The Best Tasting Coffee in the World – Our Ultimate Guide

Are you looking for the best tasting coffee in the world?

Is there such a thing? Probably not for a whole bunch of reasons.

Some of the reasons why coffee tastes different include the growth and processing of coffee beans such as:

• type of coffee bean
• how the coffee bean is grown
• how it is processed (dry or wet method)
• how it is roasted (e.g. light, medium, dark)
• how it is stored (e.g. time and type of storage)
• brewing method (e.g. espresso, filter, French Press)

Then there are personal physical and psychological reasons that affect our perception of taste and aroma such as your:

• genetics
• stress levels
• hormone levels
• taste receptors
• upbringing
• life experiences
• depression
• expectation based on reviews and recommendations

There are also environmental and social reasons that affect our perception of taste and aroma such as:

• the food you’ve consumed
• the air quality
• the presentation of food and drink
• the company of friends, colleagues, or strangers

All of the above reasons are what make us unique and why we don’t all like the same foods and drinks.

OK. So now we have some idea about what affects taste and aroma and that it is not possible to have the best tasting coffee for each us.

However, we can give you the lowdown on some of what we think (and what other reviews have suggested) are the best-tasting coffee beans you can try and what makes them special and unique.

We have also included a variety of coffee in our guide to open up some possibilities for you.

Just remember that the final arbiter is – YOU! You are the only one that can determine if it is best tasting for you!

Here is our guide to some of the best tasting coffee in the world.

Three varieties of coffee beans

Photo by Free-Photos on Pixabay

As you may or may not know, there are three distinct varieties of coffee beans, each with their own unique appeal in terms of taste and flavor. These varieties are:

● Arabica – Arabica beans are the highest quality coffee beans you can buy. They’re rich in flavor and have been grown in specific and carefully climatized conditions to reach their full potential. Arabica beans originate in the southwest highlands of Ethiopia and are the most popular type of coffee beans to date, making up over half of the coffee production worldwide. The reason why Arabica beans are noticeably more flavorful than Robusta coffee beans is that they contain 60% more lipids than the Robusta bean and nearly twice the amount of sugar. This increased sugar is part of what makes Arabica beans more flavorful with a less bitter taste.

Photo by Tina Guina on Unsplash

● Robusta – Robusta beans are the second type of coffee bean. They originate in the upland forests of Ethiopia. Robusta beans are less popular than Arabica beans, in comparison. they lack flavor. But, there is a tradeoff to purchasing Robusta beans – they are cheaper, and higher in caffeine content so some are willing to overlook the medium bitter flavor because you get more bang for your buck.

● Arabica and Robusta – This is a good option if you’re interested in the higher caffeine content of the Robusta bean while adding the flavor of the Arabica bean. Another bonus is that this blend is cheaper than purchasing Arabica beans alone, which are the most expensive type.

So, what do we consider to be the best tasting coffee in the world? Here are our picks, in no particular order:

Guatemalan Antigua Coffee

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If you’re looking for high quality, full-bodied Arabica coffee beans then Guatemalan Antigua coffee may just be for you. Guatemalan Antigua coffee beans are grown at elevations of more than 4,600 feet above sea level which results in a more controlled temperature with less exposure to extreme elements. This allows these exquisite coffee beans to thrive and mature gradually. Guatemalan Antigua coffee has a rich, velvety, luxurious taste that can also be described as spicy and smoky. While it doesn’t necessarily matter which brand you choose, making sure you’re purchasing these coffee beans fresh should be a priority.

Tanzania Peaberry Coffee

Photo by Hasan Albari on Unsplash

Tanzania Peaberry coffee beans are grown on Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, making the elevation levels for growing coffee plants at their ultimate peak (get it?). Tanzania Peaberry coffee has a medium body and a deep, rich taste. If you prefer a heavier, almost dessert-like coffee that almost tastes like chocolate, this may be the coffee for you.

Sumatra Mandheling Coffee

This flavorful, full-bodied coffee comes from Indonesia, specifically the Lintong region in north-central Sumatra near Lake Toba. If you’re looking for a high-quality coffee rich in flavor and low in acidity, Sumatra Mandheling coffee may be your best bet. This coffee is known for being smooth and easy to drink with a flavor described as sweet, earthy, and chocolate-like with a rich, complex taste.

Ethiopian Harrar Coffee

Ethiopian Harrar coffee is a dry-pressed Arabica coffee bean grown up to 6,300 feet above sea level and is likened in taste to a dry, red wine. This is a typical feature of high-quality Ethiopian coffee beans, along with their powerful aromas, even intensity, and fruity flavors. The Ethiopian Harrar coffee is full of spicy tones, such as cinnamon, apricots, and cardamom as well as having undertones of jasmine, blueberry, and even dark chocolate.

Hawaii Kona Coffee

Photo by NATHAN MULLET on Unsplash

This world-famous coffee is known for being one of the best tasting in the world – and for good reason. The Hawaiian climate combines all necessary factors for coffee plants to flourish, including humid weather and just the right amount of rain. If you’re looking for the best of the best of Kona coffee, try Koa Coffee’s Extra Fancy coffee beans. Hawaii’s Kona coffee has a medium body, smooth taste, and low acidity with sweet herb flavor, floral notes, and a nutty overtone. Because Kona coffee is grown and harvested right here in the United States, it can be pricey and hard to get your hands on. That said, if you can find it, it’s definitely worth trying.

While not every coffee drinker will like and appreciate every coffee in our guide to the best-tasting coffee, don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and give them a try. All of the coffee beans we’ve named are grown and harvested to perfection and each presents a unique taste and quality flavor that the most experienced coffee connoisseurs may not have tried.

Featured Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash