Types of Coffee Beans: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica and Excelsa
Updated - Team Colipse
Types of coffee beans refer to the various species of coffee that come from the coffee plants. There are four different types of coffee beans: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa, with Arabica and Robusta being two of the most popular types.
Besides species, types of coffee beans are further categorized by their varieties, cultivars, origins, quality, processing method, farming practices, and roast level. Different types of coffee beans come in various sizes, are grown in various countries under different conditions, and are used for different types of coffee drinks.
Regarding the number of coffee bean types, experts at World Coffee Research identify more than 120 coffee varietals—genetically distinct variations within a single species. These varietals, or varieties, refer to naturally occurring variations of coffee. Cultivars, on the other hand, are coffee varieties that have been specifically bred or selected by humans for certain traits, like disease resistance or flavor profile.
The choice of coffee bean type and roast level, combined with the brewing method, significantly impacts the final flavor. This can make choosing the best type of coffee beans and grounds for different coffee drinks a bit complex. The following list shows 4 different types of coffee beans and their characteristics.
What are Coffee Bean Types?
Coffee bean types are the different varieties of seeds found inside the cherries of the coffee plant. Each cherry holds two seeds. Those seeds are processed, dried, and roasted to become the coffee beans used in brewing. Arabica and Robusta are the two main commercial species. Liberica and Excelsa are the two minor species.
What are the Different Types of Coffee Beans?
The four different types of coffee beans are Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa. Arabica dominates global production and accounts for over 60% of the world's coffee supply. Robusta is the second most produced species, grown mainly in Vietnam, Brazil, and Indonesia. Liberica grows in West Africa and Southeast Asia and represents less than 1% of global production. Excelsa is a botanical variety within the Liberica species, grown mainly in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
How Many Different Types of Coffee Beans are There?
There are four main types of coffee beans: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa. Arabica and Robusta account for over 98% of global production. Liberica and Excelsa represent less than 2% combined. Within these four species, World Coffee Research identifies more than 120 distinct varietals bred or selected for specific traits. The 4 primary coffee bean types are listed below.
- Arabica
- Robusta
- Liberica
- Excelsa
1. Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica is a type of coffee bean and the seeds of the Coffea arabica plant. Arabica coffee beans originated in South Ethiopia's forests and spread globally by the mid-1700s. Arabica is the most popular type of coffee bean in the world, making up over 60% of the global coffee supply in 2023, with Brazil supplying nearly 40% of global output.
The two most common Arabica varietals are Typica and Bourbon, while rarer types include Geisha, Blue Mountain, and Pink Bourbon. Arabica suits drip coffee, single-serve, cold brew, and espresso. Colipse sells Arabica coffee beans freshly roasted to order.
2. Robusta Coffee Beans
Robusta is a type of coffee bean and the seeds of the Coffea canephora plant, native to Central and Western Africa. Robusta grows at altitudes below 600 meters and resists pests and diseases more effectively than Arabica. Vietnam, Brazil, and Indonesia lead global Robusta production.
The two main Robusta groups are Erecta and Nganda. Robusta suits espresso, French press, cold brew, and moka pot. Colipse Coffee offers single-origin India Cherry Robusta, fresh roasted to order.
3. Liberica Coffee Beans
Liberica is a type of coffee bean and the seeds of the Coffea liberica plant, indigenous to the tropical forests of West and Central Africa. Liberica was introduced as a commercial crop in the 1870s after coffee leaf rust devastated Arabica plantations across Asia. Today it constitutes less than 1% of global production, grown mainly in Malaysia, the Philippines, Uganda, and Sierra Leone.
The most common Liberica variety is Kapeng Barako. Liberica suits hot and cold immersion, percolation, and drip coffee. Colipse does not currently offer Liberica coffee beans.
4. Excelsa Coffee Beans
Excelsa is a type of coffee bean and a botanical variety within the Coffea liberica species, classified as Coffea liberica var. dewevrei. Originating in Central and West Africa, Excelsa spread to Southeast Asia due to its resilience in tropical climates. It represents around 2% of global coffee production, grown mainly in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Excelsa suits pour-over, French press, and single-origin espresso. Colipse does not currently offer Excelsa coffee beans.
What are the Flavor Profiles of Different Types of Coffee Beans?
Different types of coffee beans produce distinct flavor profiles determined by species, origin, altitude, and processing method. Arabica delivers sweetness with fruity and floral notes. Robusta produces a bold, earthy bitterness. Liberica produces a smoky, woody flavor with dark fruit notes. Excelsa produces a tart, fruity flavor distinct from the other three species.
| Coffee Bean Type | Flavor Profile | Acidity | Body | Best Brewing Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arabica | Sweet, fruity, floral — notes of berries, apple, jasmine, caramel | High, bright | Light to medium | Pour-over, drip, espresso, cold brew |
| Robusta | Bold, earthy, bitter — notes of dark chocolate, nuts, wood | Low | Full, heavy | Espresso, moka pot, cold brew |
| Liberica | Smoky, woody, dark fruit — notes of jackfruit, chocolate, spice | Low | Full, rich | French press, drip, percolation |
| Excelsa | Tart, fruity, complex — notes of dark berries, jackfruit, floral | Low to medium | Full | Pour-over, French press, espresso |
What are the Characteristics of Different Types of Coffee Beans?
