The Best Coffee Beans for Every Type of Coffee Lover

When it comes to the perfect cup of coffee, nothing is more important than starting with the best coffee beans in the world. Coffee is one of the most stimulating drinks in the world. Millions of people drink coffee every day as a habit, and yet they don’t know they are consuming it. For a few years now, the coffee culture has been promoted, teaching people to consume a quality product. A side effect of this is the rise of the coffee industry.

To spread this wonderful culture, coffee lovers, specialty coffee shops, professional baristas, websites like us, and other organizations try to teach people how to choose, and understand the complex process behind it .

In this way, the people involved such as farmers, roasters, and everyone else involved in this chain, including of course the final consumer, benefit as much as possible.

What is the origin of the best coffee beans?

There are several debates about the origin of coffee. The one that has the most consensus is the story of an Ethiopian shepherd in the 9th century. He was with his herd one night and saw how that night the goats were very active and did not sleep. After observing them, he noticed that they had eaten from a bush. He picked the fruits, took them to a monastery and after roasting them they discovered their great aroma.

In the thirteenth century and, after the prohibition of alcoholic beverages by the Islamic religion, coffee began to be used as a stimulating drink. Later, during the 15th century, the Muslims exported coffee to Persia, Egypt and Turkey and later, in the 17th century, it reached Europe

Types of coffee beans:

There are main two types of coffee beans:

Arabica:

Arabica beans have a sweeter, delicate taste and are of higher quality. They are less bitter and have a higher acidity than Robusta beans. Arabica beans grow at higher altitudes, around 600-2000 meters. They are more sensitive to weather and disease compared to Robusta beans.

Arabica beans are grown in many countries around the world, such as Colombia, Ethiopia, Brazil, and Costa Rica. Each country has its own unique growing conditions, which result in different flavors and aromas in the coffee. For example, Ethiopian Arabica beans are known for their fruity and floral notes, while Colombian beans have a nutty and chocolatey taste.

Arabica beans are also classified into different subtypes, such as Bourbon, Typica, and Caturra. Each subtype has its own unique characteristics, such as taste, aroma, and growing conditions. Bourbon beans, for example, are known for their balanced acidity and sweetness, while Typica beans have a milder flavor and a longer aftertaste.

In general, Arabica beans are considered to be of higher quality, and are therefore more expensive than Robusta beans. They are mostly used in specialty and high-end coffee blends.

Robusta:

The robusta variety of coffee bean is distinguished by its robust flavor and high caffeine concentration. The beans are typically smaller and rounder than Arabica beans, and have a more robust, earthy taste. They are also less expensive than Arabica beans due to the fact that they are easier to grow and have a higher yield.

Robusta beans are typically grown at lower elevations and in hotter climates than Arabica beans. They are also more resistant to pests and disease, which makes them easier to cultivate. They are mostly grown in Africa, Asia, and some parts of South America.

Robusta beans are often used in instant coffee, espresso blends and some cheaper coffee beans. They are also popular in Italy, which is known for its strong coffee culture, and are used in traditional Italian espresso. Because of the high caffeine content, Robusta beans are often used in energy drinks and supplements.

Although Robusta beans are generally considered to be of lower quality than Arabica. Coffee lovers can enjoy unique flavors alone or blend with other beans for different profiles.

There are also several subtypes of coffee beans within these main categories, such as Bourbon, Typica, and Caturra for Arabica, and Congensis and Canephora for Robusta. Each subtype has its own unique characteristics, such as taste, aroma, and growing conditions.

Best Coffee Beans

How to grind the best coffee beans?

As we have already mentioned, the ideal is to buy the coffee beans and grind them just before consumption to preserve their aroma and flavor. When grinding the coffee, the CO₂ and the antioxidants that the grain contains are lost, accelerating oxidation.

There are several models of coffee grinders, but you should know that not all of them work the same or provide the same result. We have divided the grinders into two groups and we explain the pros and cons of each one

Coffee grinder with blades: This system is not the most appropriate because the blades cut the beans in a heterogeneous way, that is, the particles are of different thicknesses. This causes the thicker ones to not be fully moistened, resulting in an unbalanced cup of coffee. They are the cheapest option, but not the most successful.

Coffee grinder with grinding wheels: They can be electric or manual. They are characterized by the fact that they grind uniformly, moistening the particles equally. We can choose between conical or flat grinding wheels and between stainless steel or ceramic grinding wheels. They are more expensive than coffee grinders with blades, but the result is much better.

Which is better, the coffee bean or the ground?

When we go to buy coffee we find coffee beans or ground coffee. When in doubt which is better, you should know the differences between the two. Of course, the convenience of having the coffee already ground will make preparation easier. But which is better?

Coffee is a perishable fruit, it loses qualities with the passage of time. Contact with oxygen causes its aromas and flavor to be altered.

Buy coffee roasted no more than a month to preserve qualities. Ground coffee loses CO₂ even if protected, so keep that in mind when buying.

Antioxidants and caffeic acid are lost upon contact with oxygen and this loss is accelerated by grinding the coffee. In conclusion, we advise you to buy coffee beans and grind them just before consuming them to enjoy their qualities. Although ground coffee is easier and cleaner to prepare, it does not retain all its aroma, flavor and body.

