Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee we sip there are beans that have been carefully graded. The beans are graded based on the size, color and shape.

The AA grade is granted to coffee beans that fulfill the criteria above, with the exception that they cannot contain more than 3 defects (quakers). Most often, coffee drinks these are Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans, also referred to as Coffea arabica are the most coveted kind of coffee bean in the world. According to legend coffee was discovered by a goatherder in Ethiopia after he noticed that his herd had more energy when they consumed the fruit of the plant. This led him to experiment with roasting and brewing the seeds, creating the beverage we now know and love today.

There are many different types of coffee plants, but only two are used to make our favourite brews - arabica and robusta. The taste of the final drink is typically better with the first.

There are a variety of arabica cultivars. Each one has distinct flavor profiles. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most well-known arabica cultivars. All other arabica cultivars were derived from these two varieties either through natural mutations or intentional crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya that is renowned for its distinct chocolaty flavor.

The taste of an arabica variety is based on the conditions under the conditions it was cultivated, and also how it was handled and roasted. The type of shade trees receive will have a major impact on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most well-known variety of coffee beans. They are the beans used for the majority of instant coffees. They also have twice as much caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used to make many espresso blends - especially for cappuccino, caffe latte and various other coffee drinks.

The Coffea Canephora plant originated in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it is now grown throughout the world. It is able to grow at lower elevations and can tolerate higher temperatures than the Arabica coffee plant, which makes it a better crop for farmers. Vietnam is the largest producer of robusta, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

The robusta plant is a great coffee, but it's not a favorite among cupping enthusiasts due to its bitter taste and burnt rubber notes. Most major coffee companies utilize arabica beans for their top products since it's considered to be a less premium coffee.

The demand for specialty coffees is growing and small roasters are experimenting to take advantage its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With Coffee are two exceptional robusta coffees that are blended with arabica to provide the perfect balance of flavor and strength. These coffees are procured from Uganda where robusta has been cultivated for many centuries. You can read more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are a rare variety that are rarely used in the world. They are less than 2 percent of the total consumption of coffee shop beans, and are often overlooked because they do not have as much caffeine. However, they do have distinct flavor that a lot of coffee lovers find irresistible.

Despite being very rare, Liberica coffee beans are still popular in a few regions of Asia. They are especially common in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is significant Muslim population. In these countries, the coffee industry has been robust for a long time. Drinking a cup of coffee after prayers is a part of their customs.

The background of Liberica coffee dates back to the 1890s, when an epidemic of coffee leaf rust wiped out the majority of the world's arabica crop. The event prompted coffee producers to find a more resilient species that could thrive in tropical climates. They soon discovered the Liberica plant.

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

Excelsa

While it's not usual for coffee drinkers to come across excelsa beans in their cups, these rarer beans are gaining an image due to their distinctive flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer with South India Coffee Co., these beans are "a variation of the liberica species, and have the same teardrop shape, but are smaller in size." It's important to understand that despite the family resemblance between excelsa and liberica however, this species is not an individual one.

So, it's bit confusing the best way to classify excelsa beans. classified. It's this confusion that has been the reason for the beans' insignificant presence in the modern world of coffee. Because of this, many roasters, growers, and brewers aren't sure how to grow and utilize these beans properly.

It's up to each individual to decide if they like the taste of excelsa and it can take a while to find the perfect blend. It is important to be open and try every kind of coffee until you've found the one you enjoy. When you do this you'll have the chance to discover the wide possibilities that these unique beans can offer. It's an experience that's worth the trip.