Coffee is today one of the most important drinks worldwide, not only for its exquisite taste but also for its energy properties and cultural value. In fact, coffee was considered for many years as one of the most consumed drinks in the world, repeatedly occupying first and second place.
In fact, the coffee industry is huge and benefits many countries. Due to the huge supply of coffees around the planet, it can be very difficult to know which one to buy or try. In this article, you will get to know the best coffees in the world: beans, ground, and instant coffee.
Top 15 of the world’s best coffees
After having read a little bit about how the quality of coffee is usually determined, you are probably wondering now, what are the world’s best coffees? That’s why I have below a top 5 of the best coffee beans, ground, and even instant coffees that you can find.
But before, it is important to clarify that grading the best coffee is a very subjective process since it depends on taste, and this is specific to each person. For many, the best coffee is a bit bitter, with a heavy body and a specific tone, while for others a softer cup, less bitter, and with another type of notes is preferable.
This is why there is no global consensus to determine which is the best nor an official organization that does it.
Therefore, the lists that you will see below indicate the coffees that, according to our research, are generally recognized for having the best quality and the most preferred flavors.
The 5 best coffee beans in the world
5. Tanzania Peaberry coffee from Volcanica Coffee
Origin: Tanzania
Coffee bean variety: Arabica peaberry
Tasting notes: Bright acidity, medium body, and notes of brown sugar with fruity hints
Roasting degree: Medium
Only a low percentage of the best coffees in a harvest is considered Peaberry and getting them requires rigorous manual harvesting work.
For many, it is one of the best since it is a strong coffee of great taste with a perfect degree of roasting. On top of that, it has little acidity and leaves a good aftertaste. On the other hand, due to its low acidity, some may consider that perhaps it lacks a little more flavor or body.
4. Kenia AA Coffee from Volcanica Coffe
Origin: Kenya
Coffee bean variety: Arabica
Tasting notes: Sweet fruits such as raspberry and blueberry, wine-like acidity, and syrupy body
Roasting degree: Light
Kenyan coffee bean is considered one of the best for its incredible quality. Also, the process of this bean is carried out meticulously and very carefully by local producers. “AA” refers to the size of the bean, in this case, it is the largest and the best quality in Kenya.
This coffee is ideal for preparing drip, pour or automatic coffee, hence it is very versatile.
3. Hawaii Kona coffee from Koa Coffee
Origin: Hawaii, the United States
Coffee bean variety: Arabica
Tasting notes: Sweet herbs, floral and nutty tones.
Roasting degree: Medium
This coffee is definitely considered one of the best, in fact, the best in America. It is produced in Hawaii on the island of Kona, the largest in the country and with the best climatic and geographical conditions for the production of high-quality coffee beans.
It has a medium body, low acidity, and a nice and soft taste, which makes it for many the perfect drink. Also, it can be prepared in an auto-drip or automatic coffee maker.
2. Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee from Volcanica Coffee
Origin: Jamaica
Coffee bean variety: Arabica
Tasting notes: Fruity, vibrant acidity, sweet herbs.
Roasting degree: Medium
This coffee bean is grown in the Blue Mountains located in Jamaica. These are the highest in the Caribbean, thus provide an ideal setting for growing arabica beans. Although this country is not a big producer and due to the mountainous conditions it takes longer to grow coffee, it is definitely one of those that produce the best quality beans.
Its brewing method is mainly dripped in a French press type coffee maker.
1. Panama Esmeralda Geisha Special coffee from Hacienda La Esmeralda
Origin: Panama
Coffee bean variety: Arabica geisha
Tasting notes: complex florals, lavender, hints of dark chocolate and cocoa.
Roasting degree: medium
This coffee is definitely considered one of the best in the world due to its exotic and delicious taste. Panama is internationally recognized for geisha or Gesha coffee, an Arabic variety. It is produced at Hacienda La Esmeralda, one of the most recognized coffee farms in that country, located in the volcanic mountains of Boquete, Panama.
This coffee was the winner on many occasions of different recognitions and awards in the coffee industry for its excellent taste and quality, breaking records in international auctions. This also positions it as one of the most expensive coffees and is usually distributed through official auctions or on internet purchase pages.
