The best varieties of coffee

Coffee varieties are not as numerous and difficult to classify as a beginner might think. They can be easily divided into types of coffee (arabica and robusta), countries of origin, processing methods and destination. This article covers the following questions: the best coffee beans, premium coffees, how to choose coffee for home brewing, and which coffee producing countries to look out for.

Coffee varieties

Types and varieties of coffee

Almost all coffee that is grown in the world can be attributed to one of two types: arabica and robusta. These are beans obtained from Arabian and Congolese coffee trees, respectively. The origin of the name Arabica is intuitive, and robusta means strong. This word in its original sense reflects the adaptability to growing in flat areas, and stronger immunity.

The total production of Arabica varieties is more than twice that of Robusta. Moreover, within each type there are many varieties, some of which are more valuable, while others are suitable for specific drinks. Almost all of the mined Arabica goes for sale in grains or in ground form. Robusta is mainly used for making instant coffee.

Arabica and robusta - what other varieties are there?

In addition to the two listed varieties, which account for about 98% of the total world production of coffee beans, such varieties as Liberica, Excelsa and Maragodzhip should be noted.

Liberica coffee beans, although they are in third place in terms of production in the world, are practically not found on sale anywhere in the world, except for Africa, where they are actually grown. This unpretentious tree produces grains that have a strong bitter taste. Because of it, Liberica is not cooked in its pure form, but enriches various varieties of Arabian grains with aroma.

Arabica and Robusta

Excelsa is one of the rare species of coffee tree, with a record height of 15-20 meters. The most famous variety of this coffee is mocha, from which, in fact, Mundo Novo, Marakaju, Caturra and other Indian varieties originate.

Many elite coffees in the world belong to the type of excelsa, but the most valuable among them is soft Colombian. It has a deep rich taste, memorable smell and excellent grain quality. Almost all stages of harvesting and processing are carried out manually, which also increases the cost of the product.

The most expensive type of coffee

Kopi Luwak coffee is both the most valuable (in monetary terms) and the most unusual coffee in the world. Its key difference from analogs is the processing technology. One of its stages is the fermentation of grains in the digestive tract of the musang animal, also called the Chinese badger.

Musang, first of all, has a good taste for the fruit of the walnut tree - it absorbs only the ripe and large ones. However, inside the animal's gastrointestinal tract, they are only partially digested and fermented with gastric juice and civet. The grain released with excrement is collected by people, washed, dried and fried.

Photo: the most expensive coffee in the world

It is characteristic that the valuable enzyme in the animal's body is active only in certain six months, so the collection of this variety occurs seasonally. Grains that have been digested by males are also more valuable.

Other elite varieties

• Chon. Vietnamese grand coffee with similar processing technology. True, the functions of Musangs in Vietnam are assigned to martens. Like their Indonesian counterparts, martens “give out” only about 7% of the feedstock. Some time ago, these animals lived in the status of pests, and today they are honorably grown on special coffee farms. The grains are washed from excrement and dried several times in a row, and only after that they are fried. A kilo of Chon costs about $ 200.
• Black Ivory (Black Ivory) or "Black tusk" - another sport of coffee, produced not without the participation of our smaller brothers. Although, it is difficult to say "smaller" about elephants. Yes, this coffee is harvested from the excrement of elephants in Thailand, which consume the ripe berries of the Arabian coffee tree. After about 30 hours, the coffee "comes out of the elephant" devoid of bitterness (due to the dissolution of some proteins with acid). Black Ivory is not only devoid of bitterness even in its strongest performance, but also takes on fruity notes. It tops Vietnam's coffees at up to $ 1,100 per kilo.
• Coffee Yauco Selecto. Caribbean Arabica, selling for $ 50 a kilo. It is not fermented in the animal's body - just a rare variety with an unusual pleasant taste.
• Starbucks. Own variety of the global giant of the coffee industry. It is sold at $ 50-60 per kg, has a distinctive smell and memorable taste with a slight sourness and spices.
• Blue Mountain is a Jamaican variety highly regarded for its lack of bitterness in a mild, intense flavor. It costs from $ 100 per kilogram and for some reason is very popular among the Japanese.

