Types of Coffee Beans

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

The AA grade is given to coffee beans that meet all the above criteria except they should not have more than three deficient quality (quakers). Most often, these are Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are also known as Coffea Arabicica and are the most well-known coffee bean in the world. According to legend coffee was discovered by a goatherder in Ethiopia after he observed that his herd was more full of energy when they consumed the fruits of the plant. This inspired him to explore roasting and making the seeds, resulting in the beverage we know and love today.

While a myriad of coffee plants are available There are only two species that are used as the basis for all of our favorite beverages: robusta and arabica. The taste of the final drink is usually more appealing with the earlier.

There are many different cultivars of arabica, with each possessing its own distinctive flavour profile. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most well-known arabica cultivars. All other arabica cultivars were developed from these two varieties either by natural mutations or intentional crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya that is renowned for its distinct chocolaty flavor.

The flavour of a given arabica variety will vary based on the environment in which it is planted, as well as how it is treated and roasted. For instance, the type of shade a plant receives, its altitude and soil composition can all play a major influence on the final outcome.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans, also referred to as coffee canephora, are the second most used kind of coffee beans. They are the beans used in the majority of instant coffees. They also have twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used in a variety of espresso blends, especially for cappuccino and caffe latte.

Coffea Canephora is a plant that originated from Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been grown all over the world since then. It can grow at lower elevations and can withstand higher temperatures than the Arabica coffee plant, which makes it a much more practical crop for farmers. Vietnam is currently the biggest producer of robusta decaf coffee beans 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. The majority of large coffee companies use arabica bean for their top-quality products since it is considered a lower-quality coffee.

However, the demand for gourmet coffee is growing, and smaller roasters are exploring robusta varieties that are high-end 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 the strength and flavor. These beans are from Uganda which is a nation where robusta is a staple of the organic coffee beans industry for many years. You can learn more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are a rare variety that are rarely used in the world. They are less than 2% of the global coffee consumption and are often overlooked since they don't contain the same amount of caffeine that Arabica and Robusta do. However, these beans have a unique flavor that coffee lovers find appealing.

Despite being extremely rare, Liberica coffee beans are still quite popular in some parts of Asia. They are particularly popular in Malaysia and Indonesia with an extensive Muslim population. In these countries the coffee industry has been strong for many years. A cup of coffee after a prayer is an integral part of their customs.

The background of Liberica coffee began in the 1890s, when an epidemic of coffee leaf rust wiped out most of the world's arabica crop. This caused coffee producers to look for coffee beans a robust plant that could flourish in tropical climates. They soon discovered Liberica.

Liberica plants are resistant to pests and diseases which makes them the perfect replacement for the devastated arabica crop. Liberica can also grow in lower altitudes as well as hot temperatures, which allows it to thrive in the Southeast Asian climate. Liberica beans are the basis for the majority of the coffee that is produced in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Excelsa

Although it is not common for coffee drinkers to find excelsa beans, they are beginning to gain an image for their distinct flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer at South India Coffee Co., these beans are "a variation of the liberica species and have a similar teardrop shape but smaller size." However despite this family resemblance it's important to know that excelsa is technically not a separate species.

So, it's little bit confusing as to how excelsa beans should be classified. It's this confusion that's been at the root of the beans' absence in the modern world of coffee beans ground. Many roasters, growers, and brewers have no idea how to properly cultivate and utilize these beans.

It's the individual's responsibility to decide if they prefer the flavor of excelsa, and it might take some time to find the perfect blend. It's essential to be open and test every type of coffee until you find the one you enjoy. You'll have the chance to explore the full range of possibilities these unique beans can offer. It's a trip worth the effort.