Coffee Types

Top ten coffee growing Contries in yellow - Map courtesy National Geographic 

Christopher Bean offers more than seventy-five different types of coffee—from the highest mountain tops in exotic places to the hot, arid floor of the grassy savannas throughout Africa. We have just the right coffee for every discerning nose, and for any deserving palate. As soon as you place your order, we will put our master roasting gurus on the job and your coffee will be roasted to perfection and on its way to you in no time. Our coffee beans are always freshly roasted per order and this ensures you the best-tasting cup of coffee—every time. 

Listed below is what we consider to be the most popular coffee types. Christopher Bean Coffee represents every coffee growing region in the world. However, if you do not find your favorite coffee type listed, please contact us and we will have one of our coffee aficionados standing by to recommend the best possible match.
 

Coffee Types by Region

The Americas: Coffee reigns supreme as the largest cash crop in central and South America where it is grown at high altitudes on some of the most beautiful mountains ever witnessed under the sun. Literally grown in tropical rainforest conditions, the trees bear aromatic and well balanced coffee beans that are rich and flavorful. Coffees from Colombia, Costa Rica and Guatemala represent what you will find in many of our blends.

Exotics: This region includes the highly acclaimed Certified Jamaica Blue Mountain and Certified Hawaiian Kona coffees—two of the worlds rarest, most delicious, and most expensive coffees. The Jamaica Blue is grown high in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, and the Kona is unique to the “Big Island” of Hawaii due to the volcanic soil that it grows in. Both are available as moderately priced blends but are best when purchased Certified in their pure single-origin varieties.

The Pacific: Ready to go island hopping? Well that's what you would have to do to enjoy the many great coffees grown in the Pacific, but Christopher Bean brings them all to you!  Coffees from Sumatra, Java, New Guinea and Sulawesi, all grown in a tropical climate by some of the best coffee growers in the world, produce coffees that your taste-buds will remember, forever.

Arabia & Africa: This is where it all began! These are some of the most distinct coffees you will ever taste. Coffees from Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia: Where coffee was first discovered. Grown at the perfect altitude in rich, black soil with hot days and misty, foggy evenings produce coffees of legendary stature.

Two Types of Coffee Beans

Arabica vs. Robusta: There are many species of coffee beans, but the two most popular are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is the “gourmet” coffee bean, and it is the oldest species of coffee bean known to man thanks to our beloved little goat herder friend and his merry goats. No one really knows for sure, but its discovery dates back to around 800 A.D. Arabica has less caffeine than Robusta, but its “nose” and flavor, depending on the region in which it is grown, is known to be wine-like, chocolately, floral, and mellow. Although Arabica is the most desirable bean, there are many grades of the actual bean itself. As with grapes, the flavor and properties of the coffee bean depend on the region, soil, and growing conditions. Mountainous areas in Africa, India, Jamaica, and Hawaii, to name a few, are known for some of the highest grade of Arabica beans available. At higher altitudes, and longer growing seasons, the tree will render a sweeter bean.

Robusta was discovered many years after the Arabica bean. In fact it was somewhere around the early 1800s in the Congo region of central Africa. The beans are grown in this area, as well as Southeast Asia, and some areas of South America. As its name alludes to, the plant is more robust and resistant to pests, and grows in regions where Arabica cannot. The bean is more acidic, tart, and is usually used in instant coffees and lesser expensive coffees and blends. It is grown in hotter climates and lower altitudes and produces far more fruit than Arabica. Robusta also contains approximately between 40 and 50 percent more caffeine than that of Arabica.

See all the Christopher Bean Gourmet Coffees Freshly roasted and hand packed when you place your order, so you can enjoy the freshest gourmet coffee anywhere—at work, home, or play!