The Most Popular Type of Coffee Bean, Ranked

Choose the type you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 4, 2024 06:52
For coffee enthusiasts, the choice of bean can transform the ritual of morning brewing into an exquisite journey of flavor and aroma. Knowing which type of coffee bean resonates with others provides valuable insight, whether one is stocking a personal pantry or purchasing for a café. This dynamic list reflects community preferences on coffee beans, updated in real time based on user votes. By participating, you help shape the current trends in coffee flavors and ensure that your favorite beans receive the recognition they deserve.

What Is the Most Popular Type of Coffee Bean?

  1. 1
    88
    votes
    Considered the most popular type of coffee bean worldwide, Arabica is known for its sweetness, acidity, and floral notes. It is grown mainly in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia.
    Arabica is a type of coffee bean that is highly regarded for its superior taste and aroma. It is considered the most popular and widely consumed coffee variety globally due to its balanced and nuanced flavor profile. Arabica beans are grown in higher altitude regions, usually between 2,000 to 6,000 feet, resulting in a slower maturation process and allowing the beans to develop complex flavors. The coffee made from Arabica beans is often described as having a floral, fruity, and sometimes chocolaty taste. It is also known for its smooth and less acidic nature, making it more favorable to those with sensitive stomachs.
    • Origins: Ethiopia, Arabian Peninsula
    • Altitude: 2,000 - 6,000 feet
    • Flavor Profile: Balanced, nuanced, floral, fruity, sometimes chocolaty
    • Acidity: Lower acidity compared to other coffee varieties
    • Caffeine Content: Lower caffeine content compared to Robusta beans
  2. 2
    43
    votes
    Robusta is the second most popular coffee bean and is known for its high caffeine content and bitterness. It is grown mainly in Africa and Southeast Asia.
    Robusta coffee is a widely cultivated species of coffee bean known for its distinct taste and high caffeine content. It is commonly used in blended coffees and espresso due to its unique flavor profile and ability to produce a rich crema. Robusta coffee is known for its robust and full-bodied taste, characterized by notes of bitterness, earthiness, and nutty undertones. It is grown primarily in lowland areas and can tolerate a wide range of climatic conditions.
    • Caffeine Content: 2.7% - 4%
    • Flavor Profile: Bitter, earthy, nutty
    • Acidity: Low
    • Body: High
    • Crema Production: Rich
  3. 3
    19
    votes
    Colombian coffee is known for its mild flavor and is considered one of the best Arabica coffees in the world. It is grown mainly in the mountains of Colombia.
    Colombian coffee is a type of coffee bean that originates from Colombia, a country known for its rich coffee heritage. It is highly regarded for its exceptional quality, enticing aroma, and smooth flavor profile. Colombian coffee is considered one of the most popular and beloved coffee varieties worldwide.
    • Growing Region: Various regions across Colombia, including Antioquia, Huila, Tolima, and Quindio
    • Altitude: Usually grown at high altitudes between 1,200 to 2,000 meters above sea level
    • Flavor Profile: Balanced, medium-bodied, with notes of caramel, chocolate, and a subtle fruity acidity
    • Acidity: Mild to moderate acidity, providing a pleasant tanginess to the overall taste
    • Processing Methods: Washed (wet) process, semi-washed (semi-dry) process, or natural (dry) process
  4. 4
    20
    votes
    Ethiopian coffee is known for its fruity and floral notes and is considered the birthplace of coffee. It is grown mainly in the highlands of Ethiopia.
    Ethiopian coffee refers to coffee beans grown in Ethiopia, often recognized for their distinct and vibrant flavors. It is known as the birthplace of coffee, and Ethiopian coffee beans have been cultivated and enjoyed for centuries.
    • Varieties: Ethiopian coffee is mainly produced from heirloom varieties, with the most common being Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, and Harrar.
    • Flavor Profile: Ethiopian coffee is renowned for its unique flavors, which often include notes of fruity, floral, wine-like, and sometimes even tea-like taste.
    • Acidity: Ethiopian coffee typically exhibits bright and vibrant acidity, contributing to its lively and complex flavor profile.
    • Roasting Level: Ethiopian coffee is commonly roasted to highlight its distinct flavors, with light to medium roasts being the most preferred.
    • Body: The body of Ethiopian coffee can vary depending on the region and variety, but it is often described as medium to light.
  5. 5
    16
    votes
    Brazilian coffee is known for its nutty and chocolatey flavor and is the largest producer of coffee in the world. It is grown mainly in the southeastern region of Brazil.
    The Brazilian coffee bean is one of the most popular types of coffee beans worldwide. It is known for its smooth and mild flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of coffee drinkers. The beans come from various regions in Brazil, including Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo, and Espirito Santo, where coffee cultivation has a long-standing history.
    • Flavor Profile: Smooth and mild
    • Growing Regions: Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo, Espirito Santo
    • Bean Type: Arabica or Robusta
    • Altitude: 300 to 1200 meters above sea level
    • Processing Method: Wet or dry processed
  6. 6
    14
    votes
    Vietnamese coffee is known for its strong and bold flavor due to the use of Robusta beans. It is grown mainly in the central highlands of Vietnam.
    Vietnamese is a tonal language known for its lyrical and melodic qualities. It is the official language of Vietnam and widely spoken by approximately 90 million people worldwide. Vietnamese is highly influenced by Chinese and French, resulting in a unique fusion of vocabulary and grammar. The language is written using the Vietnamese alphabet, which is based on the Latin script with additional diacritic marks to indicate tones.
    • Tonal Language: Vietnamese is a tonal language with six distinct tones that give different meanings to words.
    • Official Language of Vietnam: Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam and is used in all official communications and educational institutions.
    • Diacritic Marks: Vietnamese is written using the Vietnamese alphabet, a Latin-based script with additional diacritic marks to indicate tones.
    • Influences from Chinese: Vietnamese has been heavily influenced by the Chinese language, particularly in terms of vocabulary and syntax.
    • French Loanwords: During the French colonization period, Vietnamese adopted numerous loanwords from French, especially in the areas of arts, sciences, and technology.
  7. 7
    9
    votes
    Jamaican Blue Mountain
    Mariordo Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is known for its mild flavor and is considered one of the most expensive coffees in the world. It is grown in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica.
    Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is one of the most sought-after and highly regarded coffees in the world. It is known for its smooth flavor, mild acidity, and a rich aroma with hints of chocolate and fruit.
    • Origin: Jamaica
    • Altitude: 800 to 1,800 meters above sea level
    • Variety: Arabica
    • Processing Method: Washed
    • Roast Level: Medium
    Jamaican Blue Mountain in other rankings
  8. 8
    9
    votes
    Guatemalan coffee is known for its fruity and chocolatey flavor and is considered one of the best Arabica coffees in the world. It is grown mainly in the highlands of Guatemala.
    Guatemalan coffee is known for its unique flavor profile and high quality. It is made from Arabica beans grown in the fertile volcanic soils of Guatemala. With a rich history in coffee cultivation and production, Guatemala has become one of the top coffee-producing countries in the world. Guatemalan coffee is characterized by its well-balanced acidity, medium body, and distinct flavors, often exhibiting notes of chocolate, caramel, citrus, and tropical fruits.
    • Country of Origin: Guatemala
    • Bean Type: Arabica
    • Growing Altitude: 1,500 to 2,000 meters
    • Processing Method: Washed, natural, or honey
    • Flavor Profile: Balanced acidity, medium body, chocolate, caramel, citrus, tropical fruits
  9. 9
    4
    votes

