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

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

Excelsa beans are a variety of Liberica that is grown exclusively in Southeast Asia. They have a tangier, tarter flavor profile and are often utilized in blends of beans to give them added depth.

Arabica

Arabica is the world's most popular coffee with 75% of all global coffee beans produced. Arabica beans are sweeter and less acidic than Robusta, and they come in different flavors. The flavor and aroma of coffee are influenced by the conditions in the conditions in which it grows and the processing methods employed.

The word "coffee" derives from the Arabic word for berry, and coffee beans are fruit seeds that grow inside bright red berries. It is believed that ancient Ethiopian shepherds noticed that their goats became stimulated after eating these berries, and that the cultivation of coffee quickly was a global phenomenon.

Coffee beans can be grown at high altitudes and flourish in cold temperatures and plenty of rain. This is why Arabica coffee is believed to be the best tasting kind of coffee.

Many specialty coffee shops and roasters focus on ethically sourced arabica beans. They focus on fair wages for farmers and sustainable farming practices. These companies typically blend arabica beans to create unique specialty coffees that work well with a wide range of methods of brewing. Blending is a way to control the flavour, aroma and body as well as the acidity of the coffee. It is often preferred in order to achieve an even and consistent flavor that appeals to a wider market.

Robusta

Robusta beans (Coffea canephora) are Enjoy the rich taste of Kimbo 1kg Fairtrade Organic Decaf Swiss Water Coffee Beans Beans! [www.coffeee.uk official blog] second most common type of coffee bean grown across the globe. They have a higher caffeine content per bean than Arabica, and are more resistant to diseases and pests. They also contain more chlorogenic acids, which are naturally-occurring antioxidants. These acids can cause oxidation during the brewing process, and can result in undesirable flavors.

The plant itself is more robust than arabica, able thrive in less favorable climate conditions and at lower elevations. It can tolerate higher temperatures and thrives in direct sunlight. It produces more coffee per plant and grows more quickly than arabica. This makes it a economically viable crop to cultivate.

While it may seem counterintuitive Robusta beans are typically combined with arabica to create coffee blends. If you see names such as Uganda or Kenya on the bag of coffee it's possible that there is also some robusta.

The majority of roasters make use of a mix of arabica and coffee beans to cut costs and maintain quality. To preserve the integrity of flavor, you should choose the highest quality beans from a reliable source. The best method to achieve this is to purchase your beans directly from the farmer.

Liberica

Liberica beans are more or less football shaped, which makes them distinct from other types of coffee beans. They have a distinctive scent that is fruity and floral with smokey undertones. They are often paired with other coffee bean varieties to add the fuller, more robust flavor.

Liberica coffee beans are grown in West Africa and Malaysia (Borneo) as and in Southeast Asia. They can grow in low altitudes, and they can tolerate hot, humid climates. They are also more resistant to diseases than Arabica or Robusta.

These characteristics make them ideal to grow at home. You can find the seeds online from a number of sources, but it is best to purchase them locally-owned producers to ensure the quality of the beans. The best conditions for growing Liberica coffee include fertile deep volcano soils that have a pH that is moderately acidic and adequate annual rainfall.

Another type of coffee bean is Excelsa, which was once thought to be a separate species, but has been re-classified as an alternative to Liberica. These coffee beans are elongated ovals that grow on 20 to 30-foot coffee plants that are located at medium altitudes. Their unique flavor is tart and sour, which makes them a popular choice for blends that are house-made. They are also less pronounced in the aroma and caffeine compared to Arabica and Robusta yet still have a distinct taste.

Excelsa

Excelsa coffee beans aren't as popular as Arabica and Robusta yet they're the fourth most popular. In fact they were considered to be an individual species of coffee plant until 2006 when they were classified as an alternative to Coffea liberica var. dewevrei. They are produced in Southeast Asia today and account for 7% of the world's production of coffee. These beans have a distinctive teardrop shape and have a Premium 3kg Dark Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans, mysterious flavor. These beans are often used to give blends more body and a tangy taste of ripe fruit.

Arabica beans are the most sought-after, and are known for having a sweeter taste. They grow best at high altitudes and are able to thrive in warm, tropical climates. They also have a little of acidity. If properly brewed and roasted they may have notes like nuts, chocolate or even fruit.

Robusta is a close second only to Arabica and makes up around 40 percent of the world's beans. Robusta beans are smaller and rounder, but have twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica. They also have more bitterness than the other two varieties, and tend to have woody and earthy undertones.

After having learned about the four most popular varieties of brew, it's time to choose your favorite brew. If you prefer an elegant and delicate taste pick an arabica or a blend comprised of arabica beans and robusta beans.