In this episode, Kenneth sits down with Stephen Tribble and Steph Parsons to talk about the basics of coffee varieties. You will learn about the botany of the coffee plant and what the difference is between a variety, varietal, and cultivar. 
 
What you learn in this episode will help you to look at the bag, read what the variety, varietal and/or cultivar are and instantly understand what it is likely to taste like. Helping you to pick a better coffee.
 
This topic is discussed across two episodes, and this is the first part.
 
 
KEY TAKEAWAYS
 

Understanding what the varieties are will help you to identify the coffees you are likely to enjoy the most.
Variety is not the same as varietal. The difference is explained, in the podcast.
Cultivars are coffee varieties that are purposely modified. They are plants that have been crossed or cultivated selectively.
There are several thousand heirloom coffees that occur naturally, often growing wild - especially in Ethiopia.
Thousands of varieties are still not farmed commercially.
About 50% of the taste is dependent on the farm. Why that is the case is explained in the podcast.
The roaster is responsible for creating 20 to 30% of the taste.
Even the shape of the plant has an impact on how the bean grows and, therefore, how it tastes.

 
BEST MOMENTS
‘You´re going to be able to identify and pick a better coffee.’
‘Varieties do make a big difference to what the actual cup tastes like.’
‘The varietal… has to do with the actual tastes associated with the beverage.’
 
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Award-winning single-origin specialty coffee: https://umblecoffee.com/
 
You’re disciplined and high achieving. You never settle. Shouldn’t the fuel that helps you reach your goals be held to those same standards? Instead of a crash-inducing cup of jo, you need coffee with optimal antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. A coffee so good that you can drink it black.
At Umble Coffee, we only roast specialty-grade arabica coffee from around the world with cupping scores 84 and above. Don’t sabotage yourself in pursuing your goals - drink coffee that tastes better and is better for you. No crash, great taste, and better long-term health benefits. That’s Umble Coffee. 
 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/umblecoffee/
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/umblecoffee/
 
Twitter:  https://mobile.twitter.com/umblecoffee
 
ABOUT THE HOST
As a coffee lover, physician, chemical engineer, serial entrepreneur, competitive runner, writer, and family man, Kenneth knows what it’s like to push yourself to achieve goals very few accomplish. He’s one of the best specialty coffee roasters in the United States as he’s a multi-year US Coffee Roasters’ Competition Finalist. He created Umble Coffee Co with the belief that, if sourced and roasted right, coffee can taste phenomenal and be good for you.
“Life’s too short to drink bad coffee.”
CONTACT METHOD
Want to reach Kenneth? Have questions, show ideas, or want to just let us know you’re enjoying the show? The best way is to leave us a great review and put your thoughts in the comment section - Kenneth reads all of them! The second-best way is through DM on social media.
HOW TO LEAVE A REVIEW
Enjoying the show?!  We’d love for you to leave us a review. It helps us grow and educate more people about coffee! Here’s how: if you’re on apple podcasts, ‘search’ for us as if you didn’t already follow the show. When you click on the show, scroll down to ratings and you’ll see where you can leave a rating. Spotify is a little easier - follow and listen to the podcast, then you can rate and review it.
Podcast Description
Coffee 101 is an educational show on all things coffee. The host, Kenneth Thomas, starts with the most basic questions about coffee and builds your knowledge from there. If you love coffee, are curious about coffee, or you’re a business just looking for a resource to train your team, Coffee 101 is without question the show for you! 
Season 1 - Coffee's Journey From Seed to