When you're enjoying your favorite cup of coffee, have you ever wondered how many varieties of coffee there are? If the answer is no, you'll be surprised to know that there are many, as each variety has special characteristics directly dependent on the country of origin, the way it's grown, the level of roasting, and the processing method, which translates into distinct flavors of the beans when you prepare the beverage.
When we refer to coffee as a plant species, it's like talking about a family group with many members. Although they may look alike, each has its own unique characteristics that make them unique and special. So, grab your best cup of coffee and read on to learn about the most important coffee varieties (although there are many more in the world), their characteristics, and the quality of the beverage obtained from each one.
Bourbon
So sweet, so complex, and so delicate, it's a high-quality, medium-yielding coffee . It has low resistance to leaf rust, coffee berry borer, and other diseases and pests. The plants are fragile and don't produce as many cherries or fruit as other varieties, but it's worth the effort. A cup of Bourbon-type coffee is lush and classic. It's the coffee of coffee. It delights both connoisseurs and novices.
Catimor
This can be a problematic coffee bean: there's a robusta influence in the Timor family, which often leads to low acidity and high bitterness. But we love Indonesian varieties, which (when processed properly) provide spicy, herbal, and fruit-flavored flavors.
Catuai
Ripe Catuai cherries are either red or yellow, and while both have high acidity, the yellow ones, when cold, give a dirty, oily mouthfeel. Today, all Catuai cherries found throughout Latin America are red.
Caturra
Caturra is distinguished by its bright acidity and low to medium body. It has less clarity and sweetness than its parent, Bourbon. First developed in Brazil, these small trees are found throughout Colombia, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.
Colombia
Also known as the Colombian variety, you'll taste classic caramel and chocolate with hints of cherry in the sweet, bright, full-bodied bean. This Caturra hybrid was developed in Colombia. It produces high cherries and is highly disease-resistant, making it very popular on small farms.
Ethiopian Heritage
The beauty of these flowers lies in their mystery. They are varieties of wildflowers, descended from the natural coffee forests of southwestern Ethiopia. Each village has its own variety, passed down over centuries and shaped by the soil, elevation, and climate.
Gesha
Think of Gesha as a coffee from an alternate dimension. It's like a Szechuan peppercorn, or the Sun Ra Arkestra, complex and otherworldly. It's about as far from dinner party coffee as you can get, a delicate black tea body, with a hint of bergamot. Gesha is fussy; it will only grow when, where, and how it wants, in small microclimates. But whether you grow it in Indonesia or the Americas, it's always completely its own.
Jember
You'll find lovely notes of caramel, maple syrup, and brown sugar in this typical variety. It's now grown in Indonesia, having traveled through India, Yemen, and Ethiopia.
Pacamara
The flavor profile is outstanding, with sweet citrus notes, wonderful balance, and hints of floral aromas. We like to source Pacamara from the highest elevations possible, which leads to the highest quality in the glass.
SL28
Scott Laboratories (SL) was commissioned by the Kenyan government in the 1920s to develop hardier, drought-resistant varieties. With SL-28, they failed in their quest to create a high-yielding tree, but succeeded in creating delicious beans with an intensely citrusy, sweet, balanced, and complex flavor.
SL24
Also from Scott Labs, this strain truly shines at mid-high altitudes. SL24's flavor is characterized by complex citric acidity, a heavy mouthfeel, and a clean, sweet finish.
Tekisik
A Bourbon offshoot, Tekisik produces exceptional flavor with layered acidity and a distinctively heavy mouthfeel. This coffee's sweetness is intense, leaning toward flavors like caramel and brown sugar.
Typical
One of the grandparents of all varieties, Typical Arabica coffee has been cultivated, hybridized, and perfected for centuries. Cup quality is generally excellent, demonstrating outstanding sweetness, clarity, and body.
Villa Sarchi
This Bourbon mutation has elegant acidity, intense fruit tones, and excellent sweetness. Originally cultivated in the Costa Rican town of Sarchi, this tree is robust, healthy, and a prime choice for organic farming.
Villalobos
This is a branch of the Typica family, which is delicate, floral, and sometimes even citrusy. This variety was brought to Indonesia in the late 1600s by Dutch traders. We love it for its nuances and high, fine acidity. Villalobos, in particular, contributes strong flavors of stone fruits such as apricots, peaches, and plums.
At La Tienda del Café, you'll find the best selection of coffees to suit your taste buds. We offer a wide variety of coffees that will leave you speechless. We also ship throughout Colombia, reaching every corner of the country and abroad.