Most coffee lovers agree that the best option for making their favorite drink is coffee beans, followed by grinding and brewing. Despite the fact that this method of preparation requires a lot of effort and time, the result is a richer taste and invigorating properties of the coffee beans.

Connoisseurs of the topic do not need to explain anything, they already know what to choose for themselves. But for people who are just joining the subculture of coffee lovers, it is worth giving a rating of the best varieties of coffee in beans. This will be discussed further.

First of all, it should be noted that the very definition of the best coffee is extremely subjective. However, there are some general characteristics that are worth paying attention to, regardless of taste.

Roasting degrees

One of the criteria that affects the characteristics of all coffees is the degree of roast of the beans. Lightly roasted coffee is suitable for preparing with milk or cream. Medium roast provides good flavor and aroma development, which is appreciated by many amateurs.

If the grains have been roasted for a long time, then the grinding acquires a darker color and a more tart taste of the infusion. What to choose for yourself should be decided individually. If we use the terminology of real coffee connoisseurs, then the roasting of beans can be divided into several types:

• Scandinavian roast - characterized by a short heat treatment time, which can be seen by the rather light shade of the grains. However, coffee is high in caffeine, so it is best to dilute it with milk to some extent when consumed.
• American roast - in this case, the coffee gets a darker color, but the aroma is still not fully developed. This option is optimal for cooking with special equipment, such as coffee grinders or French presses.
• Viennese Roast - Here the coffee beans are darker and slightly shiny. This is achieved due to the release of essential oils, which have a positive effect on the taste and aroma properties of the drink and give it a sweetish taste.
• French roast - at the same time, you can observe almost black beans, which give out a bright aroma and a pronounced taste on the verge of astringency. Good for making espresso.
• Italian roast - this coffee is already completely black and has a pronounced astringency of taste, which makes it the best for preparing an oriental drink.

Taking into account the degree of roast, any rating of the best coffees can change, since the same variety, with a difference in heat treatment, will have changed characteristics.

Beverage type

The next thing you should pay attention to in order to choose the best coffee beans is its variety. According to the set of quality characteristics inherent in a particular manufacturing option, it should be noted:

• Arabica - has a moderate richness and strength of the infusion. The drink obtained from such coffee grains is characterized by some softness and versatility of taste. It should be borne in mind that the cultivation of Arabica is a rather complex process and this is directly reflected in the pricing of products.
• Robusta is a variety characterized by a pronounced taste, bright aroma and high caffeine content, which is appreciated by lovers of a stronger infusion. This coffee is not suitable for everyone, but those who can feel this brutal uncompromising will not agree, then change their favorite brand to any other.
• Tango varieties - this elegant name hides a blend of both of the above options. Creating the perfect blend that combines the strength and aroma of Robusta and the delicacy of Arabica tones is a fix idea for many baristas around the world. In this regard, more and more varieties of coffee in beans appear on the market and everyone can find their own version.

It is also worth mentioning here that the characteristics of a certain variety will also depend on the storage conditions of raw materials. In case of violation of these, even the best sort of coffee can make a negative impression.

The question of blended coffees requires a little clarification. The fact is that in pure form this or that variety can be found on the shelves quite rarely. Usually you have to deal with mixtures in different percentages of components.

This is understandable, because otherwise coffee lovers would have to be content with just a few options. Today, you can spend many years trying all types of coffee in an attempt to determine the most delicious one.

The country of manufacture

When making a rating of coffee beans, one cannot but pay attention to the country of origin of the raw materials. Variety and roast are important criteria, but other things being equal, the country of origin can have a decisive influence on the characteristics of the drink. Among the leaders in their market segment, it is necessary to mention:

• Ethiopia - is one of the contenders for the title of the historical homeland of industrial coffee growing. The theory has a right to exist (like everyone else), while the fact remains that coffee from Ethiopia is one of the best in the world. A drink made from grains produced in this country is characterized by a rich taste and colorful sourness, which makes it unique.
• Kenya - this country produces coffee that can be considered premium. The special natural conditions on the slopes of Kilimanjaro give the beans their characteristic fruity tones. It is almost impossible to buy such coffee in a regular store, because the sale is carried out through bidding at an auction, which directly affects prices.
• Costa Rica Is also one of the leaders in the export of coffee. Only Arabica is grown here. For mysterious reasons, the country provides for punitive sanctions for attempts to cultivate Robusta coffee. On the other hand, there is a particularly reverent attitude towards Arabica. Each batch of coffee for sale is prepared and roasted taking into account specific requirements, and therefore, even purchasing the same variety from different batches, you can find something new in the aroma for yourself.
• Indonesia - known for the production of varieties with unique taste. Indonesian coffee turns out to be thick and rich in taste. Many varieties are produced here, from standard to more than exotic.
• India - also known for the production of coffee. A distinctive feature of the varieties (and the country as a whole) is the use of various spices and spices in the preparation of the blend. This allows you to achieve a wide variety of beverage options.
• Colombia - this country is one of the leaders in coffee production. Hundreds of names and dozens of different options for blending coffee beans follow for export. By purchasing Colombian coffee, you are joining a real subculture.
• Brazil - can be considered the main exporter of coffee all over the world. The very mention of coffee in the minds of many is associated with this country.

