Coffee is more than just a morning pick-me-up; it's a flavourful experience with almost two dozen different types of coffee drinks to explore.

Whether you’re a seasoned coffee connoisseur or want to expand your coffee knowledge and explore beyond your usual cup, this is your go-to resource.

From exploring the differences between coffee styles, to decoding the mysteries of various brewing methods and drinks, we'll take you on an aromatic adventure to strengthen your appreciation for coffee.

How Many Types of Coffee Are There?

The world of coffee is vast and diverse, with countless varieties to discover. The possibilities are plentiful; from the beans to the brewing methods and the drinks they create.

While the exact number of coffee types will vary depending on who you ask, coffee enthusiasts often categorise coffee into two main types: Arabica and Robusta. These two species of coffee beans form the foundation for an extensive array of coffee drinks, each offering its distinctive taste profile and sensory experience. 

The coffee industry is continually evolving, with innovative blends, single-origin beans, and specialty brews constantly emerging to tantalise your taste buds and expand your coffee horizons.

Different Types of Coffee Beans

Coffee beans are the essence of your daily brew, dictating your cup's flavour, aroma, and overall experience. There are many types of coffee beans, but the four main types are Robusta, Arabica, Excelsa and Liberica, due to their blending profiles, acid levels and caffeine content.

Arabica and Robusta are the most common, as they cover the full palate range. Arabica beans comprise about 60% of the world's coffee, while Robusta beans account for roughly 25%.

Other types of beans, like Liberica and Excelsa, are less common, easy to blend and make up a smaller portion of global coffee production.

Arabica

Arabica beans are the most commonly cultivated species of coffee worldwide, renowned for their delicate flavours, nuanced aromas, and smooth, mild acidity. Grown at higher elevations in Ethiopia, Colombia, and Brazil, Arabica beans are cherished for their complex flavour profiles, ranging from fruity and floral to nutty and chocolaty. With lower caffeine content than Robusta beans, Arabica coffee is prized for its balanced taste and exceptional quality.

Robusta

As the name suggests, Robusta beans are robust and resilient, thriving in lower altitudes and harsher climates such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and parts of Africa. Known for their bold, strong flavour and higher caffeine content, Robusta beans are valued for their earthy, bitter taste and rich, full-bodied texture. While Robusta coffee is often considered less refined than Arabica, it is sought after for its intense flavour and ability to add depth and crema to espresso blends.

Blend vs Single Origin Coffee: What's the Difference?

There is more to choosing coffee beans than deciding between Arabica and Robusta. Choosing between blends and single-origin varieties all comes down to taste. 

Coffee blends are crafted by combining beans from different regions or species to achieve a specific flavour profile or balance of characteristics. This blending process allows roasters to create complex, well-rounded types of coffees with consistent taste profiles year-round. In contrast, single-origin coffees are sourced from a specific geographic region, farm, or estate, showcasing that particular area's distinct terroir and flavour nuances. 

While blends offer versatility and consistency, single-origin coffee types allow you to focus on the flavours and characteristics specific to the region, and both provide a delightful specialty coffee experience.

The key is to try different types of coffee beans to find your favourite. If visiting one of our Merlo Flagship Cafes our friendly staff can make some recommendations to suit your brew device and tastes.

Factors That Affect Coffee Flavour

Several factors influence the flavour of your coffee, creating a rich and diverse taste experience: 

• Type of coffee bean: Arabica beans offer a smoother, nuanced taste, while Robusta beans tend to be bolder.
• Growing conditions: Altitude, climate, and soil quality influence flavour, with higher altitudes often resulting in more complex tastes.
• Processing method: Whether washed or naturally processed, the chosen method can impact the final flavour profile.
• Roasting: The duration and temperature of roasting affect the aroma, acidity, and body of the coffee.
• Brewing method: Different brewing techniques extract distinct flavour notes from the beans.
• Water quality: The quality of water used in brewing can significantly impact the overall flavour of the coffee.
  
  

Types of Coffee Drinks

Coffee lovers have many beverage options to explore, each offering its own flavour profile and aroma. From classic lattes and cappuccinos to indulgent treats like mochas and affogatos, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Long Black

Bold and unadulterated, black coffee allows the beans' natural flavours to shine. Enjoy it hot or cold for a pure coffee experience, ideal if you appreciate the true essence of the brew.

Latte

A creamy and indulgent espresso-based drink made with steamed milk and a small amount of foam. The perfect balance of espresso and milk makes it popular if you relish a comforting and nourishing beverage.

Cappuccino

Cappuccino is similar to a latte but with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam, resulting in a rich and frothy beverage. Its creamy texture and strong coffee flavour make it a classic choice for coffee enthusiasts looking for a delicious pick-me-up.

Americano

A simple yet satisfying drink made by diluting espresso with hot water, it creates a smooth and mellow flavour profile. It is a lighter coffee with the same bold espresso taste.

