Whether you’re new to coffee or have been making it for years, there are always new things to learn about where your coffee beans have come from and how that leads to your favorite brews. In this post, we’ll give you a better understanding of the types of beans, blends, and roasts that go into coffee. After reading this, you’ll be able to make even more informed choices when buying or brewing your coffee.
Coffee Bean Types and Blends
While there are over a hundred different kinds of coffee plants, there are really only four different coffee tree species that are most used: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa. In the next section, we’ll discuss the characteristics of each.
Arabica vs Robusta
The two most common coffee beans used in creating coffee are Arabica and Robusta. Let’s break down each of these beans:
Arabica
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The most common, making up more than 60% of the world’s coffee production
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Lead to smoother, more acidic brews
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Less caffeine than Robusta
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It needs to be grown at a high altitude, which is more expensive than Robusta
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The largest Arabica bean-producing countries include Brazil, Colombia, and Ethiopia.
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Best used for specialty coffee brews
Robusta
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The second most common, about 30% of the world’s coffee production
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Lead to stronger, more bitter brews
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Double to triple the caffeine content of Arabica
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Grown at low altitudes, less expensive than Arabica
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The largest Robusta bean-producing countries include Vietnam, Indonesia, and Uganda.
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Resilient against harsh weather, pests, and diseases
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Often used to augment caffeine in commercial blends, good for espresso
Liberica and Excelsa
Liberica and Excelsa coffee beans make up less than 2% of the world’s produced coffee, but it’s still important to know their properties and how they can be used. Let’s discuss each of these niche beans with distinct flavor profiles:
Liberica
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Leads to bold flavor profiles that are fruity with floral notes and woodsiness
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Significantly lower caffeine content than Arabica and Robusta
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Grown in tropical climates with regular rainfall
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The largest Liberica bean-producing countries include Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
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Coveted by coffee enthusiasts
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Good for brewed coffee and desserts, requires careful brewing
Excelsa
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Leads to a flavor profile that has both light and dark notes. It’s tart and fruity, but also has a roast flavor.
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Less caffeine than Robusta and Arabica beans
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Grown in Vietnam and the Philippines
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Considered to be bolder than Arabica and comparable to Robusta
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Recently re-classified as a member of the Liberica family
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Good for cold brew, French press, and pour-over brewing. Used in blends for a boost of flavor and complexity.
What Are Coffee Blends?
Coffee blends are a combination of two or more coffee beans with different origins, i.e. a mixture of Robusta and Arabica beans cultivated from separate areas. Blends are designed to create balance and consistency, or to actively build up signature flavors and notes in the finished brews.
By combining beans from different countries and regions in specific proportions, one can create distinct flavors, aromas, and textures with the finished brew. Compared to single-origin beans, blending allows a balancing of these multi-faceted elements. The downside of blends is that they aren’t roasted lighter as often as single origin coffees, and you’re not going to be able to contain the nuances of a particular area for beans.
When you need to get the most out of your coffee beans, Pesado’s high-quality extraction tools can help.
Roast Levels and What They Mean for Flavor
In the next section, we’ll discuss the different roast levels and how they translate into the distinct flavors, aromas, and textures you associate with them.
Light Roasts
During light roasting, the internal oils of the coffee bean aren’t extracted, and the beans keep their high caffeine levels. They’re heated up to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit when you hear “first crack,” which is when the moisture forces out of the bean.
Light roast flavors
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Have more acidity and complexity than other roast levels, with low bitterness
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Preserve original, region-specific flavors
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Best brewed using a drip method, like pour-over
Medium Roasts
During medium roasting, the beans are roasted to 420 degrees Fahrenheit and removed after the “first crack.”
Medium roast flavors
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Have more balanced flavors that are slightly sweet and acidic, with a fuller body.
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Preferred in the United States as the most popular roast
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Flexible for most brewing methods, including cold brew
Dark Roasts
During dark roasting, the beans are roasted to 445 degrees Fahrenheit and reach the second crack, which is when the oils within the beans move to the outside.
Dark roast flavors
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Have bolder flavors that are smoky, rich, and bittersweet with low acidity
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Bold, smoky, and bittersweet
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Less of the retained original flavor, more roast character
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Common in espresso and milk-based drinks
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Flexible for most brewing methods, including pressurized Aeropress and French press
Whether roasting light, medium, or dark roasts, explore the options at Pesado for a more robust extraction experience, including the high extraction filter basket.
How to Choose What’s Right for You
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When it comes to coffee, only you know what you want. Do you want the earthy aftertaste of the Liberica bean or the familiar allure of the Arabica bean, or do you want both mixed together for a perfect balance? And how do you want those beans roasted? Part of the fun of being a coffee drinker is experimenting with all the variables of beans, brew methods, and roasting levels. Try different combos, and you may find new flavor combinations that you didn’t think were possible.
Great coffee starts with great ingredients and finishes with great tools like Pesado’s premium, ergonomically designed implements that offer you the most precision with your coffee-making. With competitive pricing and superior customer service, Pesado knows that your coffee is far more than just a great way to start the day. It’s your passion.
