Types of Coffee: Different Categories, Sources, Beans and Drinks

It’s no secret why coffee is one of the most famous beverages on Earth. While several coffee types make people tick day in and day out, coffee has since helped jump-start one’s day and even help power them through the day without losing focus.

A casual coffee drinker would only know coffees helps alleviate sleepiness. But for avid coffee aficionados who see it as the Holy Grail, there are quite a handful of types of coffee drinks one should explore and get to know.

After all, it’s all about making the most of the soothing aroma that this beverage brings to the table, be it served hot or cold. Fret not because we’ve already rounded up some of the most popular varieties of coffee, giving you a quick rundown of the must-try variants right off the bat.

Coffee originated from Kefa (Kaffa), Ethiopia, followed by its proliferation in the Southern Arabia region, where the cultivation started during the 15th century. Since then, the beverage has gained immense popularity, beginning to spread even in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. 

Coffee hubs began mushrooming in Britain and its colonies scattered across America and Europe afterward. 

Following its unprecedented popularity and influx of demand for the beverage, many budding businesses felt the need to set the massive propagation of different types of coffee drinks elsewhere to cater to the growing demand. Hence, the wide-scale coffee-planting industry in the archipelago of Indonesia and the Americas in the 17th and 18th centuries, respectively. It was only in 1825 when the cultivation craze reached the Islands of Hawaii.  

Fast forward to the 20th century, many countries in the Western Hemisphere took the reigns, and one of them is Brazil. The 20th century saw the arrival of coffee grinding machines and industrial-scale roasting. As various coffee-related innovations surface here and there, manufacturers sought inventive ways to pack ground roasts to preserve their quality.

Meanwhile, instant coffee became a thing in the 1950s, paving the way for instant coffee to amass popularity among coffee drinkers worldwide, prompting the need to produce more Robusta beans moving forward.

Whether you’re looking to not fall asleep in the middle of a task or you’re simply after the calming fragrance of coffee, you’d want to take a hard look at each coffee type for you to see which one fits your preference as a coffee drinker.

These different types of coffee drinks are classified according to the process it entails to create them and the ingredients necessary to make them happen. We have an instant brew, Espresso, Espresso-based drinks, and drip coffee. Let’s get right into what goes into your cup of coffee, shall we?

True to its name, Instant brew coffee is the most basic and easy-to-do coffee on this list. Instant brew coffee is perfect for those who are always on the go and have no time to waste. Instant brew coffee drinks use instant coffee drink mixes one can pick up from the nearest convenience store. You can make black coffee, iced coffee or add foamed milk to your instant cup of coffee. There are even flavored latte or white mixes available, which you can prepare and drink on the go.

Instant coffee mixes are usually made with a coffee machine, to say the least, and instant coffee, of course. Sometimes, there is no need for a machine because other instant coffee mixes can be made by just pouring them over a mug filled with water. This drink is ideal for late-night pick-ups, but a lot is wanting from each cup or drink. A cup of black coffee may taste bitter or burnt, while a white or latte cup may be an overly sweet drink.

Of the four different types of coffee featured in this article, this is the least recommended one. Why? First off, “instant” means you’ll have to settle for the artificial, which isn’t always ideal, knowing instant coffee mixes tend to carry excessive sugar content with them.

But if you don’t have the luxury of time to delve into the process of making your coffee, it’s still okay to make this easier, quicker route. Piece of advice: Minimize consumption whenever you can. 

While it can bring the coffee taste you’re after, it can never take the place of the freshly brewed coffee. Many people still go for it, though, because it’s much quicker to prepare and cheaper than other coffees.

Made from a coffee-making technique that originates from Italy, a shot of espresso involves just a slight amount that’s about to reach its boiling point, putting the superbly-ground coffee beans under pressure. Even better, you can come up with shots of espresso using various variants of coffee roasts and beans.

Espresso shots or piccolo coffee are much denser than other coffee types brewed using different ways. A shot of espresso possesses a higher amount of concentration. Since espresso shots underwent a three-stage pressurized preparation routine, the flavor tends to remain heavily concentrated; hence, making it stand out among the rest. A shot of espresso is as pure as one can experience.

Here’s how to enjoy a shot of espresso in various ways:

Among other of the most notable Espresso variants available are the following:

• Ristretto cup (created with the same quantity of coffee; half water amount)
• Lungo (contrary to Ristretto; uses more water)
• Guillermo cup (comes with two hot Espresso shots drenched over slices of lime; can be served iced)
• Espresso Romano (features an Espresso shot alongside a sliced lemon)
• Espresso con Panna (includes whipped cream)
• Doppio cup (two Espresso shots on a demitasse cup)
• Cortado (comes with a small dose of milk to trim down the acidity level)
• Café Con Hielo cup (iced espresso)
• Caffe Gommosa cup (Espresso poured on a marshmallow slice)
• Espresso-based drinks

Café Americano can be made by simply adding an Espresso shot to your cup or mug filled with hot water.

