Beyond Arabica and Robusta: 5 Coffee Varieties You've Never Tried

Arabica and Robusta get all the attention. Together they make up nearly all the coffee grown on earth. But they're not the whole story. Here are five varieties most coffee drinkers have never tasted.

1. Liberica

Grown mainly in West Africa and Southeast Asia, Liberica is bold, woody and smoky. It's rare, it's polarising, and it has a small but devoted following. If you ever see it on a menu, order it once just to say you have.

2. Excelsa

Tart, fruity and a little wild. Excelsa grows in Southeast Asia and Africa, and Vietnam is actually one of its homes: the French brought it there alongside Robusta in 1908. It's mostly used in blends, where its tangy edge lifts the whole cup. Read more about that history in how Vietnam became a coffee superpower.

3. Maragogipe

Nicknamed the elephant bean because it's dramatically oversized. A rare Arabica mutation from Brazil with a light body, gentle acidity and subtle complexity. Prized by collectors, rarely seen in shops.

4. Bourbon

Named after the island of Bourbon, now Réunion, in the Indian Ocean. Bourbon is technically an Arabica variety, but a distinct and celebrated one: sweet and lively, with notes of berries, citrus and florals. Many of the world's best specialty lots trace their genetics back to it.

5. Pacamara

A hybrid of Pacas and Maragogipe, bred in El Salvador. Big beans, big flavour: a balance of acidity and sweetness that regularly wins barista competitions. One of the most exciting things happening in specialty coffee.

Start closer to home

Hunting down Liberica or Pacamara in NZ is a mission. But there's a variety adventure sitting much closer: most Kiwis have never tried specialty-grade Vietnamese Robusta either. Our Buffalo shows what Robusta tastes like when it's grown and roasted properly, and The Triplet Sampler lets you compare it against our Sunshine Arabica and Honeymoon Blend side by side. That's three distinct coffee experiences without leaving the country.