Because good coffee is the result of many factors that make for a different coffee taste, choosing the perfect type is not easy.

Sometimes you do not see the forest when buying coffee beans through the trees. Fortunately, you are not alone in your search.

We make it easier with these tips (or call it a treasure map for the real KoffiePiraat): How are you going to use the coffee beans?

Before you start, first think about what kind of coffee you often drink. If you like to drink espresso, cappuccino, 'regular' coffee or latte, pay close attention. Some coffee beans are better suited for espresso and others for regular coffee.

If you are a real espresso drinker, then a dark, Italian or French roast of an Arabica-Robusta mix is ​​a good choice. The beans in these roasts are long roasted and give a full and bitter coffee taste with a good creamy texture. This is perfect for your favorite espresso.

Lattes, cappuccinos and Americanos all have an espresso base. Here you can also go for a dark roast or, if you like a fruity taste, for a medium roast.

Do you prefer an ordinary cup of coffee without frills?

Then light or medium roasted coffee beans are a better option. You can choose from 100% Arabica beans (fruit) or a mix of Arabica and Robusta (fuller). Because the beans aren’t roasted for as long, they keep the acidic, fruity taste which is turn makes them more palatable.

What do you like?

The big question is of course: what is your personal preference? In addition to roasting, the origin of the coffee bean also has a major influence on the taste of your coffee. Are your beans coming from Kenya? Then they are often sweeter. Are you going for an Altura bean from Mexico? Then expect undertones of caramel or chocolate. Each country produces its own distinctive beans. The flavors differ so much that we can write a separate guide about it.

That is what we have done: read here more about the different flavors from around the world.

There is 'single origin' on many coffee packages. This means that the beans come from one specific country or sometimes even plantation. Many coffee brands, however, mix beans to produce a specific taste. For example, Lavazza mixes fruity Arabica coffee beans from South America with full Robusta beans from India in their Lavazza Gran Riserva blend. This mix creates a balanced coffee with an elegant taste.

Do you fancy a lot, a little or no caffeine?

The caffeine content is not entirely unimportant in the search for coffee. Drink your coffee to wake up in the morning or to enjoy in the evening, this difference can be important. Robusta coffee beans contain up to two times more caffeine than Arabica beans. Robusta coffee beans, which are still lightly roasted, contain the most caffeine. It goes without saying that dark roast Arabica beans contain the least caffeine.

Of course you also have decaf coffee beans. Indeed, these are simply coffee beans without caffeine. Perfect for after dinner or when you do not need caffeine in your life.