Coffee Knowledge
8 of the best coffee beans in the world
5
mins
If you're a coffee connoisseur, you're likely on the hunt for the perfect cup. Check out our list of the 8 best coffee beans in the world here.
1. Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee
Surprisingly, Jamaica has a relatively small coffee output and the beans grown in the Blue Mountain region are some of the rarest beans to come out of the area. Due to cooler temperatures, there’s less harvests each year and growing them here is more labour intensive as the steep slopes mean that all plants have to be carefully picked by hand. This means the beans are in limited supply and a whopping 80% of the crop goes to Japan each year! So, it’s rather expensive and notoriously difficult to get hold of coffee beans from this region. If you manage to get your hands on some, you’ll appreciate why it’s said to be one of the best coffees in the world as it’s incredibly smooth with a bright and vibrant acidity.
2. Sumatran coffee
Sumatra offers some of the best growing conditions for coffee thanks to its fertile volcanic soil, close proximity to the equator and high altitudes where the beans are grown. The region also has its own unique processing method known as ‘Gisling Basah’, which involves only partly drying the beans after they are fermented which reduces the acidity in the blend, while also bringing out a fuller body and earthy, woody notes. Coffee experts suggest trying darkly roasted Sumatran coffee beans as this helps to bring out earthier and more herby flavours.
3. Rwandan coffee
One of the things that makes Rwandan coffee so special is that it’s all grown by small-scale farmers, as there are no large estates in the country. The region’s high elevation coupled with rich volcanic soil is ideal for growing Arabica coffee beans. Interestingly, once the beans are picked, they’re taken to communal washing stations where the beans are sorted and processed with rainwater. Coffees coming from Rwanda are said to taste like raspberry and cherry with a creamy mouthfeel.
4. Kona coffee
Kona is one of the largest islands in Hawaii and is consistently praised for producing some of the best coffee beans in the world. Coffee is grown at around 2,000ft above sea level on the steep slopes of the Mauna Loae and Hualalai volcanoes. The area boasts a micro-climate that makes for perfect growing conditions. Light and delicate in flavour, Kona coffee is said to be well-balanced, buttery, spicy and with a subtle, almost wine-like flavour.
5. Peruvian Coffee
Peru is a country prized for its organic and fair-trade coffee production, so it should come as no surprise that they produce some of the best coffee beans in the world. Very well balanced and smooth in flavour with a low acidity, Peruvian coffee is loved far and wide for its wonderful taste. The flavours you can expect from beans grown in this region vary from floral to chocolatey to slightly nutty.
Today’s community favourites
Discover some of the most enjoyed articles from across the site
