How Many Different Kinds of Coffee Are There?

Wednesday, December 11th

How Many Different Kinds of Coffee Are There?

Coffee is loved by people around the world, and many cannot imagine what it would be like to go without this popular drink. There are different coffee drinks enjoyed by people in every country, making it impossible to count all of the different varieties that are available. There are also a number of different types of coffee beans, roasts, and brewing methods. While it is not possible to list them all, here is an overview of the most popular types of coffee beans, brewing methods, and coffee preparations.

Popular types of coffee beans

Coffee is made out of the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, which are called coffee beans. There are different species of coffee beans that are sourced from different countries around the world. The bean species, sourcing location, and the manner in which it is roasted will influence the aroma and taste of the cup of coffee you will eventually drink. Here are four types of coffee beans you might encounter.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are very popular and are the most common type of beans used to make coffee. These beans are considered to be of high quality and are fairly expensive. When you brew a cup of coffee made from Arabica beans, the coffee will generally be mellow and have a soft taste.

Robusta coffee beans

Robusta coffee plants are easier to grow, so Robusta beans are typically less expensive than Arabica beans. Robusta beans have a higher concentration of caffeine and have a taste that is more bitter than the taste of coffee made from Arabica beans. For this reason, Robusto beans are often used to make espresso blends and instant coffee.

Excelsa coffee beans

Excelsa beans are not commonly found in the U.S. and are grown in Southeast Asia. These beans grow on coffee plants up to 30 feet tall. They have a fruitier, more tart taste than other types of coffee beans. Excelsa beans are frequently used in a blend of coffee beans instead of to make coffee on their own.

Liberica beans

Liberica beans are solely grown in the Philippines and have a full body with a floral aroma. The flavor of these beans is distinctive with hints of woodiness or smokiness.

Roasting methods

There are four different ways in which coffee beans are roasted, including light roast, medium roast, dark roast, and extra dark roast coffee beans. Other types of roasts are considered to be sub-types of one of these four main types of roasts.

Light roast beans

Light or blond roasted coffee beans have a high amount of caffeine and acidity. The flavor of coffee from these beans is slightly toasty.

Medium roast beans

Medium roasted coffee beans provide a better balance. The beans are slightly darker than lightly roasted beans, but they still have a toasty flavor. While they still have a fair amount of caffeine and acidity, some of these aspects have been roasted away. Medium roasted beans also offer a good coffee aroma.

Dark roast beans

Dark roasted coffee beans lose more acidity and caffeine because they are roasted longer. Much of the toasted flavor will be gone, leaving more of a roast flavor. The flavor is heavier and richer and provides a darker-colored coffee.

Extra dark roast beans

Extra dark roasted beans are roasted for the longest time, meaning that they have low levels of acidity and caffeine. The flavor of extra dark roasted beans is deep, bitter, and smoky.

Brewing methods

After you have chosen your preferred bean and level of roasting, you will then need to think about how you want to brew your coffee. There are multiple ways that you can choose for brewing your coffee, depending on your preferences.

Drip brewing

Drip brewing is a simple way to brew coffee. You do this when you make coffee with a regular coffee machine. All that you have to do is add coffee grounds and water, and the machine will make the coffee for you.

Pour over brewing

The pour-over brewing method requires you to boil water on your stove and then pour it through a filter containing coffee grounds. This requires slightly more work, but you will end up with a stronger cup of coffee than with the drip method.

Espresso brewing

Espresso brewing uses an espresso machine. Espresso machines work with hot, pressurized water and produce a high-concentration coffee drink that people refer to as a shot.

Cold brewing

Cold brewing coffee provides you with high caffeine and low acidity. You steep the coffee grounds in room-temperature water and then cool it further in your refrigerator or by adding ice to it.

Popular types of coffee drinks

There are many different popular types of coffee drinks, including hot and cold coffees. Some of the most popular are described below.

Black coffee

Black coffee is what many people think about when they imagine ordering a cup of coffee in a diner. It is made from plain coffee bean grounds and is brewed hot. Black coffee is consumed without adding any flavorings, milk, or sugar.

Decaffeinated coffee

Roasters can use several methods to remove most of the naturally occurring caffeine in coffee beans. Decaffeinated coffee is then brewed using grounds made from decaffeinated coffee beans.

Espresso shot

Even though a shot of espresso is smaller than a cup of coffee, it is stronger than what you would get in an identical amount of regular coffee. This is because the beans used to make espresso are finely ground, and the machines use a higher amount of grounds in a ratio to the water used to brew the espresso. This results in a concentrated coffee with a bold flavor. Espresso may be served in one-ounce shots or used as a base for other types of popular coffee drinks.

Latte

Latte is traditionally made by combining 2/3 parts steamed milk with 1/3 part espresso. Then, the drink is topped with a thin foam layer. However, many customized types of latte are available. People sometimes add spices or use flavored syrups to make unique latte drinks.

Macchiato

Macchiato drinks are made by adding a small amount of steamed milk or foam to a shot of espresso. Macchiato refers to the tiny amount of milk that has been added to the espresso.

Cappuccino

Cappuccino coffee drinks are similar to lattes, but they feature a thicker foam layer on top. Traditionally, equal parts steamed milk, espresso, and foam are used. People sometimes top cappuccino coffees with a small amount of cinnamon.

Americano

Americano coffee is made by diluting a shot of espresso with hot water. It is believed to have gotten its name from American soldiers serving in Italy during WWII who rationed their coffee by adding water to it.

Café au Lait

Café au Lait is a French version of coffee that is made with equal parts scalded or steamed milk and coffee.

Flat white

Flat white is similar to a latte, but it uses more steamed milk. When the milk is steaming, it is folded to create a velvety texture. This type of coffee drink is popular in New Zealand and Australia.

Cortado

Cortado is a popular coffee drink from Spain that is made with equal parts espresso and steamed milk. It does not contain foam, unlike coffee drinks from Italy.

Mocha latte

A mocha latte is a popular variation of a latte. It is made by adding chocolate flavoring and sugar to the drink.

Red eye

Red-eye gives an extra boost of caffeine. It is a regular coffee with an extra shot of espresso added to it.

Irish coffee

Irish coffee adds a touch of alcohol to the mix. This drink is made by combining whiskey and sugar with black coffee and topping it off with whipped cream.

Iced coffee

To make iced coffee, you simply add ice to your brewed coffee to cool it. Then, you can add sweeteners and milk as you desire.

Cold brew coffee

Cold brew coffee is prepared by steeping coffee grounds with room-temperature water. The longer brewing process provides a smoother flavor.

Iced latte

Iced latte drinks are another popular type of latte. It is served with ice after making the latte.

Nitro cold brew

Nitro cold brew coffee is coffee made by using nitrogen bubbles, which gives it a frothy texture. This type of coffee brew can be purchased from taps or in cans.

Frappe coffee

Frappe coffee is a type of drink that is made from any number of espresso drinks by blending them with ice. Frequently, a frappe will contain milk, flavored syrup, and whipped cream.

There are many different types of coffee that are available throughout the world. Because of the popularity of coffee and the many ways to make it, you could continue discovering new coffees wherever you might go.