Mexican varieties are also worth mentioning, as well as coffee from Venezuela. Each country producing this invigorating drink brings to the beans a piece of its own flavor and a special understanding of the culture of coffee drinking.

Popular brands

Considering coffee beans, the rating of the best brands must also be compiled. In our country, due to the specifics of the economic situation and the geographical distance from the producing countries, this market niche is represented, although quite widely, but has not received wide distribution among the people. But you can make a list of the most famous brands.

• Lavazza Is an Italian brand offering coffee mainly from South American countries.
• Carte noire - sells Arabica coffee from different countries around the world.
• Ambassador - the brand sells Colombian Arabica.
• Jardin - characterized by strong infusion and bright aroma. Arabica coffee from many countries is used to make coffee.
• Jockey - characterized by the intensity of roasting seeds and strength.
• Black card Is another well-known brand on our market, which is distinguished by an average saturation of taste and aroma.

Summing up, it can be noted that drawing up some kind of coffee rating is a deliberately impossible undertaking, because each person has his own taste preferences and ideas about the ideal coffee. However, if you know the main points that are worth paying attention to, then everyone can build such a rating for themselves.

Video: tastes and varieties of coffee

Coffee - a drink, without which some people cannot imagine their morning. It allows you to truly wake up and get a good boost of energy before a busy active day. However, you shouldn't drink this drink too often. There are a huge number of coffee varieties, from which it is not easy to choose your favorite.

Let's take a look at a few varieties that are sure to interest lovers of this drink.

Arabica

Arabica is popular all over the world. The homeland of this variety is Ethiopia. A large number of other coffees are produced through various Arabica mutations or hybrid cultivation. There are also many options for preparing and roasting Arabian coffee beans.

Often, many manufacturers use a mixture of Arabica and Robusta in various concentrations, which gives coffee all kinds of flavoring effects and shades.

Robusta

"Robusta" is a very popular type of coffee (20% of world production) and is second only to Arabica in popularity. Robusta is a very resistant and productive variety. As the tasters note, Robusta is a lower quality variety than Arabica. Therefore, Robusta is mostly used as a budget option on the market. Robusta also contains a large amount of caffeine, but is endowed with a less intense aroma.

Kopi Luwak

Kopi Luwak is produced in the Philippines, Indonesia and India.

Kopi Luwak is one of the most expensive coffees in the world. The cost of this variety reaches $ 1,500 per 1 kg.

The production process is a very interesting, but not entirely appetizing story. Musang animals feast on the ripe fruits of the coffee tree and, in the future, excrete coffee beans. The next step is to rinse and dry the beans in the sun.

The whole biological process consists in the fact that the gastric juice of the musang begins to break down the necessary proteins, which contributes to obtaining the ideal taste.

Kopi Luwak

The volume of production of this variety for 1 year does not exceed several kilograms.

Maragodjeep

Maragodjip is a type of Arabica with very large grains. The main sources of production for this variety are Guatemala, Colombia and Mexico. A distinctive feature of this variety is that "Maragodzhip" is very picky about climatic conditions. However, a properly grown variety absorbs the maximum amount of nutrients from the soil. Gradually, the production of "Maragodzhip" is reduced, and soon, this type of coffee may become exclusive.

"Maragodzhip"

The taste of coffee reflects a warm woody flavor and has a fairly high acidity. A hint of smoky and tropical fruit is slightly felt.

Black Tusk

Black Tusk

This coffee is made in Thailand, and is obtained from Arabica beans. The specificity of obtaining is similar to the production of grains "Kopi-luvak", and is directly related to the digestive tract of elephants. The cost of this variety reaches $ 1100 per 1 kg.

This is the most expensive coffee in the world. The drink is soft and pleasant, and the excess bitterness disappears completely. Because elephants consume a variety of fruits, "Black Tusk" is full of different fruit flavors. To get 1 kg of this coffee, an elephant needs to eat 33 kg of coffee berries.