Coffee beans: rating of the best varieties by country of production

1. Brazil is the unsurpassed leader in the quality of coffee beans in the world. This is not surprising, since most of the coffee in the world is produced here, and the local Arabica is represented by more than 40 different varieties.
2. Guatemalan coffee is not that common, as the size of the country limits harvest options. However, among gourmets there are many who consider coffee beans from Guatemala to be the most delicious at all.
3. Kenya is one of the leaders not only in tea, but also in the coffee industry. Amazingly, Kenyans manage to keep the quality of both products at a high level. Kenyan coffee is distinguished by currant flavor, slight sourness and high quality.
4. Colombia is another region from which the best coffee is exported. Locally sourced beans produce lighter and more fruity coffee drinks than Brazilian or Kenyan Arabica.

There are more than a dozen more countries in the world that produce good and unusual coffee, but the above four is a kind of standard of constant quality.There is a debate among coffee gourmets about the possibility of the presence of Yemeni, Caribbean and Cuban varieties at the top of this rating.

Varieties of coffee beans. Rating of trade marks in Russia

Planting and growing a particular type of coffee does not guarantee that it will yield the best coffee beans. The technology of harvesting and processing is of great importance. Therefore, we can say that some brands have both ground and whole grain products of consistently better quality than others.

All manufacturers listed in the following list offer quality products that meet current standards, so the difference between them is rather arbitrary.

The best coffee varieties in the Russian retail market:

• Jardin. High quality roasted Arabica with excellent aroma and taste. The manufacturer sorts the grain well before packaging, and also offers varieties in different price categories.
• Kimbo. Italian coffee, not very well known among the general consumer. Fans celebrate its wonderful taste without unnecessary bitterness and acidity. The manufacturer sorts the grain in an exemplary manner before shipment and also offers the product in different price segments.
• Gut! It offers customers both robusta and arabica with an enviable varietal variety in both varieties. A consistently high-quality brand, which, unfortunately, is not as common in retail chains as its lovers would like.
• "Live coffee" represents a wide variety of commodity items, in which, as a rule, there are no blends, but only a monosort product. There are varieties with additional aromatization. Good packaging, high-quality roasting and good grain - Live Coffee online store.
• Gaggia. This brand entered the Russian coffee market recently, but immediately gained a good reputation due to its high quality. Despite the modest varietal variety, Gaggia offers coffee with a rich aroma and pleasant taste.
• Malongo. French producer of coffee, primarily intended for espresso. High-quality processing and packaging preserve the deep taste of Arabica and do not allow it to lose its rich aroma during storage.
• Lavazza. One of the best Italian coffee brands in the premium segment. Many Russian gourmets recognize it as the best. A wide product line allows Lavazza to satisfy the tastes of lovers of different coffee, offering both single varieties and blends.
• EvaDia is an Italian manufacturer familiar to those deeply immersed in coffee culture. Has an impeccable reputation but uses only the finest coffees. Therefore, it does not fall into the category of budget brands.
• Italcafe is an Italian coffee brand with exquisite taste and high quality beans. It belongs to the premium segment, but is recognized by gourmets as one of the best varieties.

List: coffee varieties and their characteristics

• Arabica Santos. Brazilian variety with a tart taste, slight bitterness and moderate odor.
• Arabica Medellin. Colombian coffee with a slight sourness and a pleasant sweetish taste.
• Arabica Tarrazu. Costa Rican variety with a nutty flavor, bright aroma and rich mild flavor.
• Arabica Blue Mountain. A premium variety from Jamaica with a strong pleasant aroma and a delicate rich taste.
• Arabian Mocco. Yemenite coffee with captivating chocolate notes, wine flavor and sourness.
• Arabica Kenian. Classic Kenyan Arabica is a good coffee with a powerful aroma and deep tart taste.
• Arabica Maysor. Aromatic Indian coffee with wine notes, light sourness and delicate taste.
• Arabica Kilimanjaro or Moshi. The best Tanzanian varieties. Quite sour, but they have an unforgettable aroma.
• Arabica Cona. Cuban coffee grandee with a tart taste, deep aroma and sweetish aftertaste.
• Arabica Java. Java variety of Indonesian coffee. It is difficult to confuse it with others, since the variety has a sweetish smoky aftertaste.
• Arabica Sumatra.As a rule, it is very deeply fried, which is why it gets a sharp, rich taste.
• Arabica Ethiopian Harar. Ethiopian coffee with a strong strong aroma and wine taste, which is slightly currant.
• Robusta Indian Cherry. A popular variety of robusta, memorable for its sourness, decent bitterness, but surprisingly deep aroma.
• Arabica Australia Skyberry. "Young" variety from the green continent, which has already gained great popularity all over the world. It has a mild, slightly tart taste, slightly reminiscent of the Jamaican Blue Mountain.
• Arabica Guatemala Antigua. Bitter coffee from Central America with light citrus and prune aftertaste. The aroma has a chocolate spice.

