Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee that we drink, there are carefully graded beans. These beans are analyzed by their size, color, shape and density.

The AA grade is awarded to coffee beans that satisfy all the above criteria except they must not have more than three defective qualities (quakers). Typically these are Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans, also known as Coffea arabica are the most coveted kind of bean around the globe. Legend has it that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder noticed his herd swaying with more energy after eating the fruit of the coffee plant. This inspired him to explore roasting and making the seeds into the drink we all know and love today.

While many types of coffee plants exist There are only two primary species used to create the basis for our favorite brews: arabica and robusta. The taste of the final drink is usually more appealing with the robusta variety.

There are a variety of arabica cultivars. Each has its own unique taste profile. Two of the most well-known varieties are Typica and Bourbon and from which all other arabica varieties have been created, either by natural mutation or deliberate crossbreeding. The SL28 cultivar, for instance was created in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinctive chocolate taste.

The flavor of a particular arabica variety will depend on the environmental conditions in which it is grown, as well as the way it is processed and roasted. The shade a tree gets can have a significant impact on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most popular variety of coffee beans. They are the beans that are used in the majority of instant coffees and contain twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also utilized in many espresso blends, especially for cappuccino and caffe latte.

The Coffea Canephora plant was first discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it has since been cultivated around the world. It can grow at lower elevations and withstand higher temperatures than Arabica coffee gifts plants, which makes it a better choice for farmers. Vietnam is the world's largest producer of robusta followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

Although the robusta plant has its benefits, it's not as well-loved by cupping aficionados for its bitter taste and burnt rubber notes. Many large coffee companies employ arabica beans to make their top-quality products since it's considered to be lower-quality coffee.

However the demand for premium coffee is increasing and small roasters are trying out premium robusta varieties to benefit from its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java coffee and Death With Coffee coffee are two examples. Both are exceptional robustas that are blended with arabica for the perfect balance between strength and coffees flavour. These beans are from Uganda in a country where robusta is a staple of the coffee industry for many years. Find out more about them.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are rare varieties that are rarely used in the world. They are less than 2 percent of the world's total consumption of coffee beans and are often overlooked as they do not contain as much caffeine. These beans have a distinctive flavor that a lot of coffee drinkers find appealing.

Despite being very rare, Liberica coffee beans are still popular in a few regions of Asia. The most common place for these beans is in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a large Muslim community. In these countries the coffee industry has been very strong for many years. Drinking a cup of coffee following a prayer is a part of their customs.

The background of Liberica coffee began in the 1890s when a global epidemic of rusty coffee leaves killed the majority of the world's arabica crop. The event prompted coffee producers to discover an alternative species that could thrive in tropical climates, and they soon discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants have a high tolerance to diseases and pests which makes them a perfect replacement for the devastated arabica crop. Liberica is also able to thrive in lower altitudes and hot temperatures which enables it to thrive in the climate of Southeast Asia. This is why, today the majority of coffee that is produced in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia is made from Liberica beans.

Excelsa

Although it is rare for coffee shops lovers to come across excelsa beans, they are quickly gaining an image for their distinctive flavor. According to Komal Sable of South India Coffee Co. who is a fifth-generation coffee farmer, these beans have a similar teardrop form, but are smaller. It's important to keep in mind that, coffees despite the resemblance of family between excelsa and liberica however, this species is not an individual one.

It's not clear how to classify excelsa beans. This confusion is responsible for the lack of their presence in the modern world of coffee. Many roasters, farmers, and brewers aren't aware of how to properly cultivate and use these beans.

In the end, it's up the individual to determine whether they like the flavor of excelsa coffee and it may take a little longer to find a blend that fits their tastes. The key is to be open-minded and give every type of coffee a go until you find one that you truly love. You'll discover the wide range of options the unique beans have to offer. It's a trip that's worth the ride.