The characteristics of different types of coffee beans vary across species, altitude, bean size, caffeine content, and processing method. Arabica grows at the highest altitudes with the largest beans and the most complex chemistry. Robusta grows lowest, with smaller beans and the highest caffeine. Liberica and Excelsa occupy intermediate positions in size and caffeine while offering the most distinctive flavor profiles.
| Characteristic | Arabica | Robusta | Liberica | Excelsa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Coffea arabica | Coffea canephora | Coffea liberica | Coffea liberica var. dewevrei |
| Altitude | 1,200 to 2,200 m | 0 to 800 m | 200 to 800 m | Up to 500 m |
| Temperature | 15°C to 24°C | 22°C to 30°C | 24°C to 30°C | 17°C to 30°C |
| Bean Size | 10–18 mm length | 8–12 mm length | 12–15 mm length | Up to 20 mm length |
| Bean Shape | Oval, elongated | Round, small | Oval, almond-like | Teardrop, irregular |
| Caffeine Content | 1.2% to 1.5% | 2.2% to 2.7% | 1.2% to 1.4% | 0.94% to 1.2% |
| Chlorogenic Acid | 5% to 7% | 7% to 10% | Moderate | Moderate |
| Processing | Washed, natural | Wet, natural | Wet fermentation | Natural, honey, semi-washed, wine |
| Disease Resistance | Low | High | High | High |
| Global Market Share | ~60% | ~38% | <1% | ~2% |
| Main Producers | Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia | Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia | Malaysia, Philippines | Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia |
| Primary Uses | Specialty coffee, blends | Espresso blends, instant coffee | Blends, single-origin niche | Single-origin, blends |
How Much Caffeine is in Different Coffee Bean Types?
Different coffee bean types contain varying levels of caffeine, with Robusta highest at 2.2% to 2.7% by dry weight. Arabica beans contain 1.2% to 1.5% caffeine, roughly half the Robusta level. Liberica beans measure 1.2% to 1.4% caffeine, placing them close to Arabica. Excelsa beans fall between Arabica and Robusta at 0.94% to 1.2% caffeine by dry weight. A 2022 study by Herawati published in the International Journal of Food Science measured caffeine in Coffea liberica var. dewevrei across natural, honey, semiwashed, and wine processing methods using HPLC analysis, confirming Excelsa's moderate caffeine content across all processing types. A 2026 bibliometric review published in Molecules confirmed that green Liberica and Excelsa beans both exhibit moderate caffeine content relative to Arabica and Robusta.
Caffeine per 8 oz cup by coffee bean type:
| Coffee Bean Type | Caffeine per 8 oz Cup |
|---|---|
| Arabica | 80 to 120 mg |
| Robusta | 170 to 200 mg |
| Liberica | 70 to 100 mg |
| Excelsa | 86 to 113 mg |
What are the Best Types of Coffee Beans?
The best types of coffee beans are Arabica. They have smooth, complex flavors with notes of fruit, sugar, and berries, as well as lower acidity and caffeine compared to Robusta. Arabica coffee is the most popular type in the specialty coffee market, making up 60-70% of global production. The beans can be brewed in many different ways, like espresso and pour-over, and it shows the unique flavors of where it's grown and how it's processed.
What Type of Coffee Beans Does Colipse Coffee Use?
Colipse Coffee offers specialty-grade Arabica and Robusta coffee beans, sourced from 15 origins across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The majority of the range is single-origin Arabica, including washed, natural, and honey-processed lots. Colipse also carries Arabica and Robusta blends for espresso and everyday brewing. Every bean scores 80 or above on the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) 100-point scale. All bags ship as whole bean or ground and are roasted to order.
What are the Different Types of Coffee Beans Varieties?
Different types of Arabica coffee bean varieties include Bourbon, Typica, and Geisha, while Robusta varieties include Erecta and Nganda. Coffee varieties are genetic groups within coffee species, each with unique characteristics shaped by origin (e.g., Ethiopia or Colombia), farming practices, growing region, altitude, bean size, and disease resistance like leaf rust. Different coffee bean varieties have distinct cupping profiles, with significant variations in aroma, flavor, acidity, and body. Nutritional values, including caffeine and mineral content, can also differ.
Some coffee bean varieties, like Caturra, SL34, and Pacamara, result from natural mutations, while others, such as Castillo, Catimor, and Ruiru 11, are hybrids from intentional breeding between different coffee plants. Cultivars are selected coffee varieties maintained through cultivation for traits like disease resistance, high yield, or unique flavor. In the strictest sense, a coffee "cultivar" is a plant variety that has been produced through cultivation and is maintained through farmer-assisted propagation. All coffee cultivars are varieties, but not all coffee varieties are cultivars.
How do Coffee Bean Types Differ Based on Roasting?
Coffee bean types differ based on roasting through the development of varying flavor profiles, acidity levels, body characteristics, and aroma complexities. Coffee roasting is the process of heating green coffee beans to unlock and enhance these inherent qualities.
The main types of coffee bean roasts — Light, Medium, Medium-Dark, and Dark — offer distinct flavors and caffeine levels. Light roasts retain more caffeine and acidity, producing a mild flavor. Medium roasts balance acidity and sweetness. Medium-Dark roasts add caramelized richness. Dark roasts produce bold, smoky flavors with reduced acidity.
How To Choose Coffee Bean Types According to Brewing Method?
To choose coffee bean types based on your brewing method, consider the method's unique traits.
- For espresso, which uses high pressure and a short extraction time, use a dark roast with a fine grind for a strong, concentrated flavor.
- For French press and cold brewing, where the coffee steeps for longer, use a medium-to-coarse grind with medium or dark roasts to avoid over-extraction and bitterness.
- For drip coffee, a medium roast with a medium grind provides a balanced flavor extraction for this popular method.
Single-origin beans from high altitude regions like Ethiopia or Kenya suit pour-over methods like Chemex or Hario V60. Specialty coffee blends suit everyday brewing methods like drip coffee. Single origin coffee beans and blends are among the many types of coffee beans offered by Colipse.