It is known for having its varied, unique and exotic flavor. Also, depending on the regions in which it is grown it can have different notes, mainly fruity to mango, pineapple, sometimes lemon, and even jasmine. If you want to know more details, check out our top Geisha coffees.
As we know that 5 options may be few to analyze, we made a wider selection of excellent quality coffee beans.
The 5 best ground coffees in the world
5. Classic Ground Espresso Coffee from Illy
Origin: Italy
Coffee bean variety: Arabica
Roasting degree: Classic
It is a high-quality ground coffee of Italian origin. It uses a unique blend of 100% Arabica coffee from countries such as Colombia, Brazil, India, among others.
It stands out for giving a cup of soft and harmonious coffee, with sweet, floral notes, aromas of chocolate and caramel, and by having an ideal balance between acid and bitter. It can also be found in capsules.
4. Ground Medium Roast Coffee from Koffee Kult
Origin: The United States
Coffee bean variety: Arabica
Roasting degree: Medium
Roasted and ground in America, Koffee Kult offers a high-quality coffee, with a balanced flavor, aroma, and acidity. The coffee has a blend of 100% Arabica beans from Colombia and Brazil.
Also, it can be prepared simply in drip-type, automatic coffee machines, or in a French press, among other options.
3. Crema E Gusto Blend from Lavazza
Origin: Italy
Coffee bean variety: Arabica
Roasting degree: Dark
This Italian coffee is a delicious blend combining the best Arabic beans from Brazil with the best quality robusta beans from Africa and Indonesia.
It has a medium intensity and aromatic notes of spices. This coffee is ideal for preparing espresso or related brews, or simply to be enjoyed as a cup of high-quality coffee.
2. Valhalla Java Ground Coffee from Death Wish Coffee
Origin: The United States
Valhalla Java is roasted and ground meticulously and expertly to offer the market a characteristic coffee for its rich and rejuvenating flavor.
This coffee is made from the combination of the best coffee beans from Indonesia and Central and South America, that is why this mixture gives it its characteristic and peculiar flavor. It has chocolate, sweet, and nutty notes, and a good aftertaste.
Do you know what Java coffee is?
1. Death Wish Ground Coffee from Death Wish Coffee
Origin: The United States
Coffee bean variety: Arabica and Robusta
This coffee has gained a reputation internationally, and not for anything, as it is known as the strongest in the world. It is characterized by its unique blend of the best Arabica and robusta beans and by its slow roasting process.
Death Wish Coffee contains about twice the intensity of a standard cup of coffee and ensures customers a source of plenty of energy and excellent flavor to start the day.
This is not all, we have a separate list with others of the best ground coffees in the world.
The 5 Best Instant (or soluble) Coffees in the World
5. Freeze-dried soluble Juan Valdez Coffee
Origin: Colombia
Coffee bean variety: Arabica
This 100% Colombian coffee of the Juan Valdez brand offers a delicious natural flavor, which causes that despite being instant it provides an authentic flavor. In its process freeze-drying was carried out and is not alcoholic.
4. Gourmet Coffee from Organo Gold
Origin: Canada
This gourmet black coffee is known for its vigorous but mild flavor, which gives energy and awakens the senses.
Likewise, its flavor and properties are reinforced thanks to the incorporation of Ganoderma lucidum, a fungus known for providing not only more flavor to coffee, but also for its positive effects on health. Besides, it is easy to make and transport.
3. Crème Express Coffee from Marcilla
Origin: Spain
It has a mild taste, not so bitter, but without losing body, a fundamental aspect to take into account when talking about instant coffee. Also, it is natural and has a quality guarantee.
2. BioCoffee from NaturGreen
Origin: Spain
BioCoffee ranks second not only because it has a good aroma and texture, but also because of the multiple benefits it provides. It is organic, freeze-dried, gluten-free, also free of soy, added sugars, lactose, among other ingredients.
Also, it is made from a mixture of the best Arabica and Robusta beans grown in regions of Peru, Papua New Guinea, Uganda, and Mexico.
1. Classic Natural Coffee from Nescafé
Origin: Spain
Nescafé is an international brand that is characterized by offering excellent quality products worldwide.