For coffee enthusiasts who prefer espresso with added water or milk or a more latte type concoction, here are some of the variants that’ll suit them:

• Antoccino (one Espresso shot with steamed milk)
• Breve (with half cream and half milk latte)
• Caffe Americano (with added hot water; generating a coffee of the same vigor)
• Cafe Zorro (two Espresso shots plus water)
• Cappuccino (comes with warm and foamy steamed milk)
• Espressino (a trio of espresso, cocoa powder, and steamed milk)
• Flat White (likened to a latte; except it comes with milk of unique texture)
• Latte (Espresso with steamed milk and comes with a little foamy texture)
• Macchiato (Espresso made with a small foamed milk dose; like the cappuccino with a stronger kick) 
• Vienna Coffee (Espresso that features whipped cream with optional milk)

One of the Espresso-based drinks originated from the Land Down Under, Australia, and New Zealand. It usually involves the mixture of steamed milk (preferably the one that comes from the bottom of the mug) and an Espresso shot.

On the other hand, Long Black comes forth upon pouring hot water into a mug or cup and then following up with two Espresso shots right away. Known for its strong kick, this Long Black is creamier than the Café Americano.

A Drip-type coffee uses a brewing process that involves placing the coffee on a paper filter and pouring in hot water until it drips the finished product to your container, cup, or mug.

To elaborate further, this happens when simply drenching boiling water on coffee, ground more coarsely ground than espresso. As the hot water runs, you can gradually notice the coffee gets collected into its container.

While this method tends to take more time than that when making an Espresso, drip-type coffee can give you more caffeine than espresso.

It is ideal for those who are calorie-conscious-type of coffee drinkers. Why? Because drip-type coffee, primarily the plain black and or an espresso shot even, has little to no calories in it.

First off, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing. A person’s coffee-drinking preference (hot or cold; strong or light) and ideal experience may differ from another aficionado. It all depends on your personality, lifestyle, habits, taste, work line (be it an office- or home-based), location, and mood even.

Did you know that coffee, indeed, has numerous health benefits in the first place?

Yes, you read that right. Drinking three to four cups of coffee per day can help trim down the risks of you acquiring or developing cardiovascular diseases, liver cancer, diabetes, and even Parkinson’s Disease in the long run.

Get this: Several studies have also shown that moderate coffee intake can help one increase his lifespan. Almost three years ago, the World Health Organization clarified that coffee no longer belongs to the list of foods and beverages that possibly contain the carcinogen.

While drinking coffee has been linked to various health benefits, too much may prevent one from getting ample sleep, cause anxiety, bring about jittery sensations, and cause heartburn in extreme cases.

Espresso is easily the most popular type of coffee nowadays, probably due to the number of variants available. One of the possible reasons behind its being well-coveted by the general coffee drinking populace is the flexibility it brings to the table. It only needs a tweak here and there, add in milk, foam, and hot water, and you’ll have a coffee drink that is to your liking. 

When the words “best coffee beans” are thrown into a conversation, Arabica and Robusta always jump right out of the pages. While there are undoubtedly other coffee beans out there, Arabica and Robusta seemed to have gained utmost popularity for quite some time now owing to what they bring to the fold.

Arabica is the most common coffee variant available in the market. Not just that: It accounts for more than half of the world’s coffee drinks enjoyed by coffee aficionados.

Grown in the Latin America region and other regions, Arabica beans are known for being of premium quality, much ahead of different coffee beans in the industry. Most of the more famous coffees use Arabica beans or are solely Arabica beans. What makes this bean stand out is soil quality, the environment, climate, altitude, and the care taken in harvesting this bean. The European concept of terroir applies very well to coffee.

Meanwhile, Robusta beans became well-known for being a more bitter and more potent type of coffee bean. Robusta makes good Espresso beans, an ideal fit for those who are after coffee beverages with a more decisive caffeine kick. Just think of them as two times as strong as the Arabica.

Liberica and its sub-variant, Excelsa, won’t be counted out, as well. These are types of beans that are grown in areas such as the Philippines. The United States market seldom uses Liberica beans. Perhaps they’re still waiting to gain more exposure.

Like we’ve said in the beginning, most of the coffee drinkers and enthusiasts out there take what’s available. Still, given the luxury of time, resources, and opportunity, it is believed that the best coffee bean will be determined by how it complements the coffee drinker’s preference per se.

To drop some more hints anew, premium quality coffee beans may hail from various locations like Brazil, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Coffee beans thrive in countries that have tropical climate systems that help produce high-quality ones across the board.  

Coffee in itself can also be a significant part of everybody’s lives. Just imagine waking up in the morning without getting a dose of it. Chances are, you won’t feel as energized as you’d want to be to start your day. 

Coffee drinkers around the world drink coffee for different reasons. One may be to stay awake, remain focused on what they’re doing, lift their spirits, enter a more relaxed mood, calm their nerves, shrug off some stress. In short, this beverage has since become an integral part of each and everyone’s lives. 

Whether you’re a big fan of instantly brewed coffee, Espresso, Espresso-based drinks, or Drip-type coffee, the essential thing to bear in mind is that at the end of the day, what matters is how you enjoy it. 

For others, it may just seem like an ordinary hot or cold beverage served in the morning or the afternoon. But for genuine and authentic coffee lovers and aficionados out there, who won’t last a day without sipping their favorite drink, coffee is a way of life more than anything else this world could offer. They would want to drink different types of coffee, if only for the experience.