By Rajlakshmi
June 22, 2026
Coffee, coffee beans, brewing coffee and everything around it is considered a niche art in today’s world. Yet, if you are still starting your coffee journey, here are 5 types of coffee beans you need to know about.
There are four types of coffee beans, namely Arabica (Coffee arabica), Liberica (Coffee liberica), Excelsa (Coffee liberica var. dewevrei), Robusta (Coffee caniphora) and Peaberry(Muthu Kothai). Here’s more information on them.
Arabica is the most common variety and accounts for 60 to 70 per cent of coffee produced and sold worldwide. The coffee has a sweeter and more delicate flavour. It also tends to be less acidic than other varieties out there.
In regions of hot climates with irregular rainfall and high altitudes, robusta is grown. With a smooth flavour and a touch of chocolate, the robusta is great for mocha coffee.
These beans are larger than the other ones, and liberica is also famous for its irregular shape. With a unique aroma, these seeds have a smoky taste and sometimes even a floral and fruity. They are commonly grown in the Philippines and have a woody aftertaste.
Grown in Southeast Asia, it contributes to a small part of global coffee production and consumption. With a unique flavour tart and fruity flavour, it has both a light and dark roast.
These peaberry coffee beans, sourced from special coffee estates in Karnataka, have brighter acidity and sweetness. However, just one seed matures within the cherry 5-10% of the time, probably due to pollination of only one ovule. These solitary beans are known as peaberries.