Famous types of coffee in the world
More than 80 states grow coffee trees. Coffee varieties are classified according to different parameters: the quality and type of grains, the type of fruit processing or the degree of roasting. Arabica grows on 75% of the plantations, the rest of the fields are occupied by robusta. South America remains the leader in the export of coffee beans, the second and third places belong to Asia and Europe.
Historical information
The history of coffee began in the X century. in the Kaffa region in Ethiopia. At first, the ground fruits were prepared, later they learned to fry and grind them. The trees were taken from Ethiopia to the Arabian Peninsula. In the XV century, Turkey became the main exporter of coffee beans.
The fruits came to Europe at the end of the XVI century. thanks to the Venetian merchants. In the XVIII century. European sailors brought grain to South, Central America, Asia.
The world’s main suppliers of coffee products
In 2019, more than 130 million bags of harvest (60 kg each) were collected on the territory of 50 coffee-producing countries. The main suppliers of products were the following states (million bags):
Brazil (35.5);
Vietnam (27.9);
Colombia (13.5);
Indonesia (8,3);
Honduras (7,1).
Ethiopia is among the top ten major exporters in the world, with a market share of 4% (up to 4 million bags).
Most of the arabica grows here in the wild. The most elite varieties of coffee are considered to be Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe.
Classification of coffee, what is it
Coffee is classified according to the type of tree, the type and hardness of the grains, the method of processing, the country of growth, the degree of roasting. The marks that indicate these parameters are always applied to the packaging of products.
By type of coffee tree
There are such basic types of coffee trees:
Arabica. Her homeland is Ethiopia, Yemen. Trees with red or red-purple fruits grow up to 5 m. The highlands (900-2100 m above sea level) are suitable for plantations. The light brown grains are shaped like an oval up to 1.5 cm long. Arabica does not tolerate cold well and is susceptible to diseases.
Robusta. Congolese coffee can be distinguished from Arabica by photos. Trees that reach 10 m in height are grown at a height of up to 900 m. The beans have a round shape with a dark red shell.
Liberica. On tall trees (up to 20 m), oval fruits up to 2.5 cm long appear. Due to the weak taste, it does not represent much industrial value.
Arabica has a sweet taste. Robusta is characterized by bitterness due to the increased caffeine content (2.7%).
By type of coffee beans
There are large, medium, and small grains in size, but different countries have their own labeling. Indonesian manufacturers use the letters L, M, S. In Africa, they mark AAA (large), AA (medium), AB (small). Depending on the hardness of the grains , the following marking is adopted:
SHB – arabica of the highest degree of hardness, growing at an altitude of 1400 m above sea level;
HB – hard grains from plantations at an altitude of 1200-1400 m;
MHB – fruits with medium hardness, growing on the plain;
LGA – soft grains that are used for low-quality coffee.
Elite Arabica has the highest hardness.
According to the method of processing coffee beans
After harvesting, the fruits are subjected to dry or wet processing. In the first case, the grains are washed, left to dry for 3 weeks. Then they are cleaned and screened to remove the remnants of the peel. Wet processing involves placing the grains in water for 24 hours. There is a primary fermentation of fruits, so they become softer. After washing, the grains are cleaned using machines.
By grain quality
The labeling differs in different regions. The letters A, B, and C are often used, which correspond to high, medium, and low quality. Some manufacturers have such a designation:
AA is the best grade;
AV is good;
WA – medium quality coffee;
BB is a low-quality product.
EP (European preparation) means that up to 8 defects were removed from 300 g of coffee.
AP (American) implies the removal of up to 23 defects from a similar quantity of goods.
According to the degree of freshness
There are 2 varieties of coffee beans. New crop means packaging immediately after harvesting and processing, old crop — last year’s harvest. The mature label is placed on coffee that has been stored in a warehouse for 1 to 3 years. For more aged varieties (6-10 years), the designation vintage/aged coffee is used.
By fortress
The strength is influenced by the variety, grinding, roasting and brewing method. The following types of strong coffee are distinguished depending on the concentration of caffeine (mg/ml):
espresso – 2;
in Turkish – 0.8;
filter coffee – 0.6;
americano, cappuccino – 0.4.