Yellow bourbon

"Yellow Bourbon" is a rare Brazilian Arabica cultivated on high altitude plantations in the southern region of the country. The first mention of this variety was in 1859.

Yellow bourbon

Bourbon Yellow stands out for its sweetness combined with a slight bitterness. After a cup of this coffee, there is a woody tobacco shade associated with sunny Brazil.

Peberry

Peaberry is one of the most valuable varieties in the world. The difference between this species is that the Peaberry berry contains only one grain, and as a result, the berry becomes similar to a pea. The number of berries of this shape is only 5-8 percent of the total harvest. Moreover, such grains appear in any harvest, regardless of the type of coffee and the region of cultivation. Biologists still cannot come to a consensus regarding the appearance of these "peas".

1 kg of "Peberry" costs 15-20 dollars. The relatively high cost is associated with the high rarity of this type of grain.

Peaberry is distinguished by its aroma and pronounced sourness.

The island of Sumatra is the primary source of excellent coffee with a great rich taste with a mixture of spices (haze, spices, caramel, etc.). The coffee has a low acidity, but tasters note the heavy aftertaste of this variety. Mandheling is a coffee for everybody, so not everyone may like it.

This variety is quite famous not only in America but also in Europe. "Blue Mountain" is a fairly high-growing variety. The height of the Blue Mountains is 2.2 km above sea level. This coffee is very balanced in all components and is the optimal solution for those who do not like brightly accentuated spicy flavors.

Blue Mountain is widely popular in Japan, which redeems 90 percent of the entire crop.

Australia. Skybury

Skybury

This coffee is one of the many varieties of Arabica, but it belongs to the elite varieties. The variety has a low caffeine content and is one of the "light" coffee drinks. However, the aroma and density of Skybury coffee is at a very high level and receives the highest ratings from experts.

Real coffee lovers cannot imagine their life without a cup of aromatic, strong drink that gives pleasure and cheerfulness. Each of them prefers a certain type of coffee, but you can still make up the top 10 coffee beans that everyone likes.

In the first lines of the rating - Italian Danesi coffee that meets all the standards of real espresso. Its roasting is moderately dark, and when brewed, the drink gives a soft taste without sourness. Danesi coffee has a great aftertaste.

1 ... No less delicious coffee - LAVAZZA (Italy). It perfectly combines the main qualities of real coffee - aroma, strength, aftertaste. LAVAZZA contains both Arabica and Robusta, which give the drink a chocolate aroma and pleasant softness.

2 ... Coffee Molinari belongs to the Premium class. Manufacturers boast of having their own methods by which they roast coffee. This Italian coffee is considered expensive and rightfully deserves such a reputation: it has a truly unique aroma, and its taste is rich and deep.

3 ... Coffee beans Bristot Is a great choice for espresso lovers. Its aroma can be called exclusive, unique. With every sip, a deep taste is revealed, and the strength gives a feeling of vivacity and a surge of strength. The basis of the blend is Brazilian, Arabian, African Arabica.

4. Swiss bean coffee La Semeuse has a huge number of fans. This fine coffee is based on a blend of beans grown in Colombia, Nicaragua and Honduras. The beans are usually hand-roasted to ensure excellent coffee quality.

5. Italian coffee Musetti it has an exquisite taste and refined intense aroma. Each sip of the drink is accompanied by a long aftertaste that vaguely resembles Irish whiskey.

6. Black Professional - excellent medium roast coffee. It is based on a delicate bouquet of the best varieties of Arabica, which gives the drink a balanced taste and rich aroma. For espresso, a blend of Arabica beans with a little Robusta is best, which gives the drink a pleasant bitterness.

7. Pellini- one of the most prestigious varieties of coffee in Italy. Its high quality is ensured by non-standard roasting: the process is very slow, after which natural cooling occurs. Distinctive features of this brand of coffee are heady aroma and unique taste.

8 ... Coffee illy Is an Italian premium brand. Regardless of the degree of roasting, the drink always has an unsurpassed taste with a slight hint of sweet cream and a rich chocolate aroma.

9 Strong coffee lovers prefer Arcaffe... It has an intense, balanced taste that can be called spicy. The drink is absolutely devoid of sour taste. Some Arcaffe varieties have a bitter chocolate aroma.

