Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee we enjoy there are carefully graded beans. The beans are evaluated based on their size color, shape, and density.

The AA classification is given to coffee beans that satisfy all the criteria above, with the exception that they shouldn't have more than three defective quality (quakers). These beans are usually Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans, also known as Coffea arabica, are the most popular kind of bean in the world. According to the legend, coffee was discovered by a goatherder in Ethiopia after he noticed that his herd was more full of energy when they ate the fruits of the plant. This led him to experiment with roasting and making the seeds into the beverage we know and love to this day.

There are many different types of coffee plants, but only two are used to create our top brews, robusta and arabica. The former is generally considered to be superior to the latter, and this is reflected in the taste of the finished beverage.

There are many different cultivars of arabica, each each one possessing its own unique flavour profile. Two of the most well-known varieties are Typica and Bourbon and from which all other varieties of arabica have been created, either through natural mutation or through deliberate crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya which is famous for its distinct chocolate flavor.

The taste of an arabica variety is based on the environment in which it was planted, and also how it was handled and cooked. For instance, the kind of shade a tree gets in its altitude, its elevation and soil composition will all play an important influence on the final outcome.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most popular variety of coffee. These beans are utilized in the majority of instant coffees, and contain twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used in many espresso blends, especially for cappuccino and caffe latte.

Coffea Canephora is a plant that originated from Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been cultivated throughout the world since then. It can grow at lower elevations and can withstand higher temperatures than the Arabica coffee plant, making it a more convenient crop for farmers. Vietnam is the largest producer of robusta followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

The robusta plant is a good coffee however it's not a favorite among cupping enthusiasts because of its bitter taste and burnt rubber notes. The majority of large coffee companies use arabica bean for their premium products because it's considered to be lower-quality coffee.

The demand for premium coffees is growing, and small roasters are experimenting to benefit from its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java coffee and Death With Coffee coffee are two examples. Both are exceptional robustas that are blended with arabica to achieve the perfect balance of the strength and flavor. These coffees are procured from Uganda, where robusta has been cultivated for long periods of time. You can read more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica coffee ground beans coffee are scarce and are not used in the world. They're less than percent of the world's total consumption of coffee beans, and are often overlooked since they do not contain the same amount of caffeine. However, they do have distinctive flavor that a lot of coffee lovers find irresistible.

Despite their rarity, Liberica coffee beans are still very popular in many parts of Asia. They are most prevalent in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a huge Muslim community. In these countries, the coffee beans 1kg industry has been very strong for many years. Drinking a cup coffee following a prayer is a part of their customs.

Liberica coffee's roots go back to the 1890s after a worldwide epidemic caused by coffee leaf rust decimated the arabica crop. This incident prompted coffee farmers to look for a resilient plant that could thrive in tropical climates. They soon discovered the Liberica.

Liberica plants have a high tolerance for pests and diseases, which made them a perfect replacement for the devastated arabica crop. Liberica also has the ability to thrive in temperatures that are hot and lower altitudes. This allowed it to flourish in the climate of Southeast Asia. Liberica beans are the main ingredient in the production of the coffee that is produced in the Philippines and ground beans coffee Indonesia.

Excelsa

While it's not usual for coffee drinkers to find excelsa beans in their cups, these exclusive beans are beginning to gain an image due to 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." But, ground beans coffee despite this family resemblance it's important to understand that excelsa is technically not a separate species.

So, it's bit hazy as to how excelsa beans should be categorized and 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, farmers, and brewers don't know how to grow and utilize these beans effectively.

Ultimately, it's up to the individual to decide what they prefer about the taste of excelsa coffee. It could take a time to find a blend that matches their tastes. It's crucial to be flexible and try every kind of coffee until you've discovered the one you love. When you do this you'll be able discover the wide variety of possibilities these unique beans can offer. It's a trip worth taking.