4 Types Of Coffee Beans (What Is The Best Type Of Coffee Beans + More Information)

Did you know that your coffee brew’s quality, taste, and texture depend on the Java beans? Learn all about the four main types of coffee beans here.

As a self-professed coffee enthusiast, I am always searching for the best cup of coffee, and for the longest time, I believed that New York had the best coffee in the world. I didn’t understand why my well-traveled mother always ridiculed my thinking, yet I couldn’t be convinced otherwise.

And so, when an opportunity to work abroad came up, I was only excited about the people and places I’d finally get to see. I was also ready for mediocre coffee, but this was the biggest shocker of my life. Mother was right! In the last 5 years that I have visited humbling and beautiful places in Africa, Central and South America, I have learned heaps about what good coffee is. I now know that the coffee beans from Kenya, Ethiopia, Peru, and Colombia, for instance, all taste good, but they are different. And these differences in taste profiles is why understanding coffee beans is essential to becoming an actual coffee lover or connoisseur.

How many types of coffee beans are there?

There are four main types of coffee beans – Robusta, Arabica, Excelsa, and Liberica.

Arabica beans are the most popular coffee beans used by up to 70% of all the world’s coffee lovers and brewers worldwide. Robusta coffee beans make up the second most popular type of coffee beans, while Liberica and Excelsa coffee beans are rare, lesser-known varieties.

Do all coffee beans taste the same?

No, all coffee beans taste different because they are grown and harvested from different parts of the world. The differences in geographical locations, the soil quality, and the climatic conditions of these locations affect how the coffee bushes grow and the quality of the beans.

They also taste different depending on the rainfall received, altitude, roasting level, processing method, and brewing process.

Where do coffee beans come from?

Arabica is originally from Ethiopia and most of Central and South America; Robusta grows in most parts of Africa, Liberica is native to West Africa, while Excelsa is mainly grown throughout Southeast Asia. These parts of the world have different climatic conditions and soil, hence differences in the beans.

How we choose the best types of coffee beans

To create this list, we researched extensively about the best varieties of coffee beans. A critical part of our research involved interviewing experts, baristas, and roasters. We also visited coffee processing and testing facilities, where we interacted with the cupping experts to learn more about the best kinds of coffee beans.

Through the research, we listed the best varieties of coffee beans. Then we asked coffee experts and baristas about the features that made the beans different and what coffee drinkers would expect from each bean type regarding the aroma, texture, body or mouthfeel, acidity (brightness), sweetness, flavor, and aftertaste.

Using the information collected, we created this list of top-ranked coffee beans with the knowledge that the types of coffee beans shaped people’s experiences based on where the coffee is grown.

4 types of coffee beans

Here are the main types of coffee beans.

Rank	Coffee Beans	Shape	Flavor Profile
1	Arabica	Oval-shaped, Curved Crease	Complex Flavor, Aromatic, Slightly Bitter, nuanced with berry, nutty, caramel, citrus, and chocolaty flavors, and a smooth finish
2	Robusta	Round-shaped, Straight Crease	Robust, strong, bitter taste like burnt rubber, and earthy aftertaste/ aroma
3	Liberica	Almond-Shaped	Fruity, floral, smoky, and Woody; with black pepper, dark chocolate, fruity, and slightly bitter aftertaste.
4	Excelsa	Almond-Shaped	Tart berries, dark fruits, and floral, with a dry mouthfeel and milder flavors.

Arabica, aka Coffee Arabica, aka The Most Popular Coffee Beans

Arabica coffee beans make up between 60 and 70% of the world’s brewed coffees, dating as far back as 1000 BC in Ethiopia.

This coffee bean is identified by its large oval shape and curved crease. It is also easily identified by the blueberry tones, the fruity flavor, and the perfumey aroma. As a result, it is noticeably sweeter than the Robusta beans, which is why it is popular.

Notably, Arabica coffee beans get their sweetness because they have a high lipid content that stands at 60%, and in comparison, to Robusta beans, it has double the amount of sugar. This composition results in the coffee’s smooth and sweet taste, not to mention its strong aromatic profile. On the downside, Arabica coffee beans have a low caffeine content, which is why most gourmet coffee brands use Arabica beans, and also the preferred coffee beans for people who prefer their coffee with moderate bitterness.

