Which Brew Method Fits Your Bean?

Every coffee varietal has its own personality—flavours shaped by soil, altitude, weather, and processing. But here’s the thing: your brewing method can either bring that flavour to life… or bury it. If you’re serious about tasting the difference between beans from Ethiopia, Colombia, or Panama, you need to brew them right. Let’s match the world’s top 20 coffee varietals with the methods that bring out their best.

And don’t worry—no fancy café needed. You can test these yourself with a good grinder, some basic gear, and beans from your local roaster or a solid subscription service.

Here is a highly recommended selection from our key markets:

Top 20 Coffee Varietals & How to Brew Them

1. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe

• Flavour: Floral, citrusy, tea-like
• Best Brew: Pour-over (Chemex or V60)
• Why: Brings out delicate acidity and aroma with clarity

The Classic Chemex Flask	The Hario V60 System

2. Colombian Supremo

• Flavour: Balanced, nutty, caramel
• Best Brew: Drip or French press
• Why: Highlights its medium body and sweetness

Assorted French Presses (cafetieres) – Click through for full range

3. Brazilian Bourbon

• Flavour: Chocolate, nuts, low acidity
• Best Brew: French press
• Why: Enhances body and natural richness

4. Guatemalan Antigua

• Flavour: Bright, citrus, chocolate
• Best Brew: AeroPress or Siphon
• Why: Captures its full body and complex acidity

The AeroPress Go Coffee	The AeroPress Go Travel Kit

5. Kenyan AA

• Flavour: Fruity, winey, bold acidity
• Best Brew: Pour-over
• Why: Preserves fruit-forward brightness

6. Jamaican Blue Mountain

• Flavour: Mild, clean, smooth
• Best Brew: Pour-over
• Why: Highlights subtle floral and fruity tones

7. Panamanian Geisha

• Flavour: Floral, tea-like, citrus
• Best Brew: Pour-over
• Why: Showcases its complex and rare characteristics

8. Yemeni Mocha

• Flavour: Winey, spicy, deep
• Best Brew: Turkish coffee
• Why: Fine grind intensifies its exotic profile

9. Rwandan Bourbon

• Flavour: Sweet, floral, bright
• Best Brew: Pour-over
• Why: Enhances citrus and floral notes

10. Sumatra Mandheling

• Flavour: Earthy, chocolatey, syrupy
• Best Brew: French press
• Why: Deep extraction matches its boldness

11. Costa Rican Tarrazú

• Flavour: Bright, crisp, fruity
• Best Brew: Pour-over
• Why: Keeps the acidity lively and balanced

12. Mexican Altura

• Flavour: Mild, nutty, smooth
• Best Brew: Drip
• Why: Highlights its mellow, rounded character

13. Hawaiian Kona

• Flavour: Smooth, soft, nutty
• Best Brew: Pour-over
• Why: Lets its clean, subtle profile shine

14. Tanzanian Peaberry

• Flavour: Berry-like, crisp
• Best Brew: Pour-over
• Why: Medium grind brings out its sweet complexity

15. Indian Monsooned Malabar

• Flavour: Earthy, mellow, low acid
• Best Brew: Espresso
• Why: Bold flavors and low acidity suit fine grinding and pressure

Gaggia Classic Pro	Rancilio Pro X

La Marzocco Linea Micra	Breville Dual Boiler

16. Burundi Bourbon

• Flavour: Fruity, floral, bright
• Best Brew: Pour-over
• Why: Brings out its vibrant complexity

17. Vietnamese Arabica

• Flavour: Chocolatey, rich
• Best Brew: Vietnamese drip (phin filter)
• Why: Slow drip intensifies sweetness

The Vietnamese “Phin” The pour-over system most treasured by Vietnamese coffee lovers around the world.

18. Papua New Guinea Sigri

• Flavour: Fruity, floral, medium body
• Best Brew: Pour-over
• Why: Captures its delicate balance

19. Java Arabica

• Flavour: Earthy, spicy, full-bodied
• Best Brew: French press
• Why: Coarse grind enhances its strength

20. Zimbabwe AA

• Flavour: Balanced, sweet, smooth
• Best Brew: Drip
• Why: Great way to reveal its understated flavours

Krups 10-cup Home Drip	Bunn High-volume Drip

Why the Brew Method Matters

Coffee isn’t one-size-fits-all. The grind size, water temperature, and brew time all affect what ends up in your cup.

Choosing the right method for your bean:

• Enhances flavour clarity
• Respects the bean’s origin
• Turns good coffee into great coffee

And having a few basic brewers (like a V60, French press, and drip machine) gives you the tools to match any bean to its best expression.

The Future of Flavour

As climate change reshapes where coffee grows, and new varietals emerge, your ability to adapt as a home barista matters more than ever.

Brewing with intention means:

• Supporting farmers and regions through your choices
• Learning how to extract all the flavour a bean has to offer
• Making every cup a tiny celebration of craft and place

So experiment. Brew small batches. Try subscription services or connect with your local roaster. Let your gear evolve with your curiosity—and let your taste guide the way.

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