8 Specialty Coffee Varieties You Should Try

Ever wondered how many types of specialty coffee you've truly tried? Beyond your daily espresso or pour-over, the world offers rare single-origin beans and classic European-style preparations that showcase coffee's diversity. If you've only explored mainstream blends, there’s a whole spectrum of taste, roast, and origin waiting for you.

You’ve likely had just one or two of the eight coffees listed here — from the balanced Blue Mountain to creamy Viennese-style milk coffee. This guide covers each one, highlighting origin, roast style, and flavor notes so you can seek them out or ask your roaster for something similar.

Cuban Coffee: Cubita from Sierra Cristal

Representing Cuban specialty coffee is Cubita, grown in the Sierra Cristal mountain region. This bean is often compared to Jamaica’s Blue Mountain due to its neighboring geography and similar climate. It’s known for its smooth, balanced profile and is the official coffee of the Cuban Embassy. The flavor is distinctly Caribbean: clean, medium-bodied, and often enjoyed as a dark roast. Though rare outside Cuba, it's prized for its refined cup.

Jamaican Blue Mountain: The Balanced Classic

Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is famed for its harmonious balance of acidity, sweetness, and bitterness. Grown at elevations between 1,200 and 1,700 meters, this bean produces a mild, aromatic cup ideal for single-origin pour-overs or light-to-medium roasts. Its smoothness and clarity make it a favorite among coffee connoisseurs seeking elegance without intensity.

Colombian Supremo: Sipaomo

This Colombian single-origin is noted for its unique aromatic profile and a finish that balances bitterness with sweetness. While 'Sipaomo' may refer to a regional or processing-specific lot, Colombian coffees in general — especially from regions like Huila or Cauca — are known for bright acidity, caramel sweetness, and medium body. FrontStreet Coffee offers Colombian beans such as Huila and Sidra that echo these traits.

Mexican Coffee: Coatepec, Huatusco, Orizaba

Coffees from Mexico’s Coatepec, Huatusco, and Orizaba regions deliver a smooth, comfortable cup with gentle fruit and floral aromas. These beans typically feature mild acidity, medium body, and a clean finish, making them approachable for everyday drinking or blending. They’re usually processed using washed methods and roast well to medium levels to highlight their inherent sweetness.

Milk Coffee (Melange): Vienna’s Original Blend

The traditional Melange coffee, dating back to the 17th century during the Turkish siege of Vienna, consists of equal parts black coffee and hot milk, sometimes topped with whipped cream. Served in a large coffee cup, it’s essentially a precursor to the modern latte or café au lait. This drink emphasizes balance over strength and showcases how coffee complements dairy without overpowering it.

Vienna Ice Coffee (Wiener Eiskaffee)

This cold coffee drink combines chilled black coffee with vanilla ice cream and topped with sweetened whipped cream, served in a tall glass. Sugar is added to taste. It’s a refreshing, dessert-like specialty coffee drink that balances bitter coffee with creamy and sweet elements. An ideal summer treat with rich texture and contrast.

Einspänner Coffee: Coffee with Whipped Cream

An Einspänner is a strong black coffee, typically an espresso, topped with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. It's served in a glass and can be sweetened to preference. Popular in Central Europe, it’s a simple yet indulgent way to enjoy coffee with a creamy finish. Much like a cortado with foam, but with more emphasis on the cream layer.

Colombian Mandheling: Bold and Complex

Often referred to simply as Colombian Mandheling (though Mandheling is traditionally Indonesian), this Colombian single-origin is valued for its robust body, bright acidity, and layered sweetness. It develops complexity with darker roasts, revealing notes of spice and depth. It’s a coffee built for those who enjoy a heavier mouthfeel and a long, satisfying aftertaste.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cuban coffee and where does it come from?

Cuban coffee, represented by the Cubita bean from Sierra Cristal, is a smooth, medium-bodied coffee often compared to Jamaican Blue Mountain. It originates from the same mountainous region near Jamaica and is known for its clean, balanced profile. It's the official coffee of the Cuban Embassy and is considered a unique Caribbean specialty coffee.

How is Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee different from other coffees?

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is renowned for its perfect balance of acidity, sweetness, and bitterness. It’s grown at high altitudes (1,200–1,700m) and is typically roasted lightly to medium to preserve its mild, aromatic character. The cup is smooth, clean, and highly sought after by specialty coffee drinkers.

What makes Colombian Supremo or Sipaomo unique?

Colombian Supremo, potentially referred to here as Sipaomo, is known for its unique fragrance and bitter-sweet balance. Colombian coffees in general, especially from regions like Huila or Cauca, offer bright acidity, caramel notes, and medium body. They’re versatile for filter or espresso brewing.

What is a Melange coffee?

Melange is a traditional Viennese coffee drink made with equal parts black coffee and hot milk, often topped with whipped cream. It dates back to the 1600s and is considered an early form of the modern café latte. It emphasizes harmony between coffee and dairy flavors.

What is an Einspänner?

An Einspänner is a strong black coffee, usually espresso, topped with whipped cream. It’s typically served in a glass and sweetened to taste. Popular in Central Europe, it’s a dessert-style coffee focused on a creamy finish.

Is Mandheling coffee really from Colombia?

In this context, 'Colombian Mandheling' refers to a bold, full-bodied Colombian single-origin coffee that shares characteristics with the traditional Sumatran Mandheling style — namely a heavy body and rich flavor. It’s not from Indonesia but is a Colombian bean roasted to highlight similar traits.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Single Origins

For fans of the coffees in this guide, try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Huakui (Yirgacheffe region) for its bright acidity and floral-fruity notes, or Colombia Huila for balanced caramel and citrus tones. Both showcase the kind of origin-driven complexity seen in Cuban, Colombian, and Blue Mountain coffees. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.