This instant coffee gives a unique and delicious taste and aroma, as if freshly ground. It is made from a mixture of Arabica and robusta beans and is ideal for drinking alone or with milk since it is very easy to make.
Discover more recommended instant coffees.
You may also be interested in:
How is coffee quality determined?
To determine whether the coffee is of good or poor quality two analyses are performed mainly. The first is on the coffee bean. In this case, the quality assessment is performed on dry and threshed beans. The second is made on a cup of coffee as a drink.
Coffee bean analysis
To determine how much quality the coffee bean has, several aspects must be taken into account.
Smell and moisture
A good taster or buyer of coffee should first of all pay attention to the smell of the bean. This one should have the well-known smell of coffee and be fresh. On the contrary, a bean is of poor quality when it has an unpleasant smell like dirt, chemicals, mold, among others, and therefore must be discarded. As for humidity, the ideal is around 10.5% and 12%.
The shrinkage
It is the amount of husk or parchment skin that results after the coffee beans are threshed. To determine the quality of this, an amount of dry parchment coffee is threshed. In this case, it is ideal that it has a shrinkage of 18% or less. The percentage is calculated by weighing the already threshed beans again.
Bean size
The grain size is usually determined by machine and not manually. In general, the larger the beans, the higher the quality.
This process is done through screens, which are metallic sieves of different sizes. These have “round holes that retain beans over a certain size and allow the smaller beans to pass” (Intracen). They are classified in numbers from 10 to 20 or also with letters, for example, AA.
The ISO establishes dimensions for each screen number, diameters from 4 to 8 millimeters. The beans are passed through these sieves and graded according to the screen in which the largest quantity of beans is left.
Grading of coffee beans by size
Different denominations are used according to the producing region so we can’t talk about a standard.
When the coffee has a classification of 13 or less, it is considered as beans with quality defects. “Peaberry” coffee beans are the exception. These are considered to be of good quality even with a classification of 12.
Recognizing bean defects
This process is mainly done at a glance as it consists of separating healthy coffee beans from defective ones. These defects have to do more than anything with the color and shape that beans have.
Analysis of a cup of coffee
The process to determine the quality of coffee in a cup is equivalent to the process that is done with wine, since they are tasted in the same way. For this, there are also some important steps that you need to take into account.
- Coffee brewing. Although it seems an obvious step, how coffee is made plays a fundamental role in determining its quality since poor brewing could alter the result.
- After you have made the coffee, you make a first conclusion of the aroma, but without touching the cup. Then you should allow the coffee to stand for about 2 to 3 minutes and with a spoon, move aside the froth formed on the surface of the cup. This last process is known as “breaking the cup” and the goal is to perceive the smell emanating from the drink for the first time.
- Then, the coffee is actually tasted. To do this, you take some of the coffee with a spoon and sip it between your lips and teeth to create an effect called “spray”, which makes the taste permeate your mouth and palate. Then you should spit the coffee and perceive the aftertaste. Throughout this process, the taster or cupper must classify the taste, attributes, and defects of the coffee. To do this, the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) designed a coffee flavor wheel and sensory assessment scale.
- Finally, a score is given to the coffee. For this the taster takes into account the following factors:
- Fragrance and aroma
- Flavor
- Aftertaste
- Acidity
- Body
- Uniformity
- Sweetness
- Clean cup
- Balance
- Taster score
The higher and closer to 100 the score, the higher the quality of the coffee.
Ordinary coffee that we consume commercially has a score between 70 and 80, the specialty coffee one from 80 to 83, those between 84 and 89 are known as Exemplary Regional Plus coffee, those who are Exemplary coffee have a score between 90 and 95 points. And finally, those with a score of 95 or more are considered Unique coffees.
This is generally speaking, but remember that this grading may vary from one country to another.
To help you understand this process in greater depth, we have a coffee tasting guide.
Conclusions
Deciding which are the best coffees worldwide is a very subjective task because it depends on the taste of each.
However, we hope that you have been able to know a little more about this delicious drink and its quality assessment process. Also, the most popular and best quality coffees worldwide so that one day you dare to try them. It will be totally worth it!
