What Is Coffee? History, Types, & More

As a coffee enthusiast, I want to know everything about my passion. I put together this guide to help us learn all the basic information about coffee.

Here’s what you’ll find:

• What coffee is
• What it’s made from
• History
• Possible health benefits & risks
• Brewing methods
• Processing methods
• Coffee roasting explained

This is where the fun begins.

Key Takeaways

•  Coffee is a beverage made from roasted or unroasted beans
• There are 4 main types of coffee beans, Liberica, Arabica, Robusta, & Excelsia
• 3 different types of coffee processing methods include wet, dry, and semi-washed
• 3 different types of roasts (light, medium, & dark) affect coffee’s taste and caffeine levels

What is Coffee?

Coffee is a beverage brewed from roasted or unroasted coffee beans. These beans are a type of berry harvested from the coffee plant (genus Coffea).

It has a stimulating effect on humans thanks to its caffeine content. A chemical the Coffea plants use to protect themselves against pests.

Because caffeine is toxic to most of them. But it’s not harmful to humans. Unless you intake over 4 cups (32 ounces) of coffee. Then caffeine could lead to health issues

What Is Coffee Made From?

Coffee comes from the seeds of the Coffea plant, which are often called coffee beans. These plants grow berries, and inside the berries, you’ll find the seeds.

To make coffee, farmers harvest the berries, process the seeds to remove the fruit, and then dry them. They then roast the dried seeds to different degrees to bring out desired flavors.

Finally, baristas and folks at home ground and brew the beans and make their drink of choice.

Coffee plants need specific growing conditions, like:

1. Warm climate
2. High altitude (2,000–6,000 feet above sea level)
3. Well-drained soil
4. Sufficient rainfall or irrigation (40–100 inches per year)
5. Shade or partial sunlight

We have a lot to cover. We’ll begin with coffee’s history.

History of Coffee

Coffee’s history began in Ethiopia, where locals discovered its energizing effects. They chewed on coffee berries and noticed increased energy levels.

People then experimented with the berries, creating various beverages. The beans traveled to the Arabian Peninsula, where coffee cultivation started.

Yemen became the leading producer. And the beans spread through trade networks.

The 15th century saw the rise of coffeehouses in Arabia. People gathered there for conversation, music, and coffee. These establishments became known as Schools of the Wise [1].

In the 17th century, coffee arrived in Europe.

Europeans embraced the beverage, which sparked the creation of coffeehouses. These spaces served as social and intellectual hubs.

The Dutch, realizing coffee’s potential, began cultivating it in their colonies.

They planted coffee on the island of Java, now part of Indonesia. This started a global coffee trade, with other European countries following suit.

Coffee spread to the Americas through colonization.

In the 18th century, Brazil entered the coffee trade. Eventually, becoming the world’s largest coffee producer.

In the 20th century, coffee consumption grew, leading to the development of instant coffee. The commercial espresso machine also came alive, giving rise to espresso-based drinks. Specialty coffee shops emerged, elevating coffee culture.

Today, coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide. Folks enjoy it in various forms.

Types of Coffee Beans

Here are all the main coffee bean types:

Different types of coffee beans compared.

Robusta beans need more caffeine to defend themselves since they come from areas with more pests. Because of this addition, these berries lead to drinks with a more bitter taste.

Arabica beans otherwise have less caffeine than their counterparts. Partially due to them growing in higher-altitude regions where fewer pests live.

These beans have a sweeter and more complex flavor due to their lack of caffeine and bitterness.

Different Types of Coffee Drinks Compared

Let’s compare many types of popular coffee drinks:

Ingredients in popular espresso-based drinks compared.

Coffee Growing Regions

Not every continent grows coffee. Coffee thrives in specific conditions found in the Bean Belt. This belt stretches between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

Africa, South America, Central America, and Asia are in this zone.

Antarctica, Europe, and North America are not in the Bean Belt. They don’t grow coffee on a large scale. Some places in North America, like Hawaii and parts of California, produce small amounts of coffee.

However, the following areas account for most of the world’s coffee production:

• Africa
• South America
• Central America
• Asia

I’ll talk about how much of the global coffee production each area makes up for, in addition to some beans they’re famous for.

Africa

Africa makes up around 13% of the world’s coffee production [2].

Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, has regions like Sidamo, Harrar, and Yirgacheffe. They produce beans with fruity flavors in Sidamo and Harrar, while Yirgacheffe beans have floral tastes.

Kenya is another top coffee country, with regions like Nyeri, Kirinyaga, and Kiambu. These areas grow beans that often boast bright and wine-like flavors, loved by many.

Tanzania has coffee farms on the northern part of Mount Kilimanjaro’s slopes. Here, they grow Kilimanjaro beans. Many know this coffee for its unique taste.

Rwanda and Burundi grow coffee too. Beans from these countries tend to have sweet and citrus flavors, making them a delightful choice.

