Coffee Bean Types: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and specialty coffee Excelsa

You've probably heard that different varieties produce distinct flavors. Learn about four of the most common varieties: Arabica. Robusta. Liberica. and Excelsa.

Excelsa beans are a type of Liberica that is grown only in Southeast Asia. They have a more fruity and tarter taste profile, and are often added to blends of beans to enhance the flavor.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are responsible for 75% of global production. Arabica beans are milder and have a sweeter taste than Robusta, and come in a variety of flavour profiles. The taste and aroma components of a particular coffee can vary in a wide range depending on the cultivation conditions and processing techniques employed to make it.

The word 'coffee' actually derives from the Arabic word for berry and coffee beans are fruit seeds that are cultivated inside bright red berries. It is believed that the ancient Ethiopian shepherds found that their goats were stimulated by eating these berries. The cultivation of coffee grew quickly all over the world.

Coffee beans can be grown at high altitudes, and thrive in cold temperatures and lots of rain. This is one of the reasons that Arabica is regarded as the best tasting coffee.

Many specialty coffee roasters and shops insist on using ethically-sourced arabica beans by focusing on fair compensation for farmers and sustainable growing practices. These companies typically blend arabica beans to make distinctive coffees that can be used in many different methods of brewing. Blending can be used to control the flavour, aroma and body as well as the acidity of the coffee. It is usually preferred to create a consistent and balanced taste that appeals to a larger market.

Robusta

Robusta beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most common type of coffee bean grown across the globe. They contain more caffeine per bean and are more protected against diseases and pests. They also contain more chlorogenic acids, which are naturally occurring antioxidants. However, these acids may cause oxidation during the coffee brewing process and may result in undesirable flavors.

The plant itself is more robust than arabica and is able to grow in less favorable climate conditions and at lower elevations. It can tolerate warmer temperatures and thrives in direct sunlight. It is faster growing and produces more coffee per plant than arabica, which makes it a more cost-effective plant to cultivate.

Although it might sound odd however, arabica and robusta beans are often blended to make coffee blends. If you find names such as Uganda or Kenya on a coffee shops bag it's likely that there's also some robusta.

While some roasters exclusively use arabica beans, the majority of roasters use mix the two varieties in order to cut cost and maintain the quality. To preserve the integrity of the flavor, it's important to select a high-quality bean from a source that you are confident in. The best method to do this is to purchase your beans directly from the farmer.

Liberica

Liberica beans are more or less football shaped that makes them different from other coffee bean varieties. They have a distinct aroma that is floral and fruity with smoky undertones. They are paired with other coffee bean types to give them a more rounded, more robust taste.

Liberica coffee beans are found in West Africa, Malaysia (Borneo), and Southeast Asia. They are tolerant of hot, humid climates and are able to grow at low altitudes. They are also more resistant to disease than Arabica or Robusta.

These qualities make them perfect for growing at home. You can purchase seeds from a variety of sources. However, it's recommended to purchase the beans from local producers to ensure the highest quality. The ideal conditions for growing Liberica coffee include fertile deep volcano soils, with a pH that is moderately acidic as well as sufficient annual rainfall.

Another type of coffee bean is Excelsa that was once thought to be a separate species, but has been re-classified as a variation of Liberica. These coffee beans are ovals that grow on 20-30 foot coffee plants at moderate altitudes. Their unique taste is both sweet and tart, making them a popular choice for house blends. They have a milder flavor and lower caffeine content that is less than Arabica or Robusta but they still have a distinct flavor.

Excelsa

Although they're the fourth most popular type of coffee beans, Excelsa beans aren't quite as readily available as Arabica or Specialty Coffee Robusta. They were actually considered an entirely different species of coffee until 2006, when they were reclassified to be a synonym for Coffea Liberica var. dewevrei. Currently, they're cultivated primarily in Southeast Asia and account for 7 percent of the world's coffee shops production. The coffee beans are shaped in the shape of a teardrop and are dark and mysterious in taste. They're frequently used in blends to provide extra body and a luscious, tart, ripened fruit taste.

Arabica beans are by far the most popular and are renowned for their sweeter flavor. They thrive in tropical, warm climates and at high altitudes. They can be a bit acidic. If properly roasted and brewed they can be a bit sweet with hints of nuts, chocolate, or even fruit.

Robusta is an almost identical choice to Arabica and is responsible for about 40 percent of the world's coffee. Robusta beans are smaller and more round however, they contain twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica. They also have more bitterness than the other two varieties and are more likely to have earthy and woody overtones.

Now that you've learned the four most commonly used types of coffee beans now is the time to pick your perfect brew. If you prefer a smooth and delicate flavor opt for an arabica or a blend of arabica beans and robusta beans.