Strong coffee varieties

Despite the immense popularity of Arabica among gourmets for its gustatory and aromatic depth, Robusta maintains its position in the coffee market quite confidently. The fact is that the strongest coffees are robusta varieties. And most of the consumers are chasing just for strength and caffeine. That is why robusta is always relevant.

Yes, there is more caffeine in robusta than in arabica, but in practice it is difficult to objectively compare them. This product is almost entirely processed into granular or freeze-dried coffee. It is from Robusta that the best varieties of instant coffee are made. In the final product, the percentage of caffeine is naturally lower.

Moreover, extra-energetic restretto can be made from Arabica. When you use 7-9 g of ground grain per 20 ml of water, you will get a drink, the difference between the dose of the substance in which will be minimal, therefore, the effect is almost the same. Therefore, the problem of lack of grain robusta is easily solved by increasing the amount of Arabica per unit of water.

When looking for the best coffees for spirits, consider the following:

1. Robusta Uganda.
2. Monsoon Malabar.
3. Sulawesi Torah.
4. Cubito.
5. Yemen Mocha.
6. Blue Mountain.

Blend. Which coffee to choose for higher strength:

• Death Wish. The strongest coffee blend in the world that you can buy in only one New York coffee shop (or online). The composition is classified, and the caffeine content is one and a half times higher than in espresso. No wonder the name is literally translated as "Suicide Note".
• Espresso IR. A blend of Italian roast available in some Russian stores. It is characterized by a large dose of caffeine and pleasant nutty notes in the smell. May often be sold under the name Italian Espresso.
• Paganini. Another espresso blend available for purchase in Russia. It consists of about a quarter of robusta and is considered one of the strongest coffee blends.
• On supermarket shelves, you should pay attention to such commodity items as Sumatra Mandheling (Jardin), Espresso di Milano, Blaser Opera, Blaser Rosso & Nero, Grande Ristorazine (Lavazza).

Among the varieties of instant coffee, high-quality blends with a natural grain content of at least 18% have the highest strength. Among the assortment available on the shelves of chain stores, one can single out the brands Carte Noire, Egoiste and Bushido Red Katana.

How to choose coffee: what affects the taste

In addition to the form in which to buy coffee, you should pay attention to other factors that make up the taste, aroma and impact of the drink on the body. When choosing coffee beans, which is better and stronger, you can turn to a simple rule - the higher the country of cultivation is in relation to sea level, the softer and richer the taste and aroma of the drink, as a rule. We are talking here about Arabica, since Robusta and Liberica are grown in the flat area.

Before choosing a coffee, you should think about the desired roasting behavior of the beans. A shorter (lighter) roast keeps the product tender and soft without adding bitterness. This product is perfect for coffee drinks with milk, cream, ice cream, etc.

Coffee roasting and influence on taste

Medium roasting makes the beans more bitter and noticeably enhances their smell. This is the most popular choice among drink aficionados as it is well balanced between strength and delicacy.

A long roast, called Italian or French, makes the coffee very bitter, very strong and most aromatic. Such coffee is not to the taste of every coffee lover, since its taste is very bitter.

Grinding is another important parameter, since the cooking time depends on it. There are three grades in total: coarse, medium and fine. The particle size depends on how long the coffee grinder has been processing. Any grade according to this indicator can be achieved at home, if not too lazy to make a lot of effort for the sake of fine-grained ground coffee for a Turk.

Yes, coffee with the smallest particle size is used for brewing in a Turk or cezve. For the French press, on the contrary, it is the largest. A medium grind is suitable for most coffee makers, but can be successfully prepared in other ways as well. After all, the freshness of the product and its original quality are more important to taste.

How to choose ground coffee

Ground coffee

• Decide whether you need a decaffeinated product, or a truly tonic one.
• Examine the composition - ground coffee is often sold as a blended blend. However, this is often an advantage, since strength and taste are combined.
• Determine the required degree of grind, depending on the purpose of the product, as well as the level of roast.
• Check the packaging for leaks. Ground grains are sold compressed without air inside the package. It is desirable that it be made of multi-layer foil.
• You should not buy for future use - after opening the pack, ground coffee will quickly deteriorate, losing its smell and taste.
• It is better to buy a product with a production date as late as possible.