    Costa Rican

    Coffee farmers in Costa Rica
    Costa Rican coffee is known for its bright acidity and nutty flavor and is considered one of the best Arabica coffees in the world. It is grown mainly in the central valley of Costa Rica.
    Costa Rican coffee is known for its exceptional quality and unique flavor profile. It is cultivated in the fertile volcanic soil of Costa Rica, which imparts distinctive characteristics to the beans. This type of coffee is highly regarded for its bright acidity, medium body, and clean finish.
    • Altitude: Grown at altitudes between 1,200 and 1,800 meters above sea level
    • Varietals: Mainly Arabica varieties including Caturra, Catuai, and Typica
    • Processing Method: Primarily wet-processed (washed) to enhance the clarity of flavors
    • Flavor Profile: Crisp acidity, citrusy notes, hints of chocolate and caramel
    • Body: Medium body with a smooth mouthfeel
  10. 10
    2
    votes
    Kenyan coffee is known for its vibrant acidity and fruity flavor and is considered one of the best African coffees in the world. It is grown mainly in the highlands of Kenya.
    Kenyan coffee is known for its bright and fruity flavors, with a medium to full body and a vibrant acidity. It is highly popular among coffee enthusiasts worldwide.
    • Origin: Kenya
    • Flavor profile: Bright and fruity
    • Body: Medium to full
    • Acidity: Vibrant
    • Roast level: Medium to dark

Missing your favorite type?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular type

  1. Taste
    The overall flavor profile of the coffee, including any notes of sweetness, bitterness, or acidity.
  2. Aroma
    The scent of the coffee, which can often be a major factor in its popularity.
  3. Origin
    The country or region where the coffee is grown can have a significant impact on its flavor and quality.
  4. Processing method
    The way the coffee is harvested, dried, and processed can also affect its taste.
  5. Roasting level
    The degree of roast can vary from light to dark, and this can have a significant impact on the overall taste and aroma of the coffee.
  6. Brand reputation
    The reputation and quality of the coffee brand can also be a key factor in its popularity among consumers.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular type of coffee bean. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or type is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2416 views
  • 224 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each type once every 24 hours. The rank of each type is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Categories

More information on most popular type of coffee bean

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world, and the type of coffee bean used can have a significant impact on the taste and quality of the coffee. There are two main types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are known for their delicate flavor, while Robusta beans have a stronger, more bitter taste. Arabica beans are grown at higher elevations and in cooler climates, while Robusta beans are grown at lower elevations and in warmer climates. Arabica beans are typically more expensive, but are considered to be of higher quality. When it comes to popularity, Arabica beans are the clear winner. They make up about 60% of the world's coffee production, while Robusta beans make up the remaining 40%. However, Robusta beans are still widely used in blends and instant coffee. Ultimately, the type of coffee bean used comes down to personal preference and the desired flavor profile. Whether you prefer the delicate taste of Arabica or the stronger flavor of Robusta, there is a coffee bean out there for everyone.

Share this article