Which coffee is good for beginners?

The perfect introduction to the world of coffee

The world of coffee is vast, aromatically diverse—and sometimes a bit overwhelming. Anyone just beginning to explore high-quality coffee quickly faces questions like:

Which bean suits me?
How strong should the coffee be?
Do I have to buy expensive equipment right away?

Don't worry: You can get started even without a barista diploma . The most important thing is to start with a coffee you like – one that's mild, balanced, and easy to digest. Because there are some really crazy, crazy fermented coffees out there that could ruin everything for you at the beginning of your journey.

What should beginners pay attention to when buying coffee?

So, here are a few points to consider in detail with your new hobby or passion – coffee – to help you get into the subject quickly and cleanly. Of course, the same applies to coffee – as with all hobbies involving stimulants: what you like is far more important than anything we say as professionals. Because, as you know, there's no accounting for taste, or at least it's endless.

Mild taste instead of bitterness

As a beginner, you should opt for low-acid, mild coffees that aren't too bitter or strong. Light to medium roasted Arabica beans are ideal:

Brazil : nutty, chocolatey, round
Colombia : mild, slightly fruity, balanced
Guatemala : pleasantly soft, with a slight sweetness
Peru or Honduras : very accessible and soft in the finish

These coffees offer a pleasant introduction—without any overstimulation or excessive bitterness. As a beginner , you should opt for natural or washed coffees, as these have a more natural flavor. You can try fermented coffees later.

What does “acidity” in coffee really mean?

A term that often confuses beginners is "acidity." It's important to understand: Acidity in coffee is not the same as "sour taste" or a low pH. There are two types of "acidity" that are discussed in coffee:

pH acid (chemical):
Coffee is generally slightly acidic (pH ~5), but this usually has nothing to do with the perceived taste.
Taste acidity (fruity notes):
This is created by the roasting process and natural ingredients—e.g., malic or citric acid. It provides lively, fruity aromas and makes coffee "bright" and "tangy" (like the fruity notes in wine, for example).

This fruity acidity can be particularly pronounced in light roasts—it often evokes notes of berries, citrus fruits, or stone fruit. This is intentional and should not be confused with stomach irritation or heartburn.

However, coffees with balanced acidity are suitable for beginners, i.e. a subtle, pleasant fruitiness – without being overly “sour” or fruity.

100% Arabica – a good start

Robusta beans contain more caffeine and bitter compounds than Arabica beans. Beginners should therefore opt for pure Arabica blends or single-origin Arabica coffees – they have a more delicate flavor, are often lower in acidity, and are more rounded. There are also Liberica and Excelsa coffees, but these two are less common and are therefore not recommended for now.

Filter coffee as an ideal preparation method

To get started, classic filter coffee (with a hand filter , filter machine or French press ) is perfect: Why?

Because this method makes coffee easy to prepare, you don't need expensive equipment, and it still allows its full aroma to develop. Filter coffee also tastes milder than espresso.

Tip: It's best to work with freshly ground coffee and filtered water – it makes a huge difference!

Starter recipe for filter coffee

For filter coffee ( using a hand filter ), you'll need filter paper, a dripper, and a pot or cup. The coffee-to-water ratio is 1:15 to 1:17 (e.g., 18 g of coffee to 270 ml).

Grind your coffee beans fresh and select the grind size appropriate for your hand-filter method (medium coarse).
Place the filter paper in the hand filter and rinse it with hot water. This will remove any paper taste and residue.
Pour the ground coffee into the filter and position the hand filter over your serving carafe.
Pour hot water slowly and evenly over the coffee. Make sure the water isn't too hot to ensure optimal extraction.

French Press Starter Recipe

For a French Press coffee you only need ground coffee, water and a French Press

For the French press, we recommend a coarse grind. For a standard serving, use approximately 60 grams of coffee per 1,000 ml of water.
Rinse the French press with hot water to preheat it and remove any residue.
Pour the ground coffee into the French press. Pour in 100 ml and let it brew for a good 30 seconds. Then pour in the remaining 900 ml steadily and slowly, stirring vigorously once.
Let the coffee brew for about 4 minutes. Then place the lid and plunger on the French press and slowly press down to separate the grounds from the coffee. Don't press down too quickly to avoid overflow.

Depending on your coffee and experience, you can tweak and experiment with these basic recipes a little – according to your taste.

Good entry-level coffees at a glance

Coffee origin	The taste	Ideal for	From us
Brazil	Chocolatey, mild	Filter coffee, cold brew, stovetop coffee	Brasil Capim Branco
Colombia	Balanced, sweet, slightly fruity	French press, hand filter	Colombia Arhuaco
Guatemala	Sweet, nutty, chocolate	Pour Over, AeroPress, French Press	Guatemala San Lorenzo
Peru	Soft, low in acid	Filter coffee, fully automatic

What you should avoid

(Initially) Dark espresso roasts : These can be too bitter or too strong.
Cheap supermarket coffee : Often too old, too dark roasted or unbalanced.
Robusta-heavy blends : Too much caffeine, bitterness, and earthiness.

That doesn't mean you should never drink espresso—quite the opposite, you should try espresso at some point on your coffee journey. You'll find some great blends here, too.

Tips for getting started without expensive equipment

Even without an espresso machine or expensive grinder, you can enjoy excellent coffee:

Good entry-level filter coffee (buy whole bean or freshly ground)
Hand filter or French press : cheap, space-saving and effective
Container with lid for proper storage (although you can initially store our coffee in the package – in a dark cupboard)

Conclusion: Start gently, continue with curiosity

The perfect coffee for beginners is one that doesn't overwhelm you, but rather delights you. With a mild Arabica from Central or South America, a simple preparation method, and an open palate, you can easily enter the world of specialty coffee. And then, of course, you can gradually delve deeper into the subject matter, or rather, brew and drink it.

Our tip: Start with a sample set of light or medium roasts – this way you'll get to know different flavors and find your favorite. So, ready, set, stay wild!