A coffee’s variety is a classification term that identifies a specific subspecies or the genetic makeup of the coffee plant. The term varietal is used for the resulting brew or product that comes from a singular variety of coffee. Among coffee varieties, there are original (naturally-occurring) varieties, sub-varieties, mutations, interspecific hybrids, and infraspecific hybrids.
There are many different types of coffee species, not unlike the different species of fruits out there. Still, most of the beans produced and used can be divided into two main species: arabica and robusta. Two less common types are liberica and excelsa, which are rarely seen.
Arabica
Arabica beans are a fan favorite among coffee connoisseurs. They account for a majority of the coffee produced and sold in the world today and about 60 percent of the world’s coffee consumption.
These predominantly grown beans are occasionally referred to as mountain varieties because they are grown at higher altitudes with ample shade and steady rainfall. The most serious coffee enthusiasts insist that, of all the beans you can find, these are of the highest quality.
Of course, there’s quite a bit of variation among different localities, arabica beans tend to have brighter bodies, and they usually have complex flavor profiles and aromas, which is why they tend to be more popular than other kinds of beans.
Overall, this is the most “delicate,” or least hardy, of the different coffee bean types. That means that growing arabica beans in the wrong environment could severely and negatively the success of the crop. It also means they’re more susceptible to diseases.
Arabica beans are showcased best by hot brewing, especially manual techniques like pour-over. However, their depth and complexity can get overshadowed or diluted if you drown your coffee with milk, creamers, or sugars or use cold brewing methods.
Robusta
Robusta coffee beans, on the other hand, are much stronger and bitter, and rather than gaining popularity through quality and depth of the brew, these plants are popular for their high caffeine levels (boasting around double the caffeine content of arabicas) and hardiness.
Higher quality robusta coffee tends to have a lower acidity level and heavy body. These beans stand up better against the additions of cream and sugar, making them great for a drink like Vietnamese Coffee.
Liberica and Excelsa
The latter, however which is often considered a genus of liberica beans is grown in Southeast Asia and makes up about 7 percent of the world’s coffee consumption.
Two less popular types of coffee beans are liberica and excelsa. The former is grown exclusively in the Philippines.
Liberica beans peaked in popularity in the 1890s when coffee rust destroyed 90 percent of the world’s arabica crops. Because the Philippines were the first to start any kind of serious production, it became a major supplier.
Liberica beans were known for having a distinct, woody or smoky flavor with a full body and floral or fruity aroma. The tart and fruity excelsa bean, though, is a bit easier to find. It grows on massive 20 to 30-foot coffee trees. These beans are mostly used to add an extra layer of complexity and depth to coffee blends rather than being sold on their own.
Typica
Typica is your “typical arabica,” and this variety encompasses a number of the most popular and sought-after regional coffees, including Kona, Java, Jamaican Blue Mountain, and more. This variety originated in Yemen before trade spread it far and wide, first sending it to Malabar, India and Indonesia before eventually reaching the West Indies.
Some subvarieties of these beans include Sumatra, Bergendal, Rume Sudan, Amarello de Botancú, Blawan Paumah, and Java Mocha. There are also many mutations, including Mokka.
Bourbon
Bourbon is actually a sub-variety of typica. in fact, it’s probably one of the most common sub-varieties of the bean. It first popped up in the early 1700s when the French brought a typica plant to the island of Bourbon (now Réunion). A slight mutation occurred, and the variety eventually spread across Central and South America.
These plants are popular because they produce more coffee cherries than other typica varieties.
Gesha/Geisha
This original variety of arabica coffee is named for the Ethiopian village from which it came and wasn’t planted or harvested commercially until the 1950s. It’s resistant to coffee rust, and it’s now primarily grown in Panama on rather tall trees that sport notably long leaves that mimic the shape of the beans.
Types of Coffee and Espresso Drinks
Cappuccino – An Italian coffee drink made with equal parts espresso, hot milk, and steamed milk foam
Flat White – An espresso drink made similar to a latte only with textured milk
Latte (Caf̩ Latte)РEspresso with steamed milk added in a 1:3 to 1:5 ratio with a little foam on top
Macchiato – A shot of espresso made with a small amount of foamed milk, similar to a latte but stronger
Black Tie – A single shot of espresso combined with traditional Thai tea, sugar, cream or half and half, and sweetened condensed milk
Caf̩ Bombon РPopularized in Spain, this drink is espresso combined with sweetened condensed milk in a 1:1 ratio.
Café Cubano – Originally from Cuba, this coffee drink is a shot of espresso that’s pulled over a few teaspoons of demerara sugar.
Ca Phe Sua Da (Vietnamese iced coffee) – A Vietnamese coffee drink whose name means “iced milk coffee” that’s made by mixing black coffee with a quarter to half as much sweetened condensed milk and poured over ice
Dalgona Coffee – Originating in South Korea but making its way across the globe thanks to TikTok, the coffee drink is made by whipping instant coffee powder, sugar, and hot water until the mixture is creamy and fluffy. Then, the whipped coffee is dolloped on top of hot or cold milk.
Egg Coffee – A Vietnamese drink made with egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk, and strong robusta coffee
Eiskaffee – A German drink made with drip coffee and vanilla ice cream
Es kopi susu (iced milk coffee) – Coffee made with sweetened condensed milk that is then allowed to cool so the grounds sink to the bottom of the glass
Irish Coffee – A combination of coffee, Irish whiskey, and whipped cream that’s sometimes sweetened with sugar
Turkish Coffee – A traditional coffee drink served in the Middle East, fine ground coffee is immersed in water allowing maximum foam to form (also called Greek coffee); made in a Turkish coffee pot called a cezve
Bulletproof Coffee – A rich and creamy, high-calorie drink that combines one cup of black coffee, two tablespoons of butter, and one tablespoon of coconut oil
Dirty Chai Latte – A latte made of spiced tea and steamed milk with a shot of espresso added
Coffee Liqueur – Coffee or espresso brewed with a 25 milliliter shot of liqueur that’s sometimes served with cream or milk
Caff̬ Mocha РThis drink boasts the same ingredients as a latte; the only difference is that chocolate syrup is added.
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