs extending from modest to costly. You can pick one that fills just one a mug of espresso or one that gives enough mix to a gathering of people.
Pros:
- Drip coffee is easy, fast, and simple
- You can get the perfect brew by balancing the amount of ground and water as per your requirement.
Cons:
- The ground coffee should not deposit for a longer time, otherwise, there can be growth in the filter or channel.
- If you leave the carafe on the plate for a longer time, the drink may develop a bad, burnt taste.
Cafetiere (French Press)
The French press was presumably how your grandparents (or even distant grandparents) made espresso. However, The French Press is to date one of the most common methods of preparing espresso. Normally a minimal effort thing, the French press includes a glass or metal measuring beaker that you load up with coarse espresso beans. Next, include high temp water and wait till the grounds start to soak. Now, you press the plunger with unclogger down to the base of the glass and hold it until the grounds are isolated from the espresso. Next, you’re prepared to empty the mix into a cup.
The fact about choosing a French press is that you have to start checking out all the options. It will help to get an understanding of the perfect brew time that will be the most suitable. Most of the people prefer close to 4 to 5 minutes, yet you may find that going a little under or over that works best for you. When you make sense of that you’ll have to set a clock each time you choose the French press. So, one sip of the flavorful brew is well justified, despite all the trouble. Since you don’t want a filter with the French press, you get the full, characteristic hearty flavor from the raw beans.
Pros:
- Not just can you add more taste, but also adjust the brew timing
- French Press is both affordable and user-friendly
- You will require very little counter space, for example, you can even store it inside a cupboard.
Cons:
- You must pay more attention if you are after the perfect blend
- There may be a bit of the sediment from ground coffee left in the bottom of your cup
Cold Brew
If you are looking for the best, smooth mug of espresso, the cold blend is the best approach. With a cold blend, you steep coarse espresso beans in cool water for a significant time, say from 12 to 24 hours. The Japanese started this strategy hundreds of years prior, and you can without much of a problem make cold blend at home with only a French press, an artisan container, or a hermetically sealed cold brew machine.
Brewing espresso in chilly water may appear to be unappealing. However, the final product of this technique is a solid, extreme flavor with no harshness. Since the espresso beans aren’t warm, the corrosive level is exceptionally low, and harsh flavor notes are not a worry. The best part is that you get a very smooth lingering flavor.
The cold brew process delivers a concentrated espresso which is typically diluted with water while serving. It implies there is frequently less caffeine in some cold brew than a general mug of espresso. Another reward is that as long as you store your espresso appropriately (fixed to keep out different flavors) it will remain scrumptious for as long as about fourteen days in the refrigerator. So, all you have to do a while later is heat it up or mix it with ice and your selection of flavors.
Pros:
- The taste you get is smooth, unique, and not bitter at all
- It is anytime better for the people who are suffering from acid reflux or heartburn issues
- You can store it properly to make it last for even two weeks.
Cons:
- You require a lot of patience to let the coffee keep brewing for hours at a stretch for that perfection.
- If you are a hot coffee lover, then you may not want to taste a cup of cold brew after reheating.
Boiled or Cowboy coffee
If the coffee maker at home unexpectedly dies out, or in case you’re desiring coffee while outdoors in the wild, the good old cowboy method will protect you from experiencing espresso withdrawal.
All you need is a pan or tin espresso pot and a pit fire (or burner). Put your ideal measure of water in the pot and heat it to the point of boiling. Mix in your espresso beans (one scoop for each cup) and afterward remove from fire to permit the espresso to mix for a couple of moments. After the grounds settle to the base of the utensil that you are using, you can gradually empty the brew into a cup and drink.
The final mix relies partly upon your blending time, 4 to 5 minutes ought to do it. Else, if you don’t get it to perfection, your espresso could taste excessively harsh or very weak. However, you can change it each time you prepare it until you get it on point.
Pros:
- Cowboy coffee is easy to make and also requires the least number of tools and equipment.
- You can enjoy a hot cup of espresso wherever you are.
Cons:
- Sadly, it is probably not the best version of espresso that you have tasted till now.
- It is better to get a strainer so as not to get deposits of ground coffee at the bottom of your cup.
- There are chances that either your fingers or the coffee will burn.
Final thoughts
Coffee is something that we love, irrespective of what time place it is. Besides, it is a great stress-buster for several people. What is more interesting is that caffeine enhances concentration too. So, here we have the best types of coffee beans and brews to increase your coffee knowledge.