Coffee Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Coffee Beans

Ripe Brazilian coffee cherries

Brazilian Coffee: Production, Taste, and Buying...

Brazilian coffee refers to beans grown in Brazil, the world's top coffee producer. Brazilian coffee beans can mean any beans from Brazil, including Arabica and Robusta. The most popular ones, like Santos, Bourbon, and Jacu, are usually high-quality Arabica. Over 90% of Brazil's coffee comes from the southeast states: Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Espírito Santo, and Bahia. Brazil produced over...

Brazilian Coffee: Production, Taste, and Buying...

Brazilian coffee refers to beans grown in Brazil, the world's top coffee producer. Brazilian coffee beans can mean any beans from Brazil, including Arabica and Robusta. The most popular ones, like Santos, Bourbon, and Jacu, are usually high-quality Arabica. Over 90% of Brazil's coffee comes from the southeast states: Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Espírito Santo, and Bahia. Brazil produced over...

Ripe red coffee cherries clustered on a branch amongst green cherries and leaves, showcasing the vibrant colors of Balinese coffee fruit.

Bali Coffee: Types, Taste, and Where To Buy

Bali coffee is from the Indonesian island of Bali. Balinese coffee beans are mainly Arabica, but they also grow Robusta. Some famous types are Blue Moon and Kintamani, and Kopi Luwak (civet coffee). Balinese coffee production involves harvesting cherries, pulping and fermenting the beans, drying them, hulling them, roasting them, and grinding them. Balinese coffee has a balanced, smooth taste...

Bali Coffee: Types, Taste, and Where To Buy

Bali coffee is from the Indonesian island of Bali. Balinese coffee beans are mainly Arabica, but they also grow Robusta. Some famous types are Blue Moon and Kintamani, and Kopi Luwak (civet coffee). Balinese coffee production involves harvesting cherries, pulping and fermenting the beans, drying them, hulling them, roasting them, and grinding them. Balinese coffee has a balanced, smooth taste...

Clusters of green Indonesian coffee cherries growing on a branch of an Indonesian coffee plant

Indonesian Coffee: Growing, Taste, and How To C...

Indonesia, the fourth largest coffee producer globally, offers a diverse range of coffee beans. Indonesia produces many specialty coffees from high-quality Arabica and some Robusta beans. These include Kopi Luwak, Gayo, Kintamani, Bali Blue Moon, Mandheling, Toraja, Wamena, and Temanggung. Indonesian coffee grows mainly on Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi. Small farms grow the beans using diverse methods influenced by regional...

Indonesian Coffee: Growing, Taste, and How To C...

Indonesia, the fourth largest coffee producer globally, offers a diverse range of coffee beans. Indonesia produces many specialty coffees from high-quality Arabica and some Robusta beans. These include Kopi Luwak, Gayo, Kintamani, Bali Blue Moon, Mandheling, Toraja, Wamena, and Temanggung. Indonesian coffee grows mainly on Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi. Small farms grow the beans using diverse methods influenced by regional...

Sumatra Coffee: Growing, Taste, and Best Brands

Sumatra Coffee: Growing, Taste, and Best Brands

Sumatra coffee comes from the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Sumatra's coffee story began with the Dutch in the 1600s. They brought coffee plants from Ethiopia and Yemen to Sumatra to compete with Arabic coffee. Sumatra grows coffee in different areas, mainly Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and South Sumatra. The coffee varieties include Arabica types like Mandheling, Gayo, and Lintong,...

Sumatra Coffee: Growing, Taste, and Best Brands

Sumatra coffee comes from the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Sumatra's coffee story began with the Dutch in the 1600s. They brought coffee plants from Ethiopia and Yemen to Sumatra to compete with Arabic coffee. Sumatra grows coffee in different areas, mainly Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and South Sumatra. The coffee varieties include Arabica types like Mandheling, Gayo, and Lintong,...

rwanda coffee beans

Rwanda Coffee: Production, Taste, and Best Brands

Rwanda Coffee refers to coffee grown in the high-altitude regions of Rwanda, a small coffee producer in East-Central Africa. Most Rwandan coffee is Arabica, and 95% of that is the Red Bourbon variety. Coffee grows best in five areas of Rwanda, mostly in the south and west near Lake Kivu. These are the Virunga Mountains, Kivu, Kizi Rift, Muhazi, and...