How to choose coffee beans

• According to the recommendations described above, determine the preferred "homeland" of the grain.
• Examine the label. It contains information about the country of production, the degree of roasting, composition, date of packaging and the period until which the product is usable.
• Check Russian coffee for compliance with GOST.
• Examine the packaging. It must be tight, airtight. There should not be a lot of free air inside the package. It is possible to have a special valve for bleeding the evolved gases.
• The beans should be whole, evenly roasted, and equal in size.

How to choose instant coffee

Instant coffee benefits and harms

• Powdered or freeze-dried coffee must be sold in sealed containers, glass or metal. There should be no cracks, chips or scratches on the container.
• The information about the product must indicate the GOST of production, the date of manufacture and packaging, the country of origin.
• The shelf life of the product is important.

What coffee to choose for a coffee maker

In general, the design and model of the coffee maker does not affect the rules for choosing coffee for it. In this matter, you should also rely on personal preference. According to personal preferences regarding the strength of the drink, the degree of roast and variety are selected.

A medium grind is best for coffee makers. It is quite versatile and manages to cook well in devices with different processing times. The recommended time for additional infusion after cooking is up to 6 minutes.

To select quality raw materials, you should rely on the advice already given above.

How to choose coffee beans for a coffee machine

Coffee beans for a coffee machine - how to choose

The device, which brews and grinds coffee without human intervention, greatly facilitates the process of preparing a drink. In this case, to say specifically which types of coffee are best suited for a coffee machine is not only incorrect - everyone has different tastes. However, some trends can be described:

• for fragrant - arabica, for strong - robusta;
• the higher the country of cultivation from sea level, the richer the taste and sourness is more pronounced in it;
• to highlight individual flavors, you should only look for mono-varieties of Arabica;
• light roast - for aromatic and delicate drinks, medium - for moderate classics, dark - for "real" bitter coffee.

The taste of coffee drinks strongly depends on the age of the grinding of the beans. Within 15-20 days after processing, they are kept in perfect condition. Up to 2 months is still very good. After 4 months, the product noticeably loses its taste and aroma, so there is no point in hoping for subtle notes.

Learn more about the conditions and shelf life of coffee at home >>

Most espresso machines can brew not only espresso mixes, but regular roasted beans as well. The main thing is not to use seeds with aromatic or flavoring additives, caramelization and other modifications.

Try organic coffee from the world's best producers!

The dizzying scent of freshly brewed coffee symbolizes awakening and a great start to the day. The main secret of the richness of the taste of the morning drink and the well-being after drinking it - correctly selected varieties of coffee.

How many varieties of coffee are there in the world

Coffee is a drink made from specially prepared coffee beans. This type of plant is found in tropical countries and is an evergreen shrubs and trees, the fruits, bark and leaves of which contain caffeine.

The fruit of the coffee tree is a round, bright red berry with two seeds inside. These seeds are called coffee beans.

Fresh seeds of a pale greenish color look unappetizing - a rich brown color and a characteristic aroma of coffee beans acquire only after roasting.

It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of how many varieties of coffee there are in the world. Despite the fact that more than 90 biological species of the coffee tree are known, the fruits of not all of them are suitable for human consumption.

Only four types of plants are used to make coffee beans.

Arabica coffee is considered the most widespread. The next most popular is the Congolese coffee called robusta. Less well-known species are liberic and excels.

The main varieties of coffee trees, Arabica and Robusta, are cultivated in many regions.

The conditions in which the plants are grown affect the final taste and aroma of the beans, so the name of each coffee variety reflects information about its origin:

• country of origin;
• subspecies of the plant;
• land holdings where the coffee tree grew;
• terrain features - the presence of mountains, valleys or nearby cities;
• commercial affiliation to a brand.

Each new type of coffee is the result of the work of breeders, whose main task is to grow a plant that is resistant to pests, with high yields and excellent taste characteristics.

Classification by the type of coffee beans

To obtain beans, coffee berries are subjected to a treatment, during which the pulp surrounding the seeds and several protective layers are removed. At the same time, it is important to preserve the integrity of the grains themselves.

Next, the coffee seeds are sorted by size. To do this, cleaned raw grains are sieved through a sieve with meshes of different sizes.

Most coffee berries contain two beans. But about 5% of the fruit can contain one large grain, formed by splicing two seeds. Such grains are screened out and separated into a separate variety.

Grains over 8 mm are considered to be very large.

Further, the classification of grains corresponds to the following sizes:

• extra large - 7.5 mm;
• large - 7.1 mm;
• large enough - 6.7 mm;
• good - 6.35 mm;
• medium - 5.95 mm;
• small - 5.55 mm;
• small - 5.16 mm;
• very small - 4.76.