In total, about 500 varieties of coffee are known in the world. All of them are created from two varieties of coffee trees: Arabica and Robusta. The first is more valuable, aromatic and with a rich taste. Robusta contains a lot of caffeine, and its yield is much higher. Our coffee beans rating is based on the countries - the producers of this wonderful beverage.

1 Ethiopia

Some historians claim that it was in this country that coffee was first grown. Maybe that's why the country is the winner of the coffee beans ranking. The best Sidamo variety from Ethiopia has a pronounced taste, there is a clear sourness, and a further berry aftertaste.

2 Kenya

With a deep and dense taste, as well as a slight sourness. The coffee is known for its fruity tones, in particular the black currant flavor, and may have a slight wine flavor. It is sold only through auctions, so this coffee cannot be cheap. The most famous varieties are Ruiruiru and its Kenya AA variety (grown on the slopes of Kilimanjaro).

3 Costa Rica

Here, at the legislative level, the cultivation and sale of robusta is prohibited, only arabica. All production processes are recognized as environmentally friendly, and the roasting of grains is carried out individually, according to the ordered batch. The drink always comes out very thick. Due to the special roasting of the beans, the taste is obtained with a slight haze. Gourmets know the varieties La Minita, Britt, Tarrazu, and another, Porridge - aromatic and rich.

4 Indonesia

This coffee turns out to be viscous, similar in texture to hot chocolate. The taste is also special - light bitterness with a slight sourness. There are many varieties with a spice flavor. And the pinnacle of gourmet aspirations is Luwak coffee, with aromas of chocolate, vanilla and caramel, obtained from animal excrement.

5 Guatemala

Guatemalan coffee has an incredible aroma with fruity, dark chocolate and spice flavors. The Coban and Antigua varieties are very soft, they completely lack bitterness, but there is plenty of delicate chocolate aroma.

6 Indian

This coffee is special - tart and soft, with a slight sourness and piquant aftertaste. The Saeco variety is popular in Russia - with a slight bitterness, with pleasant spicy and floral-chocolate tones. The whole world knows Bali Shinzan - with notes of cloves and Jamaican pepper.

7 Colombia

The country is the second largest coffee producer in the world. Light taste of fruit, sophisticated taste and exquisite aroma are the main features of this elite coffee. Varieties of Armeni, Maniles, Medellin, Excelso are grown in the mountains, at an altitude of more than one and a half kilometers.

8 Brazil

The country is the main coffee producer worldwide. Experts consider Brazilian Arabica to be quite simple, without any special additives or impurities. An obligatory note is bitterness, sometimes a nutty flavor can be observed in the aroma. The most famous varieties are Bahia, Bourbon and Santos.

9 Venezuela

Although Venezuela is next to Brazil, the taste will be striking. This coffee has a sour taste. It turns out to be very gentle. The popular varieties are Bourbon and Typica. The last variety is low-yielding, and therefore rare and expensive. Then there is Caracas - with a strong aroma.

10 Mexico

Another major coffee supplier. For a long time, the country was considered a producer of low-quality drink, so Mexico ranks last in our ranking of coffee beans. But in recent years, the government has tightened its control and selection standards.

This is a low-lying Arabica that grows on volcanic soils. It is volcanic dust that we owe the memorable taste of Mexican coffee. Connoisseurs note its delicate and slightly tangy taste, bright aroma and pleasant aftertaste.

Popular varieties: Huatusco, Coatenec and Orizabada - for lovers of good Arabica with a slight sourness.

In the market and supermarket shelves, part of the space is allocated for coffee beans. This coffee costs about the same as the rest. It would seem, why do we need grains that still need to be ground, and sometimes also dried ... Nevertheless, there are buyers who are interested in just such coffee. Since such products are offered by several manufacturers, it makes sense to rank them according to different criteria. So let's talk about such coffee beans, and give the rating of the best brands and consumer reviews. Most of these products can be easily purchased at any major supermarket in the city.

Coffee varieties - what's what?

Coffee grows in countries with hot climates: Ethiopia, Kenya, Brazil, Guatemala, Colombia and some others. These types of coffee are unlikely to be found in a regular supermarket. Even not every specialized store can buy such varieties. Their popularity is low, in contrast to the price.

The product that is sold on store shelves and can be French or Italian is not a type, or even a sort of coffee. We are talking about different sellers or brands (trade marks), consisting of grains of different varieties.

Types of coffee

For erudition, it will not be superfluous to know that there are several types of coffee in the world. First of all, it is familiar to many connoisseurs and amateurs, Arabica. Secondly, in cooking, the species Robusta (Coffea canephora) is actively used, as well as Coffea liberica or Liberian coffee. The species mentioned above account for at least 98 percent of all coffee grown.