Rwanda Coffee: Production, Taste, and Best Brands

Rwanda Coffee refers to coffee grown in the high-altitude regions of Rwanda, a small coffee producer in East-Central Africa. Most Rwandan coffee is Arabica, and 95% of that is the Red Bourbon variety. Coffee grows best in five areas of Rwanda, mostly in the south and west near Lake Kivu. These are the Virunga Mountains, Kivu, Kizi Rift, Muhazi, and...

a handful of kenya coffee beans

Kenya Coffee: Growing, Taste, and Where To Buy

Kenyan coffee comes from Kenya, a country in East Africa. Coffee is one of Kenya's biggest exports. The main types of Kenyan coffee beans are Arabica cultivars. These include SL28, SL34, K7, Ruiru 11, and Batian. Coffee in Kenya grows in 33 counties and 18 coffee-growing regions. The main areas are Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang'a, Kericho, and Bungoma. Kenyan coffee...

Kenya Coffee: Growing, Taste, and Where To Buy

Kenyan coffee comes from Kenya, a country in East Africa. Coffee is one of Kenya's biggest exports. The main types of Kenyan coffee beans are Arabica cultivars. These include SL28, SL34, K7, Ruiru 11, and Batian. Coffee in Kenya grows in 33 counties and 18 coffee-growing regions. The main areas are Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang'a, Kericho, and Bungoma. Kenyan coffee...

A pair of hands holds a handful of ripe African coffee cherries, illustrating the vibrant red color of the fruit.

20 Best African Coffees to Explore

The best African coffees are those that best suit your taste. Africa offers a wide variety of coffees, including Ethiopian coffee, Ugandan coffee, Tanzanian coffee, and more. African coffee refers to coffee beans grown on the African continent, often cultivated at high altitudes in shade-grown conditions by smallholder farmers using traditional methods. In the coffee year 2022/23, Africa produced 17.9...

20 Best African Coffees to Explore

The best African coffees are those that best suit your taste. Africa offers a wide variety of coffees, including Ethiopian coffee, Ugandan coffee, Tanzanian coffee, and more. African coffee refers to coffee beans grown on the African continent, often cultivated at high altitudes in shade-grown conditions by smallholder farmers using traditional methods. In the coffee year 2022/23, Africa produced 17.9...

ethiopian coffee beans

Ethiopian Coffee: Growing, Taste, and How To Ch...

Ethiopian coffee beans are grown in Ethiopia, Africa’s largest coffee producer and the world’s fifth largest. Coffee is mainly grown in southwest Ethiopia, in regions like Yirgacheffe and Sidamo. Key coffee zones are Oromia and Sidama. Kaffa, where coffee originated, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Coffee production in Ethiopia begins with hand-picked cherries. Processing methods include natural (sun-drying cherries) and...

Ethiopian Coffee: Growing, Taste, and How To Ch...

Ethiopian coffee beans are grown in Ethiopia, Africa’s largest coffee producer and the world’s fifth largest. Coffee is mainly grown in southwest Ethiopia, in regions like Yirgacheffe and Sidamo. Key coffee zones are Oromia and Sidama. Kaffa, where coffee originated, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Coffee production in Ethiopia begins with hand-picked cherries. Processing methods include natural (sun-drying cherries) and...

Colombian Coffee: Growing, Taste, and Buying Guide

Colombian Coffee: Growing, Taste, and Buying Guide

Colombian coffee comes from Colombia, the third-largest coffee producer in the world. "100% Colombian Coffee" means the coffee is entirely from Colombia. This term was made popular by a campaign that started in 1958, showing a fictional coffee farmer named Juan Valdez. Most Colombian coffee grows in the Coffee Triangle, a special area in central-west Colombia. Other regions like Huila,...

Colombian Coffee: Growing, Taste, and Buying Guide

Colombian coffee comes from Colombia, the third-largest coffee producer in the world. "100% Colombian Coffee" means the coffee is entirely from Colombia. This term was made popular by a campaign that started in 1958, showing a fictional coffee farmer named Juan Valdez. Most Colombian coffee grows in the Coffee Triangle, a special area in central-west Colombia. Other regions like Huila,...

