The Ultimate Guide to Coffee Beans: Everything You Need to Know
Coffee, Joe, Hot Java – whatever you call it, it’s the nation's favourite hot beverage in 2024. The world of different coffee beans is a rich tapestry of diverse options, coming from various exotic origins, and presented in an array of intricate roasting methods. Trends also indicate that coffee drinkers are becoming less satisfied with basic cups of instant, meaning cafe owners should have a better knowledge of the landscape to serve their customers best.
From the vibrancy of international offerings to the effects of different roasting methods, this guide digs into the intricacies of coffee beans. Whether you run a coffee shop or have been Googling ‘specialty coffee near me’, this guide will give a comprehensive view of the world’s coffee landscape.
Different Coffee Bean Types: The Basics
Before we dig into the nitty-gritty of specialty beans and coffee origins, it’s important to understand the basics of the different beans.
Arabica Coffee (Coffea arabica)
Considered by many the pinnacle of coffee, Arabica beans dominate global production, making up 60-70% of the market. Grown primarily in high-altitude regions in various countries, Arabica beans are celebrated for smooth, complex flavours that often include hints of fruit, chocolate, and nuts. They typically exhibit a delicate acidity and aromatic profiles ranging from floral to nutty.
Robusta Coffee (Coffea caniphora)
Robusta beans, comprising a smaller but significant portion of the market, have a higher caffeine content and robust, bitter flavour profile. They are resilient plants that thrive in low-altitude environments, making them popular in blends and espresso where their strong character can cut through milk. Robusta beans feature woody or nutty undertones, resulting in high-crema espressos.
Liberica Coffee (Coffea liberica)
A rare and distinctive variety, coffee liberica beans are known for their large size and unique, sweeter flavour profile, offering a bold, smoky taste with floral and fruity notes. Cultivated primarily in West Africa (Liberia) and naturalised in different growing areas, Liberica beans have a niche presence due to their complex flavour and the challenges associated with their cultivation.
Excelsa (Coffea liberica var. dewevrei)
Excelsa coffee beans, sometimes considered a separate species from Liberica, contribute a unique flavour profile characterised by a rich profile, woody notes, and fruitiness with hints of dark chocolate. Often blended with Arabica to add complexity to the cup, Excelsa beans are cultivated in regions like Southeast Asia and parts of Africa.
The different coffee beans have varying growing requirements, along with native areas for where they naturally thrive. Despite this, most of them have been somewhat naturalised for growth in the various areas of coffee origin.
Coffee Origins: Where do Coffee Beans Come From?
Understanding the origin of your coffee beans, provides insight into their unique flavours and characteristics, even if the same species are produced in different places. The tastes of coffee beans are influenced by factors such as altitude, soil composition, climate, and processing methods.
Latin America
Latin America is a major region in terms of coffee production, known for the Central American “Bean Belt”. This area is known for its wide variety of beans that thrive in the climate and setting.
- Colombia: Colombian coffee, particularly Colombian Supremo, is known for its well-balanced acidity, medium body, and notes of chocolate, caramel, and nuts.
- Brazil: As firmly the largest coffee producer globally (40% of the world’s supply!), Brazil offers a diverse range of coffee styles.
- Guatemala: Guatemalan coffees have a bright acidity, floral and citrusy notes, and a smooth, medium body, influenced by volcanic soil and high-altitude cultivation.
Africa
Africa produces around 12% of the world’s coffee beans, which seems like a fairly small amount when you consider just how prized the coffee is from the continent!
- Ethiopia: Ethiopian coffee beans boast a rich heritage, with the country known as the birthplace of coffee, offering diverse flavours, from delicately acidic to intensely fruity.
- Kenya: Kenyan coffees are renowned for bright acidity and complex flavours, often including vibrant notes of blackcurrant, grapefruit, and sometimes tomato.
- Rwanda: Rwandan coffee is also brightly acidic with a medium body and flavours that range from citrusy to berry-like, with a hint of spice.
Asia
Asia produces around 30% of the world’s coffee, with the regions taking distinct approaches to growth and development, resulting in a range of flavours across the continent.
- Indonesia: Indonesian coffees, like Java and Sumatran are known for their full body, low acidity, and earthiness, often processed using the wet-hulled method.
- India: Indian coffee undergoes unique processing where the beans are exposed to monsoons, resulting in a distinct reduced acidity, earthy notes, and a hint of spice.
