Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee that we enjoy, are carefully graded bean. They are graded based on the size, color and shape.

The AA grade is given to coffee beans that fulfill the criteria above, Bean except that they are not allowed to contain more than 3 defects (quakers). Typically, these are Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans, also referred to as Coffea arabica are the most sought-after type of coffee bean in the world. According to legend coffee was discovered by a goatherder in Ethiopia after he noticed that his livestock had more energy when they consumed the fruit of the plant. This led him to experiment with roasting seeds and brewing them, creating the drink which we enjoy today.

While many types of coffee plants exist, there are only two main species that are used as the base for all our favourite drinks: arabica and robusta. The former is generally considered to be superior to the latter, and this is reflected in the taste of the finished beverage.

There are many different arabica cultivars. Each one has their own distinctive taste. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most sought-after arabica cultivars. The other arabica varieties were developed from these two varieties, either through natural mutations or deliberate crossbreeding. The SL28 cultivar, for example, was developed in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinctive chocolate taste.

The flavor of an arabica variety is based on the conditions in the conditions it was cultivated, and also how it was handled and roasted. The kind of shade the tree gets will have a major impact on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans, also known as coffee canephora, are the second most popular variety of coffee beans. They are the beans used to make the majority of instant coffees. They also have twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They also are used to make many espresso blends including cappuccino, caffe latte and other beverages that are coffee shops-based.

The Coffea Canephora plant was first discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it has since been cultivated around the globe. It can grow at lower elevations and can tolerate higher temperatures than the Arabica coffee plant, making it a better crop for farmers. Vietnam is currently the biggest producer of robusta coffee, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

Although the robusta plant has its advantages but it's not as loved by cupping aficionados for its bitter taste and smoky rubber notes. The majority of large coffee companies use arabica beans for their premium coffees because it's regarded as a lower-quality coffee.

The demand for premium coffees is increasing and small roasters are trying to benefit from its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With Coffee are two examples of exceptional robusta coffees that are blended with arabica to create the perfect balance of flavor and strength. 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 scarce and are rarely used around the world. They're less than percent of the world's total consumption of coffee beans, and are often overlooked since they don't have as much caffeine. These beans have a distinct taste that a majority of coffee drinkers find appealing.

Liberica coffee beans, despite being extremely rare however, are quite popular in some parts of Asia. They are most popular in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is large Muslim population. In these countries the coffee industry has been robust for a long time. The consumption of a cup of coffee following a prayer is a part of their tradition.

The background of Liberica coffee began in the 1890s when a worldwide epidemic of coffee leaf rust destroyed the majority of the world's arabica crop. This event spurred coffee makers to search for an alternative species that could thrive in tropical climates. They soon discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants have a high tolerance for diseases and pests making them an ideal substitute for the ruined arabica crop. Liberica also has the capacity to thrive in hot temperatures and lower altitudes, which enabled it to thrive in the climate of Southeast Asia. This is why, today, most of the coffee grown in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia is made from Liberica beans.

Excelsa

While it's not common for coffee drinkers to come across excelsa beans in their cups, these unique beans are starting to gain the reputation of having a distinct flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer at South India Coffee Co. They are "a variation of the liberica species and have a similar teardrop shape but are smaller in size." But despite this resemblance to the family it's important to know that excelsa is technically not a separate species.

In this way, it's a bit confusing how excelsa beans should be classified. It's this confusion that has been at the root of this beans' minimal presence in the world of coffee. Due to this, many growers, roasters, and brewers don't know how to grow and utilize these beans effectively.

It is ultimately the individual's responsibility to decide if they enjoy the flavor of excelsa. it may take some time to find the right blend. It's important to be open-minded and test every type of coffee until you've discovered the one that you like. By doing so you'll be able to experience the full range of possibilities that these unique beans have to provide. It's a trip worth the effort.