If you’re the kind of person who plans your morning around your next brew – we’re right there with you.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the four most common types of coffee beans and how they bring your brews to life.
At Beanworks, we started roasting and hunting down coffees that surprise us in the best way. We live for flavour – and when it comes to understanding the different types of coffee beans, it’s that first step that helps us (and you) unlock what each one can really do.
Let’s get into it.
What Are the Different Types of Coffee Beans?
There are four main types of coffee beans out there: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa. Most of the coffee you’ll come across is made from Arabica or Robusta – but all four bring their own bold personalities to the cup, and each has its own unique flavour profile.
Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica are the beans that started it all, and they’re still the most popular on the planet – accounting for over 50% of beans used in the world’s coffee production. Grown at high altitudes above sea level, Arabica beans are full of character. The right cup of Arabica has the power to wake up your taste buds and then some.
They originally come from Ethiopia, but you’ll now find them thriving in Brazil, Colombia and beyond.
What do they taste like? That depends. Their flavour is shaped by where they’re grown, how high they’re grown, and of course, the processing method and roast. Generally speaking, beans of the Arabica variety are smooth, aromatic, and rarely bitter – they’re often used in speciality coffee for this reason.
Robusta Coffee Beans
As the name suggests, the Robusta coffee plant is tough. That’s thanks to one major thing: more caffeine. About double what Arabica has, which not only boosts your brew but also makes the plant itself naturally pest and disease resistant. It’s also grown at low altitudes, having adapted to warmer climates.
Originally from sub-Saharan Africa, Robusta is now widely grown across both Africa and Southeast Asia. It’s a staple in instant coffee, but it’s also showing up more in speciality coffee blends, where it adds depth to the Arabica bean’s flavour profile.
So, what does it taste like? Expect a strong flavour with earthy notes, a heavier body, and more bitterness. Robusta beans can also be slightly chocolatey.
Liberica Coffee Beans
Liberica is one of the more unusual characters in the coffee world – known for its intense flavour and irregular shape. Originally from Liberia, it stepped into the spotlight when a wave of coffee rust (a fungal disease) wiped out Arabica crops in the 19th century.
Today, Liberica beans are mostly grown in Southeast Asia, but you’ll also find them in places like Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Brazil, and Colombia. Expect woody, smoky, and sometimes even harsh flavours. It’s not your classic morning brew, but that’s exactly why some people love it.
Because it’s so distinctive, Liberica is often enjoyed with steamed milk or used in blends to add body and complexity.
Excelsa Coffee Beans
Excelsa originates in Western Africa and is mostly grown today in Southeast Asia. It’s technically classified as a type of Liberica, but in the coffee industry, that’s still up for debate.
This bean is all about distinctive flavour. Think fruitier flavours, gentle tartness, and a lighter body – without the bitterness that can sometimes come with bold coffees.
Excelsa beans have a thicker mucilage layer than Arabica, meaning they need a tailored roast approach to bring out their best. When roasted and brewed with care, Excelsa delivers something truly memorable.
Ideal Roast Levels for the Different Types of Coffee
The roast level is about how long the beans spend in the heat, and it affects everything from aroma to mouthfeel. Whilst there are no hard and fast rules here, different types of beans can respond better to certain roasts.
Let’s go into more detail.
• Light Roast – Vibrant, fruity, and naturally more acidic. This roast keeps those origin flavours front and centre – ideal for showing off the subtle notes in high-quality Arabica beans.
• Medium Roast – Smooth, balanced, with a mildly sweet taste. Medium roasts highlight both the origin and the roast, making them a great match for Arabica and Excelsa beans.
• Dark Roast – Rich and bold. Expect chocolatey tones, lower acidity, and a heavier mouthfeel. A dark roast can unlock deeper notes in Arabica, and it also pairs well with Robusta, Excelsa and Liberica for a more intense cup. French roasts and Italian roasts are both examples of dark roast coffees.
Our Coffee Bean Categories
Each type of coffee bean brings something unique to the table. We’ve taken our favourites – tested, tasted, and carefully blended them – to create go-to categories that highlight the best of every bean.
Whether you’re keeping it classic, mixing it up, or going caffeine-free, there’s something here with your name on it with our full range of coffee beans.
Decaf Coffees
Love coffee but don’t want the caffeine? Our decaf range is all about keeping the flavour turned up without the buzz.
House Coffees
These are your go-tos. Carefully selected and balanced our house coffees are ideal for everyday brewing or café favourites. If you’re new to Beanworks, start here – you’ll meet your new favourite fast. Need help deciding? Read our guide on how to choose coffee beans to find the perfect match for your taste.
Seasonal Coffees
Our seasonal coffee range rotates throughout the year, featuring limited edition lots at their absolute peak. These coffees come and go quickly, but each one has something bold and brilliant to say. This is flavour discovery at its finest.