Sometimes the strongest is called ristretto – black coffee made in a coffee machine.
This drink has a richer taste due to the presence of essential oils, but contains less caffeine than espresso.
According to the degree of roasting
According to the intensity of heat treatment , there are such degrees of roasting:
Easy. The process lasts until the first click. The grains become dry, acquire a light brown color.
Average. The beans turn out darker.
Strong. The grains turn dark brown, their caramelization occurs.
The highest degree. The fruits are glossy due to the essential oil, acquire a black-brown color.
Light processing is suitable for high-altitude varieties with a loose structure. Strong is used to make coffee from Cuba, Guatemala, Africa.
By country of production
South American varieties have a mild flavor with medium saturation. Grains from Ethiopia, Burundi, Zambia, Uganda are famous for their strength. In the Congo, robusta is grown with a tart taste, and Kenyan Arabica has a mild aftertaste.
There are plantations of classical Arabica in Yemen. In Vietnam, robusta with a pronounced cloying aroma is common.
Rating of coffee producers
The list of the largest producers of grain and ground coffee includes the following companies:
Lavazza.
Paulig.
Kimbo.
Malongo.
Jardin coffee is popular. The company receives Arabica from Kenya, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Colombia, Guatemala.
The best coffee varieties
South America, Ethiopia and Yemen are considered to be the producers of the best products. Most of the plantations are located at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level, so the grains get an unusual taste and rich aroma.
Brazilian Bourbon Santos
It was named after the island of the same name in the Caribbean Sea. For him, the first 3 harvests are harvested from trees. Coffee turns out to be oily with sourness. The drink has a rich taste with a nutty chocolate smell and notes of orange.
Maragojip
A distinctive feature is large grains, which are 3.5 times larger than standard Arabica. This drink has a complex taste: spicy with an admixture of wood, wild berries, nougat, flowers. There is always a sourness, the aroma includes tobacco notes.
Medellin
The Colombian variety grows at an altitude of 1800 m above sea level. The grains are lightly roasted to preserve a soft wine-fruit sourness with a caramel aftertaste. The description of the smell is dominated by a light nutty aroma.
Colombia Excelso
Coffee plantations are located at an altitude of 900-1800 m in the Cordillera mountains. Columbia Excelso grains are medium-sized, have a dense structure with a light fruity sourness and sweetness. The fragrance includes citrus or nutty notes.
Maracaibo
The photo of this Venezuelan variety shows the main difference from other types – yellow grains. Maracaibo with a slight taste of dry white wine grows in the states of Trujillo, Tachira, Merida. The low quality of raw materials is compensated by the grape aroma.
Costa Rica
This coffee is considered elite. It has a spicy aroma and high strength. It has a multifaceted taste: cocoa is combined with fruity, vanilla, honey notes.
Decaf
Decaffeinated coffee is produced by treating green beans with a solvent, steam, activated carbon or liquid carbon dioxide. This drink is more acidic and mild compared to the others. In Russia, decaf has blue or green packaging, abroad — orange.
Supremo
For such coffee, the highest quality grains with a length of more than 7 mm are selected. The variety is grown on the northern slopes of the Cordillera in Colombia. There is almost no acid in it, but chocolate feels good. The aftertaste contains apple-almond notes.
Dalat
This Arabica variety grows in the central part of Vietnam at an altitude of 1400-1600 m above sea level. Dalat is a strong coffee with fruity, caramel, nutty shades. The fragrance includes notes of rosehip, lemongrass, orange.
Altura
Coffee beans are grown in the Cuban region of Sierra Maestra at an altitude of 600-800 m. There is little acid in the variety, but it is strong. The drink is famous for its bitterness, which is combined with a tobacco flavor. The aroma is sweet, tart with an almond-caramel tint.
Antigua
Elite coffee from Guatemala has a dense texture with a slight sourness and sweetness. When describing Antigua, attention is paid to a thick, spicy aroma with notes of smoke. The drink feels like cocoa, prunes, fruits.
Oksana
The plantations are located in the southern states of Mexico. The Oxaca variety stands out with a light consistency, a slight bitterness, and a subtle aroma. Depending on the degree of roasting, the taste of caramel, maple syrup, vanilla or hazelnuts appears.