Espresso

Espresso is the foundation of many coffee drinks. It is a concentrated shot of coffee brewed under pressure, known for its intense flavour and aroma. Enjoy it on its own for a quick caffeine boost or as the base for your favourite coffee creations, including cocktails.

Doppio

Double the espresso, double the flavour—a doppio is two shots of espresso served together for an extra caffeine kick. It is ideal if you need an energy boost to start your day or keep going during the afternoon slump.

Cortado

A Spanish-inspired drink consisting of equal parts espresso and steamed milk, creating a balanced and creamy beverage. 

Red Eye

A bold blend with a shot of espresso added to drip brewed coffee, perfect for an extra energy hit. With its robust flavour and caffeine kick, it's a favourite pick-me-up for night owls.

Galão

A Portuguese specialty, it features espresso and foamed milk in a ratio of one to three, served in a tall glass.

Lungo

Lungo is similar to espresso but brewed with more water, resulting in a longer and milder drink. Enjoy the smooth and rich flavour of Lungo as a refreshing alternative to espresso.

Macchiato

An espresso "stained" with a small amount of steamed milk, offering a perfect balance of rich coffee flavour and creamy texture.

Mocha

A decadent treat combining espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup, finished with a dollop of whipped cream. Indulge in the rich and creamy flavours of chocolate and coffee for a delightful dessert-like drink.

Ristretto

An intense and concentrated shot of espresso made with less water, resulting in a bolder and more flavourful brew. Experience the full-bodied taste of coffee with a ristretto, perfect if you prefer a stronger espresso.

Flat White

Created in Australia in the 1980s, with some reports stating it was perfected in New Zealand as an alternative to cappuccino with thinner milk and less foam, flat white features espresso and velvety microfoam, creating a smooth and creamy texture.

Affogato

A delightful dessert drink made with vanilla ice cream or gelato topped with a shot of espresso, creating a heavenly combination of flavours and textures.

Café au Lait

A French-inspired drink with equal parts brewed coffee and steamed milk, delivering a smooth and satisfying flavour profile.

Irish Coffee

A warming mix of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and whipped cream, perfect for chilly evenings or festive occasions.

Types of Iced Coffee

As temperatures rise, many coffee enthusiasts turn to other types of coffee - refreshing iced coffee drinks to beat the heat. From classic cold brew to trendy nitro-infused creations, there's no shortage of options for cooling off with a caffeinated treat.

Iced Coffee

Chilled coffee served over ice, often sweetened and flavoured to taste. Perfect for hot summer days, iced coffee provides a refreshing caffeine boost with a hint of sweetness. It's also versatile, allowing endless variations with added syrups, milk, or cream to suit individual preferences.

Iced Espresso

A shot of espresso served over ice, providing a bold and refreshing pick-me-up. Iced espresso delivers a concentrated burst of flavour with a cool and refreshing sensation. It's a popular choice if you like a quick and energising coffee fix without the added sweetness of traditional iced coffee.

Cold Brew

The drink is prepared by steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for 12-24 hours, resulting in a smooth and aromatic brew with lower acidity. Cold brew is known for its mellow and rich flavour profile, often described as less bitter and more chocolatey than hot-brewed coffee.

It's a favourite among coffee enthusiasts for its simplicity and versatility, enjoyed black or with milk. Merlo makes a Cold Brew in cans, making an easy coffee drink on the go.

Frappuccino

Frappuccinos are blended coffee drinks made with ice, milk, espresso, and flavoured syrups, topped with whipped cream for a creamy and indulgent treat. They come in various flavours, from classic mocha to fruity options like strawberry or caramel. They're a popular choice if you crave sweet and creamy coffee, perfect for a dessert-like indulgence.

Nitro

Nitro coffee is a cold brew infused with nitrogen gas, creating a creamy and effervescent beverage reminiscent of a stout beer. It has a smooth and velvety texture with a frothy head, offering a distinctive sensory experience. Nitro coffee is often served on tap, making it a visually striking and flavourful option for coffee lovers.

Mazagran

A Portuguese specialty, Mazagran features cold coffee served over ice with a splash of lemon juice, creating a striking and refreshing flavour profile. The lemon's tartness and the coffee's boldness combine to create a revitalising drink for hot summer days.

Types of Coffee Makers

Coffee isn't just about the beans and types of coffee drinks you choose. You'll need the right equipment to brew your perfect cuppa at home.

French Press or Coffee Plunger

A classic brewing method that uses a plunger and mesh filter to extract rich and flavourful coffee. The French press allows for full immersion brewing, where coffee grounds are steeped in hot water then pressed to separate them from the brewed coffee. It suits most coffee types and results in a bold, aromatic cup with a full-bodied texture and robust flavour profile.

