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

If you're a coffee lover you're likely aware that different types of beans produce varying flavor profiles. Find out about four of the most widely used varieties: Arabica. Robusta. Liberica. and Excelsa.

Excelsa beans, a type Liberica that is grown only in Southeast Asia. They have a fruitier, more tart flavor profile and are frequently used in coffee blends for added depth.

Arabica

Arabica is the world's most popular coffee, making up 75% of the world's coffee beans produced. Arabica beans are more mild and sweeter than Robusta, and they come in different flavors. The taste and aroma components of a cup of coffee can differ widely depending on the growing conditions and processing methods employed to produce it.

The word "coffee" is derived from the Arabic word that means the berry. Coffee beans are actually seeds which grow within bright red berries. It is believed that ancient Ethiopian shepherds discovered that their goats were invigorated by eating the fruits. The cultivation of coffee grew quickly around the world.

Coffee beans can be grown at higher altitudes, and they are capable of flourishing when exposed to cold temperatures and plenty of rain. This is the reason Arabica coffee is thought to be the best tasting kind of coffee.

Many specialty coffee shops and roasters insist on finding their arabica beans in a sustainable manner and focusing on fair pay for farmers as well as sustainable growing practices. These companies blend arabica beans in order to create unique signature coffees, which can be used in a variety of brewing methods. Blending gives you control over the aroma, flavor as well as body and acidity of the coffee and is frequently preferred to create an even and consistent taste that appeals to a larger market.

Robusta

Robusta beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most popular type of coffee bean grown in the world. They have a higher caffeine content per bean than Arabica and are more resistant to disease and pests. They also contain higher levels of chlorogenic acids, which are naturally-occurring antioxidants. These acids can cause oxidation during the brewing process of coffee and create undesirable flavors.

The plant is more durable than the arabica and may thrive in less favorable conditions. It is tolerant of warmer temperatures and thrives in direct sunlight. It produces more coffee per plant and is growing faster than arabica. This makes it a more economically viable crop to cultivate.

Although it might seem odd, Robusta beans are often combined with arabica to create coffee blends. If you find names such as Uganda or Kenya on the coffee bags it's possible that there is also some robusta.

Although some roasters only use arabica beans but the majority do a mix of the two varieties in order to cut cost and maintain quality. To maintain the quality of the flavor, it's crucial to choose a high-quality bean from a source that you are confident in. This can be achieved by buying your beans directly from a farmer.

Liberica

Liberica beans are more or less football shaped, which makes them distinct from other types of coffee beans. They have a distinct aroma that is fruity and floral with subtle smoky undertones. They are often paired with other coffee bean varieties to provide an extra, stronger flavor.

Liberica coffee beans are available in West Africa, Malaysia (Borneo), and Southeast Asia. They are well-adapted to humid, hot climates and can thrive at low altitudes. They also have a much better resistance to diseases than Arabica and Robusta.

These qualities make them ideal for home cultivation. The seeds can be found on the internet from a variety of sources, however it's recommended to purchase from local producers to guarantee the quality of the beans. The ideal conditions for growing Liberica coffee are fertile, deep volcano soils with a pH that is moderately acidic as well as sufficient annual rainfall.

Another type of coffee bean is Excelsa which was originally considered to be a separate species but was re-classified as a variation of Liberica. These oval-shaped coffee beans are grown on large coffee plants that range from 20-30 feet in height at medium altitudes. Their distinctive taste is sweet and tart, making them a popular choice for house blends. They are also less pronounced in the aroma and caffeine compared to Arabica and Robusta yet still have a distinctive taste.

Excelsa

Although they're the fourth most coveted kind of coffee beans, Excelsa beans aren't as readily available as Arabica or Robusta. In fact they were considered to be distinct species of coffee until 2006 when they were reclassified to a synonym for Coffea liberica var. dewevrei. Nowadays, they're grown mostly in Southeast Asia and account for 7 percent of the world's costa coffee coffee beans production. These coffee ground beans coffee (samkwang.eowork.co.kr) are shaped in the shape of teardrops and coffee beans online possess a dark, beans mysterious taste. They're typically used in blends to add body and a luscious tart, ripe fruit taste.

Arabica beans are the most well-known and are known for their sweeter taste. They thrive at high altitudes and have warm, tropical climates. They also have a hint of acidity. If properly roasted and brewed they may be flavored with notes of chocolate, nuts, or even fruit.

Robusta is the second most sought-after coffee in the world, and is responsible for around 40% of all coffee consumed around the world. Robusta beans are more round and smaller, but they have twice as much caffeine than Arabica. They also have more bitterness than the other two varieties and tend to have earthy and woody overtones.

After learning about the four most commonly used types, it's now time to select the best coffee beans in the world brew. If you prefer smooth and delicate flavors, choose an arabica bean or a blend of robusta beans and arabica beans.