Such methods of sorting coffee beans are necessary for their subsequent classification and are used not only by producers, but also by countries purchasing the product.

However, a single standard for determining the quality and defects of coffee beans has not yet been adopted.

Grains with black spots or damage caused by putrefaction and insects are considered to be unambiguously defective. After roasting, it is almost impossible to find such specimens.

Grain quality characteristics

The quality characteristics of coffee beans are classified using letter designations:

In the international market, the following standards are used for the classification of coffee beans:

• Colombian Midls - coffee varieties from Colombia, Tanzania and Kenya. Their cost determines the prices for all other types of grains;
• Other Midls - coffee varieties from Central America and Mexico;
• Brazil - all types of Brazilian coffee and some South American countries;
• Robustas - all types of robustas, regardless of the country of origin.

In addition, coffee beans are classified according to the way they are processed and roasted.

Methods for determining the quality of coffee beans according to GOST

Many countries of the world use a single GOST 6805-97 to classify the quality indicators of coffee beans. This document provides for three levels of quality - the highest, first and second grade.

Compliance indicators:

• The highest grade. The coffee beans are matte or shiny with an even roast. Light-colored groove located in the middle of the grain. Combine several flavors. They are distinguished by a mild refined aroma.
• First grade. The color of the coffee seed is deep brown. The aroma is weak, despite the intensity of the taste. The presence of broken grains is allowed.
• The second grade includes all other categories of raw materials.

This standard for the classification of the quality of coffee beans is recognized in 80 countries of the world, including Russia.

Varieties by country of origin

The regional affiliation of coffee is an important criterion that determines its taste characteristics.

Countries that are relatively close to the equator are famous for the optimal climatic conditions for creating coffee plantations. Half of all coffee in the world is supplied by the countries of South America, but Brazil is the leader.

Along with Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Vietnam and India are among the world's leaders in coffee production.

The taste of coffee beans depends on the composition of the soil in which the tree grew, the amount of precipitation and sunny days in this area, and the altitude. There is an opinion that the higher the tree grows, the more pronounced the taste and aroma of the drink from its seeds.

Each producing country has its own best coffees:

• Maracaibo is a coffee from Venezuela that has a light wine flavor, while Merida has a sweet but strong aroma.
• "Harar" - coffee from Ethiopia. It has lemon and floral notes combined with a winey aftertaste and piquant bitterness.
• Coffee from Havana - "Kona", a unique sort of beans harvested by hand. It has a velvety taste and a nutty aftertaste.
• Altura is a coffee from Mexico. It is characterized by chocolate and nutty tones.
• Colombia. The most famous are Supremo, Extra and Excelso.
• Guatemala. The unique type of coffee "Antigua Volcanic" is produced here. It is strong, fragrant, with a slight bitterness and smoky aftertaste.
• Costa Rica is a coffee producer with a classic taste, delicate aroma and nutty aftertaste. The best are Margarita, Costa Rica and Kashi.
• Puerto Rico is famous for the varietal coffee of the same name with a delicate but rich aroma.
• Tanzania. The most famous are Moshi and Kilimanjaro.

As a rule, coffee gourmets do not give preference to certain types of beans, but to their geographic group.

List of the best varieties of drink

The vast majority of coffees are varieties of the two main types of beans, Arabica and Robusta.

Ethiopia is considered the birthplace of Arabica. The beans of this type of coffee are distinguished by an elongated shape and a pronounced longitudinal groove. Arabica fruits contain a large amount of aromatic oils (18%) and a small amount of caffeine (up to 1.5%). Such grains have a soft, delicate and pleasant taste with a hint of slight sourness.

The birthplace of robusta is Central Africa. These grains are small in size, round in shape, with specks located on either side of the groove.

Compared to Arabica, Robusta contains less aromatic oils (8%) with higher levels of caffeine (3%). The grains have a rich, but coarse aroma and a pungent, astringent taste.

Coffee beans: rating of the best varieties

The popularity of many varieties of coffee correlates with the regions where they are grown:

• Australia - Arabica Skyberry;
• Asia - Mokko Mattari (Yemen), Robusta Cherry, Arabica Monsund (India);
• South America - Arabica Santos (Brazil), Arabica Supremo (Colombia), Arabica Maragogyip and Arabica Antigua (Guatemala);
• Africa - Arabica Burundi, Arabica Kenya, Arabica Ethiopia Sidamo.

