4 types of coffee beans: how to choose

What are coffee beans?

Contrary to popular belief, coffee beans aren't actually beans at all—they are the seeds of a cherry-like fruit or plant. After the seeds have been harvested, the pits are ready to be fermented and roasted, processes that remove moisture and help develop the flavour profile unique to each bean type. From there, the roasted beans are ready to be used for a variety of recipes. Grind coffee beans for your morning cuppa or for a classic Tiramisu recipe – the options are endless!

Arabica coffee beans are the most popular variety worldwide. Arabica beans are native to Ethiopia but are grown in several countries throughout the world with tropical climates and high altitudes. Dark brown in colour and smooth to the touch, the Arabica bean develops a diverse flavour profile ranging from slightly sweet and fruity to nutty when roasted.

Arabica beans are considered the highest quality variety and can be found in most places where coffee beans are sold, from the local supermarket to your favourite coffee shop. The popularity and versatility of the Arabica bean make it a great choice for many recipes that call for coffee beans, from freshly brewed coffee to coffee cakes.

Robusta

With a distinctly larger and more rounded shape, Robusta coffee beans are the second most popular variety. While they are native to sub-Saharan Africa, Robusta beans are grown mostly today in Africa, Indonesia and India. When it comes to Arabica beans vs. Robusta beans, Robusta beans have a deeper and more bitter flavour profile with undertones of wood and nut.

Because of this bitter flavour, Robusta beans are commonly used in coffee blends as a complement to other coffee flavours. You're less likely to find this coffee bean on its own, with the exception of instant coffee or espresso beans. The bold notes in this coffee can stand up to the additions of cream, steamed milk and other flavourings. To find quality Robusta beans for creating espresso recipes or coffee blends, try browsing a specialty coffee retailer.

Excelsa

First discovered in Africa, most of the Excelsa beans processed today are grown almost exclusively in Southeast Asia. With a slightly elongated oval shape, the Excelsa bean grows well in medium altitudes. Excelsa coffee beans are known for their incredibly complex flavour profile and are commonly used in coffee blends for added dimension. Its delicious flavour also makes the Excelsa bean a popular stand-alone brew choice.

Compared to other types of coffee beans, Excelsa beans combine light and dark roast traits to produce unique flavours ranging from fruity and tart to rich and bold. The unusual depth of the Excelsa flavour makes the bean difficult to find outside of Southeast Asia, so this type may need to be sourced from a specialty retailer.

Liberica

Native to central and western Africa, the Liberica bean is highly tolerant of harsh climates and low altitudes, growing well in countries throughout Southeast Asia including Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. An almond-shaped seed with a floral and somewhat fruity aroma, the Liberica bean can most likely be found in Philippine food markets or specialty retailers.

Often noted as having a controversial flavour, the Liberica bean boasts an unusual but full flavour profile that can be described as nutty or woody. While it can be used on its own for brewed coffee, the unique flavour of the Liberica bean makes it a popular blend choice and a creative option for adding a more potent taste to recipes.

How do I choose the right kind of coffee beans for a recipe?

Because coffee bean flavour profiles can lend themselves to different food and beverage applications, the right kind of coffee bean to choose for a recipe will depend on the specific taste you'd like to achieve.

The different flavour profiles of each coffee bean can be used for many recipes, including desserts, marinades, dry rubs, baked goods and more. A helpful way to think about different flavour profiles when choosing coffee beans is to consider how the three main types of roasts—light, medium and dark—affect the original flavour notes of the bean.

• Light Roasts: Due to a shorter roasting time, light roasts retain more of the original flavour of the coffee bean. Light roasts tend to have fruity or citrus notes and a higher acidity, along with higher caffeine content. Choose light roast coffee beans of the Arabica or Excelsa varieties to emphasise the bean's original flavour in your recipes or brewed as a bright way to start your morning.
• Medium Roasts: As roast temperature increases, the coffee beans begin to lose their acidity. Medium roasts are a common choice for brewed coffee due to their balanced flavour profiles, pairing well with beans of the Arabica and Excelsa varieties.
• Dark Roasts: Dark roasts are a great option for delivering intense, rich flavour to recipes, pairing well with beans of the Arabica variety. Dark roasts are also a popular choice for brewed coffee like espresso or as an ingredient in baked goods, rubs and other recipes, making bitter beans like Robusta or Liberica more palatable.

Does grind type make a difference?

The grind type you choose can affect the flavour profile of your coffee beans. With the help of a coffee grinder, you'll be able to choose the appropriate grind for your selected coffee bean and brewing method.

• Fine Grinds: For quick, pressurised brewing methods like espresso, a fine grind is the right choice. Because water passes quickly through the grounds, the increased surface area of fine grinds ensures proper extraction.
• Medium Grinds: Medium grinds are a good choice for when you'd like to achieve a milder yet full-bodied brew. Use a medium grind when using the pour over brewing method or an auto-drip coffee maker. Learn more about pour over vs. drip coffee.
• Coarse Grinds: Coffee beans ground into coarse grinds have less surface area than finer grounds and require more exposure to water for extraction. Coarse grinds are best used with brew methods like using French press or cold brewing.

Achieving your desired grind and flavour profile each time is possible with an appliance that can adapt to your preferences. 

What's the best way to brew coffee beans?

Coffee beans can be brewed in a variety of ways depending on the flavour and texture you're hoping to achieve. By understanding how the various brewing methods work, you'll be able to make a great cup of coffee or diversify dinner and dessert recipes.

• Auto-drip/pour over: The most common way to brew coffee is with the drip-brewing method. When brewing coffee with an auto-drip machine or pour over setup, water temperature and flow rate help determine how strong or weak the flavour profile becomes.
• Cold brew: The cold brew method of making coffee is a great option for making iced beverages or coffees with a low acid flavour profile. Because this method does not use heat, the resulting flavour is smooth and full-bodied.
• French press: The French press brewing method is a popular immersion brewing option for extracting the most flavour out of your coffee beans, especially for single cups. Compared to a method like auto-drip brewing, the ground beans are exposed to hot water for a longer period of time resulting in a brew that boasts a strong and rich flavour profile.