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Most coffee drinkers know what kind of roast they prefer to drink, whether it’s light, dark, or bold. Fewer people understand the differences in the beans that affect taste. There are several dozen species of coffee plants that produce beans, but really only two that are used for drinking: Arabica and Robusta. After they’ve been roasted, it’s almost impossible to see a difference between the two, but understanding the variation in beans can help you find the perfect taste and aroma you’re looking for in a great cup of joe.

Taste

For the average consumer, the most noticeable difference between types of coffee beans will be in the flavor. Arabica beans have a higher acidity, and oxidize more quickly when they are exposed to air. That leads to a sharper flavor that some describe as winey, fruity or sweet. In general, Arabica beans are considered a more desirable flavor profile, but that higher acidity may cause stomach upset for those with sensitive digestive systems.

Robusta beans, as the name implies, have a more robust flavor profile with an earthy, nutty element and a bolder aroma that is often described as harsh. At the lower price points, Robusta is considered to produce poor quality coffee, but higher quality Robusta beans are appreciated by espresso drinkers, as the deep and rich flavor profile is well suited to the espresso brewing method and produces a good crema with almost twice the caffeine quantity as Arabica.

Growing conditions

Just as wine flavors vary based on the growing conditions of the grapes, coffee bean flavor is highly dependent on the location where the beans are farmed. Each country or region will produce variations of beans with widely different tastes, but there are some general patterns in the production of beans that produce a typical flavor profile.

Arabica plants are slow growing, taking several years to mature enough to produce fruit, and have lower yields overall. The major producers of Arabica are in South and Central America, where humid conditions and acidic soils contribute to the tropical, acidic flavors of the beans.

Robusta plants are sturdy and hardy, easy to grow in challenging conditions and produce mature plants quickly, leading to higher yields. The rich African and Indonesian soils where Robustas are farmed are at a lower altitude, with higher variations in rainfall over the year. All of these factors increase the dusky, grainy flavors of the Robusta beans.

Price

Due to the slower and less productive growth cycle for the Arabica plants, as well as the higher demand for the prestige of a better tasting bean, Arabica beans are generally significantly more expensive than Robusta. If a coffee is not marked, you can assume a cheap bag of grounds or a budget priced cup is made with Robusta beans. Specialty brands and coffee shops will often advertise specifically if they are using Arabica beans to let discerning customers know they have a higher quality product, but expect the higher price that accompanies this label.

Remember that even within the general categories of beans, there is variation! A cheap Arabica bean might still produce a bitter, unpleasant drink, while a higher priced, better quality Robusta may be easy and delicious to consume. The next time you visit a coffee shop like 11th Street Coffee, keep this information in mind; if you’re sensitive to caffeine, or acidity in your coffee, these distinctions may help you choose a bean that’s right for you regardless of price or taste.

Many coffee lovers like trying new flavors, and lattes are often a favorite when it comes to flavored coffee drinks. Coffee shops often have seasonal drinks throughout the year based on popular flavors. The following is a list of 5 flavored lattes that you should try if you love coffee.

Pumpkin Spice

This flavor is the perfect drink if you love fall. It brings to mind falling leaves, warm fires, and fun fall activities like visiting a pumpkin patch. Pumpkin spice lattes usually have cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and pumpkin. The spices are bold without being overwhelming. They complement the sweetness of the pumpkin and bring out the fall flavors.

Peppermint

The peppermint latte is the quintessential holiday drink and you'll probably love it if you're a fan of mint. It contains peppermint flavor, and many also have mocha. This drink is ideal for holiday shopping, caroling, or other fun holiday activities. Many peppermint lattes are garnished with a candy cane or candy cane sprinkles, which not only looks appealing but also adds that extra bit of minty flavor.

Salted Caramel

Caramel lovers will appreciate the salty sweetness of the salted caramel latte. This is a great dessert drink if you like coffee after dinner and it makes a fabulous iced latte during the warmer months. A salted caramel latte is fairly simple as it usually has caramel sauce and sea salt. You can also make a salted caramel mocha latte by adding chocolate for a truly indulgent drink.

Chai

This one is a bit different from a classic latte as it's made with chai tea instead of coffee. This traditional Indian tea is spicy and warm, an excellent drink for a cool evening. With the addition of milk and spices like cardamom, cloves, peppercorns, and ginger. This is the perfect drink for you if you like things a little spicy.

Gingerbread

This latte, created after a favorite holiday cookie, has ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and other spices. These spices make for the classic holiday taste for a great addition to a holiday celebration. Like the previously mentioned peppermint latte, the gingerbread latte is a wintertime favorite. If you enjoy gingerbread cookies, you'll probably love the gingerbread latte.

Flavored lattes are often created to bring happiness through seasonal flavors that remind you of holidays, fun activities, or happy memories. Although you can get great lattes at coffee shops, you can also make them at home. If you want to try any of these flavored lattes in your own home, you can find simple recipes online. Most only require strong coffee or espresso, milk, and a few flavorings such as Monin. Once you learn the basics of making a great latte you can even experiment with flavors of your own.

While Millennials have often been said to be quite unique, there are some traditions that Millennials enjoy that were popular among former generations. Among these traditions is the love for a great cup of coffee. To a Millennial, coffee is not simply a drink you take at home alone. The modern Millennial is hip to the idea that coffee is a social event to be shared with friends, much like the rest of their heavily influenced social-media lifestyle. Millennials are starting to leave their own stamp on the modern coffee trends. Here are a few ways Millennials are changing the face of coffee today.

Millennials Demand Variety

While in past generations a cup of coffee was typically black and plain, the modern Millennial will settle for nothing less than an entire range of coffee varieties to choose from. From how the beans are roasted to the exotic flavors infused into a favorite blend, millennials have many more options to personalize their coffee today.

Having Tea In Your Coffee

When it is hard to decide if you want tea or coffee, Millennials today are mixing it up with combinations of both beverages all in one. While coffee can provide a hardy dose of caffeine, many teas can be mixed in to provide key antioxidants that make it possible to get an energy boost and other health benefits along the way. This is just another way Millennials are placing their own stamp on the coffee industry today.

Cold Brew Coffee

A growing trend among Millennials is to move away from the traditional ice coffee of older generations to the cold brew coffee trend of today. Unlike ice coffee, cold brew coffee is not heated first to produce the cold flavor of warm coffee. Rather, cold brew coffee is produced by soaking coffee beans for numerous hours. Eventually, the water picks up the flavor of the beans and does not tend to carry the bitter taste and strong acidity of other forms of coffee.

Coffee On The Go

Given how ways of rapidly brewing a quick cup of coffee to go have increased in modern times, the modern Millennial is hooked on K-cup pods: such those offered by 11th Street Coffee. Not only do Millennials like their coffee on the go, but they are the first generation to make a lifestyle habit out of ordering coffee with smartphone apps as well.

Many generations have made coffee a key part of their daily routine. Even if Millennials are particular about their need for fresh brewed coffee each day, the modern Millennial has truly given love for coffee its own unique spin in these modern times. From the practice of drinking cold brew coffee to ordering the latest specialty flavor to go, Millennials have made coffee an integral part of their own broader identity.