- Vietnam: Vietnamese coffee is known for its strong, robust flavour with a notable bitterness – with iconic serving styles including a drip filter or mixed with condensed milk.
These producing countries only just scratch the surface of coffee growing, with each of these regions containing a multitude more states offering high-quality beans. By understanding the nature of the beans from each region, their flavour profiles, and rarity or otherwise, you can better create offerings in your coffee shop.
CofCoffee Roasting Methods
The origins and species of coffee beans have a lot of impact on their flavour, but the roasting is really where the magic happens. Understanding the different roasting methods is vital when sourcing your beans or attempting to roast your own, whether trying to allow the original flavours to pop or impart a unique twist on a certain bean.
Light Roast Coffee
Lightly roasted beans retain more of their original flavours and acidity, resulting in crisp, bright cups with pronounced floral and fruity notes. This roast is preferred for highlighting the unique characteristics of single-origin beans and specialty coffees. Light roasts also generally have a higher caffeine content and a lighter body than darker roasts.
Medium Roast Coffee
The most popular roast in most areas, medium roasts fall between acidity and body, offering a well-rounded flavour profile with a slightly sweeter taste than light roasts. Medium-roasted beans maintain some of their origin’s flavours while developing a little more richness and mellower notes, making them versatile for various brewing methods.
Dark Roast Coffee
Dark roasting involves longer exposure to heat, resulting in beans that are darker in color, oilier in appearance, and with a pronounced bitterness. Dark roasts have lower acidity with bold flavours that include smoky, chocolatey, and even charred notes. This roast level can be used for espresso and in regions where strong, intense coffee is preferred.
Espresso Roast
Specifically tailored for espresso brewing, espresso roasts are typically dark to very dark, with the flavours reflecting this. They are designed to withstand the high pressure and short extraction time of espresso machines, resulting in a concentrated shot with a thick crema and intense, robust flavours that hold up well when mixed with milk.
To figure out what you want from each cup, it’s important to experiment with different origins, species, and roasting methods of coffee beans. Whether you want an all-rounder with medium roast Brazillian coffee or you want to preserve the brightness of some floral Ethiopian beans, shop around and taste different brewing methods to figure out your perfect offerings.
Specialty Coffee Beans
Specialty or ‘speciality coffee’ (we’ve mostly adopted the American spelling over here for some reason!) are essentially the superstars of the coffee world, declared the highest quality beans by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), based on an extensive set of criteria. Typical sources for especially beans include:
- Single-Origin Coffees: These coffees are sourced from a specific region or even a single farm, with no blending, allowing coffee enthusiasts to experience the unique terroir and flavour characteristics.
- Fair Trade Coffee: Fairtrade certification ensures that farmers receive fair prices for their harvest, promoting sustainable farming practices, equitable trade relationships, and initiatives that prioritize the well-being of communities.
- Organic Coffee: Organic coffee is cultivated without pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, following strict farming standards, ensuring harmonious production that promotes biodiversity and reduces environmental impact.
- Peaberry Coffee: Peaberry beans, also known as "pearl" beans, occur when only one seed develops inside the coffee cherry instead of two flat beans. Peaberry beans are prized for their flavour, often exhibiting enhanced sweetness and acidity.
Specialty coffee is getting increasingly popular in the UK, meaning it’s an area that coffee shop owners should look into. However, it’s important to remember that these beans demand a premium in sourcing, denoting the importance of appropriate pricing in cafes.
Exploring the World of Coffee Beans Further
Coffee is a rich, expansive world with near-endless combinations of bean species, origins, and roasting methods to enjoy. There are so many blends and methods to enjoy out there, which is why experimentation is so important for both home enthusiasts and cafe owners alike.
Some methods for exploring the world of coffee include:
- Visiting a Local Coffee Roasters
- Trying out Coffee Subscription Services
- Experimenting with Brewing Methods
- Seeking Out Farmers Directly
- Checking the SCA Ratings
You can enjoy a journey through the rich heritage and global influence of this beloved beverage by embracing the diversity of coffee beans, roasting styles, and brewing techniques.
If you’re interested in learning more about the business side of the coffee world, make sure to attend the Cafe Business Expo this year! This event will be loaded with businesses in and around the cafe sector, covering everything from roasting technology to single-origin beans, making it a perfect place for baristas, cafe owners, and everyone in between to get a comprehensive view of the sector. The show will feature an exhibition hall, guest seminars, and plenty of professional networking to be done.
Register for your tickets today and visit our blog for more insightful pieces on the cafe industry.