Types of Coffee Beans

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

The AA grade is given to coffee beans that meet the criteria above, except that they cannot contain more than 3 defects (quakers). These are usually Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are also known as Coffea Arabicica and are the most sought-after bean in the entire world. According to the legend, coffee was discovered by an Ethiopian goatherder Ethiopia after he observed that his livestock had more energy when they consumed the fruit of the plant. This led him to experiment with roasting and making the seeds, resulting in the drink we know and love today.

While many varieties of coffee plants are available, there are only two species that are used as the foundation for our favorite drinks: arabica and robusta. The flavor of the final beverage is typically better with the former.

There are a variety of different cultivars of arabica, with each having its own unique flavor profile. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most well-known arabica cultivars. All other arabica cultivars were derived from these two varieties, either through natural mutations or through deliberate crossbreeding. The SL28 cultivar, for example was developed in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinctive chocolatey flavour.

The flavour of a given arabica variety will depend on the environment in the area it is grown and also on how it is treated and roasted. For instance, the type of shade a plant receives in its altitude, its elevation and soil composition will all play an important impact on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans, also referred to as coffee canephora, are the second most used kind of coffee bean company beans. These beans are commonly used in instant coffees, and they contain twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used to make a variety of espresso blends including cappuccino, caffe latte, and other beverages that are coffee-based.

The Coffea Canephora plant was originally discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it is now grown throughout the globe. It can 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 largest producer of robusta followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

Although the robusta plant has its benefits however, it's not as adored by cupping enthusiasts for its bitter taste and smoky rubber notes. It's generally regarded as a poorer quality coffee, and a majority of the major coffee companies utilize arabica beans to make their top quality products.

However the demand for premium coffee is increasing and small roasters are testing high-end robusta varieties to profit 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 for the perfect balance of the strength and flavor. These are carefully obtained from Uganda, where robusta has been grown for centuries. Learn more about them.

Liberica

Liberica expensive coffee beans beans are scarce and are rarely used around the world. They are less than 2% of global Light Roast Coffee Beans consumption and are often overlooked because they don't contain the same amount of caffeine as Arabica and Robusta do. However, these beans possess an unique taste that many coffee bean enthusiasts find appealing.

Liberica coffee beans, though extremely scarce, are still quite popular in certain parts of Asia. They are most popular in Malaysia and Indonesia as they have a large Muslim population. In these countries, the coffee industry has been active for many years. The consumption of a cup of coffee after prayers is a part of their tradition.

The history of Liberica coffee beans types dates back to the 1890s, when a global epidemic of coffee leaf rust wiped out most of the world's arabica crop. This event prompted coffee producers to search for a more resilient plant that would thrive in tropical climates. They soon discovered the Liberica.

Liberica plants are resistant to disease and pests which makes them a great alternative to the ruined arabica crop. Liberica can also thrive in lower altitudes and high temperatures, which allows it to thrive in Southeast Asia's climate. This is why, today, most of the coffee produced in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia is derived from Liberica beans.

Excelsa

Although it's not common for coffee lovers to come across excelsa beans, they are quickly gaining a reputation for having a distinctive flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer with South India Coffee Co. These beans are "a variant of the liberica species and have similar teardrop-like shapes but smaller size." However despite this family resemblance it is important to remember that excelsa is technically not a separate species.

So, it's little ambiguous as to how excelsa beans should be categorized and it's this confusion that's been the cause of the decaf beans coffee' insignificant presence in the world of coffee. Many roasters, growers and brewers don't know how to properly cultivate and use these beans.

It's up to each person to decide if they prefer the taste of excelsa. it could take a while to find the right blend. The key is to be open-minded and try every type of coffee a shot until you find one that you truly enjoy. You'll discover the vast array of possibilities these unique beans offer. This is a journey worth taking.