The most common comparison when looking at coffee varietals is that a varietal is to coffee what a grape is to wine, so it is a specific variety of the bean that can be distinguished by its flavour. You will see many different varietals labelled on the packaging of coffee beans and grounds, from Arabica to Panama.
You can think of coffee varietals as simply different types of coffee, and the reason for their difference comes from the variations in the plants that grow the beans. Cultivation over time has allowed for many distinct plants to be grown that produce unique flavours in their beans, which are now grown all over the world.
This article will go into detail about the different varietals that you can find for coffee, what the differences might be that you will find and what else to look out for when you are shopping around for that one variety that best suits your brew.
What Does Varietal Mean?
While the words ‘variety’, ‘varietal’ and ‘cultivar’ seem almost interchangeable in a lot of circumstances, they do have distinct uses. ‘Variety’ refers to the plant classification, ‘varietal’ refers to the product made from that variety, and ‘cultivar’ is generally used by botanists to refer to the crop.
Where Do Coffee Varietals Come From?
The Arabica species of coffee, also known as Coffea Arabica, is generally considered to be the first variety from which all other coffee beans have been developed. This coffee has been cultivated in Ethiopia since the 10th century, and the first bean to be discovered within the Arabica family is now known as Typica.
Why Are Different Varieties of Coffee Grown?
There are two main reasons why coffee breeders have developed thousands of different varieties of beans: flavour and plant characteristics. Each variety has a unique flavour, but the different plants also have different characteristics, meaning that some are easier to grow in different parts of the world, produce higher yields than others, or are less susceptible to disease.
Why is it Important to Study Coffee Varietals?
In the same way that you develop a preference for a Pinot Noir over a Rioja, understanding and exploring the different varietals of coffee will help you not only to appreciate your brew but also to choose the beans that are right for you. When you’re shopping for coffee, a little knowledge of varietals can go a long way.
What Are the Main Types of Coffee?
Though there are now several thousand different unique varieties of coffee, they all fall into four different family types: Arabica, Robusta (Canephora), Liberica and Excelsa. Knowing the difference between the flavours of each of these types will go a long way to helping you to choose between the many sub-varieties that are on offer.
What is Arabica Coffee Like?
Arabica is the most famous of the different types of beans, accounting for over 60% of all coffee beans produced worldwide, and any varietal within this family is likely to share some characteristics. Arabica plants are easy to care for and produce coffees that are full of flavour, sweetness and a hint of chocolate, nuts, fruits, and florals.
What is Robusta Coffee Like?
Robusta accounts for around 25% of the beans produced around the world and tends to taste less sweet than Arabica, with lower levels of acidity. The tree is quite robust, hence its name, and its coffee is generally cheaper than Arabica, as well as producing around 25% more caffeine but with simpler flavour profiles.
What is Liberica Coffee Like?
Liberica coffee has quite a unique flavour, that can be quite divisive, which combines smokiness and hints of chocolate with spice and florals. It can be quite an intense and overpowering taste and Liberica is also known for producing a particularly potent odour when the beans are being roasted, and some say even when the coffee is being brewed.
What is Excelsa Coffee Like?
Excelsa coffee is the least common of the main bean varieties and it presents challenges for farmers as the plants are tall and need constant pruning. The coffee it produces is lower in caffeine than the more popular Arabica, Robusta and Liberica varieties and has a medium-light flavour that incorporates berry, fruits, and notes of wood and popcorn.
What Are the Different Coffee Varieties?
Within each branch of the coffee family tree, you will find thousands of different varieties of coffee, originating from the four main types. Within the Arabica family, for example, the varieties are first broken down into either Bourbon or Typica, then within each of those branches, there are hundreds of sub-varieties.
How is the Typica Variety of Arabica Different?
Coffees that fall into the Typica variety are some of the oldest and most popular around the world, originating in Ethiopia its beans grow from a plant that is tall, vulnerable to disease and produces a low yield. These coffees are known for being clear, sweet, and clean with a robust flavour full of nuance and complexity.
How Does the Bourbon Variety Compare to the Typica?
The Bourbon plant has a much higher yield than the Typica and is now the second most popular of all the varieties worldwide. The coffee that it produces is often described as more complex, delicate and lush than the Typica bean, and it is equally renowned for producing a cup that is of the highest quality.
What is a Hybrid Coffee?
A hybrid coffee is produced by cross-breeding between different coffee varieties, to create new flavours and also produce plants that are easier to cultivate. Common examples of hybrid coffees are the modern F1s, which are being developed in labs, the Timor, a cross between Arabica and Robusta, and the Jember, which was developed by Indian breeders in the 1940s.
What Coffee Variety is the Best?
From Mayaguez to Catimor, and from San Ramon to Pacas, every different variety of coffee has its own ardent supporters and choosing the best is very much a matter of personal preference. A foolproof way to find the best bean for you is to first find a local, high-quality roaster that you can start exploring with.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.