Top 20 Coffee Producing Countries

Top 20 Coffee Producing Countries

Coffee producing countries are nations that cultivate, harvest, and process coffee beans for domestic use and global export. Major coffee-producing countries are located in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Crop Statistics 2021. Latin America, including Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and Peru, produces 55.5% of the world’s coffee and 80%...

Top 20 Coffee Producing Countries

Coffee producing countries are nations that cultivate, harvest, and process coffee beans for domestic use and global export. Major coffee-producing countries are located in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Crop Statistics 2021. Latin America, including Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and Peru, produces 55.5% of the world’s coffee and 80%...

kona coffee

Kona Coffee: Growing, Taste, and Buying Guide

Kona coffee is a rare type of coffee grown only in Hawaii. While the terms "Kona coffee," "Kona coffee blend," and "Hawaiian coffee" might seem similar, they have different meanings. To be called 100% Kona coffee, the coffee must be made entirely from beans grown in the Kona Coffee Belt on Hawaii's Big Island. Kona coffee production involves careful farming,...

Kona Coffee: Growing, Taste, and Buying Guide

Kona coffee is a rare type of coffee grown only in Hawaii. While the terms "Kona coffee," "Kona coffee blend," and "Hawaiian coffee" might seem similar, they have different meanings. To be called 100% Kona coffee, the coffee must be made entirely from beans grown in the Kona Coffee Belt on Hawaii's Big Island. Kona coffee production involves careful farming,...

excelsa coffee beans

Excelsa Coffee: Origin, Taste, and How to Choose

Excelsa coffee beans come from the Coffea liberica plant. They were first named Coffea excelsa, and later, they were considered a type of Coffea liberica. Excelsa coffee beans are medium-sized, oval-shaped, and have a slightly wrinkled surface. The coffee beans are about 2 cm long and 1.7 cm wide. Excelsa coffee is mainly grown in Southeast Asia. Vietnam, the Philippines,...

Excelsa Coffee: Origin, Taste, and How to Choose

Excelsa coffee beans come from the Coffea liberica plant. They were first named Coffea excelsa, and later, they were considered a type of Coffea liberica. Excelsa coffee beans are medium-sized, oval-shaped, and have a slightly wrinkled surface. The coffee beans are about 2 cm long and 1.7 cm wide. Excelsa coffee is mainly grown in Southeast Asia. Vietnam, the Philippines,...

coffee beans versus espresso beans

Espresso Beans vs. Coffee Beans: What's the Dif...

Espresso beans are coffee beans roasted, prepared, and ground for espresso machines. Coffee beans are roasted and ground seeds from the Coffea plant. All espresso beans are coffee beans, but not all coffee beans are espresso beans. The key differences are the roasting process, grind size, and brewing method. Espresso beans are roasted longer than regular coffee beans. Espresso beans...

Espresso Beans vs. Coffee Beans: What's the Dif...

Espresso beans are coffee beans roasted, prepared, and ground for espresso machines. Coffee beans are roasted and ground seeds from the Coffea plant. All espresso beans are coffee beans, but not all coffee beans are espresso beans. The key differences are the roasting process, grind size, and brewing method. Espresso beans are roasted longer than regular coffee beans. Espresso beans...

Green Coffee: Taste, Benefits, and How To Make

Green Coffee: Taste, Benefits, and How To Make

Green coffee beans are raw, unroasted seeds from the coffee fruit. They come in two main types: Arabica and Robusta. Green coffee beans are the result of processing ripe coffee cherries. This involves harvesting, removing outer layers, and drying. Green coffee has a grassy, herbal, slightly bitter taste. It smells earthy, like fresh-cut grass or raw legumes, and lacks the...

Green Coffee: Taste, Benefits, and How To Make

Green coffee beans are raw, unroasted seeds from the coffee fruit. They come in two main types: Arabica and Robusta. Green coffee beans are the result of processing ripe coffee cherries. This involves harvesting, removing outer layers, and drying. Green coffee has a grassy, herbal, slightly bitter taste. It smells earthy, like fresh-cut grass or raw legumes, and lacks the...

white coffee beans

What is White Coffee?

White coffee beans are roasted at a lower temperature (325 degrees Fahrenheit) and for less time than regular coffee. This results in a lighter, nuttier flavor that is less acidic and bitter. It tastes delicate, raw, and vegetative, with notes of peanuts, grass, hay, and wood. The white roast coffee beans are pale yellow, almost creamy, with no surface oils....