Especially popular are drinks made from a mixture of different types of coffee beans.

Any connoisseur of the drink can get coffee with your favorite taste and aroma by mixing the varieties that he likes the most.

Elite coffee varieties

Only an insignificant part of the coffee beans harvested on the plantations of the world has the right to be classified as elite. This category includes specially selected grains of Arabica grown at an altitude that exceeds 1000 meters above sea level.

There are such plantations in South and Central America, Africa and Southeast Asia. To create a blend, grains are taken from one harvest, therefore, on the packaging of the finished product, not only the country of origin and the name of the plantations are always indicated, but also the year of harvesting of raw materials.

Elite coffee is purchased exclusively through auctions or by special order.

Elite varieties include: Jamaica Blue Mountain, Old Java, Kenya AA Ruiruiru, Galapagos San Cristobal, Brazil Yellow bourbon, Ecuador Wicabamba, Aged coffee and Vintage coffee.

The most expensive type of coffee

The most expensive varieties of coffee in the world are also among the elite. There are several of them - Indonesian Kopi Luwak, Vietnamese Chon and Thai Black Ivory. These are exclusive products, the production method of which can hardly be called traditional.

• Kopi Luwak are the most expensive coffee beans in the world. The taste of the drink obtained from them is diverse and rich. It contains notes of dark chocolate with a touch of caramel and vanilla. Exotic coffee is obtained in a rather unusual way - from the excrement of the animal musang, also known as the Chinese badger. These animals love to feast on fresh coffee berries, but the grains are not digested in their stomach and are excreted whole with the droppings. Thanks to the processing of the animal's gastric juice, coffee beans acquire unique taste characteristics. The complete manufacturing process of Kopi Luwak is kept secret.
• Chon coffee beans are also obtained from the dung of an animal living in Vietnam - the Asian palm marten. After processing, the taste of the beans acquires shades of cocoa, vanilla, caramel and hot chocolate.
• To obtain the Black Ivory variety, the Thais have adapted to using elephants. These large animals feed on fruits, so coffee beans acquire a fruity flavor while in their stomachs.

How to choose coffee to your taste

To get real pleasure from the drink, you need to learn how to choose the right coffee beans.

Experts recommend paying attention to the following details:

• The grain size is 6 - 8 mm, if it is Arabica, and 4 - 5 mm, if it is Robusta.
• All grains in the package must be the same size, free from damage or any stains.
• The higher the percentage of robusta in mixed products, the lower their quality and cost.
• The degree of roasting affects the taste of the beverage. The lightest is Scandinavian, the strongest is Italian. Medium roasted coffee beans are offered by Austrians and Americans.
• The degree of grinding is selected in accordance with the preparation method. For oriental coffee, it is better to take a fine grind, and for regular brewing in a coffee pot, a medium grind is suitable.

And of course, personal preferences should be taken into account when choosing a coffee variety and manufacturer. The main thing to remember is that quality coffee is never cheap.

Coffee - a drink, without which some people cannot imagine their morning. It allows you to truly wake up and get a good boost of energy before a busy active day. However, too often this drink should not be consumed either. There are a huge number of coffee varieties, from which it is not easy to choose your favorite.

Let's take a look at a few varieties that are sure to interest lovers of this drink.

Arabica

Arabica is popular all over the world. The homeland of this variety is Ethiopia. A large number of other coffees are produced through various Arabica mutations or hybrid cultivation. There are also many options for preparing and roasting Arabian coffee beans.

Arabica

Often, many manufacturers use a mixture of Arabica and Robusta in different concentrations, which gives coffee all kinds of flavoring effects and shades.

Robusta

Robusta

"Robusta" is a very popular type of coffee (20% of world production), and is second only to Arabica in popularity. Robusta is a very resistant and productive variety. As noted by the tasters, robusta is of a lower quality than arabica. Therefore, Robusta is mostly used as a budget option on the market. Robusta also contains a large amount of caffeine, but is endowed with a less intense aroma.

Kopi Luwak

Kopi Luwak is produced in the Philippines, Indonesia and India.

Kopi Luwak is one of the most expensive coffees in the world. The cost of this variety reaches $ 1,500 per 1 kg.

The process of its production is a very interesting, but not entirely appetizing story. Musang animals feast on the ripe fruits of the coffee tree and, in the future, excrete coffee beans. The next step is to rinse and dry the beans in the sun.

The whole biological process consists in the fact that the gastric juice of musang begins to break down the necessary proteins, which contributes to obtaining the ideal taste.

