Facts about coffee beans

Tommy Winberg

The coffee bean grows inside a red fruit that grows on the coffee plant, the scientific name of which is Coffea. The plant thrives best in tropical regions near the equator, the so-called "bean belt." Coffee beans come from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Costa Rica, and Kenya, to name a few.

Usually, the fruit contains two coffee beans, but in about 10–15% of cases, there is only one coffee bean inside; they are said to have a more intense flavor profile. To grow optimally, the coffee bush needs a tropical environment with a steady temperature and abundant rainfall.

Coffee beans – different varieties

There are two different varieties of coffee beans: Coffea Arabica and Coffea Robusta. These varieties differ not only in taste and aroma, but also in their growing environment, caffeine content, and cultivation conditions. Together, they account for almost the entire world's coffee production and represent the geographical diversity of coffee beans.

Coffea Arabica

Arabica coffee beans, originally from Ethiopia, account for 70–80% of world coffee production. The coffee bean is appreciated for its mild and complex flavor profile with notes of fruitiness, florals, and nuttiness. Read more about the bean here: Arabica vs Robusta

Coffea Robusta

Robusta coffee beans have a stronger and sometimes bitter taste with distinct earthy notes and a nutty aftertaste. They have an intense flavor profile that can sometimes be perceived as bitter. Read more about the bean here: Arabica vs Robusta

Roast levels of coffee beans

Each roast level gives the coffee bean its own unique character and taste, and there is something for every palate. The three most common roast levels are light roast, medium roast, and dark roast.

Light roast

Light-roasted coffee offers a milder experience with less acidity. Not all the flavors of the coffee bean are fully extracted in a light-roasted coffee. Suitable for those who appreciate subtle flavors and bright notes in their coffee.

Medium roast

Medium-roasted coffee is the perfect "just right" option. A balanced amount of acidity and a full body suit most taste preferences. It gives you the perfect compromise between light and dark roast, which has made it the most popular roast of coffee beans in Sweden.

Dark roast

If you prefer a bolder and fuller cup of coffee, dark roast is the right choice. Dark-roasted coffee has an intense flavor profile and contains oilier coffee beans, which gives the coffee a rich and creamy texture.

Frequently asked questions and answers

What are coffee beans?

Coffee beans are the seeds from the coffee plant used to make coffee. They are round or oval and grow inside red coffee cherries. The beans are dried, roasted, and ground into coffee powder ready to be brewed.

Is the coffee bean a fruit?

The coffee bean is the seed found inside the coffee cherry, which itself is a fruit. Coffee cherries are small, round, or oval fruits that grow on the branches of the coffee plant. Inside each coffee cherry, there are usually two coffee beans, although this can vary depending on the plant variety and growth conditions.

How many varieties are there?

There are hundreds of varieties of coffee beans, but the three most common types are Coffea Arabica, Coffea Robusta, and Coffea Liberica.

How are coffee beans roasted?

Before the coffee beans are roasted, they must be cleaned and sorted thoroughly. Then they are gradually heated in the roasting machine. During the roasting process itself, the beans go through different stages – the drying phase, when moisture is removed, and the color change phase, where the beans begin to develop their characteristic color and taste. Read more about how to do it here: Roasting coffee beans

Which coffee beans are best?

Arabica beans are popular for their mild and complex taste with notes of fruitiness and florals, appreciated by those who prefer a softer cup of coffee. Robusta beans, on the other hand, have a stronger and more bitter taste with earthy notes and higher caffeine content, making them perfect as coffee beans for espresso and blends that require a stronger taste. The type of coffee you like determines which coffee bean is best.