What is White Coffee?

White coffee beans are roasted at a lower temperature (325 degrees Fahrenheit) and for less time than regular coffee. This results in a lighter, nuttier flavor that is less acidic and bitter. It tastes delicate, raw, and vegetative, with notes of peanuts, grass, hay, and wood. The white roast coffee beans are pale yellow, almost creamy, with no surface oils....

italian roast coffee beans

What is Italian Roast Coffee?

Italian roast coffee is a dark roast. It's named after the way it's roasted, not the type of bean. The Italian roast coffee beans are almost black and oily, with a bitter, smoky flavor. Italian and French roasts differ mainly in how they are roasted. Italian roast is darker, roasted at 455°F or higher. Italian roast coffee has a bold,...

What is Italian Roast Coffee?

Italian roast coffee is a dark roast. It's named after the way it's roasted, not the type of bean. The Italian roast coffee beans are almost black and oily, with a bitter, smoky flavor. Italian and French roasts differ mainly in how they are roasted. Italian roast is darker, roasted at 455°F or higher. Italian roast coffee has a bold,...

French Roast Coffee: Definition, Taste, and Best Brands

French Roast Coffee: Definition, Taste, and Bes...

French roast coffee is a dark roast with a deep brown, oily surface. Beans are heated until they turn dark, near-charcoal. French roast coffee is made by roasting beans at 440-455°F (227-235°C) for 12-15 minutes, past the second crack. French roast coffee is bold and intense, with a deeply caramelized flavor. It has strong roasted, smoky, chocolate, and ashy notes....

French Roast Coffee: Definition, Taste, and Bes...

French roast coffee is a dark roast with a deep brown, oily surface. Beans are heated until they turn dark, near-charcoal. French roast coffee is made by roasting beans at 440-455°F (227-235°C) for 12-15 minutes, past the second crack. French roast coffee is bold and intense, with a deeply caramelized flavor. It has strong roasted, smoky, chocolate, and ashy notes....

vienna roast coffee

What is Vienna Roast Coffee?

Vienna roast coffee is a dark roast. The beans are dark reddish-brown with a visible surface oil sheen. It is lighter and milder than Italian roast but darker than medium roasts. Vienna roast coffee has 95-105 mg of caffeine in an 8-ounce cup. Vienna and French roasts are dark roasts, but Vienna roasts keep some original flavors and have a...

What is Vienna Roast Coffee?

Vienna roast coffee is a dark roast. The beans are dark reddish-brown with a visible surface oil sheen. It is lighter and milder than Italian roast but darker than medium roasts. Vienna roast coffee has 95-105 mg of caffeine in an 8-ounce cup. Vienna and French roasts are dark roasts, but Vienna roasts keep some original flavors and have a...

what is espresso roast

What is Espresso Roast?

Espresso roast refers to coffee beans roasted specifically for use in brewing espresso. While any bean can technically be used to make espresso, the roast level significantly impacts the flavor and quality of the shot. Espresso roasts are typically roasted longer than beans intended for other brewing methods, which helps to develop the flavors and aromas that are characteristic of...

What is Espresso Roast?

Espresso roast refers to coffee beans roasted specifically for use in brewing espresso. While any bean can technically be used to make espresso, the roast level significantly impacts the flavor and quality of the shot. Espresso roasts are typically roasted longer than beans intended for other brewing methods, which helps to develop the flavors and aromas that are characteristic of...

blonde vs regular espresso

Blonde Espresso vs Regular: What's the Difference?

Blonde espresso and regular espresso are both 1 oz shots but differ primarily in their roasting process, affecting color, flavor, caffeine, acidity, body, and brewing. Blonde espresso uses lightly roasted beans, often enjoyed straight to appreciate its complex flavors. Regular espresso uses dark roast beans and is commonly used as a base for various coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos....

Blonde Espresso vs Regular: What's the Difference?

Blonde espresso and regular espresso are both 1 oz shots but differ primarily in their roasting process, affecting color, flavor, caffeine, acidity, body, and brewing. Blonde espresso uses lightly roasted beans, often enjoyed straight to appreciate its complex flavors. Regular espresso uses dark roast beans and is commonly used as a base for various coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos....