Choosing a good coffee bean is key to enjoying an exceptional experience in every cup. In this guide, we explain the different types of coffee, their origins, the importance of roasting and how to find the one that best suits your taste. We will also recommend specific options from our catalogue so you can enjoy the best organic and fair trade coffee.
Types of coffee: arabica and robusta
In the world of coffee, the most popular varieties are Arabica and Robusta, each with unique characteristics that define their flavour, aroma and quality. AlterNativa3 uses these beans in different proportions and combinations to offer products adapted to the most demanding tastes.
Arabica coffee: smoothness and elegance
Arabica coffee is the variety most appreciated by those who enjoy a refined taste experience. Grown at an altitude of over 1,000 metres, its development is favoured by cooler temperatures and nutrient-rich soils, which enhances its quality and complexity.
When tasted, it stands out for its smoothness and delicate aroma, with a lower caffeine content and a great diversity of sensory nuances. Its notes can range from fruity hints to subtle floral nuances, making it the ideal choice for those seeking a balanced and elegant coffee.
Robusta coffee: intensity and strength
Robusta coffee is characterised by its strong profile and full body. It grows at lower altitudes, which makes it more resistant and adaptable to various growing regions.
In terms of taste, it is more intense and bitter than arabica, with a higher concentration of caffeine and earthy, chocolatey notes. Its dense texture and pronounced intensity make it the perfect choice for those who enjoy a coffee with powerful character and extra energy.
Origin of the best coffee beans
Knowing the origin of coffee is fundamental to understand the differences in taste, aroma and body in each cup. We work with coffees from different parts of the world, each with unique characteristics.
Coffee from Honduras
Honduras is one of the largest coffee producers in Central America, noted for its high quality coffee grown at altitudes above 1,000 metres. This origin offers beans with a sweet and balanced profile, with notes of hazelnuts and spices.
Nicaraguan coffee
In Nicaragua, coffee is grown on small high-altitude farms, where high-quality Arabica varieties predominate. This origin is renowned for its medium to full body, bright acidity and light cocoa aroma.
Coffee from Peru
Peruvian coffee is distinguished by its cultivation in the foothills of the Andes, where small producers grow Arabica varieties under shade. This origin is characterised by a light acidity, a smooth body and notes of cocoa and fresh grass.
Ethiopian coffee
Ethiopia, considered the birthplace of coffee, produces unique beans thanks to its biodiversity. Ethiopian coffees tend to have complex profiles, with floral and fruity notes and a lively acidity that makes them unmistakable.
Sumatran coffee
From Indonesia, Sumatran coffee is renowned for its rounded, full-bodied profile with earthy, herbal and spicy notes. Grown in nutrient-rich volcanic soils, this coffee offers an intense and exotic experience.
Colombian Coffee
Colombia is synonymous with quality coffee, with beans grown at ideal altitudes and carefully processed. This origin stands out for its balanced body, bright acidity and sweet notes of red fruits and chocolate.
Coffee from Brazil
Brazil, the world's largest coffee producer, offers beans that stand out for their natural sweetness, full body and low acidity. This origin is ideal for blends seeking smoothness and consistency of flavour.
Arabica and Robusta blends: perfect balance
Blends combining Arabica and Robusta coffee are a versatile option that offer the best of both worlds. AlterNativa3 creates carefully balanced blends to satisfy consumers looking for a coffee with complexity and body.
Arabica adds acidity and delicate aromas, while robusta adds body, intensity and a thick crema. Blends of the two tend to have a rounded, full flavour profile, ideal for both traditional methods and espressos.
The advantage of blends is that they allow customisation of intensity and adaptation to different times of the day or consumer preferences.
The importance of roasting in coffee beans
The roasting process is essential to define the flavour and aroma profile of each coffee. All AlterNativa3 coffees are naturally roasted medium-low roast, which guarantees an authentic experience, with no additives or processes that alter the essence of the bean.
What is natural roasting and why is it better?
Natural roasting respects the original properties of the coffee, allowing each bean to develop its full flavour and aroma potential. Unlike roasted coffee, which includes added sugar during the process, natural roasting uses no additives, resulting in a purer, healthier coffee. This results in clearer, more balanced notes in every cup, ideal for appreciating the quality of the bean.
Why is medium-low toast better?
At Alternativa3 we use medium-low roasts, which allows us to:
- Respect the original notes of the coffee as much as possible.
- Reduce the formation of acrylamides, compounds that are generated in high roasts and can be harmful to health.
- To achieve a balanced cup, with good acidity and sweetness.
Tips according to consumer profile
If you are wondering what is the best coffee bean, keep in mind that each person has a unique taste, so the choice of coffee also depends on your personal preferences.
For intense coffee lovers
If you enjoy a powerful flavour and full body, opt for beans with intense profiles. This type of coffee is characterised by strong notes and a robust texture, perfect for those seeking an energising and characterful experience.
Try our FORTE coffee
For those who prefer a mild coffee
If delicate flavours are your thing, choose beans that offer fruity, floral or slightly sweet notes. These coffees tend to be lighter and more balanced, ideal for a relaxing moment or for those who appreciate a well-defined acidity.
Try our coffee ESSENZIALE o FRAGANT
For gourmets
If you are a coffee lover who enjoys exploring different origins and nuances, I recommend you to try our line of origins coffees: cauca Colombia, Santos Brazil, Sidamo Ethiopia o Raja Gayo Sumatra.
For those who value sustainability
If you prioritise the positive impact of your choice, look for Fair Trade and organically grown coffees. These beans not only stand out for their quality, but also for their respect for the environment and support of coffee-growing communities through sustainable practices. At AlterNativa3 we only work with certified organic and fair trade coffees.
Choosing the best coffee beans doesn't have to be complicated. At AlterNativa3 you have at your fingertips options for all tastes, backed by an ethical and sustainable commitment. Explore their specialities and take home a coffee of incomparable quality!
- 03-02-25