Benefits of best Coffee beans:

Coffee beans, specifically the Arabica and Robusta, have many potential health benefits due to the presence of various compounds such as caffeine, antioxidants, and minerals. Some of these benefits include:

Boosting energy and mental alertness: Caffeine, the main active ingredient in coffee, can help to increase energy levels and improve mental focus and concentration.

Improving physical performance: Caffeine can also enhance physical performance by increasing adrenaline levels, which can help to improve endurance and reduce muscle pain during exercise.

Lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes: Studies have shown that regular coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

Protecting against certain cancers: The antioxidants in coffee may help to protect against certain types of cancer, such as liver and colorectal cancer.

Reducing the risk of heart disease: Drinking coffee in moderation may also help to reduce the risk of heart disease by improving blood vessel function and decreasing inflammation.

Lowering risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s: Studies have found that drinking coffee may lower the risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

It’s important to note that excessive consumption of coffee may lead to negative effects such as anxiety, jitteriness, and insomnia. Therefore, it is recommended to consume coffee in moderation, typically no more than 400mg of caffeine per day.

How to preserve coffee beans?

• Knowing how to preserve coffee beans is very important to guarantee the quality of the product. We can do several actions to avoid oxidation and thus not lose its aromas and flavors.
• Air, humidity, heat and light can damage the quality of the coffee. Store the coffee in an airtight jar away from light and at a temperature between 14 and 20 ºC.
• Preserving coffee beans after purchase is equally important to all measures taken from cultivation to packaging. In the following table we show you some of these actions  :

Flaw	What is?	Impact
Bit damage.	A plague.	Loss of grain quality. The damaged beans contaminate the rest and the flavor is affected.
Pollution.	Presence of strange compounds in the coffee.	Flavor alteration.
Phenol.	It is caused by microorganisms due to inadequate drying of the coffee.	It makes coffee bitter and acidic.
Ferment.	Bad practices in collection. About fermentation.	Sour the coffee.
Excess water in transport and storage.	Inadequate drying.	Rapid deterioration of the product.

• Controlling humidity preserves coffee quality. Grain’s water content reduced from 55% to 12% in drying process. Once dried, if the amount of water exceeds 12%, there is a risk of microbiological deterioration due to fungi.

Purchase criteria

If you have already decided that you are going to buy coffee beans, we recommend that you first read the criteria that you should take into account to opt for one or the other.

Types of coffee beans

There are many types of coffee in the world, but we could cite the two most important. Different characteristics such as growing location, required altitude, pest resistance, and complexity of harvesting differentiate coffee beans. Of course, the most important differences are the quality, flavor and body of the coffee.
Arabica Coffee: It is the most cultivated in the world and originates from Ethiopia. It needs to be grown in high areas with tropical climates, which makes its production more expensive. The grain is oval and greenish. It is characterized by its mild flavor. There are many varieties including mocha, Java, Blue Mountain or Kenya AA.
Robusta Coffee: It is characterized because its seed is more resistant which allows it to be grown in different terrains. It is a product of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The grain is round and yellowish. The taste is bitter because it contains more caffeine and has hints of nuts.

Intensity

To determine the degree of aroma and flavor perception in both the nose and mouth, the intensity scale is used. Three levels are usually used to measure it:

• From 1 to 4: Delicate flavor and light body.
• From 5 to 7: Rich in flavor and balanced body.
• From 8 to 10: Generous aroma and strong body.

There are three factors that influence the different degrees of intensity: The type of grain, the type of roast and the coffee maker that we use. It is worth mentioning that the intensity of the coffee does not determine the quality.
Experts determine the aroma, flavor, and health of coffee through a sensory evaluation or cup test. This technique also measures the intensity of the coffee to determine whether it is light, weak, or strong.

Flavors

Our palate can distinguish between sour, sweet, salty and bitter flavors. When we drink a coffee, smell and texture also intervene, so that we are the flavor changes completely.
For a coffee to have a good flavor, the first thing we need is that the grain is of quality and that it has a certain degree of maturity. Equally important is the controlled roasting process, which involves checking for changes in the coffee bean. The roasting temperature ranges between 200 ºC and 250 ºC
Today we can find flavored coffees that can be useful in preparing certain dishes. Spices and aromas have been added to these coffees. The best known flavors are cinnamon, vanilla, almond or chocolate.

Health effects

If you suffer from any vascular, digestive or nervous problem, we advise you to read this purchase criteria. We’ve always heard that nothing hurts if we don’t do it or if we take too much. The same thing happens with coffee. It is not considered a product that is harmful to health, but taking it in excess can have serious consequences. Below, we list some of these consequences.

• Coffee contains caffeine and an excess of this substance can affect the nervous system. This condition to the nervous system can cause insomnia and anxiety.
• It can affect the cardiovascular system by increasing blood pressure and heart rate.
• It can cause problems in the digestive system with a feeling of heartburn and loss of appetite.

FAQ

Final Verdict

Choosing the best coffee beans ultimately depends on personal taste and preferences, but there are some general guidelines that can help ensure you are getting a high-quality product. Consider factors such as origin, roast level, grade, bean variety, freshness, organic, sustainability and brand reputation. Additionally, try different beans and blends, experiment with different brewing methods and take note of the flavors, aroma, and body of the coffee. This will help you to refine your preferences and find the best coffee beans for you. When purchasing coffee beans, it’s also good to find a balance between price and quality, as the cheapest beans may not be the best quality.