Kopi-luwak

The volume of production of this variety for 1 year does not exceed several kilograms.

Maragodjeep

Maragodjip is a type of Arabica and has very large grains. The main sources of production for this variety are Guatemala, Colombia and Mexico. A distinctive feature of this variety is that "Maragodzhip" is very picky about climatic conditions. However, a properly grown variety absorbs the maximum amount of nutrients from the soil. Gradually, the production of "Maragodzhip" is reduced, and soon, this type of coffee may become exclusive.

"Maragodzhip"

The taste of coffee reflects a warm woody aftertaste and has a fairly high acidity. A hint of smoky and tropical fruit is a little felt.

Black Tusk

Black Tusk

This coffee is made in Thailand and is obtained from Arabica beans. The specificity of obtaining is similar to the production of grains "Kopi-luwak", and is directly related to the digestive tract of elephants. The cost of this variety reaches $ 1100 per 1 kg.

This is the most expensive coffee in the world. The drink is soft and pleasant, and the excess bitterness disappears completely. Because elephants consume a variety of fruits, "Black Tusk" is full of different fruit flavors. To get 1 kg of this coffee, an elephant needs to eat 33 kg of coffee berries.

Yellow bourbon

"Yellow Bourbon" is a rare Brazilian Arabica that is grown on high altitude plantations in the southern region of the country. The first mention of this variety was in 1859.

Yellow bourbon

Bourbon yellow stands out for its sweetness combined with a slight bitterness. After a cup of this coffee, there is a woody tobacco shade associated with sunny Brazil.

Peberry

Peaberry is one of the most valuable varieties in the world. The difference between this species is that the Peaberry berry contains only one grain, and as a result, the berry becomes like a pea. The number of berries of this shape is only 5-8 percent of the total harvest. Moreover, such grains appear in any harvest, regardless of the type of coffee and the region of cultivation. Biologists still cannot come to a consensus regarding the appearance of these "peas".

1 kg of "Peaberry" costs 15-20 dollars. The relatively high cost is associated with the high rarity of this type of grain.

Peberry

Peaberry is distinguished by its aroma and pronounced sourness.

Sumatra Mandheling

Sumatra Mandheling

The island of Sumatra is the primary source of an excellent coffee with a great rich taste with a mixture of spices (smoke, spices, caramel, etc.). The coffee has a low acidity, but tasters note the heavy aftertaste of this variety. Mandheling is a coffee for everybody's taste, so not everyone may like it.

Jamaica Blue Mountain

This variety is quite famous not only in America but also in Europe. "Blue Mountain" is a fairly high-growing variety. The Blue Mountains are 2.2 km above sea level. This coffee is very balanced in all components and is the optimal solution for those who do not like brightly accentuated spicy flavors.

Jamaica Blue Mountain

Blue Mountain is widely popular in Japan, which redeems 90 percent of the entire crop.

Australia. Skybury

Skybury

This coffee is one of the many varieties of Arabica, but it belongs to the elite varieties. The variety has a low caffeine content and is one of the "light" coffee drinks. However, the aroma and density of Skybury coffee is at a very high level and receives the highest marks from experts.

Even an expert with a lifetime of experience will not undertake to choose the best product on the coffee market. Every year, global brands offer new blends or open mono-varieties of coffee, which means that fresh competition is created for the old ones. What criteria help you to choose coffee, and which brands can you trust?

The best coffees

There is no dispute about tastes, but when it comes to the question of which coffee is the best, it is important to listen to the professionals. And they always give first place to the product in grains. And that is why it costs an order of magnitude more expensive than ground, and all the more soluble, with the exception of sublimated, which, by definition, cannot be cheap due to the complexity of the manufacturing technology.

In the world, it is considered the best Arabica coffee, but inside it there is a division into several hundred types depending on the region of growth, taste, grain size and other characteristics. Another variety of coffee trees is Robusta, without which the coffee market cannot exist either. Although these grains are less valuable, they give the drink a pronounced strength, bitterness and a pleasant aroma. That is why most of the well-known brands always complement it with Robusta when blending Arabica.

A whole cycle of transformations is waiting for the coffee berry until it gets into a pack of coffee

The countries of South and Central America, Africa and other regions are engaged in the cultivation of coffee trees. There are about 50 of them, but the most popular suppliers of the grain product are Brazil, Colombia and Costa Rica. They offer good coffee at affordable prices, just like you can buy in a supermarket.

What are the most popular Arabica varieties?

