Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of chocolate covered coffee beans we enjoy there are beans that have been carefully graded. These beans are graded on the size, color and shape.

The AA grade is awarded to coffee Ground beans beans that satisfy all of the above requirements, except they should not contain more than three deficient quality (quakers). These beans are usually Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are also referred to as Coffea Arabicica and are the most popular coffee beans in the world. The legend says that coffee was discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder noticed his herd's dancing more vigorously after eating the fruits of the coffee plant. This inspired him to experiment with roasting seeds and Coffee ground beans brewing them, which resulted in the beverage which we enjoy today.

Although a variety of coffee plants are available however, there are two main species that are used as the foundation for all our favourite beverages: robusta and arabica. The former is generally thought superior to the other, and this is reflected in the taste of the final beverage.

There are a variety of arabica cultivars. Each one has their own distinctive taste. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most well-known arabica cultivars. All other arabica cultivars were developed from these two varieties, either through natural mutations or deliberate crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya which is famous for its distinctive chocolaty flavour.

The taste of an arabica variety will vary based on the environment in which it is cultivated, as well as the way it is handled and cooked. The kind of shade trees receive can have a significant effect on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta 1kg coffee beans beans, also referred to as coffee beans coffee canephora, are the second most used type of coffee beans. They are the beans used to make the majority of instant coffees. They also have twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also utilized in many espresso blends, notably for caffe latte and cappuccino.

The Coffea Canephora plant was initially discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it is now grown throughout the globe. It is able to grow at lower elevations and withstand higher temperatures than Arabica coffee plants, making it more suited to farmers. Vietnam is currently the largest producer of robusta coffee, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

The robusta plant is an excellent coffee however it's not popular with cupping enthusiasts due to its bitter taste and burnt-rubber hints. Many large coffee companies employ arabica bean for their top products since it's considered to be a less premium coffee.

However the demand for premium coffee is growing and small roasters are testing premium robusta varieties to profit from its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With Coffee are two examples of exceptional robusta coffees that are blended with arabica to provide the perfect balance of flavour and strength. These coffees come from Uganda in a country where robusta has been cultivated for a long time. You can learn more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are rare and rarely used throughout the world. They are less than 2 percent of the world's consumption of coffee beans, and are often overlooked as they don't contain as much caffeine. These beans have a distinct flavor that a lot of bulk coffee beans drinkers find irresistible.

Despite being extremely rare, Liberica coffee beans are still quite popular in some parts 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 very strong, and drinking the cup of coffee following a prayer is part of the culture.

Liberica coffee's roots go back to the 1890s which was the time when a global epidemic caused by coffee leaf rust devastated the arabica crop. This triggered coffee producers to discover an alternative species that could thrive in tropical climates. They soon discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants are resistant to diseases and pests which makes them an ideal replacement for the depleted arabica crop. Liberica can also grow in lower altitudes and high temperatures, which allows it to thrive in Southeast Asia's climate. Liberica beans are used to produce most of the coffee that is produced in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Excelsa

Although it's not typical for coffee drinkers to find excelsa beans in their cups, these more rare beans are gaining recognition for their distinctive flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer at South India Coffee Co., these beans are "a variant of the liberica species, and have a similar teardrop shape however, they are smaller." It's important to keep in mind that despite the resemblance in family between excelsa and coffee ground Beans liberica, this species is not an individual one.

So, it's little ambiguous as to the best way to classify excelsa beans. categorized and it's this confusion that's been the reason for the beans' absence in the contemporary world of coffee. Due to this, many roasters, growers and brewers don't know how to cultivate and use these beans effectively.

It's ultimately up to each individual to decide if they prefer the flavor of excelsa, and it can take a while to find the perfect blend. It's essential to be open, and try each type of coffee until you find the one you like. You'll discover the wide range of options the unique beans provide. This is a journey worth the effort.