64 percent of Americans drink coffee every day. That’s half of all Americans and then some. But of all of these roast-loving Americans, how many really care about the coffee they drink, and how many are just fuelling up for the workday?
The fact of the matter is, that while drinking coffee has become synonymous with waking up in the morning, there are many different types of coffee out there. If you understand these differences, you’re far more likely to enjoy the process of making coffee.
This article will walk you through some of the most important types of coffee out there.
Arabica
Arabica is, for all intents and purposes, your standard type of coffee. It’s the most common type of coffee out there, making for 60 percent of the world’s coffee.
Arabica beans are grown in high altitudes. As a result, the soil is fertile, but the weather is cold. The beans need to grow extra hard to grow, which results in a more flavorful, potent product.
They’re considered more acidic than most types of coffee, which gives it that wine-like taste you often get from coffee shop coffee. People also describe Arabica coffee as being fruit-like. If there’s a coffee shop near you that you love, there’s a good chance that they’re using high-quality Arabica.
(Speaking of which, do you know what makes certain types of coffee high-quality? More high-quality roasts are harvested by hand, so that unripe beans don’t accidentally get mixed in. Cheap roasts contain a higher number of imperfections, and therefore a worse taste.)
Robusta
Robusta is another very important type of coffee bean. Unlike Arabica, Robusta is usually grown in a hot climate with lots of rainfall. This means Robusta coffee has a different way of absorbing nutrients and so comes out tasting different.
Robusta beans generally have more caffeine in them, and a bit more of a harsh, dark, and bitter flavor. If you like coffee that’s a bit more dark, bitter, and chocolatey, you should go with Robusta beans.
Because of their taste, we recommend you use Robusta with milk and sugar. Head over to a site like Pick & Brew to get yourself the best coffee beans available.
Liberica
Liberica beans are a bit more oddly shaped and tough to come by. They’re considered to be an aromatic type of coffee bean. Some people describe their taste as fruity, and others describe it as floral.
Liberica coffee is exclusively grown in the Philippines. If you see anyone claiming they have Liberica from anywhere else, do not trust them.
The Many Types of Coffee
Many people understand the different types of coffee drinks — iced coffee, cappuccino, espresso, macchiato, drip — but how many people know at the core the different types of coffee?
Once you understand Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica, you’re well on your way to understanding the wide world of coffee.
For more articles like this, check out our “tea & coffee” section.
