Types of Coffee Beans

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

The AA grade is given to coffee beans that fulfill the criteria mentioned above, with the exception that they are not allowed to contain more than 3 defects (quakers). These are typically Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans, also referred to as Coffea arabica are the most well-known type of bean in the world. The legend says that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder noticed his herd's energy levels increased after eating the fruits of the coffee plant. This inspired him to explore roasting and making the seeds, resulting in the drink we know and love today.

There are a myriad of varieties of coffee plants, www.dgtss.gouv.sn however only two are used in the production of our favorite brews - arabica and robusta. The former is generally considered to be superior to the latter and this is evident in the flavor of the final drink.

There are a number of varieties of arabica cultivars, each each possessing its own distinctive flavor profile. Two of the most well-known varieties are Typica and Bourbon which are the basis for the other varieties of arabica have been developed, either through natural mutations or intentional crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya that is renowned for its distinctive chocolate taste.

The flavor of a particular arabica variety will be determined by the climate in which it is grown, and also on how it is treated and roasted. For instance, the kind of shade a tree gets as well as its altitude and soil composition could all play a significant influence on the final outcome.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans, also referred to as coffee canephora are the second most used type of coffee. They are the beans used for most instant coffees and have twice as much caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used to make many espresso blends including cappuccino, caffe latte and various other beverages made from coffee.

Coffea Canephora is a plant that originated in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been cultivated across the world since then. It is able to grow at lower altitudes and can tolerate higher temperatures than the Arabica coffee plant, making it a more suitable crop for farmers. Vietnam is the world's biggest producer of robusta, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

While the robusta coffee plant has its advantages but it's not as loved by cupping enthusiasts due to its bitter taste and smoky rubber notes. It's often regarded as inferior quality coffee and a majority of the major coffee companies utilize arabica beans to make their top-quality products.

However, the demand for gourmet coffee is growing, and smaller roasters are experimenting with high-end robusta varieties to benefit from its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java coffee and Death With Coffee coffee are two examples. Both are excellent robustas that are blended with arabica to achieve the perfect balance between the strength and flavor. These coffees come from Uganda, a country where robusta has been grown for a long time. You can learn more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are an uncommon variety that is seldom used in the world. They account for less than 2% of the world's coffee consumption, and are often overlooked because they don't have as much caffeine as Arabica and Robusta do. But, they have distinct flavor that coffee lovers find appealing.

Liberica coffee beans, though extremely scarce however, are quite popular in some parts of Asia. They are most popular in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a huge Muslim community. In these countries, the coffee industry has been active for many years. Drinking a cup of coffee following a prayer is a part of their tradition.

Liberica coffee's roots go back to the 1890s, when a global epidemic caused by rust on the coffee leaf caused a massive loss of the arabica crop. This triggered coffee producers to discover an alternative species that could thrive in tropical climates. They quickly discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants have a high tolerance for pests and diseases, which made them a perfect replacement for the devastation of the arabica crop. Liberica can also be grown in lower elevations and higher temperatures which enables it to thrive in Southeast Asia's climate. Liberica beans are the main ingredient in the production of the coffee in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Excelsa

Although it is not common for coffee lovers 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. The beans are "a variant of the liberica species, and have a similar teardrop shape but a smaller size." It is important to note that despite the close resemblance between excelsa and liberica, this species is not distinct from the other species.

As such, it's a bit hazy as to the best way to classify excelsa beans. classified and it's this confusion that has been the reason for the beans' absence in the world of coffee. Many roasters, growers, and brewers don't know how to properly cultivate and utilize these beans.

In the end, it's entirely up to the individual to decide whether they enjoy the flavor of the coffee excelsa and it may take a time to discover a blend that is suitable for their tastes. The key is to be open-minded and give every type of coffee a go until you discover one you really enjoy. You'll have the chance to explore the full range of possibilities the unique beans provide. This is an adventure worth taking.