South America

South America makes up around 46% of the world’s coffee production [3].

Brazil is the world’s biggest coffee producer, making up about 37% of global coffee output. Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Espírito Santo serve as some of the key growing regions. The famous Sul de Minas beans from Minas Gerais have a smooth and sweet taste.

Colombia, another top coffee country, contributes about 8% of global production. Coffee grown in Huila, Nariño, and Antioquia. Colombian Supremo beans have a mild flavor, while Caturra beans are fruity and bright.

With regions like Chanchamayo and Tarapoto, Peru has a smaller coffee output.

Bolivia’s Yungas region grows the Bolivian Colonial Caranavi bean. This bean has a nutty flavor and citrus undertones.

Central America

Central America accounts for around 10% of the world’s coffee production. Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Honduras lead the way.

Guatemala has regions like Antigua, Huehuetenango, and Cobán. Antigua grows popular Bourbon beans with a wine-like taste.

Costa Rica has Tarrazú, Central Valley, and West Valley. Many know Tarrazú for its Costa Rican Strictly Hard Beans (SHB) beans, which have a bright and fruity flavor.

In Honduras, coffee grows in Copán, Montecillos, and Agalta. Copán is famous for its Lempira bean, which is well-balanced and mild.

Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Panama also grow coffee. They contribute to Central America’s diverse coffee culture.

Asia

Asia contributes about 30% of the world’s coffee production. Vietnam, Indonesia, and India are key players.

Vietnam has the Central Highlands, where they grow Robusta beans. These beans are strong and bold, with higher caffeine content.

Indonesia has regions like Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi. Sumatra is famous for its Mandheling beans, which taste earthy and spicy.

They grow coffee in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu in India. Karnataka produces Monsooned Malabar beans with a unique, mellow flavor.

Other Asian countries, like Thailand and the Philippines, also grow coffee. They add to the diverse flavors and styles of Asian coffee.

Possible Health Benefits & Risks of Drinking Coffee

Let’s check out the potential risks and benefits of drinking coffee [4, 5]:

* Coffee contains trace amounts of these nutrients. Don’t use coffee as a means to supplement these nutrients.

Different Methods of Brewing Coffee

Most of the different types of brewing methods include the following:

Coffee Processing Methods

Here are the differences among different coffee processing methods:

• Dry processing:
  • Also called “natural” processing
  • Beans dry in the sun with fruit still on
  • Takes longer, usually several weeks
  • Creates fruity, bold flavors
• Wet processing:
  • Also called “washed” processing
  • Fruit is removed before drying
  • Beans soak in water, then are washed
  • Results in clean, bright flavors
• Semi-washed processing:
  • Mix of dry and wet methods
  • Fruit partially removed before drying
  • Known as “honey” or “pulped natural” process
  • Offers a balance of fruity and clean flavors

I’ll cover details on these processing methods throughout the following sections.

Dry Processing

In dry- or natural processing, producers lay ripe coffee cherries out in the sun. They turn the cherries frequently to ensure even drying. After drying, they hull the cherries, removing the outer layer and revealing the green coffee beans.

This technique gives the coffee a sweet, fruity flavor profile.

Wet Processing

Wet processing, another coffee production method, removes the outer cherry skin. Then, producers ferment the remaining pulp-covered beans in water. This process loosens the pulp, making it easy to wash away. Finally, they dry the clean, green coffee beans.

Wet processing results in a brighter, cleaner flavor compared to dry processing.

Semi-washed Processing

Semi-washed processing, a hybrid coffee method, combines wet and dry techniques. Producers remove the outer cherry skin and then dry the beans, still covered in pulp. This process retains some fruitiness while adding a clean, bright flavor.

Semi-washed processing offers a unique taste profile, balancing the best of both wet and dry methods.

Coffee Bean Roasting Process Explained

The process starts by heating beans in a roaster. As the heat increases, beans crack, release moisture, and caramelize sugars.

Roasters monitor temperature and time closely, adjusting for desired roast level.

Light, medium, and dark roasts exhibit distinct flavors, highlighting the roaster’s artistry.

Coffee Roast Levels Compared

Let’s compare different roasting levels and how they impact coffee beans:

Coffee Roasting Effects on Flavor & Aroma

Let’s compare how different roasts affect a bean’s taste:

• Light roast: retains fruity, floral notes and bright acidity; has subtle complexity
• Medium roast: balances acidity and body; showcases origin flavors and roast character
• Dark roast: emphasizes roast flavors, like caramel, chocolate, and smoky notes; muted acidity

Roasting doesn’t affect caffeine levels much. Light and dark roasts have similar caffeine content. But with slight variations due to bean density changes during roasting.

FAQs

Keep reading to find frequently asked questions about coffee.

Conclusion

Learning the basics about coffee isn’t enough. If you’re on a journey to make the best-tasting coffee drinks like me, you’ll need to dive deeper into the rabbit hole.

I recommend talking about different types of coffee drinks.