Which coffee beans are considered the best?

At Hayman Coffee, we work with some of the finest coffee beans in the world. We know good coffee beans when we see them. However, there is a lot of talk online about which coffee beans are considered the best, and we believe we can add something to the conversation. 

Coffee comes in all qualities. After all, most people don’t need an outstanding bean to enjoy their morning brew. On the other hand, coffee enthusiasts won’t settle for less than the world’s top 1% specialty coffees. But from there, it’s hard to say which is best.

Regular versus Specialty

Coffee beans are an agricultural product and a valued commodity. It’s no surprise that the market grades coffee based on its quality to determine its price. In simple terms, specialty coffee scores high, often 80 or higher on a 100-point scale.

So, how is coffee graded? The system is quite complex, as graders consider several aspects. The size and uniformity of the coffee beans matter, and so does the number of defects in a batch. Defective coffee beans include broken beans, mouldy beans, insect damage and non-coffee material, such as leaves and twigs. So far, so good, right?

What About Flavor?

Good coffee beans, meaning highly graded beans, produce good coffee. By good coffee, we mean coffee with an interesting array of flavors and aromas, along with a pleasing mouthfeel and persistence. Good coffee tastes good. To know if the coffee tastes good, experts rely on ‘coffee cupping’, a testing method that evaluates the beverage’s organoleptic properties.

And sure, some specialty coffees score higher than others in taste and aroma. But here’s where things get tricky. We all like different things. So, which coffee is best is a personal decision. Which coffee beans are the best? That’s up to you!

The Usual Suspects

Of course, you’re here for a concrete answer. So, here’s our take on listing the best coffees around. We recommend joining a specialty coffee subscription and trying them all!

Ethiopia Yirgacheffe: From the birthplace of coffee, the ancestral home of our favorite beverage, Yirgacheffe stands out for its elegant mouthfeel and floral aroma. You can really feel the influence of altitudes of up to 2400 meters.

Hawaii Kona: Grown in paradise, Hawaiian Kona coffee is distinguished by its caramel taste and rich aroma, along with a bold, creamy mouthfeel. The coffee plants benefit from the Pacific Island’s volcanic soils and high altitude.

Panama Geisha: Made from the rare Geisha coffee bean, which grows best under the influence of the refreshing Pacific breeze at stunning altitudes of over 1700 meters. Expect a creamy mouthfeel and a fruit-scented aroma.

Kenya Kirinyaga: From the famous Kamwangi factory, this extraordinary coffee grows in high altitudes and is farmed traditionally. This specialty coffee results from the effort of the entire community. Expect hints of tropical fruit and the sweet scent of brown sugar.

These are only a few specialty coffees in Hayman’s repertoire, but they certainly represent the best of the best. There are many good coffee beans grown worldwide, but few are extraordinary. Click HERE to explore them all and find the best for you.