The Ultimate Guide to Coffee Varietals – Discover Your Perfect Coffee

By Hubbsoul Coffee – Where Flavour Meets Craft

Choosing coffee shouldn’t feel complicated. Yet, when you come across names like Bourbon, Typica, SL28, Caturra or Geisha, it can be confusing if you don’t know what they mean.

At Hubbsoul, we believe coffee is more than a beverage — it’s an experience, and knowing your coffee varietals helps you make informed, confident choices. This guide explains coffee varietals in detail, helping you discover coffees that perfectly match your taste and lifestyle.

✅ What is a Coffee Varietal?

A coffee varietal (or variety) is a genetic subtype of the Arabica coffee plant. Just like apples have Gala, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith, coffee plants have different varietals, each with unique characteristics.

Varietals influence:

• Flavour – chocolatey, fruity, nutty, floral
• Body – light, medium or full
• Aroma – complex scents and depth
• Sweetness & Acidity – natural balance
• Quality – some varietals are naturally more complex

🌱 Arabica vs Robusta – Understanding the Difference

There are two main types of coffee beans:

• Arabica – Smooth, sweeter, higher quality, 100% used at Hubbsoul
• Robusta – Stronger, higher caffeine, often bitter

We focus exclusively on Arabica varietals, carefully selected from ethical farms worldwide to ensure traceability, quality, and distinctive flavour.

☕ Popular Coffee Varietals & Hubbsoul Examples

1. Bourbon

• Origin: Bourbon Island (Réunion)
• Flavour: Sweet, smooth, balanced
• Notes: Caramel, milk chocolate, red fruits
• Best For: Espresso & milk drinks
• Why Try It: Reliable and comforting; perfect for beginners or daily coffee lovers

2. Typica

• Origin: One of the oldest Arabica varietals
• Flavour: Clean, classic
• Notes: Mild sweetness, floral aroma, soft citrus
• Best For: Black coffee, pour-over, drip brewing
• Why Try It: Elegant and refined; ideal for tasting purity.

3. Caturra

• Origin: Mutation of Bourbon from Brazil
• Flavour: Crisp with a lively kick
• Notes: Citrus, brown sugar, light chocolate
• Best For: Filter, Aeropress, everyday cups

4. Catuai

• Origin: Cross between Mundo Novo & Caturra
• Flavour: Smooth, nutty, round
• Notes: Almonds, honey, cocoa
• Best For: Medium roasts, morning coffee

5. SL28 & SL34

• Origin: Kenya
• Flavour: Complex, fruity, vibrant
• Notes: Blackcurrant, plum, berry, wine-like acidity
• Best For: Filter coffee, V60

6. Ethiopian Heirloom

• Origin: Wild coffee forests of Ethiopia
• Flavour: Floral, tea-like, aromatic
• Notes: Jasmine, bergamot, peach, apricot
• Best For: Light roast lovers

7. Geisha / Gesha

• Origin: Ethiopia → Panama
• Flavour: Luxurious, elegant, highly aromatic
• Notes: Floral, tropical fruit, honey, bergamot
• Best For: Special occasions
• Why Try It: One of the world’s most premium varietals; a true taste experience

🔧 Varietal vs Roast – What Really Matters?

Feature	Varietal	Roast Level
Flavour at origin	✅ Strongly	🔸 Supports
Adds character	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Sweetness	✅ Natural	✅ Boosted
Intensity	❌ Minimal	✅ High
Aroma	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

Tip: Varietal gives identity, roast brings it to life. Together, they create your perfect cup.

🧭 Which Coffee Varietal Suits You?

Taste Preference	Recommended Varietals
Sweet & Chocolatey	Bourbon, Catuai
Smooth & Balanced	Typica, Caturra
Bright & Fruity	SL28, SL34
Floral & Elegant	Ethiopian Heirloom, Geisha
Nutty & Comforting	Mundo Novo, Catuai

🌍 Hubbsoul’s Approach to Varietals

At Hubbsoul, we handpick varietals based on:

✅ Traceable sourcing from ethical farms

✅ Small-batch roasting in the UK

✅ Transparency and quality

✅ Respecting origin and craft

Every coffee includes flavour notes, roast information, and varietal details so you can choose wisely.

🎨 Coffee Varietal Chart

Varietal	Origin	Flavour Profile	Best Brewing Method
Arabica Bourbon	Latin America	Sweet, chocolatey, mild acidity	Pour-over, French Press
Arabica Typica	Latin America	Balanced, floral, medium body	Drip Coffee, Chemex
Arabica Caturra	Brazil	Nutty, sweet, bright acidity	Espresso, AeroPress
Arabica SL28	Kenya	Winey, fruity, citrusy	Pour-over, V60
Arabica SL34	Kenya	Rich, fruity, blackcurrant notes	Chemex, Espresso
Arabica Pacamara	El Salvador	Chocolatey, floral, complex	French Press, Pour-over
Arabica Gesha	Ethiopia	Floral, jasmine, tropical fruits	Pour-over, Espresso
Arabica Maragogipe	Brazil	Nutty, chocolate, smooth	Drip Coffee, French Press
Arabica Catimor	Central America	Earthy, chocolate, low acidity	Espresso, AeroPress
Arabica Mundo Novo	Brazil	Sweet, mild chocolate, round body	Drip Coffee, French Press
Robusta Canephora	Vietnam	Strong, earthy, bitter	Espresso, Moka Pot
Arabica Heirloom	Ethiopia	Fruity, winey, delicate acidity	Pour-over, Chemex
Arabica Catuai	Brazil	Nutty, chocolate, medium body	Drip Coffee, Espresso
Arabica Bourbon Rouge	Latin America	Sweet, caramel, medium acidity	French Press, Pour-over
Arabica Villa Sarchi	Costa Rica	Citrus, sweet, bright	Pour-over, Chemex
Arabica Ruiru 11	Kenya	Blackcurrant, winey, vibrant	Pour-over, Espresso
Arabica Typica Jamaica Blue Mountain	Jamaica	Smooth, mild, chocolatey	Drip Coffee, Pour-over
Arabica SL9	Kenya	Floral, fruity, balanced acidity	Chemex, Pour-over
Arabica Pacas	El Salvador	Chocolate, nutty, smooth	Espresso, French Press
Arabica Sidamo	Ethiopia	Citrus, floral, light body	Pour-over, Chemex
Arabica Yirgacheffe	Ethiopia	Fruity, floral, tea-like	Pour-over, Chemex
Robusta Indian	India	Strong, earthy, full-bodied	Espresso, Moka Pot

  FAQ Section – Coffee Varietals

Q: What is a coffee varietal?

A: A genetic subtype of Arabica, determining flavour, body, aroma, and sweetness.

Q: Which coffee varietal tastes best?

A: There’s no right answer  it depends on your taste. Bourbon is smooth, SL28 is fruity, Geisha is floral and luxurious.

Q: Are varietals the same as coffee origins?

A: Not exactly. Origin tells you where the coffee comes from; varietal tells you what kind of plant it is.

Q: Can I taste the difference between varietals?

A: Yes! Each varietal has unique notes and characteristics, especially with speciality coffee.

Q: How do I choose a coffee based on taste?

A: Identify whether you prefer smooth, chocolatey, fruity, floral, or nutty flavours and pick varietals accordingly.

Choose Your Coffee With Confidence

Discover the Hubbsoul collection of premium single-origin and speciality coffees. Handpicked varietals, small batch roasted, ethically sourced, and crafted for flavour lovers.

Shop our amazing coffees and teas and find your perfect cup today.