Types of Coffee

To begin, there are two types of coffee in the commercial world: arabica and robusta. Coffea arabica is the species of tree from which the higher quality, specialty coffees come. Coffea robusta (also called Coffea canephora) is the species from which most canned coffees are made. As you might expect, arabica is generally considered the better of the two, but there are some bad yields of arabica too. Quite frankly, since I've never "cupped," which refers to the method one uses in tasting coffees (akin to wine tasting), I have a hard time distinguishing the difference between the various beans, roasts, and facets of coffee flavor. I do know when I've tasted "good" coffee, I just can't dissect the different parts of the taste (i.e. aroma, bouquet, acidity, and so on) from each other.

Honestly, the coffee I prefer is Folgers Classic Roast. Sadly, I've been quite disappointed with the House Blends and other fancy-shmancy flavors of many a cafe. And when I'm in the mood for coffee but without so much caffeine, I like drinking Taster's Choice Decaffeinated Instant Coffee. Don't let people tell you that grocery store canned coffees are no good. Just as in choosing wines, choosing coffees is all about personal preference.

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