Antigua and Coban
If the Antigua variety is characterized by the aroma of fruits and prunes, then light floral notes predominate in Cobano coffee from Guatemala. It is strong with a slight sourness, has a rich nutty taste. Grains are more expensive due to complex care.
El Salvador Chalatenango
Arabica grows on the Los Plains plain (altitude more than 1500 m above sea level). The drink of this variety has a thick structure with sweetness. At first, almonds are felt, later a floral aftertaste appears.
Ethiopia Sidamo Mocha
Premium coffee plantations are located on the plateau of Sidamo province (southwest Ethiopia). The drink has a velvety texture with a rich fruity sourness. The taste is dark chocolate, nuts, cinnamon, cardamom. The aftertaste resembles jasmine. The aroma is dominated by chocolate, wine notes with an admixture of blackberries, apples.
Yemen Mocha
Yemeni coffee is grown on high-altitude plantations (above 1000 m above sea level). With strong roasting, the taste of cocoa with spices appears, with weak – citrus. The aroma is dominated by fruity notes.
Elite coffee varieties
The list of elite includes the following types:
Jamaica Blue Mountain. It combines notes of tobacco, caramel, pepper, flowers.
Old Java. Grains are stored in bags from 2 to 6 years to get a rich taste and aroma.
Kopi Luwak. The peculiarity of the production is the fermentation of beans in the stomach of the luwak.
Kenya Ruiruiru (Kenya AA Ruiruiru). The drink has a cherry flavor with a tobacco aftertaste.
Yellow bourbon. Brazilian grains give a taste of chocolate, peanuts, almonds, and the aftertaste is tobacco with earthy notes.
The premium class includes soft Australian Skyberry and exotic Ecuador Vilkabamba.
Organic coffee
It is grown and processed without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, growth activators. Organic products do not differ in taste characteristics from standard types. This group includes varieties San Cristobal (Galapagos Islands), Kona (Hawaii), Tapachula (Mexico), Kilimanjaro (Tanzania).
Coffee Drink Recipes
Coffee beans of varying degrees of roasting are mixed with milk, alcohol, cold water, honey, spices. As a result, new types of drinks are obtained.
Espresso
A strong drink was invented in Italy at the beginning of the XX century . For a classic espresso, you will need 2 ingredients:
7 g of medium ground coffee;
30 ml of cold water.
The drink is prepared in a coffee machine or manually with the help of a Turkey. In the latter case, the raw materials need to be filled with water, put on medium heat.
It is necessary to wait until the foam appears. In the coffee machine, water is passed through the grains for 25 seconds.
Romano
This is espresso with lemon juice. For 30 ml of the drink — 5 ml of fresh lemon juice. For decoration, you can use the zest.
Ristretto
The drink is considered a subspecies of espresso, but differs from the latter by a smaller volume and amount of caffeine. It includes the following ingredients:
7 g freshly ground coffee;
15 ml of water.
Ristretto is prepared only in a coffee machine. Coffee is poured into the holder horn, pressed with tempera. Then they turn on the water spill for 20 seconds. A dense foam of uniform brown color forms on the surface.
Mocha
Classic mocha consists of the following components:
1 tsp coffee beans;
50 mg of dark chocolate;
50 ml of milk (3.2% fat content).
It is necessary to brew espresso. Melt the chocolate on the stove, pour it into a tall glass. Then add the warmed milk and coffee. Decorate the top with whipped cream.
Latte
The peculiarity of the drink is foam up to 1 cm thick. According to the classic recipe, whipped milk (180 ml) is poured into coffee (50 – 60 ml). For lattes, medium or fine grains are used.
Macchiato
The picture shows the distinctive feature of macchiato – lush foam. To prepare a drink, 15 ml of chilled milk is whipped. Then it is poured in a thin stream into a portion of espresso. You can add sugar, caramel syrup, cinnamon.
Cappuccino
The Italian drink is a mixture of a double portion of black coffee (60 ml) with the same amount of milk. Previously, it is whipped with a cappuccino machine until it is increased by 2 times and gently added to the invigorating drink, holding the foam.