• Brazilian Santos (Bourbon) - has a slight sourness, light bitterness and pronounced sweetness.
• Maragogyip - one of the varieties that gives the largest coffee beans, is distinguished by a pronounced bitterness.
• Manisal - gives a balanced taste with a distinct sourness and bitterness, is grown mainly in Colombia, is considered a strong coffee.
• Colombian Ixelso is one of the strongest varieties with large grains and a light wine note.
• Maracaibo - grown in Venezuela, has a recognized good taste with notes of dry wine, does not have sharp sour and bitter notes.
• Cobano and Antigua are the best varieties from Guatemala, they have a pleasant taste, good strength and aroma.
• Mocha is the most popular type of Arabica, it tastes good, gives a chocolate and nutty aftertaste, has almost no sourness.
• Tarazu - has a pronounced aroma, amazing strength, loved in Italy - the country of espresso.
• Carrar is a medium strength coffee, very soft and sweet in taste.

You can distinguish Arabica from Robusta with the naked eye by the size and shape of the grains.

Good manufacturers practice working with several suppliers in order to be able to create new blends and offer them to the market. The best production of roasting and packaging coffee beans are concentrated in Italy - a country that is especially passionate about coffee. They supply Europe with a high-quality grain and ground product, which can be considered a standard for the harmony of taste. Connoisseurs of this invigorating drink claim that only Italian baristas make the best coffee in the world.

Top brands

The best coffee does not mean the most expensive. Everyone has their own taste preferences, which are found in the packaging of not always popular brands. But there are manufacturers in the world who offer a wide range of coffee that can satisfy the tastes of many lovers of this drink. Below is a rating of world brands that have deserved recognition and love of consumers in their history.

Lavazzo is a recognized market leader in most European countries

• Lavazza is the largest Italian producer of grains and ground coffee, popular in Europe and America. The basis of the production is arabica from Central America. The brand offers a wide range of products for professional use and home cooking. The most popular names are Lavazzo Oro and Lavazzo Super Crema.
• Malongo is a good and expensive coffee from France. The main products are varieties from Central and South America, Africa. The brand positions its product as strong and strong without any foreign notes. Perfect for a classic, invigorating espresso.
• Kimbo is a popular Italian brand that supplies coffee to more than 50 countries around the world. Offers different varieties, practicing different degrees of roasting. Has a well-deserved reputation and is gaining more fans.
• Jacobs is a German brand that has been on the market since 1895. Offers ground and instant product. The most famous name is Jacobs Monarch. The company also produces coffee under other brands such as Moccona, Gevalia, Tassimo and Senseo, while occupying a significant niche in the European coffee market.
• Paulig is a brand originally from Finland, which began its history in 1876. Offers both mono and blended coffee. It actively works in the CIS markets, where there are factories for roasting and packaging green grain to improve the quality of the product on the market.

Jacobs is one of the leaders of the Russian market

One can also note exclusive varieties, which are positioned as the best coffee in the world. Their offer on the market is small due to the special growing or processing conditions. So, grains from Indonesia, before being packed, pass through the digestive system of local animals called luwak, which eat the berries whole.

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This coffee is called Kopi Luwak and, according to experts, can be considered the best. Its cost reaches hundreds of dollars per 500 grams.

Kopi Luwak is the most expensive coffee in the world

The elite niche of the coffee market is also occupied by a product from the island of St. Helena, where the emperor Napoleon lived after his exile. Its cost is $ 70-80 per 450 grams. Hacienda La Esmeralda beans from Panama, growing in the shade of the majestic Guava, have a pleasant exquisite aroma and taste. Cost from $ 100 for 450 grams.

You can enjoy good coffee in many parts of the world, the main thing is to find there a region where the beans are roasted and to purchase a freshly roasted product. Such coffee will have the brightest aroma, good taste and a pronounced invigorating effect.

Reviews

Ksenia: I prefer only Lavazzo Crema, it's good that its taste does not change over the years, which means that my every morning will start right and tasty.

Angelina: Coffee is the product I can't imagine my existence without. I love it, but I don't get carried away - 2, maximum 3 cups a day, and I'm ready to go again. This is how it acts on my body.

Irina: An ideal drink can only be tasted in a good coffee shop, where they use freshly roasted beans and know how to mix them correctly. You can't make such a drink at home, but I'm good at it with Jardine.

Matvey: I tried to fry green beans myself and only after that I realized how special this process is. No wonder he has been studying for more than one year. I prefer Lavazzo - a good brand, quality products.