Percolator

A stovetop or electric device that circulates boiling water through coffee grounds, resulting in a bold and aromatic brew. Percolators are known for their simplicity and efficiency, making them popular for brewing large quantities of coffee. They produce a rich and robust cup with a deep flavour profile, perfect if you enjoy strong coffee drinks with a full-bodied taste.

Single Serve

Single-serve machines are convenient coffee makers that brew one cup of coffee at a time. They use pre-packaged coffee pods or capsules to brew a fresh cup of coffee quickly and easily. Single-serve machines offer versatility and simplicity, allowing you to customise your brew strength and choose from many different coffee types. You can recycle your coffee pods by removing them from the machine, piercing the film, and tipping the used coffee grinds before placing them in the recycling bin.

AeroPress

A portable and versatile brewing device that uses air pressure to extract coffee, delivering a smooth and flavourful cup. The AeroPress is lightweight and compact, making it ideal for travel or home use. It allows for complete immersion brewing, followed by a gentle press to extract the coffee through a paper or metal filter. This method produces a clean and vibrant cup with a balanced flavour profile.

Drip

Drip brewers use gravity to pass water through coffee grounds, producing a consistent and balanced brew. Drip coffee makers are easy to use and maintain, making them popular for home and office settings. They offer convenience and versatility, allowing you to adjust water temperature and brew time to achieve your desired flavour profile.

Pour Over

Pour-over brewing is a manual technique that involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds in a filter, allowing for precise control over extraction. It requires the use of a gooseneck kettle and a steady pouring technique to ensure even saturation of the coffee grounds. As a result, you achieve a clean and nuanced cup with bright acidity and complex flavour notes.

Moka

Moka is a stovetop coffee maker that passes boiling water through ground coffee to make coffee. Moka pots are iconic Italian brewing devices known for their rich and intense coffee flavour. They use pressure to extract coffee, resulting in a brew similar to espresso but with a slightly different taste profile. Moka coffee is bold and aromatic, making it a favourite among coffee enthusiasts who appreciate a strong and robust cup.

Brewing Styles Compared

Brewing coffee is the art of using different types of coffee, coffee-making equipment, and techniques to create a memorable, delicious coffee experience. Each brewing method has benefits and is suitable for various occasions and preferences, whether you're looking for convenience, customisation, or a specific flavour profile.

Drip brewing, one of the most popular methods, relies on gravity to pass water through coffee grounds, resulting in a consistent and balanced cup perfect for everyday enjoyment. Consider pour-over brewing if you're looking for more control over the brewing process. It allows for precise adjustments to water temperature and pour rate so you can extract nuanced flavours and aromas from the coffee grounds. 

For hot weather, cold brew is a go-to option. Known for its smooth and mellow profile, it involves steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period, resulting in a refreshing and low-acidity beverage. To enjoy popular espresso-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, opt for classic espresso brewing as it uses pressure to extract coffee quickly, delivering intense flavour and velvety texture.

Ultimately, there is no one best brewing method, as it all depends on your taste and lifestyle.

Choose Merlo as Your Coffee Guide

As you start your coffee journey, you can experiment with different types of coffee beans, drinks, and brewing methods. Whether you prefer a bold espresso or a creamy latte, there's a world of coffee waiting to be explored. Grab your favourite mug, fire up your coffee maker of choice and savour every sip!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which type of coffee has the most caffeine?

The type of coffee bean with the most caffeine content is Robusta. Robusta beans typically contain around 2.2-2.7% caffeine content, compared to Arabica beans which have around 1.2-1.5%. However, the exact caffeine content in a brewed cup of coffee depends on various factors, including the brewing method, roast level, and serving size.

Generally, espresso-based drinks tend to have higher caffeine concentrations due to the potent nature of espresso shots. 

Merlo Coffee Forza Signature Blend has a higher Robusta percent, making it by far our strongest coffee.

2. What type of coffee is the strongest?

Robusta is often considered the strongest type of coffee. Robusta beans typically have a higher caffeine content and a more intense, bold flavour than Arabica. Additionally, a darker roast level can contribute to a stronger flavour profile, bringing out more of the coffee bean's natural oils and compounds.

The Ristretto is known for being one of the strongest and most concentrated coffee beverages. It is made by extracting less water through finely-ground coffee beans, producing a more intense and robust flavour than a standard espresso shot.

3. What is the sweetest type of coffee?

Two popular options known for their sweetness are the mocha and affogato. A mocha combines espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup or cocoa powder, resulting in a rich and indulgent taste with a hint of chocolate sweetness.

An affogato is another delightful dessert-style coffee featuring a combination of creamy ice cream and velvety espresso. It offers a harmonious blend of sweet and bitter flavours, making it a favourite for those with a sweet tooth or who enjoy an after-dinner caffeinated treat. Yet, with added syrups or sweeteners, you can transform any type of milk-based coffee drink into a sweet delight.