Other than Ethiopia, most Arabica beans are harvested in Central and South America, Indonesia, South Asia, Africa, Arabia, and the islands of Australia, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica.

It’s worth noting that despite its popularity, Arabica coffee’s cultivation is one of the most complex because the plants require a lot of care because of the plant’s small size. The plant is also highly prone to diseases; the leaves are prone to leaf rust that causes them to fall off, so they are pretty delicate. While caffeine is a natural pesticide, its low concentration in these plants means the plants must be well-cared for throughout. To increase the chances of the coffee plants’ success, Arabica is mostly grown in large quantities or monocultures. Also, note that there are more than 20 types of Arabica plants.

The best quality Arabica coffee beans feature the following flavor profiles:

• A bright body
• The right amount of acidity
• Multiple layers of intricate aromas and flavors

To experience all these, it’s best to sample Arabica coffee on your front palate. That said, avoid taking cold Arabica coffee or adding creamer because these would diminish the quality of the beans. Instead, enjoy this coffee hot, brewing it through the pour-over or drip techniques.

Robusta, aka Coffee Canephora, aka Strong Coffee Bean

The second-most type of coffee bean is the Robusta coffee bean, making up between 30 and 40% of the total coffee production in the world.

Robusta beans are small and round, with a straight crease, and these beans get their name from the fact that the beans are hardy, with very robust qualities. These beans are also known for their bitter, earthy profile, chocolaty notes, smooth texture, low acidity, and nutty aftertaste–unfortunately, this has been compared to the smell of burnt rubber.

Robusta coffee plants are more resilient and grow in most parts of Africa but are pretty predominant in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brazil. Unlike Arabica, Robusta coffee beans contain more caffeine (2.7%), and the plants have higher yields. Robusta thrives in lower altitudes, and it’s more resistant to diseases.

Robusta coffee is also much more affordable and is often used for instant coffee and espresso shots, thanks to the coffee beans’ deep flavors, which remain intact after adding sugar and cream. It also stands out because of its unique flavor, not to mention the subtle hints of rum and chocolate found in these coffee beans.

Liberica, aka The Fruity & Woody Coffee Bean, aka Coffee Liberica

The Liberica coffee bean is one of the rarest coffee beans, making up less than 2% of global coffee production. As a result, it is often one of the most expensive coffee beans.

As the name suggests, this coffee originates from the West African country of Liberia and is now grown in Malaysia, Guayana, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The bean is identifiable by its almond shape; an essential thing to note is that it also has the lowest caffeine content. Coffee beans yield per plant is also the lowest.

Liberica beans are known for their fruity and floral aroma and the smoky wood-like flavor that tends to be much more intense than Robusta’s flavors.

Liberica’s access to the West was cut off following a spat between the Philippines and the US until 1995, when it reappeared internationally.

Excelsa aka Coffee Excelsa aka The Rare Bean

Last on the list is a little-known coffee bean variety, the rare bean called the Excelsa. It’s been recently re-classified as a Liberica coffee variant, given the similarities between Excelsa and Liberica, as both coffee beans have an elongated almond shape. These beans are primarily grown in Southeast Asia. The beans are rare, making up only 7% of the total coffee production globally.

These beans have a fruity and rather tart flavor profile, so the beans are highly sought-after. In most cases, excelsa coffee beans are mixed with either Arabica or Robusta, creating a coffee brew with a nice and deep flavor profile.

INFORMATIVE SECTION

What is the most popular type of coffee beans?

Arabica coffee beans are the most popular coffee beans, with a 60-70% popularity. Its popularity stems from the fact that the beans are best enjoyed hot, a temperature that brings out the fullness of the coffee’s body, the low acidity, sweetness, and fruity flavors. The relatively low caffeine content also makes the beans popular.

What is the sweetest type of coffee bean?

Arabica beans are the sweetest coffee beans, and unlike Robusta beans, Arabica has double the sugar and sweetness in Robusta. They also have a higher lipid content contributing to their richness, smoothness, and sweetness.

Which coffee bean is most acidic?

Robusta coffee bean is the most acidic because it has the highest concentration of caffeine. This coffee bean’s acidity gives it desirable properties, but it also tends to be harsh with an astringent mouthfeel. It also has earthy flavors because of the places it grows at.