Viennese coffee
The traditional recipe includes the following ingredients:
30 g ground coffee;
225 ml of water;
115 ml of milk.
Espresso is prepared in the Turk, left to cool for 10 minutes. Milk is heated to 70 ° C, whipped with a mixer until a thick foam is obtained. Mixed with coffee. Foam is added on top.
Irish
An obligatory part of such a drink is alcohol. It includes the following components:
80 ml black coffee;
30 ml of whipped cream (20-30% fat content);
40 ml of Irish whiskey (Baileys liqueur);
1 tsp sugar.
The drink is poured into a tall glass with a handle. Sugar and warm alcohol are added to the liquid. Gently introduce a thin stream of whipped cream.
Americano
When preparing it, a portion of espresso (30 ml) is diluted with hot water (from 90 to 400 ml) in a large glass. Such a drink turns out to be weak due to the low concentration of caffeine. Fine or medium-sized grains are suitable for Americano.
Frappe
The following ingredients are needed for frappe:
1-2 tsp of instant coffee and sugar;
100 ml of cold water;
ice cubes.
In a container, mix coffee with sugar, pour 2 tablespoons of water. Shake everything up with a shaker. Put ice on the bottom of the glass, pour the finished coffee foam on top. Then add the rest of the water.
Glace
To prepare the drink, you will need 150 ml of coffee and 50 g of ice cream, which is spread on top. It is allowed to use rum, cognac or other alcohol. You can add vanilla, cinnamon, grated chocolate.
Honey raf
The recipe of the drink includes the following components:
50 ml black coffee;
100 ml cream (15% fat content);
1 tsp light honey.
In the brewed coffee, dissolve the remaining elements. Beat the resulting mixture and pour it into a glass glass. Sprinkle cinnamon on top.
Torre
An Italian cocktail is made on the basis of 30 ml of milk and 150 ml of coffee. The first component is whipped until a dense foam is obtained. Sugar is added to the finished coffee, poured into a tall glass. Spread milk foam on top, sprinkle with cinnamon.
Differences and similarities of coffee drinks
The basis of most coffee drinks is espresso. The difference between them is the volume, the number of additional components, the sequence of actions. Latte and macchiato include the same ingredients. However, due to the differences in the methods of preparation, the taste of the drinks is different. If you add less water, you will get a ristretto instead of espresso.
Additional questions and answers
About 1.6 billion cups of invigorating drink are consumed daily in the world. Therefore, it is useful to learn some interesting facts about coffee.
How new varieties of coffee appear
To obtain new coffee trees, 2 methods are used — cuttings and seed planting. In the first case, you can cross 2 species to get a hybrid. Cuttings quickly take root, so they can bear fruit in the first season after planting. Seeds take 6 weeks to germinate. With the second method, you need to wait about 5-6 years to get the first harvest.
How many varieties of coffee are there in total
From 2 to 3 thousand varieties are cultivated in the world. Most of them are located in Ethiopia, where some of the trees grow in the wild. Only about 12 varieties are grown in other regions.
What is the most popular type of coffee
The most common is Bourbon Santos from Brazil. Residents of North, South America and Scandinavia drink weak Americano or moccachino. Muslims make black coffee with spices. Asians love coffee cocktails with ice cream, fruit. The Greeks prefer frappe, the Italians prefer Romano. In Western Europe, they love espresso.
What kind of coffee is the strongest
Robusta has an increased strength, because it has a lot of caffeine. The mixture with the name Death Wish Coffee consists of grains imported from Indonesia, Vietnam. The alkaloid content is 1.5-2 times higher than normal.
What is the most expensive type of coffee
The most expensive is considered to be Black Ivory (Thailand). The whole small crop is exported, so they ask for $ 1000 for 1 kg. A cup of drink costs at least $ 50. A feature of the production is the fermentation of grains in the stomach of elephants.
What kind of coffee is the most delicious
The choice depends on individual preferences. Most people love Colombia Supremo for its softness and interesting taste. Connoisseurs of strong coffee will like Dalat. Lovers of the exotic will suit spicy Puerto Rico with a fruity aftertaste.