Liberian coffee, as well as representatives of the Robusta species, are not used in their pure form. They contain a significant amount of caffeine, as well as other biologically active components, for example, chlorogenic acid.

If you make a drink only from these grains, you get an unpleasant bitter liquid with a smell reminiscent of burnt rubber. They have only one advantage over Arabica - low cost. In coffee shops, they are used to prepare mixtures, again to reduce the cost of the drink.

Arabica is low in caffeine, but instead contains a significant amount of aromatic substances that make the coffee taste rich and deep. A significant drawback of this type is its significant price.

Of course, the cost of coffee is determined not only by species. The selling price is significantly influenced by the quality and size of the beans, roasting, additional processing methods, packaging quality, brand awareness and recognition, as well as many other factors.

I'll give you one example, just for information. One of the most expensive and elite coffees in the world is Kopi Luwak. Arabica beans are eaten by a special animal - musang and undergo partial fermentation in its intestines. Then they are taken out of animal excrement, washed, dried, fried, packaged and sold at $ 50-100 per 100 grams. Someone calls these grains - the best coffee, and someone wonders how many of them the animal can “produce” and how many fakes have been spread for this reason ...

Of course, everything in this world comes at a price. Expensive coffees are characterized by a luxurious full taste, incredible clean and delicate aroma. But you have to pay for them accordingly. The coffee rating will be headed by the most expensive copy on the Russian market.

Malongo

Product from a renowned European manufacturer. The variety consists of a mixture of grains, mainly of Central American origin, with a spicy taste and a sufficiently high caffeine content, due to the presence of robusta beans. Its cost cannot be called democratic. You will have to pay 2,000 rubles for the best grains in a package.

The beans for this coffee blend come from the following countries: Brazil, Guatemala, Colombia and Ethiopia. This variety is unique in the presence of an interesting fruity acidity, which makes it quite recognizable.

A drink made from this variety is ideal for various desserts. It can be served either neat or with milk. It is ideal for preparing a classic Expresso. The price for a package can be up to 1800 rubles.

Lavazza

This type of coffee is grown on the sun-drenched plantations of South America. Specially roasted grains have a mild, slightly sour taste and incredibly deep aroma. This variety will appeal to those gourmets who like not too tart taste.

Its composition is not uniform. This variety includes grains of Arabica and Indonesian robusta. It is well suited for preparing espresso, cappuccino and other types of invigorating drinks. The cost of packing this brand of coffee is about 1,500 rubles.

Carte noire

This type of coffee consists of only Brazilian and South American Arabica beans, which leads to a strong and quite unique aroma. The caffeine content is not very high as there are no robusta or other bitter varieties in the bean mix. Coffee goes very well with milk or ice cream and is perfect for making Latte or Cappuccino.

Ambassador

This variety consists of only 100 percent pure Colombian Arabica. A drink from this variety is obtained with a uniform taste, without a bitter tinge. In addition, it is characterized by a low caffeine content and therefore is especially appreciated by lovers of not very strong coffee. The price is just over 800 rubles per package.

Jardin

It is considered to be a fairly strong type of coffee and is created on the basis of highly roasted Arabica beans. Therefore, its color is saturated, dark almost black. Great for connoisseurs of spirits.

The variety consists of Arabica beans, expressed in the following countries: Colombia, Guatemala, Brazil. The cost of a pack of coffee of this type is about 800 rubles.

Impressions of drinking coffee

There are many reviews about coffee, as well as opinions. Some people like strong varieties that contain a significant amount of robusta grains. Others, on the contrary, like more refined aromas and delicate tastes. These varieties are composed of pure Arabica. To recommend something in this regard is simply to impose your taste preferences on someone.

Many connoisseurs of natural coffee beans recommend purchasing it on the Internet. In this case, it is possible to save quite well. In addition, this method of purchasing grains allows you to purchase rather rare varieties, often not presented on the shelves of our stores.

Of course, quality varieties are not cheap. And therefore, connoisseurs of this drink recommend purchasing new unknown varieties in small portions. In coffee shops, you can buy beans by weight - 100 grams each, which is quite convenient.

Conclusion

Without a doubt, freshly ground coffee made from whole beans is not comparable to ground or instant coffee. It is worth trying once so that you will never again return to the products of the chemical industry passed off as food.

Which coffee to prefer is not only a matter of the wallet, but also of taste. Fortunately, now you can buy any drink that will satisfy the needs of a true connoisseur of a true gourmet.