10 Best Coffee Beans in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Pick your preferred coffee variant.
2. Select the roasting level based on your liking.
3. Consider the serving size and packaging.
4. Look for freshly roasted beans.
5. Try out flavored coffee for a unique taste.
   

For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.

Although coffee beverages are generally known for their bitter and earthy taste, the flavors also depend on the coffee variant. There are more than a hundred coffee species; however, the most common ones are Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica. Know which one will suit your palate best down below.

This variant offers diverse flavors ranging from chocolatey to nutty, caramel, and sugary sweet. It also comes with a subtle strike of acidity and bitterness, making it a perfect coffee shot for regular drinkers. The beans are also easy to distinguish because of their elongated and slightly oval structure.

When it comes to cultivation, arabica beans can be delicate and significantly environment-dependent. However, compared to other species, they are easy to care for, which is probably why they make up 70% of the world’s coffee production.

Robusta is the second most popular coffee species. It delivers robust bitterness with less sugary notes due to its high caffeine content. In some instances, it may produce grain-like notes with an aftertaste similar to a peanut, depending on the bean quality and roasting level. You'll know a robusta bean by its round shape and smaller size. 

Although not as available as the other coffee variants due to its complex environmental requirements, Liberica is quite popular in the Philippines. It is locally known as Kapeng Barako, which means strong or masculine, as it resembles the flavor profile of the beans. Apart from that, Liberica also exudes a punch of smoky and woody notes with a fruity aroma.

The roasting process involves transforming fresh green beans into roasted ones for added flavors and aroma. Roast levels are categorized into three: light, medium, and dark roast. Remember that a longer roasting time means a lower acidity level and caffeine content. Plus, not all coffee has the same level of pait.

Light roast coffee delivers a bright aroma, floral and fruity flavor with light body notes. While medium roast beans appear darker in color, they come with smooth acidity and subtle, pleasant bitterness. In some cases, honey or caramel-like sweetness may also be incorporated into this roasting level.

In contrast, dark roast beans offer a slightly different flavor from the bean’s original taste due to their light density from the long roasting exposure. Nonetheless, they still provide colorful notes ranging from deep spice to earthy and woody flavors.

Before purchasing coffee beans, take note of how much coffee you will need. This factor will depend on how often you drink coffee or whether you will share it with your family and friends. Even if you are a regular coffee drinker, it is best to only purchase what you need to make sure that the beans won’t go stale. However, bulk products will save you more money.

If you want to get a larger package to avoid shopping frequently, opt for coffee beans packed in a valved pouch. The valve plays an important role in the degassing process that happens in your coffee beans. It serves as the pathway out of carbon dioxide to preserve the flavor and aroma of the beans.

No one wants to drink coffee made from adulterated beans. Make sure your beans are always freshly roasted for superior tasting notes and aroma. Like any other agricultural produce, coffee beans may quickly decay after one to two weeks, whether roasted or not. This may result in evaporated oils and sweetness, leaving the flavor unpleasantly bitter and muddy.

To save yourself from purchasing low-quality coffee beans, avoid products with "best by" dates. These labels usually indicate when the product is good for, but not when they were roasted. While there is certainly no harm in buying these products, you might find that the beans inside don't taste as fresh as possible.

Instead, go for those with "roasted on" dates that show the exact date the beans were roasted. This way, you can then ensure freshness and quality. The date serves as a green flag that exhibits the mark of transparency of the quality-forward roasters.

If you want your coffee to taste more unique and specific, flavored coffee beans might be right up your alley. These are regular coffee beans coated with oils and natural flavorings to enhance the original taste of the beans. Flavored coffees are ideal for drinkers who look for specific notes in their beverages. Some common flavors are vanilla, hazelnut, mocha, and caramel.

To give you a rundown, here are our top 5 picks for the best coffee beans you can buy online:

1. Best overall: Bo's Coffee Atok, Benguet
2. Best Arabica-Robusta blend: De'Longhi Premium Blend Coffee Beans
3. Best for those with an adventurous palate: Commune Single Origin Roasted Coffee Beans
4. Best everyday blend: Tim Hortons Original Blend
5. Best strong coffee: Cafe Amadeo Pure Robusta

The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team, from the best-sellers of E-commerce sites like Lazada, and using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide.

Disclaimer: These products are recommendations made by our team at mybest Philippines. Our expert, Samantha Morales, RND, is not affiliated with, nor is she endorsing any of the brands we mention below.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**

Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.

Arabica coffee beans are deemed the most high-quality variety among different types of coffee beans. They’re also said to be superior in terms of taste. They have a smooth and complex flavor with notes of chocolate and sugar.

The coffee beans are charged into the roasters, usually pre-heated to around 240 degrees. After 12-15 minutes, depending on the roast degree, whether it's light, medium, medium dark, or dark roast, the roasted beans will exit the roaster at around 195 degrees. Afterward, they are transferred to a cooling tray. 

You can find several roasteries and coffee businesses that supply local and imported coffee beans. If you're looking for easily accessible stores where you can buy from, you can also drop by local café bars, coffee shops, and even EC sites. 

Coffee no longer needs to be an expensive drink you purchase at coffee shops. You can be your own master brewer with the right equipment and choice coffee products. Check out our other recommended coffee products below that will give you that morning punch to start your day right.

Author. E. Hubilla

Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.