Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee that we drink, there is a carefully graded bean. These beans are examined by their size, color, shape and density.

The AA grade is awarded to coffee beans that meet all of the above criteria, but they must not have more than three defective qualities (quakers). Most often, 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. The legend says that coffee bean suppliers was discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder noticed his herd's energy levels increased after eating the fruit of the coffee plant. This led him to experiment with roasting the seeds and then brewing them, making the drink that we love today.

While a myriad of coffee plants are available however, there are two main species that are used as the foundation for all of our favorite brews: arabica and robusta. The former is generally considered superior to the other, and this is reflected in the taste of the finished beverage.

There are a variety of varieties of arabica cultivars, each each having its own unique flavour profile. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most sought-after arabica cultivars. All other arabica cultivars were developed 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 flavor of the arabica variety is contingent on the conditions under which it was planted, as well as the method by which it was handled and cooked. The type of shade that trees receive can have a significant impact on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans, also known as coffee canephora are the second most used variety of coffee beans. They are commonly used in instant coffees and have twice as much caffeine than Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also utilized in many espresso blends, specifically for caffe latte and cappuccino.

Coffea Canephora is a plant that originated from Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been cultivated all over the world since then. It is able to grow at lower elevations and tolerate higher temperatures than Arabica coffee plants, which makes it more convenient for farmers. Vietnam is currently the biggest producer of robusta coffee, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

While the robusta coffee plant has its merits However, it's not adored by cupping enthusiasts due to 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.

However the demand for premium coffee is growing, and smaller roasters are testing robusta varieties that are high-end to profit from its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With Coffee are two exceptional robusta coffees. They are blended with arabica to create the perfect balance of flavour and strength. These beans are from Uganda in a country where robusta is a staple of the coffee industry for many years. Learn more about these coffees.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are scarce and rarely used throughout the globe. They comprise less than 2% of the worldwide coffee consumption. They are often overlooked due to the fact that they don't have the same amount of caffeine that Arabica and Robusta do. They have a distinctive taste that a majority of coffee drinkers find appealing.

Despite being extremely rare, Liberica coffee beans are still popular in a few regions of Asia. They are most popular in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a large Muslim population. The coffee industry in these countries has historically been extremely strong and a cup of joe during prayer is a part of the culture.

Liberica coffee's roots go back to the 1890s after a worldwide epidemic caused by rust on the coffee beans manchester leaf destroyed the arabica crop. The event spurred coffee producers to search for a more robust plant that could thrive in tropical climates. They soon found the Liberica.

Liberica plants have a high tolerance to pests and diseases, which made them an ideal substitute for the devastation of the arabica crop. Liberica can also grow in lower altitudes and hot temperatures which enables it to thrive in Southeast Asia's climate. This is why, in the present the majority of luxury coffee beans that is produced in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia originates from Liberica beans.

Excelsa

Although it's not common for coffee drinkers to find excelsa beans, they are now gaining a reputation for having a unique 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 similar teardrop-like shapes but are smaller in size." It's important to remember that despite the close resemblance between excelsa and liberica, this species is not a separate one.

In this way, it's a little bit confusing as to how excelsa beans should be classified and it's this confusion that has been the cause of the beans' insignificant presence in the contemporary world of coffee. Many roasters, growers and brewers don't know how to properly cultivate and use these beans.

It is ultimately the individual's responsibility to decide if they like the taste of excelsa and it can take a while to find the right blend. The most important thing is to remain open-minded and give every type of coffee you can until you find one you truly love. When you do this you'll be able to discover the wide possibilities that these unique beans can provide. This is a journey worth taking.